PIONEER DAY BREAKFAST!

There are some 'things and stuff' that we have been doing for years... like a traditional Pioneer Day breakfast at Ruth's in Emigration Canyon. Honestly, is there anything better than Ruth's Huevos Rancheros?


Apparently not! They even give the huevos at the Plaza Cafe in Santa Fe a run for their money! YUM!

SO, THE LESSON'S ARE PAYING OFF!

OK, admit it... the thought of sitting through most recitals is worse than having teeth pulled. There are 'things and stuff' that are worse, but at the moment I can't think of what those things might be. We know why we are at the recital; to see our own adorable children perform whatever dance and/or singing number they have been working on (and you have been paying) for the last year. I must admit that I LOVE watching my children perform! Everyone else's kids, not so much. Oh come on, admit it! You feel the same way, as well you should! We love our children and we would do anything for them. We are so happy and proud when they are successful and our hearts break when they have challenges. Attending performances and recitals is just one of the many ways we express our love and show support for our children. But honestly, I have sat through some of the longest year end concerts on history. Remember the 2009 Singers Unlimited concert? Really.

Sami (left) and Sara Thornock (photo: Luke Isley)

This year the Ballet West Academy changed the way I look at year end concerts. We have been with the Academy long enough to see a major transformation in the program and product. Admittedly, in years past the Academy Spring Performance was not on my list of fun things to do. Former Artistic Director, Jonas Kages' idea of a recital was simply bringing the ballet barres out on the stage and conducting a choreographed studio class for us to watch. The programs were boring and uninspired. Since the arrival of Adam Sklute, and under the direction of Peter Christie, there has really been a change in direction and emphasis at the Academy. Some change is good and some change can be bad, but the change that has come overall to the program and the dancers is amazing. The concert last year was very good with a 'Don Q' suite and an amazing piece called 'Paco', which was choreographed by the students in the upper school at the Academy, but this year's performance seemed to take a huge step up in quality and entertainment. It could be that Sami was dancing some big parts (in a paux and as a demi soloist), but I thought many sections of the show really were professional quality. Quite frankly, it was amazing (I could say 'awesome' if I used that word!). From the time the curtain went up I was completely enthralled. The concert had two versions, each performed two times. Suzie and I attended three times because Sami was dancing in all four concerts but performing different roles in three of the four shows.

Grande Finale of the Sleeping Beauty Suite

I won't bother regurgitating the program notes. I am just going to attach some fabulous (I don't usually use that word either) photos to give you an idea of the quality of the performance. The beautiful costumes are by David Heuvel and the Ballet West Costume shop.

'Retro Shifts' by Caine Keenan (photo: Luke Isley)

Merdedes Rice, Sami Draper, Miranda Beck (photo: Luke Isley)

The 'Sleeping Beauty Suite' performed by the upper school of the Ballet West Academy.

Lucas Horns, Theresa Schuyler, Matthew Helms, Sami Draper (photo: Luke Isley)

Sami Draper and Theresa Schuyler (photo: Luke Isley)

Sami and partner (photo: Luke Isley)

Sami and Theresa (photo: Luke Isley)

Sami and Max Hall do the 'White Cat' and 'Puss 'N' Boots' (photo: Luke Isley)

Thanks to Luke Isley for his amazing photos. His link is attached.

Also a special 'Thank You' to Jan Clark Fugit and Jeffery Rogers, the teachers whom I have had the most interaction, for their great teaching, but most importantly, for their kindness, support and nurturing of Samantha. They have helped her become a beautiful and talented dancer.

Finale (photo: Luke Isley)

Oh, I just noticed that all of the photos are of Samantha. Sorry. Oh well, I can choose the pictures because I am the Dad and this is my blog. You can put the photos of your kids on your own blog. LOL!

TEA, ANYONE? HOW ABOUT FRAPPE?

Have you noticed that every-'thing' old is new again... 'Things and Stuff' come and go, but eventually everything comes around a second time. For example, Snack Sets. Do you remember in the olden days when no one used paper plates when they were entertaining? Particularly at bridal and baby showers, ladies luncheons (the 'ladies who lunch'), teas, book clubs and receptions... Snack sets were the way to go. Most of the ladies in the neighborhood had at least one set (usually more) and when someone was hosting an event (I don't think they called them 'events' back then, but anyway) the hostess would borrow enough sets to serve her guests. Each owner would put a little piece of tape on each of their plates and cups so they were sure to get them all back. Some ladies used a dot of nail polish to keep track of their snack sets. Mary might use red polish and Eleanor might use pink. By sharing, no one had to buy to many sets but they always had enough for their needs.


Snack sets first started showing up in the 1940's but they were still being manufactured well into the 1970's. The 'Homespun' or 'Homestead' pattern from Federal Glass Hospitality was one of the first patterns introduced. But sets were also made by Anchor Hocking, Hazel-Atlas and a handful of other manufacturers and they had pattern names like 'Informal', Vintage Grape', 'Boppie or Hob-nail' and 'Bubble'.


Snack sets are easy to find and have not really increased in value at all. You can find complete sets (four plates, four cups) on e-bay for less than ten dollars. Their real value comes from sentiment. It comes from remembering sitting in the garden with a tray on your lap, eating wedding cake and drinking frappe or 'BYU Sparkle' from the little cup. Oh, and then there was the treat in the nut cup! No service was complete without the nut cup. Sometimes instead of nuts there were creamy, delicious butter mints that melted in your mouth! Wow, flashback!


We used our inherited snack sets (plus several more purchased at the thrift shop) to serve at Suzie's Polka Dot Tea in May. (We can blame the Polka Dot Tea for this madness!!) The 'Informal' sets above belonged to Suzie's mother. The snack sets were perfect for serving quiche and fruit for a Mother/Daughter brunch. This pattern was manufactured by the Hazel-Atlas Company in the 1950's.


Gathering snack sets has now become a small obsession. When ever I am in a thrift shop I have to look to see if they have any new patterns or more of the styles we already have. You cn pick them up a piece at a time to build your collection. This pattern is the 'Homespun ' or 'Homestead' manufactured by Federal Glass Hospitality as early as the mid-1940's. This is the pattern my Mom had when I was growing up. When snack sets were no longer in style she sent hers to D.I. That is where I bought these a few weeks ago!


The 'Bubble' pattern (above and below) was manufactured in the mid-1950' also by Federal Glass Hospitality. The designs are the same, but the iridescent glass of the set above was more rare so it is slightly more valuable than the set below. I think the last set I saw of the iridescent was selling for $15.00...


This set of pressed glass trays and cups is called 'Vintage' by Anchor Hocking and happens to belong to Suzie's sister Kay. They were mixed in with her Mom's snack sets in storage and we found them when we were getting ready for the tea. If you look closely you can see 'Luce' written on the edge of the lid near the flap. Remember, everyone shared so all sets had to be identified...


This is probably my favorite pattern. It is called the 'Boppie' or 'Hob-nail from Anchor Hocking. It was manufactured in the late 1940's and early 1950's.


Snack sets really are perfect for 'moving' entertainment. Breakfasts and receptions are FLOW events so you are moving all the time, trying to juggle food and drink and then trying to shake hands and network at the same time. According to an article in 'Better Homes and Gardens' in April 2006, snack sets are now 'movable feasts! The balancing act is over. Cup and plate sets are back making it easy to sip, nibble and mingle. Practical, these sets are so smart we wonder why they ever went out of style.' Better Homes was referring to the new assortment of snack sets hitting the market, but doesn't vintage have a little more charm and sentiment?

Things and stuff keep us grounded and connected to the past. Don't be afraid to do a little collecting. Tea, anyone?