My Beautiful Corner, and a Giveaway!

Some blogs, we read just because they're so far out of our range of ability and completely inspiring. Melissa's blog, The Inspired Room is one of those blogs for me. Melissa is hosting an Mr. Linky Fest today, with the topic: A Beautiful Life. What have we done this week to make our lives or homes more beautiful? Or what makes them beautiful?


It set me thinking. My sweet husband knows that I just don't have an eye for decorating. Sure I can put things on a shelf, but he can rearrange things *just so* and give it that "functional but pretty" look.

Scripture tile made by my fabulous mother-in-law

However, there is one teeny spot in our house that is all my own, and I love it. Whenever the kids are crazy, and the kitchen is a mess, and I just need some space to breathe I can go to our piano. Mimi will lay on a blanket and listen quietly, Ernie will dance around the room, and I will fall in love with Kuhlau, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Kabalevsky, and even Hanon all over again.

Small music box from my grandmother's collection, meant for my little niece

I can focus on the swell of a crescendo with Haydn, the abruptness of a well placed stacatto with Clementi, and laugh along with a particularly witty passage from Schubert.

Antique pie whistle passed down from Grandpa's family

When I want to be stretched, I find Chopin. When I want to be soothed with familiar rhythms, I play with Handel. And when the kids need a pick-me-up, I pull out our Children's Songbook and play and sing all of Ernie's favorite Primary tunes.

Jemima Puddleduck Music box that belonged to my grandmother, purchased by the kids in the family decades ago

Over the past few years I received a few things from my grandmother and grandfather, items were gifts to them, or passed down from parents or even grandparents. A handful of them have made their way to the piano, to make my favorite tableau in the house.

Piano player music box from my grandmother's collection

And now, the giveaway! I've been wanting to host one for a while, but honestly...I'm a little nervous? What if nobody plays? This is my first giveaway, and it's an idea that my sister, Aunt LoLo, posted about today. So here's the dea, with my moderations: first commenter, and two more commenters picked at random, will receive a handmade surprise in the mail...Aunt LoLo is having winners host giveaways too, but I know that lots of my readers don't have blogs, or time, or possibly even any inclination to "make things." (Hey, it's just a bug that not everyone carries!)

So, comment away, and I'll post the winners on Monday! (Comment cut-off will be Sunday night, midnight on the West Coast.)