Recording

Philip is off this weekend to Tauranga to record his next EP. I'm stooooooked! I can't wait to hear it. I won't be recording on this one, Lydia Cole is (!!!!!!!!!) which is easily a thousand times more exciting.

Keep an eye out! This one is going to be special. Until then, check out the last EP - I Am A-Roaming.

Lord by van der Wel, with Luke Thompson & Lydia Cole

Here is a video that Big Kid Film Productions captured at Walton Street awhile back. I was pretty pregnant and was boasting a big belly, singing alongside some of my very favorites. I will cherish these moments.

P.S. - If you want to check out more of our music (Okay. Phil's music. I just sing. Occasionally.) I added a nifty widget in the sidebar so that van der Wel's music is always handy. Neat!

Walton Street

This last Friday we had the privilege of playing at Walton Street again. Listen, I haven't performed at many venues but this is an easy favorite. The staff at Walton Street are incredible and the crowd is always attentive, gracious, and overall pretty darn amazing.

Audrey went to mum and dad's for the evening and Margaret came along with us. Even before the evening began I knew that this was my last show for awhile (until the girls are a little older and I feel more comfortable with leaving them somewhere) so Friday was a little bittersweet. Halfway through our performance I heard a little cry from backstage. She had fallen asleep before and Luke and Dave were keeping an eye on her while we sang but my plans went awry and she woke up. She ended up on stage crying while I rocked and shushed and settled her while Phil carried on plucking away at his guitar. She settled down just in time and sat perched on my knee looking out at the crowd while me and Phil sang the last verse together. It was bittersweet.

Thank you, Victor for capturing these moments for us! Victor Alexeyev is a talented photography based in Cambridge (for those local). It was such a privilege to have him take our photos. His shooting style is casual and easy and I didn't feel at all awkward as he snapped photos (usually I feel quite awkward in front of the camera). I highly recommend you check out his work! Keep an eye on this one. He's going places.

Check out Victor Alexeyev Photography on Facebook or visit his website victorwithalexeyev.co.nz.

P.S. - It's not too late! You can catch the rest of the tour to hear the music stylings of van der Wel, Luke Thompson, and Avalanche City! https://www.facebook.com/events/157553101109953/

Updates + One Final Show

BLOG DESIGN //

I've given the Sunday Collector blog a little facelift! Go on over, check it out, and give Briar some love. x


Before // After

AUDREY //


My baby will be two in 5 weeks! This is insane. I'm torn between hating Audrey growing up and LOVING this age. It's so. much. FUN!


BABY #2 //

34 weeks. Due in 6 weeks. Let's do this.

Go time is approaching quickly, and you know what? I'm really looking forward to it this time. I'm looking forward to a positive experience this time around. Being more focused and present during labor. Not being scared out of my mind. I wouldn't say that the birthing Audrey went terribly, it didn't. It was all pretty straight-forward, however I was totally and completely overcome with fear. This time, I'm approaching it head on and I feel much more ready for what comes. Whatever comes. I feel at peace. I feel excited?

Also... Random note: My belly button is completely gone. Like... it's just flat. Gone. So weird. haha


GARDEN //


The garden is long gone. The dead tomato plants have been ripped out. The climbing beans have been removed (except for a few stubborn bits that made it onto the roof and gutter). The cucumbers are a memory of summer past. We let everything go to seed so we could collect seeds for our garden next year. There's something very satisfying about growing your own food and sowing seeds that you collected from last year's harvest.

That said... Gathering lettuce seeds is kind of tricky. Have you seen them? They're kind of like dandelion seeds so they blow everywhere. We gathered lots but lots were scattered. We now have HUNDREDS of tiny little lettuce plants that have carpeted our forlorn garden. It's kind of really awesome.

For some reason, we left the jalapeno plant and the banana pepper plants where they were. I'm not sure how they missed being torn out with everything else, but they did. AND they've flowered again and produced a bumper crop! The jalapenos will be ready to harvest in a few days! HOW COOL IS THAT?!


THE BEARD //


Before // After
The beard underwent a trim (for work). I was incredibly nervous about the change... but I love it. A very gentlemanly beard if there ever was one!

My man is pretty daaaang handsome! Ow ow!


KNITTING & QUILT //

Unfortunately, I've not been able to work on the blankets as much as I wanted to. The good news is I've been very busy with blog designs! Such a blessing.
I should still have time to finish everything before Baby gets here but it'll be down to the wire! Kind of exciting :)


------------------
AND NOW FOR SOME BIG NEWS...


This amazing photo was taken by Rebecca Moss. Thanks, Becki!!
For those of you who missed the Te Awamutu show... good news!



"The response you gave us on the Luke & Lydia NZ Tour blew our minds! We are rapt. And completely grateful.

The guys at Walton Street (Te Awamutu) were such a dream to work with and theirs was the first show to sell out. So to celebrate a great tour, they are hosting one final show." -Lydia Cole

Barring that I haven't had a baby too early I'll be there! And singing with Mr. van der Wel.
Come and say hello. If for nothing else, come check out Walton Street Cafe. Because they're amazing.
Also, Luke and Lydia. NEED I SAY MORE?!

See Facebook for more details.

Luke Thompson & Lydia Cole NZ Tour

Luke, Lydia, & Phil
Photo by Christopher Lane at the Walton St Cafe
This morning my handsome bearded man left to go on a journey and tour across New Zealand with the likes of Luke Thompson and Lydia Cole with all their instruments. I'm so excited! This is going to be an amazing tour you won't want to miss. Tickets are selling fast (I'm looking at you, Wellington!!) so hurry hurry and get your tickets before they sell out.


I'm so proud of you, Phil!! You're the most amazing man I know. I'm the luckiest lady on the planet.

Seriously, y'all. If you have the chance, don't miss out to see Phil play! He's pretty awesome.

If you haven't already, check out van der Wel music, Lydia Cole, & Luke Thompson

ALSO check out Lydia's new video. Because it's gorgeous*. And you'll thank me for it.


*Gosh, just listening to it again and it's SO GOOD!

EDIT: EEEK! I forgot to mention that I'm singing along with Phil at the Te Awamutu and Tauranga shows. COME SAY HELLO! <3

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the van der Wel's 2012!

I love you all!

xo

P.S. - Can I just mention how cute Audrey is? Look at that cheesy grin. Perfection.
Also. Can I just mention that we took this photo with a timer on a tripod? BOOYA!
Also. Our dog is majorly letting us down in this photo. Come on, Squirrel!!! Ugh!

I Am a-Roaming EP

Spending some time away from this blog has allowed me to step back and think about my blog. I think it has allowed me to gain some perspective about, you know?

For instance, I realize that somewhere along the way my personal blog became more about fun DIYs and my favorite recipes (which I really love, obviously) and less personal. I started to feel strange posting our lives on here as if I was switching gears and it didn't "fit" with the blog. For instance, something pretty huge happened in our lives awhile back and I didn't feel I could share it. It was too much of a downer for this happy place. But I wanted to share and was left with no platform in the end. That's mental! How did this happen?

I dunno. The point is, I'm going to share ME in the form of my thoughts more from time to time. Kinda scary? I guess, but I want to take my blog back to that place where I share more of whats happening from time to time. I need that.



ALL OF THAT TO SAY, I'll start sharing now! I haven't really shared about it on the blog before (because of aforementioned reasons that "it didn't fit"), only bits and pieces. If you know us personally then you'll already know that me and Phil are musicians! I say me and Phil, but mostly Phil. I just sing these days. I really really love singing and I've sung for years.

Phew. I got that off my chest. Feels good.

Earlier this year me and Phil trekked it to Tauranga to record our first EP -- I Am a-Roaming -- with our friend Luke Thompson! This little 3-track album has been in the works a VERY long time and this week we've released it! FINALLY!



It's exciting to finally release this EP out into the world. I have little butterflies of excitement fluttering in my tummy!

Our music is simple, rough hewn folk music. Just how I like it.

And it's FREE! So go check it out HERE. My favorite song is My Home Is With You (because it's about me! haha) or maybe my favorite is I Am Lonely. Which is kind of a downer but still really beautiful.

We hope you enjoy listening! Feel free to share.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you to Luke Thompson, Mark Myers, Dave Baxter, and Big Kid Film Productions. Your services will not be soon forgotten.

xoxo
Talia Christine

P.S. -- All songs were written by Phil. My husband is a brilliant beautiful man. I love him. A lot. (in case you didn't know)

I am

This morning I woke up very early due to some painful cramps. My body ached and I couldn't sleep. I angrily and carefully got out of bed and went downstairs for some pain killers, a cup of tea, and to throw myself a pity party. As I sat downstairs with Bieow Bieow on my lap I checked my email in silence and felt pretty sorry for myself. I looked through the photos of our road trip and enjoyed the not-so-distance memories we shared on the road. My cramps weren't as bad. I began to miss Phil. I walked back up stairs to find my husband sleeping peacefully. I sure love him a lot. I climbed back into bed and curled up next to him. As I lay there drifting back off to sleep I kept thinking, "Cramps or not, I am the luckiest girl alive."


(photo of Phil sleeping on our road trip)

It's true. I am the luckiest girl alive.

xoxo
Talia

Married

I am officially Mrs. van der Wel!

We had such a beautiful wedding. I am so thankful for all our family and friends who supported us and celebrated with us, near and far.





It was a perfect and beautiful day that we will remember forever. I couldn't ask for anything more.




We went on an epic road trip for our honeymoon. We went from San Antonio, Texas to visit friends in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.. drove down through the Oregon coast, to the redwood forest, stopped by the Grand Canyon, and back to Texas. I will post lots of pictures and more on that tomorrow, but for today we are recovering.

I love being married. I get to be with my best friend all the time.

xoxo
Talia Christine

P.S. - These gorgeous photos were taken by my good friend Courtney Santos. Thanks, Courtney, for all the beautiful photos! We love them!

BBQ

We are currently running around getting ready for the most epic BBQ ever. The van der Wel family and Garduna family together for the first time!

Man oh man! So excited.

xoxo
Talia Christine