Sunday Loveliness

Today I present a collection of highlights circling around the blogosphere that captured my attention and hopefully will capture yours.

The story behind the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Photo by Rachel Hewig

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A moment I think many of us have had... The, "Mommy, I want to do that someday," moment. For me it was also at my first viewing of The Nutcracker. I was eight and when the little ribbon candies emerged from underneath Mother Ginger's skirt I was convinced that I was fully capable of doing that too. I remember my mother having to tell me to sit back as I was quite literally on the edge of my seat. Here we are thirteen Nutcrackers with Maine State Ballet later.

Photo courtesy of settingthebarreblog.com

~ * ~A luscious flower costume that has yet to cease its enchantment of my dreams.

Holiday Magic at the Nutcracker. #transformation #holidaymagic #houstonballet #nutcracker #houstonballet #wheredidthecarbsgo Fat mom to....🌷A video posted by Jacquelyn Long (@jac_long) on Dec 21, 2015 at 2:27pm PST

~ * ~A little more inspiration...

Show #2 today with @yuriyanowsky 😄 #Nutcracker #grandpasA video posted by ashley ellis (@ashleyellisb) on Dec 20, 2015 at 10:46am PST

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Undoubtedly my favorite Nutcracker scene, you can actually smell the garden of delicate petals before you with the magic combination of wispy romantic tutus and a spunky "Dew Drop" in Waltz of the Flowers. Although Sugar Plum is always a joy, there's just something about the impish quality of the Dew as she leaps and twirls about the stage that makes glitter burst from my chest. It's just a joy to do. I came across a full black and white video on some social media platform of Balanchine's Waltz of the Flowers that had to be from the '50s. I searched and searched and searched to rediscover it and share it with you all but I can only assume the Balanchine Trust had to shut it down. So instead, let me share a more modern but equally beautiful rendition by PNB.

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Valsa das Flores PNB <3
Posted by Só Bailarinos on Saturday, December 19, 2015

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And to really brighten your Sunday... how ballet is helping young girls cope with the stressful lifestyle in Gaza.
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Ballet Is Helping Kids Cope With Stress Of Life In Gaza
Young girls living through the war in Gaza are learning ballet to cope with stress
Posted by NowThis on Wednesday, December 23, 2015