Spirit of the Season

For Christmas this year, Martha gave me the new Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD called "Spirit of the Season." The CD features several songs by a Norwegian singer named "Sissel." I had never heard of her before. I wish I would have. Her voice is simply incredible. If an angel from heaven came to me and started to sing, I know it would sound just like her. Her voice has a clarity and brightness to it that makes you pause just to listen to its beauty. She shines best in the Norwegian folks tunes on the CD but is wonderful in the English language songs as well. Her sometime noticeable accent only adds to the charm.

My least favorite songs on CD were "Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella" (it sounded more like military march than a Christmas carol) and "Sunny Bank" (a variation of "I saw three ships" that was repetitive and annoying). There were also a few songs that require a stretch to fit into the carol category such as "Like an Angel Passing Through My Room" (an old ABBA song) but it was stunningly beautiful, nevertheless.

Wexford Carol is Martha's favorite on the CD and I think I have to agree with her. The Irish whistle in the song can't help but evoke images of the "emerald isle."

4 Beavers for "Spirit of the Season."

Savior of the World

Jane, Adam, Julia and I enjoyed very much our opportunity to participate in a sacred musical drama called "Savior of the World -- His Birth and Resurrection" put on by our stake. Check out the pictures...


Jane and Julia check out their makeup.


All made up and ready to go as Mary's Father.


Julia as villager.


Allen as Mary's Father, Jane as Anna (Mary's Sister) and Julia.


Jane tries out Mary's pregnant outfit.
Looks a little lumpy. They ended up not using it.


Adam as Ezra, Mary's Cousin.


Allen as Mary's Father at the betrothal.

"Joseph is a good man."


"Drink, and you have a covenant."


Jane as Anna and Mary (Kristen Jorgensen) talk about her betrothal.


Jane is excited for the wedding.


Ezra with Elizabeth (Janey Hick)


Marriage of Mary and Joseph.


Adam holds wedding canopy.


Allen as angel sings to the shepherds.

Mary Falck in the green room.

Mary Falck as Rebecca (a young disciple). She and Julia traded off the role of Rebecca every other night.

Maren Sedgwick hears the apostles.

Mary Falck and Maren Sedgwick as angels.

Julia sings like an angel.

Peter greets Mary Magdalene (Angel Westover)

Allen as Peter with apostles in upper room.

Peter with James (Matt Boyer), Thomas (Dave Astle)

and John (Blake).

Allen as Peter

Jane with women (Kim Clawson and Claralyn Palfryman) rejoicing over Christ's resurrection.

"Come deliver us..."

"Behold my hands...." Don Sedgwick (Cathy's brother) as Christ.

Christ appears to the apostles.

Peter encourages Thomas (Dave Astle) to believe

"Thomas, have you given up hope?"

Jane and Julia in finale.

Jane wows the audience with her beatiful voice.

I will leave it to others to review the show. All I can say is that it was a very moving experience for our family -- an experience we will never forget.

"What we thought was the end, is the beginning."

Digital Snowflakes

Check out this snowflake cutting site: http://snowflakes.lookandfeel.com/

You can cut out your own digital snowflakes and download them to share.

Here's the snowflake I cut... looks kind of art-deco don't you think?



5 Beavers for the snowflake site.

Thanks to Hailey Meyer Liechty's blog for this great tip: http://theletteroftheday.blogspot.com/

LOCAL DANCERS EARN PLUM ROLES IN BALLET WEST'S 'THE NUTCRACKER'

[Thanks to Kelly and Dave Ostergar for this... ACO]

Choreographed by Ballet West Founder William Christensen, "The Nutcracker"had its Utah premiere in 1955. That first year, Christensen used guest artists in primary roles and drew on children from several Salt Lake dance studios to fulfill additional parts. The result was one cast of 75 local dancers. This year, Ballet West auditioned nearly 500 children from Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and surrounding areas for the coveted children's role, resulting in four casts of young dancers. The use of local dance students for the annual Nutcracker performances has been a holiday tradition. Congratulations to the following 2007 Nutcracker kids cast members! Noah Ostergar's name is listed in this article from the Salt Lake Deseret News 11/25/2007.
5 beavers to Noah for trying out and making it He will perform Dec. 12-17th. We will send reviews then.