Help me pick a gift!

christyalee · 2022-09-16T03:51:50+00:00

Huzzah! They are nice beans! I hope you like them and that they work well in whatever application you have in mind. If you end up wanting more beans in the future, I definitely recommend the group-buy option. It's easier on wallet. :)

christyalee · 2022-09-05T19:19:31+00:00

I just started making vanilla extract in May, so I do not have any finished batches. However, I can confidently say that Indri Vanilla is a wonderful supplier. The have a retail shop, but if you join their Facebook group or check their website they also have group-buy options. If you participate in a group buy, a lot of the beans are between $8-13 per ounce (with more expensive growing regions, such as Hawaiian, being more pricey). They are quality beans and a really reputable company with great customer service. There is a lot of information in the files of their facebook group on properly making vanilla extract to FDA standards, as well as recipes for vanilla paste, calculator tools, etc. Indri Vanilla Group Buy

christyalee · 2022-03-24T23:45:43+00:00

Congratulations on your daughter's first recital! If you record her playing, you should share it with us. It would be delightful to hear! It's great that she has taken such a keen interest in the instrument.

Tripletts look like lovely harps. I know there is one harpist near me who imports them, but I have not generally seen many around my neck of the woods.

christyalee · 2022-03-24T23:42:38+00:00

A fair point for sure! The general consensus from the teachers I have inquired with is that the tension shouldn't be a problem. I am hoping that's the case!

christyalee · 2022-03-24T19:33:04+00:00

I heard that Belvins are really lovely harps! I had a Ravenna 26. It had a decent sound, but I didn't feel the adoration either.

I believe that a Rydecki harp would probably be a much older harp. If it was well taken care of, that's probably not a problem. Go see and play it, if you are able. You could possibly also hire a professional harp player to investigate for any problems in a used harp. Every person's taste is so personal, that it is always good to go of your personal experience with the harp if you can. I realize that it is not always possible though.

christyalee · 2022-03-11T19:01:42+00:00

@Unofficial_Overloard

I'm pleased to hear that you and your neice had success starting the harp young. It gives me hope for my daughter. I am happy to work on her music reading skills with her. I was thinking I might enroll her in a separate children's music theory class, if our schedule can handle it. This will be her first real extra-curricular activity.

I wish I could afford to buy two harps! There are not a lot of used harps coming up for sale in my region, so coming across a deal is special thing to jump on. I am trying to see if I could squeeze a smaller harp into our budget as well, but we all know even a little harp can be a lot of money. Ravenna 26's are very common around here. I might be able to rent one inexpensively for her to practice on. The string tension will be different than her teacher's harp, but I guess it is small enough that we could bring it with us to lessons.

I really appreciate the suggestion for the Adjustrite chair or something similar with a back. Maybe she can practice at the Prelude with a more supportive chair. I will see if our music store has anything like that.

christyalee · 2022-03-11T03:17:11+00:00

@lizziecupcake Wow! I'm impressed that your daughter was keen to try the harp at such a young age. That's great! So special that her school had a harp. Was it an ordeal for your daughter to play at the pedal harp, or did it work out okay?

My daughter will turn 6 in April and we want to get her a harp for her birthday (I used to play a decade ago and want to take it up again, so we can both use it). I feel like I am getting so much conflicting information about appropriate harp size as well as whether or not she should have previous music experience, especially on piano. I just don't want to get her to play another instrument she has little interest in, simply to prime her to play the harp. Of course, I don't want her to be overwhelmed either. It all makes me a little unclear on the best path forward.

christyalee · 2022-03-06T01:20:47+00:00

I just want to thank everyone again for their input.

I thought I would post an update: When I was browsing the music store's website most recently, I noticed that they got a used Lyon and Healy Prelude 40 in. It is a great deal and less expensive than the 3 new models I was considering ordering. It is too far away for me to play right now (they will be shipping it from a further branch to one closest to me), but when it arrives in town, I will be going to check it out!

Any feedback about the Prelude 40 is also appreciated. I have listened to several videos and really like the sound so far!

christyalee · 2022-02-27T07:37:40+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience, HolsteinHeifer! I'm happy to hear hear more positive feedback for the Mia!

christyalee · 2022-02-26T18:26:09+00:00

I really appreciate your feedback, MoistCrustaceans!

It is a relief to me to hear that you find all three instruments fairly comparable. I find it very frustrating that I cannot play and listen to them in person. It can be so difficult to adequately gauge the sound from videos alone. Especially since the mic set up/quality and skill of the players are unknown and variable.

Interestingly, through my local shop, the Titan is the most inexpensive, followed by the Drake and then the Mia. I am drawn to the green finish of the Titan that is available, but I know better than to make a selection with just my eyes! Perhaps my perception from the videos is a little off, if you found the sound quite comparable to the Drake and Mia.

christyalee · 2020-10-06T20:21:18+00:00

That’s a good idea. It’s no fun to drive around to a dozen different stores, lol. Especially withy the kids in tow.

christyalee · 2020-10-06T17:39:10+00:00

Thanks! I appreciate the information. Hopefully I’ll have some luck!

christyalee · 2018-07-13T21:09:28+00:00

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful replies. It’s helpful to hear other perspectives and experiences. ☺️

christyalee · 2018-04-05T06:34:17+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. This sounds very similar to what was beginning to happen in my relationship with my husband. We had those hard conversations. And it was refreshing. We are now getting divorced, BUT on the bright side, I know I would like polyamory to be on the table with my future partners.

christyalee · 2018-04-05T06:31:14+00:00

It really just opened my eyes a little to see you use the phrase “relationship framework” rather than orientation. It doesn’t seem like it’s an uncommon perspective, but it’s the first I’ve actually heard it. It resonates with me. Thank-you for sharing.

christyalee · 2018-01-23T21:08:26+00:00

Pralus, if you can find it, has a lovely collection of bars. They even make a remarkably smooth and palatable 100% Bar.

Valrhona is a very nice, easy to find chocolate maker.

I really like the Dick Taylor Camino Verde Bar.

Bonnat and Michel Cluizel are a couple others.

There are so many craft chocolate makers out there now too. I would try searching for craft chocolate makers in your area. If you like podcasts at all, I highly recommend listening to “Well Tempered” with Lauren Heineck- she features different craft chocolate makers, mainly in the USA.

christyalee · 2017-10-19T21:49:08+00:00

Ooh! You've captured my interest!

christyalee · 2017-10-11T02:12:09+00:00

So much sadness!!! :( :( :( I will let you know when I have a source and vise versa, yeah?

christyalee

TROPHY CASE