Is your suitcase packed?

6 (SIX - count 'em!) days until take off!!!
Have you packed? What are you taking? I'm finding it really hard not to pack summer clothes, simply because it's MY SUMMER (and probably about the same temp as the aussie winter!). For fun I googled 'Australian Street Fashion' and found this:
Street-Chic - Aussie Style

Ok. Kinda fun. Definitely not Summer wear... no tropical flowers, etc. But very cute. For our dancing girls.

Do I really have to bring long jeans?

14 days til Australia !!!

In 14 days, we will be on a plane, heading to AUSTRALIA. 14 Dancers, 14 days. Bunch of parents. A few siblings. 3 Dance teachers.
WHOO HOO!!! If that doesn't excite you, well, ... I have nothing to more to say!
It's been a long year. We've raised funds, raised more funds and then a bit more. We worked our fingers to the bone. We worked until the cows came home, and then we sent them back out again.
But NOW it is time to start packing our bags! NOW we get to go to the drugstore and buy TRAVEL SIZE containers of sunscreen and toothpaste. NOW we get to start having some FUN.... ok, we've been having fun along the way too! Still. IT"S TIME TO GET EXCITED!

FIRST STOP: SYDNEY!

Big Yard Sale - Friday, July 9th at 10am

Bellingham Garage Sale at 2717 Cornwall Ave.... we got tons o' stuff!!!!
Vintage Books and Classic Toys ... plus all the usual household stuff! Come on by!

Stars, Stripes and Tutu's!!!

Happy & Safe 4th of July to Pets, People and ALL!!!

P.S. John represents our holiday spirit Best !!!

YARD SALE in Bellingham !

We're having a YARD SALE in B'ham: 2717 Cornwall on Friday, July 9th!!! 10am until the evening ... we'll even have hot dogs and drinks!

We had so much fun and success at the last yard sale, that we can't help but do it again! Of course, cool stuff is our middle name (United We Cool Stuff Dance), so there will be plenty of good buys and great stuff to buy for cheap!!!
Have stuff you want to get rid of? Consider donating to us. Email: uwedance@gmail.com and to arrange a drop off.

Spice Girls in Bellingham! Mt Baker Theater

Wouldn't have believed if I didn't see it myself! The Spice Girls are onstage tonight, performing with Wendy Setter's Dance Studio! Wowee! Check it out! 

Entertainment in Bellingham Tonght! 7:30-Mt Baker Theatre

Tonite at the Mt Baker Theatre:  7:30pm:Wendy Setter's The Dance Studio spring performance "If the Shoe Fits!"  ... and let me tell you, the shoe definitely fits! I was at the rehearsal and it was fantastic fun. There is a bit more musical theater this year, which is entertaining. There are super cute little dancing boys and of course, enough little girls to make your heart go soft.   The Adagio (lifting dance) this year has an African theme and is a stage of wonder.  There are also some rockin' adults tappin to LOVE SHACK (I'm personally acquainted with this bunch) and a finale right off the stage of the New York ROCKETTES! Be there or be square (and sad too!). Tickets available at the box office.

A guaranteed good time.

If the Shoe Fits - Mt Baker Theater - June 25 & 26

It's that week again... one of the busiest, happiest weeks in town! RECITAL WEEK!!! Yeah and Yippee!
High energy, toe-tappin, dance fun! Rehearsal: Thur at 4p; Friday Performance 7:30p, Saturday Performance 7:30p. Whew!

(I'm gonna need coffee!)

Make a Memory - 'If the Shoe Fits'

Another year of DANCE is wrapping up with the Spring Perfomance, If the Shoe Fits, June 25th and 26th at the Mt Baker Theater! Of course we're excited, it's so much JOY, talent, high energy and FUN.

This year celebrate your dancer in the Performance Program! Purchase an Ad and speak your heart (proceeds go to United We Dance/sending dancers to Australia)! It's a great option for moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunties, uncles, teachers and friends. Check it out:   http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=123053544398329&ref=mf

Prices are $50 for a half page, $25 for a quarter page and $15 for an eighth page ad. (Printing will be B&W).
Pay by clicking on the 'Donate' button to the left or stop by the Dance Studio and filling out a form/writing a check.
After paying, send an email with your .jpg image and message to:  uwedance@gmail.com.
Further questions? Call the Dance Studio: 360-734-1595

Sea to Ski at Hovander Homestead

Sea to Ski out at Hovander was great fun today! What I liked best: watching the canoe'ers come in happy and tired, giving each other high-fives and hugs for a job well done. Also, watching our girls dance in the field and actively selling hotdogs.

10 fun things - Sea to Ski Grand Parade

It's B'ham's Sea to Ski Weekend (old timers know it as Blossom Time). Today was the Grand Parade and we had a front row view while selling hot dogs.

Here are 10 reasons I love parades!

1. Being outside in the spring weather.

2. Cheerfully decorated Floats

3. The Happy Clowns

4. Firetrucks and Flags

5. Plumes and Spats 

6. Old Guys (with spirit)

7. Friendly cops

8. Seeing folks we normally don't see...

 

9. Smiling with the Nile

 

#10 (Best Reason of All) OUR KIDS!

Sea to Ski Grand Parade

Get ready! Marching down Cornwall Ave this Saturday, May 29 is the fantabulous Sea to Ski GRAND Parade! 
And in it, The Dance Studio dancers ... strutting their stuff to 'Little Shop of Horrors' music.  Last week they got a Judges Choice award. They were HAP-PEEEE!

 Oh, and there were the HOT DOGS! We sold lots! And we'll be doing it again... check out the cook (he knows his stuff !).  The price is right too! $1.50/hot dog. $3.00/combo: hot dog, chips,drink.

Be there, or be Square!

Bellingham Herald Front Page!!!

United We Dance dancers made the first page of the Bellingham Herald today! Yeah!!! We are proud of them! They have tons of enthusiasm, talent and joy! Thanks to Brittany and Wendy too! Brit - the choreography was great!!!
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/05/21/1443261/record-number-of-kids-participate.html

Sea to Ski Kiddies Parade Today!

Yeah! It's parade day! Come on B'ham.... do your thing! (Rain in the morning ... Sun in the afternoon!).  B'hamsters! Come out and enjoy the parade and all those proud little kids.  They feel so special marching through town! Give 'em a round of applause! It's good stuff in all directions!

And stop by The Dance Studio, just south of B'ham High School (1820 Cornwall Ave), to say hello and enjoy a little sustenance!  We'll be there for you!

Bellingham Sea to Ski Kiddies Parade

Friday, May 21st at 5pm:
The Sea to Ski Kiddies Parade is comin' to town and Wendy Setter's The Dance Studio, at 1820 Cornwall Ave is ready! Dancers have been working out a routine to strut their stuff for weeks now, and the UWD parents (ah yes, the fundraisers again) are setting up a HOT DOG STAND to delight your tastebuds.
I have never gone to a public event without one of my kids getting hungry and thirsty.  Too often we're just too busy to pack the lunch and remember the wipes. Sometimes, even when I did bring the treats, the kids just wanted to go for the warm and tasty hot-dogs. It's part of the parade tradition!

So come on by the Dance Studio located midway through the parade route and join in the festivities!  It is a great spot to view the parade from either side of the street. (The dance studio even has bathrooms just in case your little one needs to go). We'll also have a Hand Washing Station! (ah, spills and mishaps!)

We'll be having FUN ... we always do!

P.S. We'll also be setting up shop..., I mean the HOT-DOG Stand, for the Grand Parade on Saturday, May 29th at Noon ... AND ... we'll be out at Hovander Homestead on Sunday May 30th to serve Sea to Ski Race Participants, support crew and family as they shuttle on by!  LOOK for US!

Australian Terminology Quiz

It's time to learn Aussie-speak!

Here's a few phrases to get you going.
Guess at the meaning of the colored phrases (you could leave your answers in the comment section )!

• I'd just love a big, cold glass of Adam's Ale.
• He's sure is in need of a Dad 'n Dave.
• I'm so hungry! What I'd give for a jaffle.
• If there isn't a jaffle spot around, I might consider Macca's.
• That wasn't just any kiss mate, that was a pash!
• He's a tall poppy, that one!
• Well, that's better than being a yobbo!  

Winner gets a SPECIAL BLOG FEATURE !!!!
Dancers! This one's for YOU!!!

ANZAC Biscuit Recipie (as promised)

 These traditional biscuits (Cookies!) are associated with the joint holiday shared by Australia and New Zealand to commemorate the Gallipolli Landings during WWI.

Yield: 2 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)

Ingredients

• 1  cup  regular oats
• 1  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1/2  cup  shredded sweetened coconut
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1/4  cup  stick margarine, melted
• 3  tablespoons  water
• 2  tablespoons  golden cane syrup (such as Lyle's) or light-colored corn syrup
• Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325°.
Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl; stir well. Add margarine, water, and syrup; stir well. Drop by level tablespoons, 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325° for 12 minutes or until almost set. Remove from oven; let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from baking sheets. Place on wire racks; let cool completely.
Note: We found these cookies were much better when made with golden cane syrup such as Lyle's. Cane syrup is thicker and sweeter than corn syrup and can be found in cans next to the jellies and syrups, or in stores specializing in Caribbean and Creole goods.

Monday Dance Class: Aussie Bites!

FIVE (count 'em) Australian delicacies to look forward to (12 weeks to go!):

1. Meat Pie. Statistics: 260 million pies are consumed every year in Australia. Of those, approx 62% are filled with chopped steak.  Just 2% are filled with chicken!
2. Barramundi. An 'Australis' fish.  Good for you. Check out the link:http://www.thebetterfish.com/recipe/Barramundi_and_Lemon_Butter_
3. Shrimp on the Barbie. Ok, My mouth is watering for warm summer evenings and good smells wafting off the grill.
4. ANZAC Biscuits. ANZAC is the  acronym for Australia and NewZealand Army Corp.  Apparently the Army makes really good biscuits! Photo right, recipe tomorrow.
5. AND, last but not least: VEGEMITE! Perhaps it's an acquired taste? Maybe, like PB&J, it helps if you grow up with it?! All I know is that our Aussie dancers visiting in December were homesick for it. This yeasty spread seems to be the quintessential Australian comfort food. 

10 Garage Sale Tips (ok, really 11).

We've just survived our 2nd United We Dance garage sale and like the first, it was a wonderful success! The money making ratio is still one of the best ($70/hr)!

Here are some tips and things we've learned along the way:

• Have a garbage can on site. Simple notion, but Yard Sales create a lot of garbage..
• Make reusable signs. Then remember where you store them.
• Have a theme.  If you have something special to sell (like flapper costumes), take fotos and add to your Craigslist posting.

                                            

• On that note, never pay for advertising. Use the free stuff: Craigslist, the corner telephone pole, your Fb page. Only advertise a few days before the event if it's held outside in the Great Pacific Northwet.
• Regarding weather, be flexible with your planning.  Even a 'partly rain' forecast will dampen spirits and give you wet feet. Don't hesitate to reschedule. 

                                       

• Buy the colorful round stickers with prices on them. Stick 'em on the 'decent, higher value stuff' as you go. It's psychological ...easy to say "one dollar".  Not so easy to say "twelve dollars".
• Don't price too high.  At our garage sales, we price things really low, but stuff moves and we make money.
• Do it with friends. Have coffee on site. Laugh a lot. (a little protein in the afternoon helps too!)

                                       

• Play store. Dress up your displays. When I drive by by a table full of florist vases, I seldom stop. A stuffed Kermit the Frog, wrapped in a quilt propped w/a book in a rocking chair  ... I stop.

                                                  

•  * Know HOW TO TAKE DOWN the Canopy.*

                                                  

• Call for a pick-up service at the end of the day.  We call "Lifegate Christian Ministries" who come and take all the leftover stuff to a shelter for homeless woman and children (tel: 360-714-8989).

When it's all said and done, take yourself out to dinner (maybe followed by a spa day?). You've earned it.