A Squared

 

 



Andy and Anne are here for a quick visit on their "Farewell for Now" tour. They are about to set off on an amazing adventure, they are always adventuring, and move to Mexico for a year! They also just got back from a visit to Iceland and England (ho hum). Seriously, these two are living their lives for sure!

Anyway, they came up to Wyoming to see us before they go forward. Now, I don't know if you have seen me post about these two over the years, but they are really super special to us. When Cordelia was talking about them pre-visit she asked if we were related. I told her that they were not family, but very close friends. She thought for a moment and asked, "But they're really like family right?" I couldn't agree more. We love, admire, respect these two and so do our girls.

Last night they arrived right as the sun was setting. Cordelia had been waiting and straining to look out the front window, standing on her tiptoes to catch a tiny glimpse of their arrival. When they fiiiiinally (according to her) arrived there was plenty of jumping and dancing around in her excitement.

We had a lovely time visiting, falling into the rhythm that comes so easily with old friendships. They are so great with kids and the girls just soaked it up. Eric and Andy worked on music. Anne and I talked until we couldn't hold our eyes open (embarrassingly early).

Smile Train and Andy

Do you remember that I told you our friend Andy Mason was here this week? Well after several days of great shows he is about to leave us and return to New Mexico and to his wonderful gal Anne (she couldn't be here this week, booo). I didn't want to let the week end without sharing a few photos from his concerts.

 
Cordelia has the bun in case you were trying to spot her.





Cordelia had an amazing time at the shows we attended, as did all of the other kids. She sang, danced, and yelled, "GO ANDY!"

Also, I wanted to take a moment to ask you to check out this video (below). Andy has been working to promote this great song he wrote and the video as a way to entice you into helping out the Smile Train---a group that gives free cleft surgeries to children. So far Andy and his fans have raised enough money to give 7(!) children the life changing surgery. Please take a moment to watch the video (Cordelia and I are in it) and pass it along! Thanks.

Andy Mason

 

It's that time of year again my friends. Andy Mason is back in Wyoming for some children's concerts. He has had a huge year, touring the world over. His music is awesome. The kids are bananas for his shows and he just so happens to be a dear friend of ours.

When he started showing up here a few years back we had no way of knowing that he would turn into a celebrity in our town. Any time of year when we go to the library we are asked about Andy and his music, when he is coming, etc. We feel like cool celebrity insiders. I wonder if he'll be on the news again...?

Andy arrived yesterday evening and Cordelia was instantly over the moon about his annual appearance. She has been eagerly awaiting his arrival and he didn't disappoint.

Read more about his previous visits here and here. Also, you absolutely must check out his site right here.

If you are in Wyoming and have some kids I hope to see you at a concert this week. Otherwise check his schedule to see if he is coming to a town near you...or see about booking a show through your library.

Uncharted Territory

When our friends Andy and Anne were visiting last month they told us some details from their recent trip to Iceland. Andy disclosed that he had tried banana pizza and that he had enjoyed it.

Now, weird pizza toppings are nothing new to me--in high school-- during my before vegan days ( 1997 b.v.)I would get those little frozen pizzas and slather then in ranch dressing and sprinkle m&ms across the top (I feel ill just thinking about that).

Nowadays I like to put broccoli and slivered almonds on my pizza or any veggie that happens to be lurking in my refrigerator. So, last night as I was making pizza I saw a lonely looking banana sitting on the counter. "Why not? Why not? What is the worse that could happen," I reasoned with myself.

So I cut up the banana and put it across the top of the pizza and popped the whole business in the oven. I texted Andy while waiting for the pizza to bake. He asked for a full-report with photos (hence this blog). After a tense (added for dramatic effect) baking period I decided that it was time...

I removed it from the oven, it looked innocent enough...

I took a bite...

Well, I took a bite after Cordelia, she was my test subject and she seemed to react positively. Naturally I waited to make sure that everything stayed down.

I felt the texture and taste of banana and....it was....fine. I enjoyed it.

Eric's reaction was so extreme that he begged not to be photographed (either that or he'd just gotten a haircut and was not happy with the professional styling---we may never know).

Either way it was cool to mix it up. I hate that as adults we get set in our ways, why not put banana on pizza? So today I invite you to mix it up a bit! If you've already done so or if you have any mix it up ideas, please share them!

Andy and Anne

Every summer we look forward to fresh fruit, the farmer's market, the fourth of July and our annual visit from Anne and Andy. You may recall that I have mentioned them a few times in the past. Andy is a touring musician. He spends his summers on a children's music tour (check him out here). Anne is his lovely lady, a dear friend and a grad student.

We started out yesterday with a kid's concert by Andy Mason at our local library.

Andy at work

Snuggles and careful observation

We thought Cordelia would really get into the show as she loves to go crazy at home and dance around when we play Andy's music, but she preferred to observe the other children from the safety of our laps. She let loose just a few times.

The concert, Andy's rocking out


This kid played air guitar the entire show, it was rad

Dancing during the show

Quality time with Anne

Once the show was over Cordelia put on a little show of her own...

Dancing, after the crowd left

Then we went to lunch together. Andy and Anne were off for another afternoon show while Cordelia took a little snooze.

For the record this is how Ophelia spent the day

Later in the evening (after the guys played an intense tennis match) we all spent some time on the back patio after a passing rain shower.

Bumblebee

Clear evening after a rain shower

Eric on the back patio

Sweet feet in the grass


Anne on the back patio

Andy and Cordelia enjoying the evening air

C'est moi

They Are Here!

Eric and I went to ENMU in New Mexico for the first two years of our college education. While we were there we made friends with a young father named Andy Mason. We were instantly drawn to his straightforward attitude, his humor, his kindness, and his musical abilities.

We left NM, but we held onto his friendship. He has been one of the most dependable friends we've ever had. He is also a super-gifted musician and he and my Mr. have worked together musically on several occasions. Over the years Eric and I have watched his music career grow and grow. He has spent the last several years working as a children's musician. You may recall that I have talked about him a few times here on this blog.

When he and his lovely lady Anne were visiting in 2009, just before Cordelia was born, we started talking about making some music videos for him. One thing led to another and we had a full blown project on our hands. For the next several months Eric and I worked at making videos worthy of his awesome music.

Finally, we finished them! The video is called Andy Mason is in Your Living Room. I have been waiting and waiting for it to become available online and it finally is! Please go and check it out here(you can see part of one video and order if you feel so inclined). We have gotten nothing but amazing feedback on the videos. Cordelia loves them! I hope your family will too. For the record, there are 10 videos, an interview with a robot and a live performance. He also has several albums which are in heavy rotation at our house, you can check out his site here.

I will also post a button on my sidebar in the next several days. Thanks for taking a look we are so excited about this!!!

Making a Music Video

While our musician friend Andy and his lady love Anne (yes Andy and Anne, and no they have not dressed as Raggedy Anne and Andy in spite of my requests) were here we decided to get the last bit of footage for the music videos we've been working on. I promised Andy I wouldn't show any of the photos of him in costume, but you can see it when the DVD is released!

Eric filming Andy

Anne sporting two pairs of glasses

We went out to a park yesterday for the filming and it was also apparently a mosquito festival, yikes. We were under attack and had no recourse, so we just bit the bullet and got through the shoot. Don't worry Cordelia was well protected so only her parents will get West Nile Virus.

Cordelia safe from everything


Water and plants

Mosquitoes aside it was an absolutely gorgeous afternoon.

Reflection in the water

Later we returned home and had some homemade baked curry fries with sloppy lentils and fruit.

This morning Andy and Anne headed out to continue their musical tour of Wyoming. We are so lucky to have such enduring friendships with so many people, even if they are scattered around the world.

Snow

Yesterday it snowed pretty much the entire day. Good thing we had no place to be. We spent the day listening to music, reading, working on our videos for Andy Mason, chatting and hanging out with Cordelia.

What did you do with your day?

I May Have Forgotten to Mention

I don't think I have told you about the cool project Eric and I are busy at work on. Our friend Andy Mason has hired us to complete a series of music videos for his children's album. The idea is that the videos will all be released on DVD in 2010.

What? You don't know who Andy Mason is? Well he is our talented musician friend. He is successful as both a children's musician and with his solo career as well. You can check him out here.

Our first project was for his popular song ZYX which is an alphabet song. We decided to use signage to get our images and now I can't stop looking at different signs and their font.

Anyway, I will keep you posted on our progress and let you know when the DVD is released.

What are you up to today?

Andy Mason

Yesterday we got our very first company since moving to Wyoming. Our friends Andy and Anne are in town for a quick visit. Eric and I first met Andy many years ago when we first started college in NM. Time passed, we moved away and yet we've managed to maintain a very real friendship for all of these years.

Andy is a musician. He's kind of got two musical personas. He makes great albums that Eric and I have been listening to for many years. Then, a few years ago he started making children's albums and touring. He has been very successful in both ventures, for good reason. Today, while he is in town he is going to play a children's show. It will be the first time that Eric and I get to see one of his kid's shows and we are really excited.

Additionally, Eric and I are busy at work making a bunch of music videos for him, which he will be releasing in the not too distant future. I will keep you posted. Eric and I love his music, adult and children's music alike. I highly recommend that you check him out! Here is a link to his website. Enjoy!

On My Mind

Here are a few things that are on my mind today:

I was wondering if there is some sort of North American tapir rescue. I think they are really cute and I want to adopt one. Don't know what a tapir is? Click here

I have been away from Montana too long. So, I look at pictures of Montana and feel invigorated to make it happen. Anybody know how to get Montana Maria home? I promise not to leave Montana again!

I am listening to our dear friend Andy Mason as I am typing this. He is a really talented musician. Check him out here. For my readers with children Everybody Loves Pizza is great! He doesn't just make children's music....so check him out either way.

I am really excited to see my cousin Erin. She will be here soon! Fiddle-dee-dee!

I am trying to figure out the perfect 1980s outfit to wear for my trip back in time to see New Kids on the Block. I am thinking puff paint. Also, I will try and draw some inspiration from this family.

I am thinking about how to make this vegan Thanksgiving an awesome one. My family will be down here and I want to take this Thanksgiving to the next level. I am talking Martha Stewart here, but vegan Martha Stewart.