Sunday, July 24, 2011

A perennial favorite growing up!

"....The hills are alive, with The Sound of Music!"
Can you hear the music now? I LOVE this movie.

Each year, my family and I would watch this movie as a family..and over the years, it's become even more of a favorite of mine. There are so many "gems" of scenes and the songs are still wonderful after all of these years. Watching Maria, the Captain, and seeing the sights and hearing the sounds with my children take me to a different time and place. I'm happy that my kids enjoy it as much as I do. : )
~
A few years ago, my daughter and I traveled with her Suzuki Violin group to "spread peace through music" and toured Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. In Salzburg, Austria, where the The Sound of Music was filmed, we stayed in a wonderful bed and breakfast and rode the cable car up to Mt. Untersberg. - the view was spectacular. The director of the group did a "Maria-esque" twirl once she arrived at the top of the mountain..it was such a great day!
The Violin group also played in front of the famous gazebo in the gardens at Hellbrun Palace - what a once-in-a-lifetime event!  The palace as well as the gardens are a must-see if you are ever in Austria.
I feel very fortunate to have visited these countries and to have experienced the food, the music, the sights and the history with my daughter. One of the highlights for me was to watch her play a medley of Sound of Music songs in front of the gazebo for passers-by to enjoy. There weren't many people in the gardens that day, but quickly a crowd formed and we were so touched by the people who applauded for our kids (there were 28 performers and all of us proud parents watching). I will never forget the smiles of two elder women arm in arm who watched. They were curious and one lady asked me where we were from and they smiled and were very pleased to see such a large group of violinists - something that does not happen often in the gardens.

What good memories! If you ever get a chance, you must visit Salzburg!
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33 comments:

  1. Ces AdorioJuly 24, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Ooooh Shirley! These illustrations are magnificent. I love The Sound Of Music. growing up, I wanted to be a nun. Hehehehe! I love their habit especially the whimple. I hope you are having a beautiful summer. Tsup!

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  2. Vicki SmithJuly 24, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Such a charming family story! The Sound of Music is my favorite musical. And what fun to see a photo of the gazebo from the film.

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  3. roberto M.July 24, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    Shirley, I do not need to read anything, watching your watercolors, I have enough!
    Excellent!

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  4. AnonymousJuly 24, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    I love your version of "The Sound of Music"! Wonderful job! Reading your blog make me want to go and visit Salzburg one day! Thank you for sharing! ^___^

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  5. Ces AdorioJuly 24, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    Aaaawwww! Your comments are so sweet and kind. Ah friendship. I am indeed blessed. I don't even have to work so hard. They are just naturally loving and gentle, genuine. Perhaps because we only have the other person's welfare in mind, rather than it being self serving like so many friendships of utility. I love Aristotle's philosophy. His words and ideas transcend the times. I think everyone should read his Ethics and the other book On Poetics and Rhetoric. Those and also Plato. I reread them every year. A nice salve to the dearth of good writers and the absence of true philosophers these days.

    Thank you Shirley.

    Your daughter is a brilliant young lady. She brings you so many joys. My fellow analyst also enrolled her son on the Suzuki method. She actually got interviewed by the teacher!!! Rather than vice versa.

    Tsup!

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  6. AntoanaJuly 24, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Ahhhh...you brought me back to my memories of years spent in England and watching this movie with my dear family there...I love the Sound of Music, especially the part where Maria reaches the top and the music reaches it's peak...and what a wonderful tradition you have with ur family to watch the movie every year...it's exactly what my family was doing too!
    The illo's are awesome! You've nailed it Shirley! :D

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  7. Sarah MellingJuly 24, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    As another HUGE fan of The Sound of Music, I adore your enchanting little paintings! And your photos from your fabulous trip are so wonderful. My family gave me the movie on DVD a while back, and it includes a version with commentary by the amazing Julie A herself...fascinating!

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  8. Alexandra MacVeanJuly 24, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Gosh, I am simply amazed at your renditions of the Sound of Music. In awe. So much, that I pulled the person next to me at the coffee shop over to my laptop to share with them your art!! :) LOL

    Hope youa re well. Hugs

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  9. Theresa MacNaughtonJuly 24, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    How lovely, Shirley. :) Can you believe I've NEVER seen the movie? I know - I'm probably the only one! LOL My hubby and I recently went to see Fraulein Maria - which was a lovingly humor-filled dance reenactment to all the music from the film!

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  10. ~Lavender Dreamer~July 24, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    We love this movie, too...and still enjoy watching it! What beautiful illustrations! ♥ And I love your banner! ♥

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  11. Ana M.F.July 24, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    I love the illustrations and yes, you are so lucky, that place looks amazing :)

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  12. Ellen ByrneJuly 24, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    Lovely and charming watercolors!

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  13. Dear FirefliesJuly 24, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Oh, I love, love, LOVE The Sound of Music!! I watched it hundreds of time growing up, and I still watch it every now and then with my oldest. I don't think there's ever any movie that's meant to last forever other than this one.

    Thank you for creating such fabulous paintings of the characters, Shirley. You're just brilliant! oxx

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  14. UnknownJuly 25, 2011 at 3:14 AM

    oh my dear! how i loved your entry! i'm visiting Salzburg this august and i can't be more in love with "The Sound of Music" film! yaaaai! so glad to see those amazing pictures! i can't wait now!

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  15. Indigene TheresaJuly 25, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    What an amazing experience! You've captured it with your art as well, I can hear the music in it!

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  16. Linda HensleyJuly 25, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    A perennial favorite of mine too. Love your paintings!

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  17. k.h.whitakerJuly 25, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Love these Shirley, the sound of music is definitely a perennial favorite. One of my daughters use to love watching the sound of music, over and over again. Hope you are doing well and having a happy summer. Hugs :)

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  18. JuneJuly 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    I remember ...it was a very special occasion for us to go to the cinema as a family and see The Sound of Music movie. The only time I can remember us all going to ee a film, and we had our best clothes on for the day :o)
    I was very young, but I recall I had new shoes!
    I always go back to that moment in my childhood when the film is on TV.

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  19. Jenn BowerJuly 25, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    What a lovely post to see and read. I love seeing the other side of your watercolor world and that people translate as wonderfully in this medium as the cute little critters you create. I really enjoyed hearing about what inspires you too. My daughter and I love to watch the classics together too. We spent an entire day at Disney this year doing just that. Dr. Dolittle was always my favorite. So nice to learn a little bit more about you.

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  20. micheleJuly 25, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    Such fun memories, illustrated by your watercolors and your daughter's once in a lifetime musical tour! A visit to your blog is always one of my "favorite things!" :o)

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  21. AlisonJuly 25, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Yes, a great movie. And a sweet illustration. If you ever get the chance visit the Von Trapp family lodge in Stowe, Vermont, where they have lots of photos of the real family.

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  22. Beth Anne MarescaJuly 25, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    I, too, grew up watching this movie...in our house, too, it was a big family event...we'd sing all of the songs...oh what happy memories...love your illustrations, too!

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  23. Michaele RaziJuly 26, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Love the movie but the illustrations are just perfection! So good!

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  24. MrBibleHeadJuly 26, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Hey Shirley. I’d love to go there someday. I love the movie also and you really captured some great moments and expressions. I can hear the music now! We just watched it again recently. Never gets old, nor do your illustrations :o) I went back to your “gesture” piece and saw that my comment never got published. I said that I was wayyyy too shy too. But I did steal a glance/stare or two. Love the poses and expressions. You really nailed the sweet moment! God bless!

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  25. Amanda DilworthJuly 27, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Love the movie and your illustrations:)

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  26. JaneJuly 27, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    I started singing the songs as soon as I saw your pictures Shirley, that film is a perennial favourite of ours too. Your pictures of Julie Andrews et al are terrific! What happy memories your have of your trip with your daughter, a lovely story to hear. Thank you for your sweet words you left on my blog, you are such a dear blogging friend. Take care,
    Jane x

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  27. froggie is...July 29, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    wonnnnnnnnnnnnnnderful work, shirls love the very subtle LIGHTING in the first, with the von trapp kiddies! you've been LOOKING at light!
    :-)
    great layers, too. sketchy bgrounds, strong characters - awesome! and such sweet expressions! "-)))

    but see, it's already there with you - instinctively. you make GREAT choices!
    thanks sooo much for the visits and the super nice comments! happy weekend! :-)

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  28. illustration poetryAugust 1, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    one of my fave movies!!!
    this post makes me happy :D

    wonderful, Shirley, really really :)

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  29. theartofpuroAugust 2, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Great post!I love the movie too:)Beautiful illos:)

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  30. AtelierBrigitteAugust 3, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    I've seen that movie a dozen times - and I still want to look at it when it is on TV. Lovely illustrations.

    All the songs just pop in my head..

    ♪♫ ... so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye... ♫♫

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  31. donny*August 3, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Usually I wouldn't admit such things, but I *do* like this movie and you've got some lovely tributes there!

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  32. Julissa MoraSeptember 2, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Awww, Shirley! What beautiful memories you created with your daughter. :))

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  33. Bella SinclairSeptember 30, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    SHIIIIIIIIRRRRLLEEEEYYYYYYY!!!!

    Oh MY, you made me SWOOOOON! I absolutely love The Sound of Music. And your watercolors are simply marvelous. They capture the magic of the movie precisely, especially the iconic scene of Maria twirling on the hilltop. Spectacular! You are a watercolor GODESS! And how utterly lucky you are to have gone to those beautiful countries and to have actually seen the famous gazebo. What a dream!

    Soooooooooooo good to see you again. I've truly missed your awesomeness.

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