Foothills: Week Six

Thank you again ladies for another amazing night! The dance is coming along amazingly! Just think of all you have accomplished in just six hours of hard work! And really, that is what it boils down to. Next week is our last week to perfect this choreography for a mini performance! Can you believe it? I can! From the novices that first walked in that door I knew I was blessed with a group that would be shimmying their way out into the world!

The surprise visit last week from the male bally dancers was quite an amusing treat but even they were serious business when it came to focusing and learning the moves. I was very impressed and I do wish someone had recorded the experience. 

While you anxiously await next week’s class, when we will no longer rely on that mirror, watch the youtube.com videos on the Easalle Channel. Remembering the entire two minutes of choreography is difficult but there is nothing wrong with using a few tricks to watch your peers for cues. Use your peripheral vision, consider word association to go with the music, own it!

Thank you ladies! See you next week!

Nomday: Potato Soup

It is finally getting cool enough for soup in Arizona! I am so giddy! Soup is one of my favorite foods; it goes with breads, in a cup, great for movie watching or chatting with friends. Soup is amazing! This one will really stick to your ribs too. A hint if you intend to eat this in portions through the week and reheat, add a bit more milk or cream to each serving before heating unless you are fond of mooshy mashed potatoes.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 – 8 hours

6 - 8 large potatoes cubed

1 large onion, diced

1 quart chicken broth

3 - 6 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup butter

Salt to taste Pepper to taste

1 cup cream

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Garnish: chives, sour cream, bacon, and cheese

Combine top 7 ingredients in slow. Mash potatoes until coarsely chopped and soup is thickened. Stir in cream and cheese. Add toppings.

Rio Vista: Week Five – Tunak Tunak Tun

Congratulations Rio Vista ladies! You made it! Okay, well not quite; next week we will put it all together for the first time from beginning to end! 

While you anxiously await next week’s class, consider how far you have come since the start of session. Think of all the new moves you are capable of executing. Think of how much better your posture is. And think of how comfortable you are with this song.

So, until next week, ladies, review, relax, and get ready to tighten up the technique and clean up the combinations!

See you next week! Thank you so much ladies!

Rio Vista: Week Four – Tunak Tunak Tun

This week we reviewed, reviewed, reviewed! Learning that the second section of Tunak Tunak Tun choreography is very similar to the first section makes for a great practice and helps to reinforce technical aptitude towards the moves learned. 

There are some changes in the second section to be aware of, but mostly it is about retaining the training from the first three weeks. At this stage we are more than half way through the song and focusing on tightening and cleaning up the moves. Think of it as starting to clear away the dust on a chiseled sculpture, it is not quite done but we can see the image appearing.

Question: What is taboo in your family or community?

While you wait for class:

Really work on head slides, hip slides and posture through all the bouncy moves. Clean away that dust and add a few details.

See you next week! Thank you so much ladies!

Foothills: Week Three

Foothills: Week Three – Drum Plus

Stunning! So many more people in class tonight and everyone working so hard! Shimmies are looking great and over time I know they will be masterful! We are officially half way through the choreography which means we will have plenty of time to work out the kinks before the end of session! 

Remember to make a happy sound when you get a move just right! Give yourself the well deserved cheer! 

Think of all you have learned this week:

Hip Shimmies

Shoulder Shimmies

Goddess Walk

Single leg Shimmies

Rib Slides

Level Changes

Keep dancing! And to keep you shimmying all week, don’t forget to drop in on the Burning Bush Drum Circle and show them all you got! Thank you so much! See you soon!

Nomday: Bountiful Baskets

This Nomday is more about obtaining foods than making. The household has opted to experiment with the Bountiful Baskets program. This is a very cool little co-op market deal. Check out their website for the full spiel but basically it is a community grocery store in a public parking lot. Volunteers use cute little plastic laundry baskets to organize the foods, but you have you bring your own bags to cart it away. The cost is low because there is so little overhead and it is all volunteer run. The best part is if you volunteer your time, there might be some extra goodies in your basket.

Our locations are primarily in school lots and I was happily surprised to find that I knew many of the people shopping and working. The price was worth the amount of fresh fruits and veggies obtained and there was a nice friendly community feel to the whole ordeal. 

I am super excited to try this again next week!

A few caveats; most items still need to ripen, which is great, unless you want to use it right away. Bring bags and boxes and a cart or a friend to help carry; there is way more than you would expect! 

Bountiful Baskets

http://bountifulbaskets.org/