March Madness, my way!

This is always a crazy month in life, between spring's arrival (and biweekly retreat), the many family birthdays, spring fever, spring cleaning, you name it. I always feel like March is a bit crazed, rushed.

This year was particularly exciting, because I got the news of the century: I, CAROLINE JANE, AM NOT ALLERGIC TO SHELLFISH! This is big, ladies and gentlemen. The long story short is I was misdiagnosed as a kid due to a concurrent infection, which was then blamed on sweet, perfect shellies. 14 years later as doubt crept in, I got the name of an amazing immunologist in town who did the testing and confirmed my suspicions...I have been AVOIDING my favorite food for the better part of my life. All my culinary adventures have been cut short, until now. I may just have to become a food critic in celebration.

Some of my first sweet shrimps back on the wagon. I ate an entire cocktail ring from the grocery store for lunch one day. Yes, my need for these little protein packed creatures was this strong.

My mom's birthday is the 6th, and between a finicky car that had to go to the shop (which meant no ride for work...) and wanting to show her a lovely time, I was on my feet in the kitchen from noon to 6:30pm! I always get in over my head with cooking celebrations.

Food prep fun. I made spinach puffs, roasted green beans and shallots, roasted lemon potatoes (who didn't make the photo cut), and a strawberry-peach crumble. Effort well spent!

Blowing out the candles with baby Evelyn in tow.

A close up on the newest Kittrel clan babe, Evelyn Diane. She is a sweet and very content little babe, with big brown eyes that look awfully wise for her three months of life. 

It's pretty hard to get a good shot of all the grand kids together, lots of feelings from seven small children and all. Despite Owen being rather blurry here, I think this is the best we did for the 6th. 

That weekend I had the privilege of spending two nights in a row with a fun group of girls I grew up with who have all settled in San Antonio. Friday night was a SAMA pARTy, making new friends, and dinner at a fun new place called The Luxury...somewhere between food truck and outdoor patio dining on the river, this new trendy spot has wine on tap and a small but mighty menu of sandwiches, salads, and dessert. Definitely headed back!

Saturday night was Luminaria, a fun festival of lights in San Antonio in the Hemisfair Park area. My friend Haley's dog Boone is generally the star of the show in public spaces. He is a beautiful Great Pyrenese with a perfectly sweet temperament, hard NOT to love him.

A large light sculpture in the center of the Luminaria walk...I dubbed it "The Ojo".

Boone dog cuddling on Haley's lap.

I celebrated my 25th birthday just a week after Mom's and it feels like a big milestone somehow. I know the only real difference is I can rent a car- but I've been doing that with Zipcar's help for a few years now. Mom got tickets for "Wicked" for that evening, however we discovered they were actually for 2014... ended up having family dinner again, then out to drinks with a great group of friends at my new favorite San Antonio bar 1919. Daniel was off on spring break so we got to go out as big kid siblings for the first time!

Sweet baby Berkley housing a cupcake from Bird Bakery...she is generally topless for mealtime for this express reason. Love that sweet face!!

Beautiful birthday flowers from a sweet friend. One of the prettiest and fragrant arrangements I've seen in a while.

Big D and me!! I look kind of crazy in this picture, but whatevs. We had so much fun that night!

Bar 1919's housemade infusions...there's a sweet potato/cinammon bourbon, cilantro something, strawberry rum, and lavender whiskey. Tasted all but strawberry and they are beyond fantastic.

As part of my participation at Camp Capers for the Diocese of West Texas, I did a little presentation/spoke at my home church to encourage families to participate in our camping programs. Its funny how nervous I get speaking in public; people assume since I have significant acting training I should be able to pull it off flawlessly. But I am capital T, Terrified of being myself for a big group...all alone. My autonomic nervous system kicks in: hot, sweating, heart rate jumps up. It's bananas! Still went fairly well and I had a few people approach me asking for more information, which was the goal!! Our church does not have many youth who participate in the church culture, so even one recruit for this summer season would be a blessing.

Right after my big speech, I drove up to Austin to spend some time with my two besties Carlyn and Marie Louise. We went Ziplining at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. So much fun, and what a rush! We made reservations at Clark's Oyster Bar to celebrate my big 2-5, but were rather pressed for time after our big adventure...ended up fine dining in our T-shirts. :) Spent the evening after getting home prepping my taxes for a few hours...oh, joy. Better to get it done early on though.

Looking good in helmets and harnesses. Carlyn is left and Marie Louise is right. 

My scaredy-cat little butt taking off on the line. 

What most of the afternoon consisted of: being silly and generally disturbing the rest of our rather quiet group. Gotta love a motley crew!

My first oysters at Clarks...so good we ordered a second round of appetizers!

One amazing lobster roll, the most generous meat to bread ratio... I'm NOT complaining!

After finalizing the summer staff on Tuesday, the staff retreat was Friday night out at Camp. SO wonderful to finally have my staff together in one place with minimal missing attendance. Got some paperwork done, played fun games, and did a general meet and greet/let's get excited about camp. Just a little overnight action, then back to San Antonio for one more night in town...

And now, after much ado, I'm finally off to Arkansas to begin rehearsals for Next to Normal. I feel like this has been such a long time coming, having known about the show since early November. The show is so incredible, moving, funny, smart, with great music and a star studded cast to boot...I can't believe how lucky I am to be a part of this production.

Josiah's 1st birthday!! So glad we got to stay in town the extra half day before the big drive to Arkansas to help celebrate with the fam.

My first Birchbox! Check out the website to learn more, such a fun concept! Glad it came in before my departure.

I'll be sure to write about Fayetteville once I get my feet wet! Lots of love and spring sunshine to you all!

It Might as well be Spring!

Big events in the life of Caroline! I've managed to stir up a lot of attention requesting a sublet on Facebook- "Where are you going??" and "What show did you book?!" I realized my mistake in not announcing all the fun and THEN asking who might be able to help me transition out of New York, so I am backtracking a bit here.

So, as an introduction to the excitement and a pre-req in understanding it all, this fall in NYC was really difficult. Auditions were few and far between, as were my babysitting hours, leaving me feeling artistically and financially lacking. I did manage to book a show (we'll get to that in a second...) but it still left me with months and months to fill in the mean time. After being on tour and surrounded by people, work, and travels, the lull of the actor's 'in between' was terrifying. I had been so ready to get back to the city, but not much was going my way.

I prayed a lot for guidance, and found myself anticipating something huge coming. I wasn't sure what area of my life it involved, what sort of opportunities would be coming, but it felt important and impending. Patience isn't my first virtue so I really struggled with not knowing what was next. I spent a few weeks at home over the holidays, hoping to be revived and ready to pound the pavement again, but upon my return a few days ago I was only filled with dread at facing more of the same from the fall.

After a few prayers, phone calls, and emails, the spring was set into motion in a HUGE way and I'm so excited to announce what is coming up. Here are the Travel Plans, which reveal all!!

New York to Texas: January 9th
Heading home to intern for the Diocese of West Texas, in preparation to serve as the Staff Director at Camp Capers. I grew up going to this amazing camp every summer and was a counselor for a week I was 16, but it is truly a dream come true to be on summer staff. I have lots of duties essentially boiling down to keeping the camp running smoothly- staff cheerleader, conflict mediator, and general communicator on programs staff. The spring will be spent preparing for my role, helping with hiring the staff, and general service at the diocese. It's right in my field of experience, yet way out of my box at the same time.

Texas to Arkansas: around March 25th
The acting portion of the spring: playing Natalie in Next to Normal at Theatre Squared in Fayetteville, Arkansas!! I've known about this one for a while, and am still in disbelief at my fortune to be in such a beautiful musical with what looks like an incredible cast!! My dear friend Jason Burrow is slated to music direct as well, so I'll get to work with his musical genius again in his home state- hooray!! For more details on the production, click here.

Arkansas to Texas: May 13th
Back home to really begin Camp Capers duties. Staff training and bonding, then right into camp. I'll be a busy bee in Waring, Texas from June 1st-August 17th. For more information on Camp Capers, click here.


I can hardly believe all the answered prayers- when it rains, it POURS! I'm overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation of the wonderful fun and growth that is coming for me. My sweet friend Gracie said to me, as I struggled through the thick of it, "Choose where to put your confidence and the rest will follow." I'm putting my confidence in my heart, which is overflowing as I look at what 2013 has in store for me so far.

Thanks for checking in! Love love love!!

Week 41-43: Toronto, ON

My last city on tour!! What a lovely way to end this big adventure by being in a city for three whole weeks!! Lots and lots of pictures... There are a few holes in my narrative, days that went by in relaxation or simply without a camera. Hope it all makes sense! :)

Our amazing 3 story house in Toronto! We even had a grill and two porches! We named the house Beta Tau Beta for BTB, since is seemed rather fratty of us.

So we arrived on July 2rd, which is Canada Day. NOTHING WAS OPEN! After a long day of traveling a beer with dinner sounded like a great idea, but apparently impossible. We stumbled into a wine bottling shop in our neighborhood, and somehow stumbled out with an entire small barrel's worth...21 bottles. Between 8 people, they disappeared in about 9 days.

Jen's little mole was consistently holiday appropriate, and it may be very difficult to see, but that little heart contains a small American flag. Our crafty- and patriotic- lady!

What I missed in San Antonio on the 4th- sweet Josiah's first Independence Day. Look at that face!!

Last press event for our group! We performed Gaston for a big network in Canada, and I even got a little screen time!

Jeff refused to wear his blacks, so the boys edited him out of the manly photo. It's kind of obvious here, but on Facebook it looked nearly flawless. Love these boys!

 

No rehearsals means plenty of leisure time. Sunshiney Toronto plus a backyard made for good times at Beta Tau Beta!!

New zapatos!! I've been wanting some oxfords for ages and I found a pair by Capezio on sale in this enormous mall near the theatre...Canada seems to have the best malls!

Ruth's Chris adventure. Kyle has been itching to plan a group outing to the steak house and amazingly we got nearly everyone there!

The Chicago group at Ruth's Chris: Amanda, Lauren, Matt, me, Jess, and Kolby. Just missing Nick Nelson, but he was with us in spirit. Jess and Amanda are staying with the tour but the rest of us are on our way.

Beta Tau beta house group! Mandy, Caitlin, Andrew, Carly, Michael, me, James, and Emily. Of this group, only James will remain...19 out of 30 in the cast is a huge turn over!

Carly, me, and Emily at Ruth's Chris. This must've been one of their biggest groups without some sort of set catering menu...I think we were close to 40, ordering separately. Our waiters were very gracious and we had a great time. 

Last week of performances means, my replacement is here! This is Laura Douciere, who happens to be one of Bill's students- he is our new Papa who came in Salt Lake City. She would be a senior in college next year- what an accomplishment to book the tour and finish school from afar!

The ladies of Beta Tau Beta riding the trolley to the theatre. We loved having an open air option every day.

 

So, I have been curious about what a pixie cut would look like...funny how you work for years to grow out your hair, and then you want to chop it all off. Here I am trying on one of the Salt/Pepper wigs from Be Our Guest...what do you think? A little Liza with a Z? (Don't worry, I still have all my hair)

Passing on the pertinent information to the newbies: makeup plots! Carly's was very pretty, mine was definitely not photo worthy...

Got started on our goodbye group shots early, to avoid the tears and hugs that would probably take up our final performance together. Jess is grandfathered in to the chorus as she spent her first 8 months as the "Busty Girl".

Amanda and my favorite on stage moment from Gaston...she just doesn't have that cleft chin. I'll miss my green silly!

The "singer" tracks...of which I am only really half. Basically we are the non-wolves of the chorus ladies. Love these ladies!

Yom-swith-eroo! The first generation BTB ladies started this trend...we all switched costumes for a photo op. I literally looked forward to this ALL YEAR. I'm Carly in the photo, and Christie is me. 

I feel like I could've rocked this sun hat and coral frock. Loved wearing it, even for a few minutes :)

The winning shot from our mini photo shoot in BOG leotards. We all loved the Toronto theatre's grandeur and Carly organized a day when we could take pictures all together in the famous gold leotard, which got very little photo time. She was so sweet to print this, our best pose, for everyone. 

Final performance of Beauty and the Beast for a whole lot of us! We got there early for breakfast and to watch a little goodbye video compiled by sweet Jess, which of course meant lots of laughs and tears.

Goodbye letters on my station...

Carly and I always walked down to stage together...

A great press shot from earlier in the run in Toronto, one of the most fun and crazy numbers I've been a part of- Gaston. Bye bye Big Clink!

I really wish I had a photo (or better yet, video) of the final Finale. Just tears and sobs from the entire cast. I'm not sure I could sing much past the first few notes. It was a very emotional and beautiful moment, I only hope the audience still got the end of the play!! And that's it!! Goodbye to Beauty and the Beast, my tour family, and suitcase life!

Packing up my box. My suitcases were so full I had to leave a lot behind.

One last look at the gondola line up. (Note: we didn't always have this incredible amount of space backstage...but Toronto was a treat. Thanks for the perfect photo op)

My goodbye gift to the cast. In my little note I included why...Hebrews 6:19 says, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." It is my hope that as we leave one another, it is the best of memories and lessons we take away from this trip together, and that we may find one another again along the way. (Thanks Brit for modeling :) )

Obviously we went out after our final show...I've got a thing for mustaches, and proceeded to draw them one EVERYONE's fingers. There is an entire album of pictures on my computer dedicated to this event, but I decided one example might suffice. Thankfully everyone plenty of fun with me.

Pre-show margaritas as we see the brand new Beauty and the Beast, with 19 new cast members!

Having a hot dog as we head out for our Toronto Island adventure. So nice to have lots of paid free time!

Toronto Island's view of the city skyline, from our rented canoes! We also rented tandem bikes, but it's a bit difficult to capture that fun when you are trying to learn how to peddle...in tandem...

Adventures in cooking...so apparently our salt grinder lived a little too close to the oven and the attachment melted. I went to add a little salt to my pasta water to boil, and this happened...It's very difficult to get salt off of a hot stove top.

Carly and me at the company hosted party...open bar, dancers to get the party going, and getting all dressed up. We had a great time!!

My stage husband Kyle. I told him no matter what, his new 'wife' will only ever be his mistress...

My sweet Jimmy baby. He's like a little brother to me, and it was hard to imagine leaving him to continue on the journey without me. But I think he's doing just fine, new friends and new fun!

We always wanted to have a field day, and better late than never! While many weren't feeling up to a long day outside after that big company party, the group that came out still had a blast. We had an egg race, kick ball, water balloon toss, and even threw in a little Cross Fit training!

Big group for water balloons means lots of accidents. So much fun!

I kept a map with our year on the road. It's very difficult to see the routes between flying and driving, but instead of packing on Saturday night I calculated our approximate mileage (check next post for the numbers!!)

A final farewell beer in the Toronto airport, headed back to NYC with Emily. What a wonderful adventure we've had!!

I can hardly believe it, but that's a wrap! Next post I'll do a little break down of numbers, best and worst, all that fun stuff. It's always bittersweet to close one chapter of life, especially as I found it just got better and better, but I am excited to see what the future holds. I've made some incredible and hopefully life long friends, played one of my dream roles, learned a lot about myself, and traveled the country (and Canada!) all while getting paid...what a wonderful gift!! Thank you my friends, for keeping up from afar!

Lots of love and credit goes to my ladies who were sooooo good at photo documenting le tour: Amanda Holt, Carly Casey,  Brittany Conigatti, and Jessica Haugh. I feel as though I must have stolen more than 50% of my photos here from your wonderful albums. Thank you for sharing!