watch this!!!

Ever heard of the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition?

Ever heard of MY BROTHER'S ARTWORK BEING FEATURED ON IT?!

You have now!

My brother got a fantastic opportunity through a former classmate of his, who (as I understand) works with the makers of EMHE. She recommended him to create an original, mural-sized illustration to go inside the home of a family that runs a daycare in their house. His illustrations will actually be the wallpaper in the main daycare room. The family will also get a visit from the Muppets!

The show airs this Sunday, 1/3, at 8/7c on ABC. (The website has a minimal synopsis up right now -- located just under the video player.)

Please watch and enjoy! I'm so proud of him!!

snowed in

One problem with being snowed in (meaning still uneasy about driving up and down my un-plowed street) and in possession of many crafting books and cookbooks is that my dreaming gets out of control while my doing remains (snow-induced-ly) minimal. As in, I watch movies and make lists of things I want to make when I've actually acquired the supplies.

So far the list includes: two bags, fabric coasters, three-ish pillows, a gingerbread linzertorte, raspberry shortbread, peanut butter-oatmeal-amazing cookies, and most recently, these absurdly out-of-my-league killers of free time.

I intended from the outset to use this week for some serious crafting, but honestly, I don't know if I'm up to that list. Why do I do this to myself?!

If you can tell me, please know I'll reward you with food...and maybe a little pinecone made with fabric squares.

brand new information

"However, the downside of marriage, the University of Otago study shows, is that ending it has a negative impact on both genders."

Similarly, the downside of eating is that when you stop eating, your body starves.

merry christmas

I've heard the story so many times. "And in the fields were shepherds..." Thank goodness, when I don't know what to make of my life, or myself, or anything up there or down here...there are some words that give me hope.

you've heard it told, you think it's odd

the whole thing fraught with complication

the play begins with a baby God

and all his blessed implications

but it's true

"it's true," sara groves

If it's true, it's no thanks to us. Merry Christmas, everyone.

magic

This is one of my favorite Christmas photos.

credit goes to: magda.indigo

catchy tune

"Fairy Tale of New York" - KT Tunstall feat. Ed Harcourt

Not the most warmhearted ditty, but still a swingin' ol' time.

you won't be lonely

I defy you not to beam.

they need

I haven't done a good job of living this out. But to continue with things that have been ringing in my head... A really wise friend of mine was talking through the concept of Simplicity out loud when our women's Bible study met a few weeks ago, and she summed up the concept so well, in so few words, that it has echoed in my mind ever since.

I've been convicted by the desire to live, and speak, simply. Just have to remember, now, that desiring isn't the same as doing.

--

Simplicity.

It's just changing your mindset from "I want, I want, I want"...

to "they need, they need, they need."

simplicity

These words from Celebration of Discipline have been ringing in my head lately. It's a commentary that's particularly valuable this time of year.

(It ends rather abruptly because it's one point in a list.)

--

Learn to enjoy things without owning them. Owning things is an obsession in our culture. If we own it, we feel we can control it, and if we can control it, we feel it will give us more pleasure. The idea is an illusion. Many things in life can be enjoyed without possessing or controlling them. Share things. Enjoy the beach without feeling you have to buy a piece of it. Enjoy public parks and libraries.

--

One gift I'd like to give myself this year is giving up more of that illusion.

i bin bizzy

There was Thanksgiving baking...

...and Dad-and-daughter light hanging...

...and brother-and-sister-and-dog football tossing...

...and a subsequent 13 hours of baking.

Resulting in hundreds of treats and one scalded oven mitt.

All were a joy. All were tiring. I am very happy it's rest-time right now.