I had been looking forward to tonight for weeks.  Weeks, I tell you.  I saw the sign, I burned it into memory, and I was completely excited for the Ambler Symphony to play an outdoor (free!!) c0ncert at Hope Lodge (all of 2 minutes from our humble abode). And then … the edges of my dream night at the symphony began to fray.

This evening hit a couple “road bumps” along the way.

First, it was a Wednesday (which is normally WeHangsDay). Our partners-in-crime had another event they wanted to attend (historical buildings in Bryn Athyn being lit up to the sounds of recorded classical music) while I had been waiting patiently since last August and Symphony on the Prairie in Indiana for another opportunity to listen to symphony music outside.  We realized we had to go our separate ways.  I just wasn’t willing to give up my plans.  Not after 10 months of waiting.

Second, out of nowhere, John had a business function (code for ‘Phillies tickets’).  Big boo.

Third, I got a work call at 6.20pm which seriously killed my getting-ready mojo.

But, in the end … it all came together to be a perfect, indulgent me night.

So here’s the thing ~ just as I was thinking that my world was (Mary Poppins again) ‘practically perfect in every way,’ it began to implode uncontrollably.  The man got a job promotion, which is going to potentially put him out of the country for the majority of the summer.  My job security went from ‘decent’ to ‘precarious’ overnight (ugh, stress, yuck) and I can’t help but be constantly stressed about law school.   So, please, Law School Gods, whisper sweetly into the ear of the admissions committee and tell them they were right… my personal statement and writing skills are impressive, and they totally want me to attend their school.  (Sidenote, I did actually get into two schools, and I even got a scholarship to one ~ but I’m putting all eggs in another basket, so keep your fingers crossed for me!).

But at 7pm (just in time I might add) I was set up, and ready to indulge in outdoor music, some yummy food (not cooked by me, but … procured by me from one of my company’s restaurants) and a bottle of serious vino (Laeticia Estate Pinot Noir ~ 2008).

This was my view!  WOO HOO!!!  I got the picture in the post!!

This was my delectable meal (proscuitto, fluffy pizza bread, roasted peppers -which I have been craving something fierce ever since I saw Smitten Kitchen‘s Roasted Pepper & Mozzarella Salad-, and my current fav cheese, Kunik, which is sublime).

I also had a sexy Citronella Candle (which, theoretically, was supposed to keep the bugs away … theoretically).  And “Practically a Wine Glass” from one of my closest friends (she who introduced me to ‘Symphony on the Prairie’ in Indy, where we listened to a Duke Ellington repetoire last August), which looks totally legit, but is actually plastic (and one of a set of four … I’m a spoiled little girl!)

The attendees at this fab event (including me!) were able to enjoy music selections including “Irish Suite” by Leroy Anderson, “Irish Rhapsody” by Victor Herber, “Ouverture of Raymond” by Ambrose Thomas (I’m going by the spelling in the program, so bear with me!) and “Blue Danube Waltzes” by Johann Straus II.  They also included a few encores, one of which was “Stars and Stripes Forever.”  All in all, despite my hesitance to go it alone, I had a great time.

PS.  This picture looked better on the camera ~ I do actually smile, but apparently not in any pics today!

It was a completely worthwhile experience, and got me out of the house and socializing with total strangers (I won the award for “Best Set-Up” because, well, to be honest, I had a rockstar set up going on!).

And now, as Winnie-the-Pooh once said, “To Bed!”