Tuesday, March 9

Music to my ears.........

I love music. I am so glad that I can hear music. I love to sing and I am often whistling (sometimes I forget and start whistling in church!). Perhaps it is the Irish in me and some long ago ancestor who passed along her singing genes, but I cannot live without music. I think my Irish heritage is where I get my story-telling genes, too, and there's a wee bit o'Scottish blood in the mix, too. Then there are my quilting genes and the quilt in this photo is an example of the "genes" my Grandma Goldie handed down........
I love the colors in this quilt and the handstitching. I am thinking of my Grandma Goldie today because this day would be her birthday. She passed away several years ago, but I still mark her birthday in my calendar each year. While she made the quilt that's in the picture above, her real gift was playing the piano. That's how she met my grandpa. The story goes that he wanted to get to know her so he began taking piano lessons from her when she was 16 and he was 15. My great Aunt Elsie told me that story and said it was so. :-) My grandma played the piano for church for over 50 years! During that time she played many times when my sister and I would sing for church suppers or bridal showers. So many of my quilting and music memories are tied together that it is hard to seperate them. Recalling Grandma as she played is "music to my ears".

And with thoughts of music and the fact that St. Patrick's day is coming up in just a few days, I have something special to share...... There is a chance for you to listen to some lovely Irish music if you live in the area of Mankato, MN. I've mentioned Amy Korteum before but let me introduce her again. This is Amy, on the harp, and her musician friends who are playing beautiful Celtic music............more "music to my ears"!

Yes, they are playing in the great outdoors but this was taken last summer when they were the featured artists at "Music on Main" held in downtown Henderson, MN. :-) You all know it's March and here in Minnesota there is still a lot of snow on the ground! I can remember how beautiful and lively the music was, Amy's sweet voice as she sang those folk songs........and her wonderful laugh!!! If you want to know more, go here, and you can check out Amy's website and even listen to a bit of her music. You'll also see where she will be playing in the next few weeks. I wanted to go the concert this Saturday night but I am not going to be able to do that. Instead, I am planning to go to her solo harp concert later this month. If you live nearby, you should really go and listen to her music. A testament to her talent is the recent award of a grant that she was awarded from the Minnesota State Arts Board. She will be visiting Ireland this summer where she will be playing and studying at a traditional harp festival and also participating in private instruction and competitions. It is a well-deserved honor! And that's no blarney!
Have a good day all!
Sandi

14 comments:

Kaye said...

Wish I lived close enough to go hear them, sounds like a great time. I love the sound of a harp

Joanne Lendaro said...

Beautiful quilt!!

Latane Barton said...

Aw, I wish I could hear their music. My daughter & I went to Ireland in '96 and loved every minute of it. There's a lot of Irish blood in me, too.

Brooke said...

A wonderful story!

I miss my grandmother terribly too. She was an amazing baker. Her birthday was May 1st (May Day!) and every year on her birthday I like to bake something wonderful using one of the many recipes in my recipe box with her handwriting on it.

Beth said...

My Mom is from a big Irish family and I have fondmemories of singing all the Irish songs around the piano at Grandma and Grandpa's.
Happy St. Pat's day.
Love the quilt.

Jocelyn said...

Such a lovely quilt. I love music too. I miss the music in our home when the children would practice their instruments.

Crispy said...

Such wonderful memories of your gramma....mine are about cookies and lots of hugs :0)

Crispy

Needled Mom said...

Can you send them to CA so we can enjoy them???

You have such fond memories and creative genes from what sounds like a wonderful lady.

Nanette Merrill said...

Music is so important. A song in the heart can change a day. I really love this quilt. It is so beautiful. These vintage quilts speak to me.

Amy said...

Hi Sandi! Thanks for such a beautfiul post. There's something about Irish, isn't there? Music, heritage - so mystical. I'll look forward to seeing you at my solo harp concert in St. Peter later in March!

Saskia said...

Hello Sandi,

A wrote a little something about the OWOH-event on my blog. Thanks again for the lovely needlecase!!

Saskia :)

quiltingnana said...

nice story about Grandma Goldie ...I'd love to hear the Irish music

Pat said...

The quilt is beautiful, and what a wonderful keepsake, and treasure always. The music is great. Thank you for sharing.

Pat said...

Now how did I MISS this post???? Having just heard a Celtic duo at our church last week, I can tell you I love that kind of music and it brought back memories of my trip to Ireland some years back. Of course I LOVE the quilt of Grandma Goldie's and am so grateful that she inspired you to become the person you are today!

"Peace can be found in the piecing of a quilt."
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