A "Heart" for Ekisa

Ekisa has been on my heart ever since I learned about this incredible organization last year. I have been driven to do more than my personal donations financially and it finally came to me...call it that lightbulb moment or devine intervention to use my end of the year review show as an opportunity to support this ministry. What better way to incorporate my passion and love of music and singing to bring awareness and support to this non-profit.

Below are the pages of the benefit concert program that was provided for each guest.

Cover/Page 1: 

Presenting: “Heart”

Saturday, April 13^th, 2013

Words will never be enough to express my thanks to each and every one of you for coming tonight. It is a small attempt to give back to those who have ever supported and encouraged me, showed up to a concert, given me constructive criticism and honest feedback, offered financial support, a listening ear or a warm and often much needed hug, and especially for lending a helping hand and giving of your time. You have all touched my heart and I feel fortunate and blessed every day for all of the ways that you have touched my life.

Much love and many blessings,

~ Holly C.

Page 2: 

“Heart”

Set 1:

1.      (Intro to Hope) At Last

2.      Come Rain Come Shine

3.      Too Late Now

Set 2:

4.      The Dream

5.      Weep No More Sad Fountains

6.      Lakmé/Flower Duet – w/Liz Oyama

7.      Lessons

INTERMISSION

Set 3:

8.      Most Requested:  TBD

9.      Perfect Love – w/Andrew T. Miller

10.   The Prayer – w/Brandt Sterling

11.   Poison and Wine/Last Time - w/Kitt Bender

Set 4:

12.   Siúil A Rún

13.   Just a Game

14.   Glitter in the Air

Page 3:

 Our Mission is to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities in Uganda. By providing a home of love, hope, and understanding we will enable each person to develop necessary life skills and help them find purpose. The environment will be focus on the mental, spiritual, and physical growth of each individual according to their specific needs. We spread seeds of hope for the future and faith in God’s love to the people of Uganda living with disabilities.

 “My favorite thing about being the nurse at Ekisa is that I don’t have “patients” anymore. I eat with these children, play with them, share a roof with them, and love them like they are my own. I can’t think of a more rewarding place to serve.”

~ Erika L.J.

Nurse for Ekisa, March 14, 2013

For more information or to donate to this organization, visit: www.ekisa.org

Page 4 (Last page):

Andy, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you. Thank you especially for those times when you pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to take risks and at times fighting tooth and nail during our rehearsals/lessons to draw from me more than I ever thought I was capable of.

Special thanks to:

All ATMMS staff and volunteers

All of the artists that I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with especially for this concert.

To my beloved mother: Singing with me as the last part of our day for so many of those first years…those were the first musical seeds planted and memories that I will forever cherish.

To my beloved Sandy: I couldn’t have asked for a better or more loving step-mother…your wisdom is irreplaceable…how I love and miss you.

The After Party/Meet and Greet of all of my friends and family that attended and showed their support!

People came from as far as Louisiana and Oregon!!!

More photos to follow!

 

Bunny Bread

Sometimes, you need to do something that makes you smile...yes, it might not be practical or efficient but the amount of pleasure it gives makes it well worth any extra effort required...hence BUNNY BREAD!!! I came across an amazing assortment of pictures on Pinterest.com where loaves of bread had been shaped and formed to look like a rabbit/bunny in one way or another!

 cinnamon bunny bread

bunny roll

Bunny Bread

How cute are those!

The recipe that I attempted to re-create can be found here: bunbread

I decided to invite one of my dearest art buddies to join me...after all, cooking and trying new things is always more fun when shared with someone.

 We used just a store bought Rhodes bread dough and rolled out various sized pieces to take a crack at our own bunnies...brushing each with a light coat of egg white to help it brown and to help the seasonings stick.

 

We tried three different seasonings on various bunnies. Some had a Parmesan cheese and garlic mixture, others had McCormick's Grill Mates roasted garlic and herb, and the rest had just a pinch of salt.

 We found that each bunny was the perfect size/portion and complemented our "pizza chili" perfectly.

The cute factor is almost too much to handle!!! We were all smiles at dinner so for a first try, I have to say that "Operation Happy Bunny Bread" was a complete success!

The start of a new drawing!!! I was absolutely captivated by the composition of this picture and the stripes!

Don't you just love it when you hair cooperates the way you want it to?!? Hooray for good hair days and beautiful sunrises!!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's that day to wear green, sing a few songs, eat some good food such as the popular corned beef and cabbage and as some like to do...partake in a beverage or two...

I had a last minute opportunity to join a few music friends and perform at a new venue called, "The Mix" in Georgetown in Seattle on St. Patty's Day (March 17th, 2013)...finishing off the Forte set and to lead off a very talented musician and friend, Kitt Bender with his set.

 Singing a few Irish themed tunes as well as some original works by some local artists, such as the classic and popular "Siúil a Rún" which basically translates to mean, "Go My Love" which has a combination of English verses and a Gaelic chorus and is one of my favorite Celtic tunes. The version that I sang is as follows: 

Siúil, siúil, siúil a rún
Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin
Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom
Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán

I wish I was on yonder hill
'Tis there I'd sit and cry my fill
And every tear would turn a mill
I'll sell my rod, I'll sell my reel
I'll sell my only spinning wheel
To buy my love a sword of steel

Chorus
Siúil, siúil, siúil a rún
Siúil go socair agus siúil go ciúin
Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom
Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán

I'll dye my petticoats, I'll dye them red
And round the world I'll beg my bread
Until my parents shall wish me dead

Chorus x3

War Horse On The Stage

It has been awhile since I have been completely blown away by a stage performance...but War Horse was absolutely AMAZING, powerful, moving and original! Nick Stafford adapted the story to the stage (premiering in 2007) from Michael Morpurgo's1982 best selling novel. Two thumbs up and 5 stars is this girls vote! I now know and understand what all of the hype is about regarding this show!

About to go in to the Paramount up in Seattle! Finally!!! I get to see the show and cash in on a ticket that I received as one of my presents this last Christmas.

My father and I took a quick snapshot at the intermission.

I have yet to see Steven Spielberg's (2011) film or read the book that started inspired this amazing show, but I am so glad that my first experience was watching it live on stage...you really can't beat that first impression!

Go see it as soon as you get the chance!

Snapshots and Sketches

Wow, it's been awhile! Life has been crazy...good! So much to be thankful for! Lots of music performances and travels for 2013 and they are fast approaching! I just got back from Ft. Polk, LA to visit loved ones and I can't wait to go to Hawaii at the end of next week!!! I had an amazing weekend with more loved ones and an art shopping trip to Daniel Smith in Seattle...needless to say that my eyes weren't big enough for my head when I walked into this store! Haha! It's amazing how inspired I became just by being around supplies!! Thank you Robin for introducing me to this place!

I have been doodling and sketching and collaging like crazy ever since!

Quotes and words of inspiration seem to be the center of my thoughts. I don't have any agenda other than to let my mind go and to try and create/ stay in a creative mindset as much as possible.

A word or two (or three) seem to come to me daily/weekly that I like to ponder...

I can't stress enough the importance of carrying a camera AND/or a sketchbook with you at all times!!! You never know when inspiration will hit you! I can't even begin to count how many sketchbooks I have!!!

GROW!!!

Fuzzy slippers to keep my toes warm this winter...

Leftover mini pumpkins...why does it seem everything is cuter in a "mini" version?

My beloved Puffers...how I miss you!

A quick snapshot/self portrait that I felt captured me for the day!

Photo Walk

On October 13th I was invited and able to participate in the The 5th annual Worldwide Photo Walk. What is a photo walk you might ask? It is basically a social photography event where photographers from all over the world meet up in their local communities on the same day and go out into their communities and take photos together, meet other photographers, share tips and tricks and look at photos that were taken that day by other photographers. Afterwards you have about a week to submit your favorite photo that was taken that day for a chance to win one of many prizes. You can find more info at:

http://worldwidephotowalk.com/

Here are a few of my favorite photos that I captured while on my walk in downtown Gig Harbor Washington 2012:

Despite some rain, I had such a fun time!

Laughs

Sometimes you just need a good laugh (or a smile at least)! Enjoy!

The last book to make me laugh out loud (multiple times) was the 8th book of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series called, "Hard Eight"...

Last movie: "What's Your Number" Starring Anna Farris and Chris Evans (Helloooo Chris Evans!!! I know he is good to look at but he is so adorable in this film and it's nice to see him away from the "Captain America" role!!!)

Yoga:

Clean/cute Jokes:

The nerd in me:
If superheros posed like their female counterparts:

Or...if...wait for it....Disney characters were superheros!!!

Animals being animals:

The "Funnies"...I remember back in the day when it was always a race between my sister, brother and myself to get to the comics section  (especially on Sundays) from the news paper (remember those?) first...

Of course one of the favorites was Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson: