New blog posts - 20th to 26th November

[PetiteRaleuse]

Morning. Cheating a little here as this was yesterday's post but I am having a day off blogging today.

a comfort food blog hop

I've been writing furiously this week so here's an update on how this latest book is going as well as a sneak preview of the cover and first few paragraphs of my next 'opus', which should be out later this year.

Thanks for the honourable mention, Shirley! I'm a huge fan of your blog. :)

I did a Tell me about yourself post too.

Just a word to newbies to the thread, hope you don't think we are ignoring you, we really are very friendly, your posts might just get missed in the flow. Keep posting links to your posts. For me they are a great way of keeping up with blogs.

A rant about Dave's new sick note policy.

Morning all,

Todays post just a brief one.... Daddy's Diaper Toolkit anyone? This is a genius gift idea!

DillyTante - - Thanks for that message to Newbies! I haven't quite got used to the flow and speed of messages on here yet! Nor have I quite worked out how to keep track of any responses to anything I happen to ask! But that's always the case when you're new to something, so I'll get there!

To everyone else: Question if you've got a minute. Does anyone know how to play around with background pictures using blogger? I'm trying to bring some more colour to my blog page, but can't seem to get them to work without throwing out all the rest of the formatting!

We observed our first Suzuki music lesson earlier this week so my latest post is all about that (and the pros and cons of Suzuki as a method for learning an instrument)

HI

Thanks for your lovely comments ShirleyKnot (love your name!) and MmeLindor. I'm not quite up to speed this week as both me and DC3 have been sick and of course, this coincides with a busy work week, but I'm looking forward to getting properly into this blogging lark and having a good look at fellow blogs.

Here's today's blog - not typical of me as it has no images and no books but here goes:

hogsbackbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/kindness-of-strangers.html

Fiddler, I'd be interested if you had anything to say on your blog about learning an instrument for the first time as an adult. Obviously not your experience but you might know a bit about it.

I was never really offered the opportunity to learn an instrument as a child. I'd like to learn now but I'm a bit scared. Also I dont cope well with being crap a stuff so I'd have to dig deep to keep at it.

Ooh, don't mean to jump in Dillytante but i've jsut started learning the violin! I play the piano and played the clarinet as a child but am not what you call musical. But DD1 was learning and I wanted to be able to help her so have taken some lessons too - but it is so hard^. Not just the instrument itself but finding the time to practise and using a whole new part of my brain. Plus the noise I make is awful. I did a brief post about it a couple of weeks ago but perhaps could post about it in more detail - I'm finding it really interesting the difference between learning as an adult and as a child. That reminds me, must get of the t'internet and do some practise.

Hi Dillytante,

It's a good point, most of what I've written is about coming back to music as opposed to starting from scratch although this post www.reopeningthecase.co.uk/2011/11/07/it-may-be-dispiriting-but-its-good-for-your-brain/ touches on it a bit.

Thanks v much for the thought, I will definitely try to post something on that soon. Would you be interested in the practicalities (i.e. which instrument, how to get started, how much does it cost) or is it more about the psychology of playing as an adult?

Staranise is right though, it's really hard to find the time and/not let the slow progress get you down. But there are real advantages too - for a start you can be a bit more analytical about the whole thing and, although finding the time is difficult, you tend to practice 'better'. Also there's the fact that as an adult you just 'get' the fact that to improve you've got to put the time in. And, it is something you can do for yourself that can ultimately bring a lot of pleasure and be sociable (there are so many orchestras and music groups out there to join, for people of all ages)

Hi Fiddler, had a quick look at your blog and really enjoyed it, especially posts re. practice time and long necks - I have the same problem and also use a Kun, with mixed results. Regarding adult learners vs children, my 7 year old finds reading music difficult while also playing so I'm able to tackle more difficult pieces just because I can read music well and therefore can concentrate more on the actual playing - though DD makes a nicer sound than me (she's been playing longer plus my cat screeching makes a nicer sound than me...)

Interesting what you say re. someone of my standard ie, beginner should aim for 15 mins practice a day - that feels about right but is hard in reality! Right, less MNing, more music... Will have a proper read/follow of your blog when I have more time.

Glad you like the blog staranise. Yes, the reality of daily practice is really tough, my record this week has been shocking. Interesting point re the limitations for your daughter of not yet reading music that well but making a better sound. Anyway, very best of luck with your violin playing and if you think of anything you'd particularly be interested in hearing more about let me know and I'll try to post on it.

Ooh yes, I have lots of ideas - music theory and its relevance to playing would be one or using an electronic tuner, pros & cons, or what it means to be musical (I could talk for hours about this - ie, I was told when I was 6 that I wasn't musical but then went on to play piano and clarinet reasonably well for many years and got a lot of enjoyment from them both plus from the experience of playing in an orchestra etc , therefore I get very cross when children are written off as "not musical" when, to a certain standard at least, it's a technique that can be learned.) Ok, that's enough from me on the subject, I shall follow your blog with interest!

Rhinestonecowgirl I like your blog - is there a button I can press to follow it? I can't see one but could be being dense of course. Sigh, I wish I could use a sewing machine. It used to take me half the textiles lesson to get mine threaded up!

Thanks MissPB :)

I have switched the followers bit back on, it's in top r hand corner. I'm also on Twitter as @madebytamsin

Totally anecdotal but my grandma took up the piano at around 60! She got quite good too!

I've been ill all day so I'll be back tomorrow!

Well I finally got around to doing something with those medlars...http://breadfortheboys.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/the-ben-nevis/ Mont Blanc anyone?

Let's try that again!

I am going to post and run today, but I have been reading the posts I promise... you probably see me in your stats :-)

I started my Christmas baking (and the kids ate it all) with these Snowy Ginger Biscuits Need to learn how to hide them better... note the first comment on the post too :-)

Hello

Sorry I'm not around much again. Not in a very good way at the moment. However, managed to schedule a parent interview with author Nicola Morgan to post this morning - she's the one who wrote all those 'I Can Learn' workbook-y things for young children, and has written a load of non-fiction young adult books too.

Sorry your not so good FB, hope things improve soon.

My Grandad took up the piano, painting and cooking all in his late 60s, after my nan died. He became pretty good at all three was my inspiration to start cooking really.

I have posted the 3rd part of my Women's Aid series. Plus last night I got a bit angry about something so posted a small post about music including a great Metallica video.... but I'm really telling you lot about the 3 Women's Aid posts I've done in the past week.

Please read and comment if you feel drawn to do so.

WA-part3

Morning, all. I've had a more positive week and been a bit of a social animal

Going against my hate of Xmas starting to early to announce that the Festive Season begins this weekend chez Lindor

Advent Advent

FB
((hugs))