http://melinakastle.com/news.html Melina Kastle: News Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:09:34 -0700 http://melinakastle.com/news.html#30
Also...thanks to all my new students in Olympia! I'm having such a great time with y'all! Looking forward to meeting you new ones and getting going on making some great music!

If you have thought about taking lessons...now may be your time! Shoot me an email over at the contact page and we can see what we can do!! Hurry though...my time slots are filling fast. (Sweet!)

Happy day!]]> http://melinakastle.com/news.html#30 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Smile & Breathe - Melina Kastle - News http://melinakastle.com/news.html#29 http://www.jazzweekly.com/reviews/Kastle_Melina.htm]]> http://melinakastle.com/news.html#29 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Smile & Breathe - Melina Kastle - News http://melinakastle.com/news.html#28
Thanks so much for your generous hearts and for cheering on Ericka and I's music. If you missed the night you can hear some of Ericka's music at www.MySpace.com/ErickaCorban. She's a good friend and a wonderful person and you'll love her music!

Thanks again all!]]> http://melinakastle.com/news.html#28 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Smile & Breathe - Melina Kastle - News http://melinakastle.com/news.html#27
I'm always looking for new ways to stretch and grow and sometimes that means little things (making a new quilt) and sometimes it means exciting bigger changes like this. I love Aberdeen and still will be teaching and living here but Olympia has long been a place of fun and excitement for me! Make all the jokes you want about a small town girl but Oly has something special about it!

So, if you're in Thurston county and you're interested in taking lessons, please email me. I'll have more details soon about when and where.]]> http://melinakastle.com/news.html#27 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Smile & Breathe - Melina Kastle - News http://melinakastle.com/news.html#25 So, this Bulb Farm is special to me because I have been celebrating the approach of Spring there for years and years!
I bought armloads of pussy-willows, daffodils (Ice Follies are probably my favorite) and huckleberry foliage. As I type, I have a vase of these lovelies on my desk (which doubles as my dining room table...isn't that breaking some rule somewhere?) and I keep looking at them as I'm working.
I just love Spring! And it's on its way!]]> http://melinakastle.com/news.html#25 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Smile & Breathe - Melina Kastle - News http://melinakastle.com/news.html#26 www.SorrentoHotelSeattle.com) in downtown Seattle.

First, I must say that Seattle is one of my favorite cities. It's enclaves of artists, foodies, coffee snobs, musicians and hikers set it apart. I especially love Ballard for its Cafe Besalu and Bastille (two lovely restaurants) and the park surrounding the Locks. I also have a deep seated love for Fremont though it's becoming more and more urban and less grainy and so I enjoy it less and less. So it goes. But Ballard - Ballard is still authentic and fun! I love it!

But wait, I was going to tell you about French Fries. At the Sorrento Hotel, they have a very nice menu for the Fireside Room (where I play on this sweet ol' baby grand) with lots of fun or serious drinks depending on your style and some very delicious foods. Last time I was there, I was craving something hot and greasy and fortunately for me - the menu offered French Fries with Aioli. Ahhh. Yum!

My taste buds were not disappointed. Each potato stick was so delicious and perfectly deep fried!

You too, my friend, may enjoy the French Fries and Aioli at the Sorrento AND you can do it while supporting me! I'll be there on March 4th, 7-9:30 p.m. and we'll have a really great time! I WILL be accepting orders of French Fries sent to the piano as I sing. ;)]]> http://melinakastle.com/news.html#26 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Smile & Breathe - Melina Kastle - News http://melinakastle.com/news.html#23
Truthfully, while it's been a year of growing and learning, it's also been a heartbreaking one for me. Things are definitely looking up, but for a while there, I was sadder than heck. Guess it's all part of growing up.

I'm excited to get into this new year of ours. I've been mapping out my plans and dreams for 2010 and while exhausting it's also motivating. I found a really helpful link to planning out your year - check it out here. Maybe it will inspire you like it did me. http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-conduct-your-own-annual-review/

Happy dreaming and planning!]]> http://melinakastle.com/news.html#23 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Smile & Breathe - Melina Kastle - News http://melinakastle.com/news.html#24
I'm bringing a couple of musical guests with me which I am so happy about! I just love making music with other people. So creative and fun and always challenging in a good way.

So, get yourself over there next Thursday evening, 7th of January, 2010, and have fun with us! We'll be playing from 7-9:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room.]]> http://melinakastle.com/news.html#24 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Smile & Breathe - Melina Kastle - News http://melinakastle.com/news.html#22
I have been in the studio this Autumn and I have two new songs I want to give you. Let me know what you think of them! Just go to the music section of my site and scroll down to see "Christmas Gifts". Enjoy!]]> http://melinakastle.com/news.html#22 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Smile & Breathe - Melina Kastle - News http://melinakastle.com/news.html#21
Hand-wash

Emails

Finances

I did get 11 items of hand-wash clothing clean and drying on my laundry rack. That felt great to get done. I updated my finances (I'm a real nerd and do all that with an Excel spreadsheet. Microsoft should hire me for one those ads..."My name is Melina Kastle and I use Excel spreadsheets for my financial planning. I can create a budget, manage long term goals and -yay!- see how much I still need to earn in order to pay my rent." Ahhh. Ok.

Enough of that. While checking my emails I saw that an acquaintance of my family's- a wonderful man, father and husband- died after a 3 year battle with cancer. I hope that he knew how much he was loved by his family and community; I think he did. I am praying now for his family and hoping they feel loved tonight too. It's sad to see a good man die. He will be missed.]]> http://melinakastle.com/news.html#21 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Smile & Breathe - Melina Kastle - News