Friday Finds #287

As a kid, I remember visiting one of my uncles and him saying something along the lines of “vacation memories are made by what you eat.” I couldn’t agree more!

This past month has been quite the whirlwind, moving from the Digital Organization Retreat (read the recap here) to kicking off summer lessons (and juggling the scheduling nightmare), to circumnavigating the east side of Texas in our camper (Tyler > Houston > San Antonio > Waco > Dallas, Fort Worth).

Besides getting to spend time with family–some we haven’t seen in 20 years, and meeting lots of online teacher friends for the first time at the Texas Music Teachers Conference, three things that stick out the most in my memories:

Texas Pecan Coffee, Machete, and Conchas.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I woke up the first morning in my cousin’s house to the smell of Texas Pecan Coffee from H-E-B Grocery. (We’re coming home with 6 lbs!)

Machete is a long, tortilla quesadilla that almost felt like a thin flatbread. Apparently, they’re becoming popular with the food truck world.

Conchas (top of post) are a Mexican sweet bread pastry (like brioche) topped with a light coating. We went for a pistachio one (green one in photo). I can’t say it’s my favorite pastry ever, but it was a fun, new food item to experience and enjoy!

Enough of my food obsessions, and on to this months Friday Finds!

1

Two more fascinating podcast episodes hosted by Adam Grant! Generational Differences Are Vastly Exaggerated and We’re Wrong About What Makes Us Happy (Rethinking)

2

While I’m on podcasts, I enjoyed this unique episode from Nicola Cantan on the history of piano method books (#345).

3

I love getting a peek into what moves and drives others. Here’s a fresh post from our friend Leila Viss: From the Bench to the Backend: The Village That Built My Studio

4

A wonderful, relaxing stretching video in just under 15 minutes!

5

A Review of Jacob Metelka’s Piano Books from Natalie Weber (Music Matters Blog)

6

It’s produce season! I had been unhappy for a long time with my old Norwex vegetable scrubbing rag (it’s just too big and hard to hang to dry). So, I gave it to my mom, who loves them, and went searching for something that felt more practical. So far, I’m loving this simple silicone one. It’s a little wonky in the photo, but you can see the hand scrubbing a potato in the top image.

Only $7.99 on Amazon: Vegetable Scrubber

7

A unique rhythm activity for your summer lessons: Music Notation Parts: Cards & Cutouts.

8

Summer Recital Ideas: A Summer Coffeehouse Recital and a Picnic Performance

9

Several months ago, I gave up my 500+ day streak on Duolingo and have handed my language learning over to “Mango.” It’s another language learning program, and I love how it actually teaches. I just hit a point with Duolingo where I didn’t feel I was really learning in a concrete way. My local library provides access to the app, so check with your library before purchasing!

10

Along that same topic, here’s a look back at Lessons on Learning from 365 Days of Duolingo

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Did you miss last month’s finds? Check it out here >>> Friday Finds #286

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