Show & Tell – the old piano
This piano is the one I learned to play on, and now my children (and husband!) are playing and practicing on it now too.
When my parents were moving house about 20 years ago, they decided they did not really have room for it, and proposed getting rid of it. I protested, and asked they keep it until I had a house of my own, and it was duly delivered to our first home.
Today the piano tuner was here, and he was impressed by the lovely sound it produced (particularily when played by him!) and was able to tell me a little more about it. It was made in 1899 in Berlin, and is a Carl Otto piano. Amazingly everything is original, even the strings. I know it has been in my mother’s family for a long time and it was probably new when they purchased it. I love to imagine it being played by previous generations, and the family occasions it has “witnessed” over the last 110 years.
Of course I could not resist taking a few internal photos while it was exposed!
For more Show and Tell, please visit There’s No Place Like Home.
I have had a busy few days, especially yesterday when I went with my 3 kids on the train to Belfast to the Balmoral Show. This is the time of year when “the country comes to town”!
There were the usual array of farm animals, machinery and supplies. Also crafts, horse jumping, food to sample, and an amazing array of things to see, do and taste.
None of it would have been possible without the assistance of my parents who we met there. My father has been involved in some way with the show and the organizing of it for years, and I remember always going to it as a child. The summer was never far away if it was time for “the show”. A perk of being there with Dad was being allowed to sit in the “Royal Box” overlooking the main arena – there was even a rope and red carpet!
The highlight for my daughters had to be holding the puppies.
(Pic to follow when Photoshop cooperates!)
For my son, the motor bank stunt show.
On seeing this photo, my husband asked “Did YOU take that photo?” – Yes – I did!
For me, it was the floral art demonstration by staff at Greenmount College.
I will blog in more detail about the flower demo on another day as it included some lovely easy to follow ideas.
I loved these sparrow nesting boxes. Each entrance whole leads to separate areas – a sort of tower block of apartments for sparrows.
Do you have a similar show or event in your calender which is a tradition for you and your family.
Finally, I got an unexpected surprise when I was sent the link to the I Am Mommy Awesome Blog 2009 awards on Blogs.com. The top blog was listed for each of the categories, and as MacMama and Pioneer Women came first and second, but had won other categories, I got listed!!! So thanks for the votes. I am sure I was WAY behind on votes, but just to have my blog in the same paragraph as these amazing blogging women is quite incredible.
So I get to put a new badge on my blog! Check the post out here on blogs.com
Take care.