Fun in Napa Valley

Up in the hills at dawn to get pictures of the sunrise and blooming mustard in the vineyards.  By 7:30am  I was treated to the wonder of hot air balloons floating and landing all around me.   On top of a hill in Alston Park, at times, the balloons seemed to sneek up on me, floating by at eye level.  How cool is it to be stalked by a hot air balloon!  

So glad I had my video camera with me! 

Videos were condensed because 2 hours of balloons might be a bit much!

Harp Concerto in B flat Major added.......just because it sounds great with balloons!  

Watch in 'full screen'.....it's fun!

 (you know, click on the screen thingy next to the 'YouTube' logo)

A harpy balloon ride is in my future.

Coming through the valley 

Taking pictures of me, taking pictures of them.

Up close to the tree because I thought the balloon wouldn't land on me.....
till the chaser said, "they use the trees as brakes, sometimes."

Eleven balloons landed before I got hungry and went home for breakfast. 

 I did notice that there are no chubby balloon chasers.  

Chasing, hauling and folding up balloons is not for sissies!

Dawn in the vineyard

Mustard and my shadow (to show I really was there. Got a pic of my foot, too....
just for proof, when I'm older and trying to remember the day!)

Whitefield Chapel

Whitefield Chapel at Bethesda

is quaint, peaceful, beautiful and.......only 4 minutes from my house!

 I LOVE playing here, even in February.

Bethesda Gate and Drive

There are 3 steps up to enter, with no wheelchair ramp, so make sure 

all guests are able to climb a few stairs.  

Parking is on the grass across the drive from the building.  

The chapel is small, holding 135 guests.  

It has brick floors, old wooden pews and great acoustics. 

Whitefield Chapel only books one wedding per weekend so the calendar fills up quickly.

Looking Back from the Altar

The chapel has a piano (I do play it once in awhile) 
but isn't the harp perfect here!?

View from the balcony

There are no restrooms available so consider renting from 

Royal Restrooms if your event is longer than an hour. 

Trolley service is available to Bethesda

 and some of the couples I've played for at Whitefield Chapel have rented this

 beautiful vintage car from Timeless Motorcoaches for their getaway. 

Congratulations Casey & Eric!

A few Bethesda reviews from Wedding Wire

Will You Be My Valentine?

I thoroughly enjoyed playing love songs at the Country Club of Hilton Head's 

romantic, candlelit Valentine's dinner last night.  

(good thing I can play in the dark!)

I'm In Love, I'm All Shook Up. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey.  Oh Yeah!

It IS a love song, you know. 

Eight Days a Week....I Lo-o-o-o-oove You

Lullaby of Birdland whisper low Kiss me sweet and we'll go
Flyin' high in Birdland High in the sky up above
All because...... we're in love

I love, Love Songs!

The venue looks like a wonderful place to host just about any kind of event and their website says,
  "Not a Member? Not a Problem!

Online Brochure

Sunday at Hampton Hall Bridal Show

I LOVE my job!  What could be better, on a sunny Sunday afternoon,

 than meeting amazing folks at the Hampton Hall Club in Bluffton, S.C. 

Thank you Hilton Head Monthly!  This year's Bridal Show was another great one!

Hampton Hall Club is a beautiful venue for events and weddings. 

2012 Bridal Show

 I've always enjoyed working with Westwind Entertainment.....

and am looking forward to working with Westwind's new owner, JLKEvents.

Jamie Brodie, the J of JLKEvents made me feel like we'd known each other for a long time when we met for the first time, Sunday at the Hilton Head Monthly bridal show.  

A partial list of the vendors who participated in the Hilton Head Monthly 2013 Bridal Show

Hilton Head Entertainment

RIM Photography

Faces DaySpa

Photos by Ruthe

Callawassie Island

Island Wedding Photography

The Porcupine

A Wedding in Paradise

A Floral Affair

Le Cookery

Star Student Star Teacher

Pausing for a photo op 

at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center 

before going into the ballroom to play for the

Star Student Star Teacher Recognition Luncheon.  

This was the 5th year I've been honored to be asked, by 

Don Smart and the Kiwanis Club, to play for the Luncheon.  

THANK YOU!

Sunday in Savannah Gettin' Down at Goose Feathers

I LOVE my job!  What could be better, on a sunny Sunday morning, than goofing around (musically speaking) at       Goose Feathers!  The staff certainly wasn't goofing around!  The cafe was hoppin'!....but they graciously made a space for me and I got to relax and do what I love doing best.....HARPING!.   Playing background music while folks are enjoying the atmosphere of a great cafe in downtown Savannah, is my idea of a perfect day.  

Goose Feathers is located on Barnard St. just around the corner from City Market  

and across Ellis Square from the Andaz Hotel.  

Come get Goosed at Goose Feathers!

By the way....my Roland Mobile Cube amplifier gives me enough boost to be heard in a 

happy, busy, buzzing cafe. 

AND......because it's battery powered,

 I'm free to play wherever the spirit moves....

or wherever folks will put up with me!

Happy Harpist!