mountain masala

my new coffe mug...

Like a Candle

Do you sing 'Like a Candle'? People occasionally ask about royalties. Apart from the fact that it's complicated with 3 authors (1 x lyrics, 2 x tune).

Here's the deal: "Like a Candle" (NCYC 2007) was written in memory of the remarkable, grace-filled Rachel Millen who was on the staff of NCYC and died in a road accident in late 2006. Among the many things that she did, she was a volunteer at Georgetown Youth Services in Tassie.

So if you want to express something for the gift of the song, which just popped out of the sky, send a cheque to the Georgetown Council and tell them that its a donation for their youth services in memory of Rachel Millen. 16-18 Anne Street, George Town, TAS 7253.Feel free to tell them why you're sending it.

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get this message out there (yes, facebook might have some redeeming value). I would love Georgetown to get a shower of goodness for its young people from this. If you're ever after the music, it's here under downloads. Free to use.

Of course, I only wrote the words, but I'm saying all of this in confidence that the two tune authors are fine with it.

open ravioli - fabulous

two nights ago i made a variation of philip johnson's open ravioi dish from his wonderful book, 'eating in' (thanks to the david jones' post-christmas book sale..) the dish features on the cover of the book. (yes, it looks easy and lures you in,,,) philip is a queenslander whose 'ecco' restaurant is apparaently a must... i just love his cookbooks, which apart from having stunning food, with a good mix of ease and challenge, also have a brilliant back section on essential techniques.

this dish is relatively simple, and has loads of possibilities. and it looks great on the plate, even for someone like me for whom 'plating' is either making a big pile, or putting various continents of food around the dish.

after the deluge

yes indeed, so many flood songs in my mind...

back home last week, back at work this week. so much has happened in the last 6 weeks, and I'll write about some of it shortly.

I wanted to post about the lovely, grace-filled song that my good friend David MacGregor wrote after their family's recent experience of the Queensland floods, but also about much more than that.

The song is called "Christ shows his face". The lyrics are wonderful. The melody has a hymn-like, Celtic feel to it. Very nice indeed. David has written many, many songs and I hail it as one of his best.

Please visit David's blog and read a little of what led to the song - recent travel to the Israel and Palestine, driving out of Brisbane through floods for a holiday, then unable to get back to their house and kids to face the floods, then and since relying on God's grace through friends in the aftermath. And NCYC in the middle of all that.

Please read about David's flood reflection and download the song.

eurodiva - adelaide fringe 2011

sadly I'm not organising anything for the Adelaide Fringe Festival next year. I need to find a willing venue and team for 2012! however ellen is playing drums for EuroDiva:

FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS AND
GET READY FOR A EUROPEAN TOUR!
Euro Diva transports you to the other side of the globe to hail the European Divas of the past century while indulging in language, culture and landscape. The smorgasbord of European artists include Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, Mina, Dalida, Ceca Svetlana, Laura Pausini, Gloria Lasso, Nana Mouskouri, plus many more.
This is a theatrical cabaret spectacle with a 7 piece big band, video, film footage and photo collages that accompany song and story. Euro Diva delivers much audience participation as we skip from country to country together.
Finally local diva, Italo-Australian, Teresa De Gennaro is back from overseas to celebrate these women’s lives. With many years as a cabaret artist, actress and improvisational comedian, Teresa has a strong ability to tell story and interpret songs thus developing an intimate relationship with an audience. She is well travelled and in Euro Diva we hear Teresa sing in 10 different languages: ITALIAN, FRENCH, SPANISH, PORTUGUESE, GERMAN, GREEK, SERBIAN, HEBREW, ARABIC and…. ENGLISH. Yes, there are subtitles.

SO VALIDATE YOUR BOARDING PASS!!!

Dynamism and a great voice... Sun Herald
The real deal... Daily Telegrapgh
The cat’s whiskers... Advertiser
Charming, elegant, witty and entertaining... Glam Adelaide
Fantastic voice and vitality... Kryztoff.com
Coquettish and full of wit...CabaretHotline

Its on 2-6 March - 5 nights only. So book your tickets. It will be a fantastic show!

more PD sessions for youth workers & leaders

the next 3 of our sessions at NCYC are up now - nextgenerations.org.au

john goes global

There's a new global website about John Calvin in association with the World Communion of Reformed Churches - www.john-calvin.org. It's in multiple languages - here's the English version.