I apologize for having been a bit derelict lately about responding to comments and visiting other blogs. I've been busy earning my stripes as an Irish dance mom. The girl joined a dance troupe at her school, Trinity Irish Dance, the largest and most well-known Irish Dance school in Chicago.
St. Patrick's Day is a bigger deal in Chicago than it is in Ireland. For the past week, she has performed at restaurant bars, schools, churches, the United Center for the Chicago Bulls' pregame (fortunately, VIS drove her there for that one), a retirement home, and finally, yesterday at the Chicago Travel and Adventure Expo at the convention center in Rosemont.
(These are the most advanced dancers, not the girl's group.) It's been long days and lots of driving for the girl and I, and I haven't been able to be online because I don't have an iPhone or a Droid (yet). I've been reading a lot instead, currently fellow Chicago area resident Audrey Niffenegger's second novel Her Fearful Symmetry. I bless whoever came up with Irish Dance wigs, I'm eternally in your debt.
But that's enough of wandering off topic. When I haven't been driving or watching Irish dancing, I've been outside gardening as much as possible while the weather was fine. We had an incredible stretch of warm, sunny days (it was 65F/18C on Friday). I finished spring garden cleanup and planted my sweet peas. I used the sprout in the paper towel method recommended by Nan Ondra on her blog Hayefield because my previous efforts at growing sweet peas have all ended in disaster. I'm keeping my fingers crossed about this especially since the first day of spring brought snow. Snow in March and April is a tradition in Chicagoland, so it doesn't faze me at all, nor does it bother the Iris reticulatas which I planted last fall.
I haven't grown them since I moved here. Why was that? They are terrific little troupers, shrugging off snow easily and providing some much needed dark color to the early spring garden's yellows and whites.
I haven't grown them since I moved here. Why was that? They are terrific little troupers, shrugging off snow easily and providing some much needed dark color to the early spring garden's yellows and whites.
I wish I could say I'll have more time for blogging this week, but the kids are on spring break now, so I'll be busy with them all week. And then the garden centers will be opening....
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Don't forget to enter the drawing for a Seedkeeper Kit; it ends March 31, 2010.
27 comments:
I'm so glad that you posted your comment about the wigs... I was wondering how all of those girls got their curls to be Barbie-doll perfect! :)
The iris reticulata is beautiful. I always wonder why I haven't planted these before when I see them in other people's gardens.
Me, too Kim...I was wondering who primped the hair on those dancers! Iris reticulata looks best in the snow; it sort of disappears in my garden, but I am trying it again this year. gail
They are all so cute, the human flowers and the outdoor blooming ones. Hardy too with all that snow. Good luck Irish Dance Mom.~~Dee
Such brave little flowers in the snow! And what a good mom...helping your little flower bloom.
I have those irises too and they are my spring favorite. Good luck with the Irish dancing! I guess those wigs are ok, although that's sort of what my hair looks like without a wig, and I always hated it as a kid. Goes to show that what kids really want is to look like everyone else!
Life does drag us off the garden path from time to time. Relax and enjoy it all. Love those outfits.
Irish Dance Wigs?
Now that is an invention.
I was wondering, when looking at the girls' hair, what an enormous amount of maternal effort and loving dedication had been expended in curling and combing.
But now I know...
(Don't worry I won't tell anybody...!)
Love the iris and Irish dancers. The costumes are very nice. Happy spring...break!
I can't decide who is cuter - the blooms or the girls! I like all of them!
You took our 'snow' much better than I did! (After growing up in upstate NY, and living in the midwest for a really long time, I know to expect this!!) Maybe I'm just too anxious to get going this year?
LOVE the Irish dancers! Irish is big in our family! :o) -Shyrlene
You have been busy. And you've got your priorities right.
Adore the Shirley Temple looking wigs! How precious and I am sure hard work on your part as well as the girls...the Iris sure look pretty with the snow on them...
Blackswamp Girl - I hope there wasn't a statute of secrecy about the wigs! Sounds like it's time to add Iris reticulatas. I better order early, there's bound to be a run on them this year.
Gail - in the old days, the moms set the girls' hair the night before. Iris reticulata must like good drainage, not your clay. Maybe you could grow them in large containers?
Dee - the flowers & the dancers are hardy. The girl danced 5 shows in one day.
Leslie - thanks, I try hard in the mom department. It's much easier to raise plants.
Barbara - you should have taken up Irish dancing & put those locks to good use.
Lisa - the sparkly solo dresses are even better, with sequins & rhinestones.
James - go ahead, tell. I tried curling the girl's hair for her 1st feis before she had a wig. It did not end up looking like that. I don't know if the fault was me or her straight hair.
Helen - happy spring!
Tatyana - if you think those are cute, you should have seen the little 4 year old dancers.
Shyrlene - I've become stoic about the snow now. The only time it really gets me is late in April or in October or November.
Kathy - thanks for the support.
Darla - I guess it's like having a kid on a traveling sports team, only I'd rather watch dancing than soccer or baseball.
I was just in Chicago last weekend for the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. I did see some green guys walking about the city and the river that had been turned green. THE dancers I would have loved to seen.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful blog entry. I follow you on Twitter.
BGgarden new Garden Blog
What a great shot you took of those young dancers. My niece, who just turned 11, has been dancing for a couple of years. Her mom recently joined her and says it kicks her butt. I'm glad to know those are wigs!
I completely understand about not having much blogging time (except I'm not shepherding kids around). But this time of year every opportunity must be taken to garden! Thus I haven't been around the blogosphere much either. Happy spring!
Irish dancing is big here, too; but I did not know about the wigs! My Hellebores are up and showing big buds but no flowers as yet. I think you are always a bit warmer by the lake and further south.
Hi, BG - I'm glad you got to experience St. Patrick's Day in Chicago first hand. I'm sorry our paths didn't cross at the Chicago Flower show.
Jean - I don't think I could keep up with the girl dancing. I have a hard enough time trying to do the jig.
Ms. Wis. - Trinity has classes in Madison, so you may have seen them. My garden is just on the edge of the lake effect, which I really appreciate. Otherwise I'd be dealing with Zone 4 conditions.
Sounds like a wonderful job, being Mom of an Irish dancer.
Marnie
I like the title of this post with the pictures of the flowers in the snow and the dance troupes. Looks like fun and definitely Chicago style!
MMD, What a wonderful experience for your daughter! Thank you for taking time and expending the effort to afford her this opportunity!! :-)
Love those little irises. I picked a cute little bouquet in anticipation of the weekend's snow. So cute on the kitchen windowsill.
A lot of raking was done today, and I anticipate shredding and hauling exercises this week! (Love the return to warm temps and sunny days!)
MMD~~ In just a few short years your daughters will be out on their own, all grown up. It's good that you're keeping your priorities in order.
I've been lax on my blog reading too. It's the time of the year. I'm glad to see your weather is becoming more gardening friendly.
You must a proud, Mother ... that's quite a commitment! Great 'all round' photos. Happy Spring :)
The irises in the snow are a delight.
It's great that she's in Trinity! But the driving is tough...I am also itching to have more time in the garden. Luckily the weather is improving again!
Darling girls in a circle.. love all the curly hair!
The girls are adorable with their curls and pretty outfits. I'd love to see them dancing those Irish jigs.
Glad you found a bit of time to post that gorgeous photo of the iris reticulata. I really must plant some of those. They're perfect in the snow.
I wrote a review on Her Fearful Symmetry for FictionAddict.com. Interesting novel -- now my husband (who also read it) wants to go to London and tour Highgate.
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