Riot and Frolic

a mostly ballroom dance, but also a bunch of other stuff, blog

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about

I own and rock people’s faces off teaching ballroom dancing at Dancers Studio in St. Paul, MN. My husband and I compete professionally in American style and wrangle eight children in our spare time. I’ve been teaching and competing in ballroom dancing for over 25 years and have lots of opinions on it. I am an expert by any means, but there are quite a few dancers who are better than me and I have a solid knowledge of basic technique, so suck it.

Month: August 2011

  • Mary, Mary, Quite Contary

    How does your garden grow?  Well, the real one, with chlorophyll and all that, doesn't do so well, so I make up for it in yarn. Way back in the day, I told you I'd write out the pattern from my crocheted flower.  The following is my attempt to do so.   I've never written…

  • Something from Nothing

    You know what I love?  Something cheap and easy… There's a joke in there somewhere… But it's Monday, so let's get down to business. My cupboards could rival Olde Mother Hubbard's right now.  Someone needs to go grocery shopping.  Volunteers?   Until my imaginary cabana boy becomes a reality and starts bringing me cocktails and…

  • List of Last Week’s Labors of Love

    –  in two hours: the breadmaker hummin', pizza dough rising, buttermilk pancake batter mixed for the next morning, white sauce for the pizza whipped up, three happy ladies and one productive evening. – several trips to the "hippo and alligator" playground-park.  I'm not sure why V is so infatuated with this park; she doesn't even…

  • Happy Anniversary

      Four years and three days ago, I married the G.  I often wonder why in the world I did such a thing.  I mean, he's pushy and stubborn, opinionated and argumentative, demanding and uncompromising…  Oh, wait.  Are we talking about him or me?   In any case, I should have seen it coming.  The…

  • Pinterest Project- Seeing Spots

    I am not great at the whole manicure thing.  I have four nail colors that I really like.  I go to stores and check out "new" colors and buy them, only to get home and find out I have two of the same shade already.  But this lady… I was inspired!  This magnificent manicure is…

  • About Me…

    It is often said that you will hear Kate Bratt long before you see her. Kate’s fun-loving personality, animated gestures, attention to detail, and copious supply of knowledge make her the ideal instructor for both new and experienced dancers.     Winning regional and state competitions in elite gymnastics led Kate to search for a…

  • Pam Beasley and Jim

    Do you remember yesterday?  To be specific, do you remember yesterday, when I wrote about eating peanut butter popcorn as my reward for dealing with crazy little ladies?  Or maybe the other day when I wrote about the awesome-ness of this dessert and the whole lot of controversy that surrounds it?   [I maintain that…

  • List of Last Week’s Labors of Love

    – a trip to the doctor's office with all three ladies.  Eek!  Just for wee Zoo's one week check-up, but I was a bit nervous (understatement) to take all three of them.  Turns out our new family doctor (our former one moved to CA) and her nurse are totally AWESOME and super-helpful.  Plus, my ladies…

  • Ear Candy

    I teach people how to dance.  I'm pretty good at it.  I've been doing it awhile.  There are some things I love hearing while I'm teaching… – "So, that's it?"  I've gotten this a couple times from people on their first or second lesson.  Clearly, these people haven't been watching Dancing with the Stars.  It's…

  • Pinterest Project- Sewing Machine: 1

    Kate: 0 This week's project involved me and my sewing machine.  That is not a good combination.   Yeah, sure, I made a quilt.  But I was home alone that whole weekend.  That meant I could curse at that evil machine all I want and no little ladies will be the worse for it.  …