Doors

I can't help but think about how strange it feels to walk in this door. It's been so long since I've been here. I open the door and as I enter the hallway I hear it. Irish dance music. What was once a huge part of my daughters life has now taken a back burner. And it's hard for me. I support her and feel she is choosing great things. It's still hard. I miss her constant dancing in our house and in the aisles of the grocery store. I miss the dance floor that used to cover our living room floor. I miss my Irish dance family. 

Emma used to have a dream of competing at worlds. It became my dream too, to accompany her on that trip.  Now I get to look back on the Oireachtas and think of the stress, lack of sleep and good times we had and be so grateful she had that opportunity. Because I don't know if she'll go again.  

But where one door closes another opens so I look ahead with anticipation at the new things she is delving into. 

Feis-n

This past weekend was the Portland Feis sponsored by our school, the Murray School of Irish Dance.  Chris was in charge of tabulation for the feis, I was over hospitality (all the food) and Emma was in charge of dancing.  We all did well in our prospective duties!  Emma took first place in her Reel Trophy Special.  She typically does well in this trophy dance.  She got a nice big trophy for that which made her really happy.

She got 1st in her Treble Jig which is what she needed in order to have all her dances in Prizewinner.  she is there now and it was a great goal for her to have achieved.  I think she was the most excited about that achievement for the day.

She also got 2nd place with her partner, Marcy, for their Harry Potter dance.  They looked adorable in their costumes and their routine was awesome.  Emma was Luna Lovegood and Marcy was Hermione.

As soon as Harry Potter was over Emma had to make a quick costume change for the Lada Gaga costume special.  Some of the costumes were outstanding.  Murray School swept the competition taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  Emma and her partner, Kylie, took 3rd. Way to go Murray Irish Dancers.

Emma and Kylie are in the bubble wrap skirts.

And first place goes to.....

Emma May (insert shouting, hurrays and "way to go, Emma" here)

This was the scenario at the Portland Feis this past weekend. Emma did great. She did more than great. She had her personal best scores and it showed with her taking first place in her soft shoe dances of the Reel and Slip Jig and her hard shoe dances of the Treble Jig and Hornpipe. She also got the first place trophy for her Trophy Dance. 5 first places. She was amazing. It would have been a clean sweep except that she did not place in the Light Jig.

I would put some pictures up except that my camera is sick. Yep, his eye is broken. So he went back to his maker for eye surgery and hopefully he will come back all better. (sniff sniff)

My sister took pictures and when I get copies I will add them to this post.

I am especially thankful that my sister, mom and aunt Sherilyn and Uncle Mike were able to be there. I think they must have been good luck charms.

Oh, and my soda bread I entered got first place as well. It helped that there was no competition. I don't mean that to seem hoity toity of me, there was literally no competition. I was the only competitor. So not too difficult to win first. But I did love the judges comments, "I can't stop eating this bread. It's very, very good." That made me happy!

So up next for Emma is the Novice level for most of her dances. She will now get the embroidered school dress. It's exciting but expensive. I have prepared Emma for what to say when relatives ask what she wants for Christmas, "I would like money towards my Irish Dance dress." She has practiced with a smile, a sad puppy dog look and the glittering eye look. Not sure which one will be most effective.

Emma with her great-aunt Sherilyn

Emma and Grandma Marilyn

Happy St. Patricks Day

Who knew that when Emma signed on with the Murray Irish Dancers that St. Patrick's day would take on a whole new meaning?

Our day began bright and early leaving the house with Makenzie and Emma in tow. Dropped off Makenzie at school and then we were off to Hiteon Elementary the first of 5 schools they danced at today. In the middle there was a nice pizza lunch at a small locally owned pizzeria in Lake Oswego. Then we left to dance in Lake Oswego and then had 10 minutes to get all the way back to Beaverton. Needless to say we didnt make it in quite enough time. We were a little late and had to cut our program short.

Emma is exhausted and I am too. Oh, wait, I have to bake a fancy dessert tonight for Makenzie's Jazz Band Concert at the Hilton tomorrow night. No rest for me tonight.

My Irish dinner turned out the best it ever has. So simple too. The only thing I did different was to buy a really good piece of corned beef from New Seasons. A week ago I saw that they were going to have taste testing of their nitrate and nitrite free corned beef on Saturday. So we went on Saturday, just to taste it. I declared it perfect and so bought a piece large enough to feed our family.

Today I unwrapped it, threw it in my deep covered baker added a cup of water and cooked it for an hour. Then I added some fat wedges of cabbage and some red potatoes cut into plump chunks. Put the lid back on and kept cooking for another hour. No seasoning, nada.

I tell you, I have never had potatoes and cabbage that tasted better in my life. Well, maybe those rosemary shoestring potatoes from Burgerville but I digress. I mean this dinner was amazing. And so easy. Now that I know what a taste difference that corned beef makes I will never again buy that red stuff from the grocery store.

I'd take a picture but there isn't any left. And we were starving and dug in before said picture could be taken.

But here is a picture of what I wore today......