~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
{pretty and happy}
Other than the dining room, more on which later, the pictures I have on my camera are from fiddle camp last week. And that is lots of fun to show you, so here we go.
Do you have this kind of “camp” in your community? In ours we have drama camps, Gilbert & Sullivan camps (music plus drama!), and fiddle camp. My kids have gone to these camps and taken their turns running them. Our Will even ran a baseball camp, because he really wanted the homeschoolers to know about baseball! It was his personal mission.
For fiddle camp, Bridget's students gather for five afternoons for one week, and her friend Rose helps her teach them fiddle and also a couple of Scottish country dances.
The children have studied fiddle with Bridget for a few years, but then she went to college, so they caught up this summer as much as they could.
Doing a camp really gives the children an opportunity to work intensely on their skills and encourage each other to reach ever new heights in fiddle expertise.
During the week, of course there have to be breaks.
I cleverly bought squirt guns and a kiddie pool half-price at the store, and you know, a kiddie pool is just a surprising amount of fun for a small amount of water!
I used to stress out about having such an event at my house. Even though I have a big kid-friendly house and yard, I thought it wasn't good enough — that you need a real pool, or a lake, or an ocean, or some sort of actual body of water (this is my fixation — can't really explain it).
Not to mention having a yard free of weeds, picture-perfect gardens, some sort of fancy swingset at least… I had a serious case of “not-good-enough-itis,” in short. This comes of reading too many magazines or, if you are like this but probably younger, visiting too many fancy sites online.
I have since relaxed.
These particular very imaginative children instantly organized games of tag and epic relay races. They all played together — all the ages. And they also learned quite a number of tunes and steps.
At the end of the week, the kids practice all afternoon and then the families (with all the siblings too) arrive late enough for the dads to join the fun. It's a potluck supper and a show!
{funny}
(I don't have pictures, but another fun and funny part of the camp is a dance that includes everyone — grownups too — on the lawn. An important part of the festivities!)
During the camp, the children take off their shoes instantaneously upon arrival, which is why you see that they are all barefoot while performing.
“Discalced fiddlers,” as one Dad named them.
And Roxie couldn't really leave the stage, front and center. “I'm a fiddler too. What.”
{real}
“You started painting the dining room right before fiddle camp?” asked my friend Mary Elizabeth… not adding, “And our visit?”
Yes, this is how relaxed I've become.
When your daughter offers to paint the dining room the week before, you just say yes, knowing how it will be! Camp, out-of-town visitors, and all! (Next week I will show you the “afters”! It was worth it!)
I just want to say: If you stick with your friends, raising your children together, encouraging them to share their talents with you and sharing in your turn — and not worrying about how perfect your life may or may not be, you will see… a culture will grow up right around you. That is my only reason for showing you any of this: Just to encourage you to start now if you haven't and keep on if you have.
Oh, and did I mention a sickly green sky/tornado warning and hail? During the second day of camp and smack in the middle of our friends' visit!
Yes, picture all those kids crowded into the kitchen, but not in that dining room!
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Laura says
Fiddle Camp sounds like fun!
There’s nothing like the prospect of a houseful of guests to inspire motivation to complete a painting job! Do you mind my asking the name of the paint color you used? It’s beautiful and I’m looking for a similar color for my kitchen.
I agree, baby pools are a great investment, regardless of how small… ours keeps my boys cool and occupied for hours!
Lisa says
The whole idea of fiddle camp is just perfect in every way. And that paint color is so soothing!
Claudia says
What an enjoyable entry! You ARE relaxed, and very brave ☺️
Marcia says
How beautiful! It’s like having an extended family.
Lisa G. says
Oh, for Pete’s sake – next week for the dining room photos?
This looks like loads of fun. I had previously imagined that fiddle camp was Bridget’s fiddle-playing friends coming over to spend a week at your house, and just play and practice all day.
Alice B says
So true are your comments. I like to think if I have people over to my less than perfect house everyone else will relax and not feel everything has to be PERFECT. Its the people, not the stuff…….
Jill says
I used to run a fiddle camp for my students and it was such fun. Then I had my own kids and not as many students. I’m thinking I need to start this up again next year!
Nancy says
Enjoyed the pictures of the fiddle camp with the dog in the middle of it all. When I was younger, I also had to learn to STOP waiting or making excuses (till I had a picture perfect house and yard) for inviting people over for playgroups, etc. Our St. Greg’s Pocket Group in Jacksonville will be meeting this coming Tuesday (with wine and chocolate) in my home that now has a kitchen with drywall…awaiting backsplash tile.
briana says
I love the fiddle camp idea! In my neighborhood, one friend hosted a musicale, and so many neighbors came out and played and listened…SUCH great fun.
Music and friends are the best of memories.
Amy Caroline says
Oh my! What a BEAUTIFUL day. So perfectly lovely.
Maurisa says
Love this post! What a wonderful way to build up your family, community, and the culture in general.
Melissa D says
so… is that your new chandelier, or the one you want to replace? (I love it.)
NY Mom says
Leila, I think you should host a Reader’s Camp. We can all come, tour your house, make fried food, swap fabric scraps, weed your garden, chat over gallons of iced tea….. think of the possibilities!
Stephanie says
I would like to second this idea/nomination/proposal wholeheartedly! 🙂
Robin says
I will come!!!! And can I say, I not only love the picture of Roxie center stage, but the one where she is on the table top in the background. Dogs! It looks like such a fun week.
Leila says
Haha! In our defense, Robin, and not to appear *too* relaxed, Roxie is on the bench that surrounds the deck, not the table. The tables are in the yard for this event, and even she doesn’t go on top of them, although she considers any food outside fair game. But yes, Roxie is one of the gang, for sure.
Robin says
My mistake! Apologies to Roxie!!! 🙂
Janet says
Leila, thank you SO much for showing those photos of your porch that needs a bit of paint. My husband and I live in a cozy little house built ca. 1939 and it does need some cosmetic work that never seems to get done. Most of the time I am too busy to notice but everyone once in a while, yes, after viewing some incredibly beautiful photos in a magazine (English Home, perhaps?) or on a website (take your pick!) I find myself grumbling with a huge case of “not-good-enough-itis”. The instant antidote is always the same – counting the blessings I DO have in my incredibly blessed life and being grateful. After all, a coat of paint, even Farrow and Ball, can’t cover up an unhappy life!
p.s. Reader’s Camp sounds good to me too!
Woman of the House says
What a great idea to hold a fiddle camp! Looks like a great success!
I’m looking forward to seeing the dining room!