A Tuesday Tune

I could go on for about two hours for my love of this group The Tenors (formerly The Canadian Tenors, since yes, they're Canadian!). I saw them on Sunday and to say that I was in love was an understatement.

Yes, Clifton, that tall dark haired boy with the unbelievable smile, come live in Chicago. That's all I have to say! (oh and Frazier, the one on the end, he's pretty great too!)

I really love that genre of crossover music, and though it's been on the radar for awhile now, it's picking back up with artists like Josh Groban, Michael Bublé and now, luckily for us, The Tenors! As cheesy as it sounds, I love inspirational music with a message and every Tenors tune does that.

So instead of going on about it, I'll just give you an example:

They also do some great covers and each of them at their concert sang solo. I was smitten! 

Got a group on your mind lately? What's your favorite tune as of late?

image via here

Summer Concert Time!

It's almost May and that means that times of outdoor food festivals and evening summer concerts are almost upon us and I could not be more excited! Fortunately for us in Chicago, there are tons of places for outdoor concerts in the summer (many of them are extremely cheap or free of charge). My favorite venue is Ravinia up in suburban Highland Park. It's a huge space, great for picnics and long evenings spent with friends and family.

My dad and I always catch a classical concert or two, but my main event that I'm looking forward to this summer is this man:

image found here

Yes I know. I might be nerding out on this one, but his voice is absolutely gorgeous and I *may have been* playing his songs on my piano since I was 16. To say I've been waiting to see him live is an understatement. I'm so excited that he's finally coming to town! Trust me, I will be singing along. and it might be really loud, so sorry in advance! haha

Who's on your summer concert radar? I'd also like to get in a Dierks Bentley fix when he comes into town in August!

Home

So I don't know if you watched the Olympics! Who am I kidding? I think everyone watched the Olympics at some point right? Well then you probably heard this song called Home from a guy named Philip Phillips. 

I'm kind of obsessed with the song. 

Maybe because it reminds me of the Olympics and how awesome they were, or maybe because I'm at home again. I don't know. I've had the tune in my head for days and can't get it out. And that's ok, because I just love it! 

But then I realized that I love all songs with the titles of Home! Because there are quite a few!

I think I heard Home with Michael Bublé when I was about 13, and I'm still in love with the song. I could listen to that man croon all day long!

And then there seemed to be the anthem of my senior year of high school: Home by Daughtry. We all loved it because of the great melody, but maybe again it was because we all decided that we would always have a home at our high school. 

What do you think? Do have a favorite Home?

Songs of the Season

The other night, we were sitting around my house and Ellen's boyfriend Cody was asking me to play more patriotic American songs on the piano for the fourth of July. He said that I didn't play enough of them last year. So, to make it up, I played several different American tunes. I couldn't pick a favorite.

Besides the national anthem, which I think is a beautiful song (and I can't wait to hear it once the Olympics are on!), which song makes you think of America?

God Bless America. This Celine Dion version gives me the chills!

God Bless the USA. A more contemporary song, but I love the refrain a lot.

Stars and Stripes Forever. A classic Sousa march that you can't stop humming along! I love when it's played by big military bands.

Yankee Doodle Dandy. I know we've all heard this song when we were little, but have you ever seen this movie? It's such a classic! It's got some of the best dancing ever and when you hear this song in context it makes so much more sense (and I love the song now thanks to the movie!)

America the Beautiful. This song also happens to give me the chills! Can't tell you why, it just does!

So do you have a favorite? Or a favorite version? I think our country has some of the prettiest songs to represent it and though we don't always listen to them all year long, celebrating our nation is a great time to bring out the tunes!

Have a safe time at fireworks tonight/tomorrow!

He does it Again

So over the years I've glanced at the Tonys. I've watched bits and pieces every year, but it's never been an event like the Oscars where I end up getting sucked in for the whole show.

This year, I watched the whole show. What can I say? I love a good musical!

The performances were fantastic!! And I have to say, Mr. NPH tied the whole show together. It was his third time hosting, and though the only thing I saw from last year's show was his opening number (which was hilarious) he did a really great job this year! His closing number was so funny and quick witted too, I loved the whole show!

I mean, look at the guy. How can you not smile by just looking at him?

There was a little bit of that too!

What I love about the Tonys is seeing the shows that are "it" right now in NY. Hopefully if they keep it up in NY they'll be bound to come to Chicago! I'm hoping for Newsies and Porgy and Bess, and just because it stole the show, Once looks good too. I also thought that Audra McDonald sounded absolutely gorgeous during her performance, and her speech was sweet too!

Are you a fan of musicals/plays? Did you watch the Tonys? I loved it! Perfect ending to a wonderful weekend, if I do say so myself!

~Susan

all images via here and here

Vocal for The Voice

This is kind of a video heavy post, but I was just so moved that I had to share!


So here's the deal: I LOVE THE VOICE!

This season has been so fantastic! So many incredible voices every week, but my favorites throughout the whole competition have definitely been two of the four that have ended up in the finale: Chris Mann and Jermaine Paul.

Now, if you don't watch The Voice, Chris is an opera singer who has never had the opportunity to hit it big, though he had an EP a few years ago. He's got the voice of an angel (kind of Grobanesque) and he's absolutely gorgeous! If you missed last night, he sang this Groban favorite:

He also sang The Prayer with Christina Aguilera, and I nearly melted. It was gorgeous!

Chris would be my number one favorite...if Jermaine wasn't in the mix.

Jermaine is a God given talent. He's got such a rich, soulful voice and every time I hear it, I smile. Also, I love him by default since he's on Team Blake! He's been trying to get a break for years since being Alicia Keys' background singer years ago, but no luck. Now all those people who have ever told him no are probably eating their words! He's hit it out of the park week by week, but last night hit the jackpot. I rewatched the YouTube video and got the chills. So please, if you watch anything today, spend three minutes watching this:

Ok I watched it again. And downloaded it. Still have chills.

I haven't gotten this excited about a finale since the first season of Idol! I am really hoping either Jermaine or Chris takes the title home. Get used to seeing their names around because I'm sure this is just the first of many hits we'll see from both of them!

Happy Tuesday!

~Susan

Creativity: it's a Choice!

Source: branfam.blogspot.com via Danelle on Pinterest

I' really love the blog The Simply Luxurious Life and it has been a daily read of mine after I found it about a month ago. I think Shannon had some great ideas today about creativity that I thought I would let you find it for yourselves. Sometimes we get in a rut and need to find ways to choose to be creative. I think she gives us all some great ideas and also gives us insight on the things we don't want to hear. But sometimes we have to hear those, such as her Be the Outsider concept (something I'm always afraid of). Hop on over there today and see what she has to say!

P.S. If it's feeling like summer in your neck of the woods, I can't help but sharing this with you today too!

Who doesn't need a little Kenny Chesney on days like today!

~Susan

So we use our hands a lot, right?

I don't know any blogger, or any person for that matter, who does not rely on their hands on a daily basis. For me, I use my hands for something that I don't really talk about much here on my blog.

That's high school me! Haven't changed that much though :)

I'm an avid pianist. I've been playing the piano for about 16 years now. It is something that I am so very passionate about and I've spent a lot of time lately preparing and using my talents to prepare for a big recital in April. I think, in my preparations, I overdid it a bit. Unfortunately, about two weeks ago, I found out that I have carpal tunnel in both of my hands and wrists (which is when the tendons in your hands are inflamed and rub against one another, causing pain in the hands and wrists). Two weeks ago, it was so bad that typing just for a few minutes was painful, hence why my posts here on the blog haven't been what they usually are. I found out that I couldn't give my recital, something that I had been looking forward to for years, and that I had to take a lot of time off and couldn't work or accompany people, two things that I enjoy a great deal. It's been tough to take a step back from something that has been so natural for me, a part of my daily routine, and all the sudden it's had to take a backseat.

It was a bit heartbreaking, but things have been looking up for me! I've been going to occupational therapy sessions and learning techniques to strengthen my hands. I'm determined to become strong again so that I can, later on, give my recital and get "back to normal." I'm glad I caught it early.

However, despite the fact that I am slowly recovering, I was told to limit my computer time for "work" purposes. As a blogger, I was like what?! So I'm sorry that I have not been commenting as frequently on your beautiful posts as I normally do. Once my hands get stronger, I promise, I'll be back to normal!

That being said, some of my favorite bloggers have been so sweet to provide posts for the week! (I'm still wanting to show you my Fancies on Friday! Hello...it's Tangerine Tango!). So tomorrow Carly from a simple affair will be here, I'm so excited. I hope you will be too!

Thanks for being such loyal readers everyone. It really means the world to me that you come to my little neck of the blogosphere, you guys are the best!

~Susan

Weekend Highlight: good friends, good food, good music!

Hi friends! I hope you all had wonderful weekends, I have to say that I definitely did! Here's something that sums up what a great weekend it was:

We celebrated that gorgeous girl in the green! She did such a beautiful job, and I was so inspired by all of her work to work even harder. That concert was a great start to the weekend.

After getting my test over and done with (thank goodness!) I had a little rest and relaxation. I caught up on my world events, including saying goodbye to Miss Whitney Houston. What a legend. My hairbrush and I Wanna Dance with Somebody will never be the same. But seriously, I hope that her memory and her talents will always be respected for future generations to come. She was a rockstar.

I must have been on a music kick because I caught up with both The Voice and Smash! I have to say, both have me hooked and wanting more! I know, I know, I'm sort of lame, but really I don't mind. I love TV like this! I've been a music reality show fan ever since Idol, but I love how they have evolved into more now. I LOVE The Voice! (and again, I love me some Blake Shelton!)

Also, because I did catch up on my TV this weekend, what do we think of The Bachelor? I'm wanting Kacie B all the way! The girl obviously has a thing for him and he is definitely attracted to her. Here's hoping Ben doesn't get sucked into Courtney's wit on tonight's episode! If Kacie doesn't work, Lindzi is also a nice option too!

What shows are you currently hooked on friends? I'd love to know!!

Here's to a great start to the week! I think it's going to be a good one!

~Susan

Weekend HIghlight: Yeehaw!

This weekend, I finished up ten days of intensive work on this show called The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (yes, I know off putting title, but it was really hilarious!). So my weekend was filled with a new flannel plaid that I picked up, thank you Target! Here are the gals that kind of owned the pit with me. We really did have a fun time.

I also was able to finish that cowl I started last week during rehearsal breaks. Here's how it turned out (and excuse my bad photo booth pictures):

I have to say, I'm a fan! How were your weekends?? Do you have big plans for this week?

~Susan

Weekend Highlight: Giving Back

This weekend was full of recovery. It was nice to finally feel well again, thank goodness. I was happy to get home to family and friends and have some quality sister time.

Source: leahremilletblog.com via Shirley on Pinterest

I must say though, the highlight of this weekend was definitely giving back. A few friends and I have a singing group together and we wanted to Christmas Carol at some nursing homes in our area. We performed some holiday favorites and then talked with the residents. They were so happy to see us, but I was even happier just to be there. They do not get many visitors, so many were even brought to tears that we were stopping by (which in turn made all of us cry. See a pattern?!). Talking with them and hearing stories of their pasts made all of us even happier to arrive at our futures. The one foreign lady who worked there even wished us happy holidays and even wished us all good husbands! We laughed, cried, and were so thankful that we were given the opportunity to go and visit with these people and we definitely want to go back this spring.

Have you given back in some way? How do you give back in your community?

Happy Monday!! 13 days til Christmas!

~Susan

I gave in...

Ok, I couldn't help it.

I just had to.

Because it makes me smile

And he's gorgeous


And I JUST HAD TO. 

Yes ladies I officially turned on my Josh Groban Christmas CD today. No judgments! Yes. So sue me! Have I mentioned how much I love the man? Well it's true. Josh Groban Noel is an absolutely beautiful album. Are there any other albums I need to listen to for the upcoming holidays? (Don't worry the new Michael Bublé is on my list to purchase!).

Has anyone else given in like me? I really have no shame!

~Susan

Tune Up

Like, suit up! Got it? Haha just kidding. Although we've been watching lots of How I Met Your Mother lately so I must be channelling my inner bro.

Literally, I felt like that weekend was just way too darn short. And it was three days. Wow. I want another one! But, I was able to read a book (Heaven is For Real, by Todd Burpo. It's a tear jerker for anyone who's interested. I loved it!), do some window shopping, go for late summer car rides with the music blasting and all windows down, and eat some homemade goodies! Nothing says fall like my mother's Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe to come!). It was really delicious.

But now I'm back and everything is in full swing.  But, last night as I was frantically writing plans and taking care of business, I decided that I needed some music to pump me up and get me motivated, as well as keep me line and able to concentrate on my work. Here's what I came up with:

1. In honor of fall and football season, the Remember the Titans Soundtrack is so so so good. It's a great pump-up soundtrack, yet is very inspiring and I feel like I can persevere whenever I listen to it! 
2. I will save you all my gushing of how much I love The Holiday and Love Actually until the Christmas holidays (because get prepared, I will gush!), but I will say that I love those soundtracks too. So pretty and simple. It doesn't distract me at all (except at times when I'm just dying to watch those movies. Other than that, no distraction!).
3. Anything Michael Bublé. Yep. Love him. That's it. Oh and Josh Groban too.
4. My sisters have really turned me onto Jack Johnson recently. I love his stuff and it's something so fun to listen to that really makes work and stressful things fun. Really, it does. So give him a listen, or revisit him if you haven't listened to him lately. I love it.
5. Ok, I'll be sappy again and say that Glee has been working for me also, especially all of those Warbler songs. So so good! Darren Criss is just a cutie, he can't help it! Oh and I want the new season to start! I need a good dose of Glee back in my life!

What are your motivational songs? What do you listen to for a pick me up? I always love suggestions, because I love all genres.

Fall hit! When did this happen? Good thing I have all my sweaters, so I'm armed and ready if it gets any chillier. Here's to Hump Day everyone!
Have wonderful Wednesdays!
~Susan