  Friend,• What Carolyn Is Up To: Launching LA's Newest Agency - Music For Events! • Upcoming Events: Back At The Queen Mary • Feature Article: A Stress-Free Thanksgiving: 10 Tips For An Easier Holiday • About Carolyn: Meet The Artist • Carolyn Recommends: Gift Shopping At Ten Thousand Villages Please add "carolyn@pacificharps.com " to your white list or address book in your e-mail program, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!  Launching LA's Newest Agency - Music For Events!  After much anticipation and dedication, Pacific Harps is now ready to take our next step - expanding under a new name into a full-service music agency for the Los Angeles and surrounding area! Music For Events is a boutique music service that works closely with their clients to create not only the musical vision they imagine for their event, but also to ensure the success of their entire event through our network of event professionals. We are a premier music agency that is also readily equipped to assist our clients with any other event needs they may have. Music For Events website will launch in early December, so keep an eye out for us - we are excited to serve you!  Back At The Queen Mary  I am excited to announce that the harp has been reinstated to The Queen Mary for the month of December! This beautiful ship boasts decks with Art Deco build-ins and rich wood paneling, seven restaurants, shops, and an extensive Sunday brunch with the harp as the centerpiece! This gorgeous venue is one worth the drive to Long Beach any day of the week. Come see me any Sunday (or more than one!) this December onboard - I'd love to show you around!  A Stress-Free Thanksgiving: 10 Tips For An Easier Holiday
2. Shop early: Grocery stores get more packed the longer you wait, plus you run the risk of some of your needs being sold out. Try to do your shopping early morning or late evening at least one week before the big day. 3. Make-ahead magic: Plenty of side dishes, desserts, and breads can be made ahead of time. This frees up your counter space and your to-do list. If you do have to make several dishes on Thanksgiving, try to distribute them evenly between the stovetop, the oven, and the microwave. 4. Perform a test flight: If you're making a side dish for the first time or using ingredients that you aren't familiar with, try them out beforehand so you'll be prepared for success on Thanksgiving Day. Ditto if you're serving a new wine or using new equipment, like a brand new oven. 5. Manage the little ones: Keeping the kids occupied takes time as well. Having a group of kid-friendly DVDs on hand is a no-brainer, but don't stop there. Kids can help in the kitchen with cookie decorating or in the dining room with setting the table. 6. Shrink the menu: With the size of the feast on most of our tables, it really isn't necessary to load your guests up on dips, snacks, or appetizers. A platter of cut fresh vegetables should do the trick. 7. Turkey duty: As the place where all eyes are focused, preparing a perfect Thanksgiving turkey carries a huge amount of stress. The most important thing: don't forget to defrost the bird. In the refrigerator is the best method, but will take longer. You can also submerge the turkey in cold water to speed thawing. Keep the bird basted as it cooks and let it stand for at least 30 minutes after it comes out of the oven to keep it moist. 8. Quick fixes: Purchasing store-bought desserts and adding your own flair is a great timesaver. Defrost a frozen pumpkin pie, top with streusel, and bake. Or simmer cranberries in orange juice and a little sugar just until they pop and spoon over purchased pound cake. 9. Plan an after-dinner activity: Plan something for the family to do after dinner. Pre-purchase movie tickets for the opening blockbuster and fold them in your napkins. Have your yard staked out for a game of flag football. Your guests will love having the planning done for them. 10. Don't sweat it: The true secret to being a gracious host or hostess (and keeping your own sanity) is to not let small problems ruin the day. If one of your side dishes burns, simply toss it out and enjoy the bounty you do have. If the turkey burns, order take-out. And don't forget to laugh. If you like this article, visit www.allrecipes.com for more tips and tricks!   Australian harpist Carolyn Sykes has been performing in Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States for the past 30 years. She came to Los Angeles fifteen years ago to study for her Masters Degree at the California Institute of the Arts. Since then she has established her private teaching and performing studio Pacific Harps, teaching, supplying harps and performing in orchestras, on concert stages and for special events, both locally and abroad. Carolyn plays solo, as well as with other instruments such as flute, bass, violin and string ensembles and vocalists. Visit Carolyn's website at www.pacificharps.com for more information on lessons and harps, her harp retreat in Mexico, and much more!   Gift Shopping At Ten Thousand Villages I love this shop! Ten Thousand Villages is an exceptional source for unique handmade gifts, jewelry, home decor, art and sculpture. Textiles, serveware and personal accessories representing the diverse cultures of artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East are available at this unique shop, ans as one of the world's largest fair trade organizations, the company strives to improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries! Product sales help pay for food, education, healthcare and housing for artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. You can visit the shop in Pasadena, or for those of you across the country, visit the link to find a store near you or shop online. So if you aren't quite sure where to start your shopping this year, this is a great place to begin! www.tenthousandvillages.com Ten Thousand Villages in Pasadena: 567 South Lake Ave Pasadena, CA 91101 626-229-9892 @ Copyright Pacific Harps |
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