What A Treat

My girlfriend Lauri brought me a treat yesterday.
Her gift made me feel very loved and brightened my day :)
The presentation was so beautifully displayed that I wanted to share photos with you, in case you are looking for a simple gift idea.

First Lauri found a beautiful dessert sized plate, added a paper doily, topped with a cinnamon roll.
*any kind of treat may be added to the plate

For the base she added an upside down ice cream glass that can often found in Dollar Stores.

Lauri glued the plate and glass together with a high strength, waterproof glue.

There are several products on the market, but I think Laurie said she used Gorilla Glue, which will bond ceramics and glass.

The cinnamon roll is from the Lion House Pantry, which is located at the Deseret Book where I work in Chandler, Arizona.
*DB has 40 locations through out Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, California, Oregon, New Mexico and Nevada
Imagine being around the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked rolls, pies, and cookies wafting across the store continually through out the day.
Customers walk in, load their arms with product, look me seriously in the eye and state "I know this is a church book store, but that smell should be a sin."
or
Big Smile:"This smells just like my grandmother's house!"
What can I say?
It brings people into the store, makes them feel at home, and adds a very pleasant atmosphere to sell books :)
I admit, I too frequent The Pantry often.
(Let's just say the cinnamon roll didn't stay on the plate for very long)
-Thank you again Lauri for your kindness and for the little extra things you do each day for others!

Erlig Khan

In the Asia section of the Musical Instrument Museum, people gasp as they approach the exhibit from Mongolia.

Looming high into the air stands Erlig Khan, dressed for the traditional Buddhist Tsam Masked Dance.
*Tsam means a dance of the Buddah.

The Lord of The Underworld, Erlig Khan appears at the end of the performance to banish evil.

Good thing he comes at the end because I think this guy would clear a room pretty fast.

Dressed For A Pow Wow

While walking through the Musical Instrument Museum I was especially interested in the textile exhibits that represent an intricate part of musical expression.

As quilters, I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that we notice fabric designs almost immediately as we enter a room.

Every culture has their own unique way to dress as they perform.

In the United States/ Canada section my eye was drawn to the bright happy fabrics of a North American Native Indian dressed for a Pow Wow.

The artistry of construction and design are spectacular.

The Native People are well known for their detailed bead work.

So beautiful!

And impressive machine applique.

Even the shirting fabric has been embroidered.

Button Blanket

Nearby was this beautiful appliqued wool coat.

Some cultures venture out a little more dramatically in dress when they perform musically. Tomorrow I will share a pretty wild outfit from Mongolia.

More From The MIM

Right as you enter the Musical Instrument Museum there is a sign on the wall that reads:
"Music Is The Language of The Soul"
So true.
When sound fills the air, we are soothed.
I also consider music an International language that unites no matter our race, gender, religious belief or economic status.

So many of the instruments at the MIM were unique in design.
The Lyre Guitar from France (1815) made me think of an animal face.

The Germans came up with this creative combination called a Harp Guitar.

Many of the instruments were superior in the quality of workmanship, and felt more like pieces of art.
The Dragon Double Neck Guitar has over 850 inlays

Mahogany, maple, rosewood, mother-of-pearl, abalone, paua and oyster shell, Ivory, Ebony, gold and silver.

Maker: Paul Reed Smith Guitars

Some say that necessity is the Mother of Invention.
The Horn-Fiddle is a product of France 1900-1950

And wouldn't it be fun to play this Harmonica?

It has also been said that one man's trash is another man's treasure.
This guitar from South Africa proves that man will find a way to create sound from any materials available.
Tomorrow I will show you some of the textile garments worn by musicians from various countries and cultures.

Musical Instrument Museum

As we explore and become more acquainted with Arizona, we have discovered some pretty amazing sites.
At the top of my list for the Phoenix area would be the Musical Instrument Museum, better known as the MIM.
Outstanding!
Right up there in caliber with Met Museum in Manhattan, New York.
In my opinion, this is a MUST SEE for every member of the family.

Situated on 20 acres in Scottsdale, the MIM has only been open for 2 years.
It's the biggest museum of it's type in the world, with an expansive collection of over 15,000 musical instruments from 200 countries.
Almost more than a brain can comprehend.
If you go, plan on spending an entire day there.
We spent 5 hours and barely skimmed over quite a few of the exhibit halls.
I want to go back again and again.

The galleries are set up geographically.
For example, this is part of Europe.
Each visitor is given a wireless headset, that tunes into the audio "hotspots" near each display.

Flat screen TV's offer a "listen" to the unique instruments being played, represented by each country.
Such a huge buffet of sound as you walk from display to display!

With so many unique instruments adapted by each culture.
The people of Malta use a Calf Pelt Bagpipe, with a removable horn that can also serve as a weapon.

In Spain, some musicians use a Bone Scrapper, played in conjunction with castanets.

Some instruments are HUGE, like the Octobasse, which was first exhibited at the 1849 French Industrial Exposition in Paris.

And some instruments were very small, like the miniature vessel flutes from Slovenia.

There are large displays that show the construction of Steinway pianos,

and another showing the history of Martin guitars.
I am only giving you little tidbits of an expansive 2 floor, 200,000 square foot museum.
Wear your best walking shoes.

Performances are also offered throughout the day.
We happened to be present on Bastille Day, where a gentleman played music from and lectured on the French Revolution.

There is even an "Experience Gallery" where you can interact with instruments from all over the world.
Of course, Mr. Cactus had to try out the loudest ones.