Ornaments
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This year, I made ornaments for various family members. Here they are in progress and then the final product. (Jacob cut them out for me)
It's no project runway...
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Last week, my husband and I attended the Mercy Ministries Christmas Benefit. Fancy events are not a norm in my household, so I had to spend some time shopping for an appropriate outfit. I am beyond picky about my clothing purchases, so I started looking early - trying to prevent last year's debacle of rummaging through my closet at the last minute and "having nothing to wear." This year I found a dress (1/2 off, I might add) and being a sleeveless dress in wintertime (why can't one find any long-sleeved non-matronly dresses?) I had to find something to go with it that would keep me warm. So I trucked out to Target and found this jacket on clearance. ( I forgot to get a picture, so this one is from T's website).
Although I was thrilled to find a fancy looking jacket, I was not quite what I had in mind. So I took it home and altered it into a shrug. I am no seamstress, believe me. My sowing skills are limited to a very basic seam. But the faux fur of this jacket allowed me to get away with a lot. Here is the final version:
and I made the bag with material cut off of the jacket.
Overall, it was a very successful evening, for me and hopefully for Mercy Ministries.
Although I was thrilled to find a fancy looking jacket, I was not quite what I had in mind. So I took it home and altered it into a shrug. I am no seamstress, believe me. My sowing skills are limited to a very basic seam. But the faux fur of this jacket allowed me to get away with a lot. Here is the final version:
and I made the bag with material cut off of the jacket.
Overall, it was a very successful evening, for me and hopefully for Mercy Ministries.
Chihuly at Cheekwood
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For those of you who missed the Chihuly exhibit at Cheekwood, I thought you might like to see some pictures.
Giraffe'n Around
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Today we went to the Nashville Zoo. I had not been to the zoo for at least 10 years so it was completely different due to the updates made about 5 years ago. I really liked it! One of the highlights was this giraffe that spotted me from across the field and came over as close as he could to me. He was just looking at me and chewing his cud and looking at me some more, like I was someone he knew. So then we walked a ways down the fence and he followed. We stopped and watched him again for a while. Then we walked some more and he continued to follow. We ended up turning around and walking back and forth several times, each time he would turn and follow us. When I began to talk to him, like I would to my dog, saying "your a good boy," he began to bow his head and nod up and down. Perhaps he thought I was one of his caretakers. I don't know. But it was pretty fun.
And here is Jacob, me and our sweet little friend, Rachel, enjoying our day at the zoo....another highlight.
And here is Jacob, me and our sweet little friend, Rachel, enjoying our day at the zoo....another highlight.
The Best Pre-Twentieth Century Mini-Series
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If you love pre-twentieth century mini-series based on classic literature as much as I do, (can we all together say, "Pride and Prejudice with Collin Firth and Jennifer Ehle") here are some of the best ones made within the last 10 years. By the way, most of these can be reserved through the public library.
1) Emma (by Jane Austin; 2009 starring Romola Garai): I always loved Hollywood's version of Emma with Gweneth Paltrow, but then I watched this new mini-series put out by BBC video and was amazed at how much was missing in the former version. I much prefer drawing these stories out the way they were written instead of condensing everything into a 90 minute film. You must check this new version of Emma out.
2) Cranford (by Elizabeth Gaskell; 2008 starring Judi Dench): This character-driven mini-series was brilliantly acted and was the sort of story that you want to hear/watch over and over again. I seriously have not cried and laughed as much in one series as I did in this.
3) Little Dorrit (by Charles Dickens; 2009 starring Clair Foy): I absolutely fell in love with the characters of this heart wrenching story. While I have not yet read this book, I am sure that the mini-series gave Charles Dicken's writing due justice.
4) Jane Eyre (by Charlotte Bronte; 2006 starring Ruth Wilson): Jane Eyre is one of my all time favorite books. I have seen several movie versions of this haunting story, but this 2006 Masterpiece Theater mini-series definitely tops the list.
5) Wives and Daughters (by Elizabeth Gaskell; 2006 starring Justine Waddell) Another great story by EG. If you are a member of Netflix, you can find this on instant watch.
6) Daniel Daronda (by George Eliot; 2003 starring Hugh Dancy): Ah, another beautiful and unpredictable love story. This is also on Netflix instant watch.
7) Bleak House (by Charles Dickens; 2009 starring Anna Martin): The complex plot, desperate characters and quiet heroism mark this story as a masterpiece. Check it out on Netflix instant watch.
I think that these will keep you quite busy and when you run out, there are several more that I can suggest.....
1) Emma (by Jane Austin; 2009 starring Romola Garai): I always loved Hollywood's version of Emma with Gweneth Paltrow, but then I watched this new mini-series put out by BBC video and was amazed at how much was missing in the former version. I much prefer drawing these stories out the way they were written instead of condensing everything into a 90 minute film. You must check this new version of Emma out.
2) Cranford (by Elizabeth Gaskell; 2008 starring Judi Dench): This character-driven mini-series was brilliantly acted and was the sort of story that you want to hear/watch over and over again. I seriously have not cried and laughed as much in one series as I did in this.
3) Little Dorrit (by Charles Dickens; 2009 starring Clair Foy): I absolutely fell in love with the characters of this heart wrenching story. While I have not yet read this book, I am sure that the mini-series gave Charles Dicken's writing due justice.
4) Jane Eyre (by Charlotte Bronte; 2006 starring Ruth Wilson): Jane Eyre is one of my all time favorite books. I have seen several movie versions of this haunting story, but this 2006 Masterpiece Theater mini-series definitely tops the list.
5) Wives and Daughters (by Elizabeth Gaskell; 2006 starring Justine Waddell) Another great story by EG. If you are a member of Netflix, you can find this on instant watch.
6) Daniel Daronda (by George Eliot; 2003 starring Hugh Dancy): Ah, another beautiful and unpredictable love story. This is also on Netflix instant watch.
7) Bleak House (by Charles Dickens; 2009 starring Anna Martin): The complex plot, desperate characters and quiet heroism mark this story as a masterpiece. Check it out on Netflix instant watch.
I think that these will keep you quite busy and when you run out, there are several more that I can suggest.....
The dog and his bone
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We thought it would be hilarious if we got Rusty a bone that was way too big for him.
It was hilarious...
It was hilarious...
The Old Curiosity Shop
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I have a certain fascination with pre-twentieth century English literature, one of my favorite authors being Charles Dickens. For some reason, I am unequivocally drawn into his highly descriptive style of writing, his colorful characters - often of quite extreme colors, and his underlying sense of justice for the lower classes of 19th century England. One of my favorite books by Charles Dickens is The Old Curiosity Shop. In 2009 BBC Video put out a very well done movie of the classic. Although I enjoyed watching it and am glad that the screen writiers stuck to the true story for the most part, it really cannot do the book justice. Here is a review that I wrote about the book after reading it earlier this year:
The Old Curiosity Shop
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop, is a signature style Dickens - exceedingly descriptive and character-driven with a thread of whimsical. This diametrically replete tale counter-weighs angelic innocence with shameless evil. Originally written in segments and published weekly, its old-world readership was undoubtedly as addicted from week to week as current TV viewers of "Lost" or "24".
The Old Curiosity Shop portrays the lovely child, Nell, who's life's enduring purpose is to love and care for her elderly grandfather despite the hardship and turmoil to which he unknowingly brings upon them. When the grandfather's secret obsession leads the two on a dangerous journey to find freedom, Nell is subjected for the first time to humanity's desperation and despondency.
As each lovely character must have an equally opposing unlovely counterpart, so the story features an ugly dwarf named Daniel Quilp, who's facinatingly evil schemes seek to ruin anyone who has even a hint of goodness. This tale is not for the weak spirited, nor for those who wish their characters to be common, ordinary, law abiding citizens. Although you will encounter poetical fools, gritty poker-shysters, spineless egotistical tools, and quivering abused wives, the redeeming actors put the story into a beautiful balance. The Old Curiosity Shop is a truly enjoyable tale and worth all 500 pages.
The Old Curiosity Shop
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop, is a signature style Dickens - exceedingly descriptive and character-driven with a thread of whimsical. This diametrically replete tale counter-weighs angelic innocence with shameless evil. Originally written in segments and published weekly, its old-world readership was undoubtedly as addicted from week to week as current TV viewers of "Lost" or "24".
The Old Curiosity Shop portrays the lovely child, Nell, who's life's enduring purpose is to love and care for her elderly grandfather despite the hardship and turmoil to which he unknowingly brings upon them. When the grandfather's secret obsession leads the two on a dangerous journey to find freedom, Nell is subjected for the first time to humanity's desperation and despondency.
As each lovely character must have an equally opposing unlovely counterpart, so the story features an ugly dwarf named Daniel Quilp, who's facinatingly evil schemes seek to ruin anyone who has even a hint of goodness. This tale is not for the weak spirited, nor for those who wish their characters to be common, ordinary, law abiding citizens. Although you will encounter poetical fools, gritty poker-shysters, spineless egotistical tools, and quivering abused wives, the redeeming actors put the story into a beautiful balance. The Old Curiosity Shop is a truly enjoyable tale and worth all 500 pages.
A year older
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Getting a year older....it's better than the alternative.
My sister informed me this weekend that I had finally caught up to her in age. She said that she stopped aging at 31, so now we are the same age. Since I was a kid, I always wanted to catch up to her - I finally made it! But next year, it seems that I will have to take the role as the older sister. I don't know if I am up for the task...she does such a good job.
My sister informed me this weekend that I had finally caught up to her in age. She said that she stopped aging at 31, so now we are the same age. Since I was a kid, I always wanted to catch up to her - I finally made it! But next year, it seems that I will have to take the role as the older sister. I don't know if I am up for the task...she does such a good job.
Mercy
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This is one of countless amazing stories of young women who have been transformed and healed by God's power through a very impacting ministry called Mercy Ministries. If you have a few minutes, listen to Kaitlen's audio testimony.
Mercy Ministries is a residential Christian counseling program for young women who are dealing with life threatening issues: drug abuse, self-harm, sexual abuse, eating disorders, etc. The organization has homes in Nashville, TN; Monroe, LA; Saint Louis, MO; and Sacramento, CA.
Here is one of the graduates written testimonies:
"I came to Mercy Ministries battling an eight year struggle with an eating disorder which led to depression, suicidal thoughts, prescription drug use, and dabbling in self harm. Due to an unstable and abusive childhood, I did not have value or worth. I also did not now how to cope with the pains and rejections that life brought through other peoples’ choices. God used Mercy Ministries in such an awesome way, and He brought so much healing, freedom, hope, health, value, and truth into my life. I now wake up everyday thanking God for the new life He has given me. Mercy Ministries was only the beginning of the healing, hope, and future that God has planned for me! I have grown so much since graduating. Daily I have to continue to surrender and depend on God and keep my mind renewed. I still have to choose truth and life everyday.
God’s favor and provision have led the way in my journey back to school. I have been blessed with so many opportunities, connections, jobs, relationships, and funding along the way. In 2006, I graduated college from Louisiana Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. Currently I am working on my master’s degree in nutrition and also working in a dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian. I love my life now, but I am so excited about the future. I know that my best days are yet to come!”
I have Nancy Alcorn's book, "Echoes of Mercy" which details the founding of the ministry, so if you want a good read, you can borrow it!
Mercy Ministries is a residential Christian counseling program for young women who are dealing with life threatening issues: drug abuse, self-harm, sexual abuse, eating disorders, etc. The organization has homes in Nashville, TN; Monroe, LA; Saint Louis, MO; and Sacramento, CA.
Here is one of the graduates written testimonies:
"I came to Mercy Ministries battling an eight year struggle with an eating disorder which led to depression, suicidal thoughts, prescription drug use, and dabbling in self harm. Due to an unstable and abusive childhood, I did not have value or worth. I also did not now how to cope with the pains and rejections that life brought through other peoples’ choices. God used Mercy Ministries in such an awesome way, and He brought so much healing, freedom, hope, health, value, and truth into my life. I now wake up everyday thanking God for the new life He has given me. Mercy Ministries was only the beginning of the healing, hope, and future that God has planned for me! I have grown so much since graduating. Daily I have to continue to surrender and depend on God and keep my mind renewed. I still have to choose truth and life everyday.
God’s favor and provision have led the way in my journey back to school. I have been blessed with so many opportunities, connections, jobs, relationships, and funding along the way. In 2006, I graduated college from Louisiana Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. Currently I am working on my master’s degree in nutrition and also working in a dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian. I love my life now, but I am so excited about the future. I know that my best days are yet to come!”
I have Nancy Alcorn's book, "Echoes of Mercy" which details the founding of the ministry, so if you want a good read, you can borrow it!
Row, Row, Row Your Sculling Boat
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When I was 15 or 16 my family went on a vacation to my Aunt's lake house in Colorado. One morning, I was outside looking down at the lake and saw a figure moving across in what looked like a long skinny canoe. On closer inspection, I realized that it wasn't a canoe, but a one man sculling boat. In that moment, a love was born in me that is difficult to describe. My heart yearned to be out on that boat in that person's place. Later that week, at a bookshop, I stumbled across a coffee table-style book on rowing. From that time on, I longed to glide across the water like the men and women in the book, with the sun about to rise and little droplets of water hitting my legs as the oars came up, swung forward and dipped back down into the glassy surface.
I made it my mission to find a way into the sport, despite the fact that I am from middle Tennessee where rowing is not exactly popular. I could only imagine what it was like to actually row, but I was sure that I would be able to do it flawlessly if given the chance. I bought a used rowing machine and rowed in my bedroom to simulate the feeling....until the machine leaked oil all over the carpet and had to be put away.
My senior year of high school, I got my chance to finally see the sport up close. My English class was assigned the task of writing a research paper on the subject of our choice. I chose, not surprisingly, sculling. Since we had to have primary sources for the paper, I interviewed the coach for the Vanderbilt Rowing Club and attended one of their early morning practices out on Percy Priest lake. I was getting closer to my dream.
My choice of college was also somewhat influenced by rowing. My top picks had to have a rowing team or club; When I chose Pepperdine University, I promptly joined the rowing club. Our team was comprised of mostly non-athletes and frankly we weren't very good because most of us were freshman who had already put on the freshman 15...or 20, if I'm honest. We had to meet at 4 am to drive from Malibu to the marina at Venice. Those were the most exhausting mornings of my life. But in exchange, I was finally out on real water.....goodbye carpet rowing....and getting full-handed bloody blisters, with every muscle moaning, in the fishy smelling marina, the coach yelling, and truly loving it. It really was magical to be gliding, the water at lap level breezing by, and the sun on the low horizon.
I didn't rejoin the rowing team after that first year of college, despite my love for it. I spent my sophomore year in Germany and when I came back to campus in my third year, my workload was too busy to consider sports.
This morning, I went to the gym and watched a couple of people work out on the rowing machine. I try to keep from watching them to prevent myself from getting off my elliptical machine to let them know that their form is all wrong. How snobby would that sound coming from a non-gym employee. But I had rarely ever gotten on the machine myself. Today I spent 10 minutes reliving the feeling and reviving an old dream. Perhaps I can still buy my own sculling boat one of these days, drive down to the lake in early morning and get a quality workout doing the only sport I ever really felt a passion for.
I made it my mission to find a way into the sport, despite the fact that I am from middle Tennessee where rowing is not exactly popular. I could only imagine what it was like to actually row, but I was sure that I would be able to do it flawlessly if given the chance. I bought a used rowing machine and rowed in my bedroom to simulate the feeling....until the machine leaked oil all over the carpet and had to be put away.
My senior year of high school, I got my chance to finally see the sport up close. My English class was assigned the task of writing a research paper on the subject of our choice. I chose, not surprisingly, sculling. Since we had to have primary sources for the paper, I interviewed the coach for the Vanderbilt Rowing Club and attended one of their early morning practices out on Percy Priest lake. I was getting closer to my dream.
My choice of college was also somewhat influenced by rowing. My top picks had to have a rowing team or club; When I chose Pepperdine University, I promptly joined the rowing club. Our team was comprised of mostly non-athletes and frankly we weren't very good because most of us were freshman who had already put on the freshman 15...or 20, if I'm honest. We had to meet at 4 am to drive from Malibu to the marina at Venice. Those were the most exhausting mornings of my life. But in exchange, I was finally out on real water.....goodbye carpet rowing....and getting full-handed bloody blisters, with every muscle moaning, in the fishy smelling marina, the coach yelling, and truly loving it. It really was magical to be gliding, the water at lap level breezing by, and the sun on the low horizon.
I didn't rejoin the rowing team after that first year of college, despite my love for it. I spent my sophomore year in Germany and when I came back to campus in my third year, my workload was too busy to consider sports.
This morning, I went to the gym and watched a couple of people work out on the rowing machine. I try to keep from watching them to prevent myself from getting off my elliptical machine to let them know that their form is all wrong. How snobby would that sound coming from a non-gym employee. But I had rarely ever gotten on the machine myself. Today I spent 10 minutes reliving the feeling and reviving an old dream. Perhaps I can still buy my own sculling boat one of these days, drive down to the lake in early morning and get a quality workout doing the only sport I ever really felt a passion for.
tribute to the family artists
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I have some incredibly talented friends and family. Today, I would like to feature the art works of my sister, Amanda and her husband, Seth. These two individuals are a couple (and a cute one to boot) of the best artists I know of.
Amanda Conley is an incredible jewelry designer and metal smith. Her company, Bijougirl, is featured on Etsy.com where you can also purchase her work or request a custom order.
Seth Conley, my brother-in-law, is a painter with an exceptional creative eye. His paintings are full of emotion and message. You can view a more works here.
Amanda Conley is an incredible jewelry designer and metal smith. Her company, Bijougirl, is featured on Etsy.com where you can also purchase her work or request a custom order.
Seth Conley, my brother-in-law, is a painter with an exceptional creative eye. His paintings are full of emotion and message. You can view a more works here.
Yum
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As much as I would like to think that I am impervious to the influence of advertisements, after watching a commercial for Dark Chocolate Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, I was faced with the perplexing truth...
Yum!
Yum!
Fireworks and Cannons
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Last night, Jacob and I went to a little spot on top of a hill in Inglewood, about 5 miles northeast of downtown Nashville, where we watched the Nashville fireworks show. It was, as always, a very extravagant performance with fireworks blasting in time with the live orchestra. Because we were 5 miles away, the booming sounds from the fireworks did not reach our ears for some 8-9 seconds after the show started. But once it did, it was instantly reminiscent of the sounds that we might have heard had we been transported to the scene of the war for our independence...cannons and gun shots sounding in the near distance, fire lighting up the sky. Of course you and I only have a concept of this audible drama from movies. Nonetheless it was a bit eerie to close my eyes and imagine that we were really in the middle of a hand-to-hand combat war.
Just as prominent on my mind was the thought that we have no idea how costly our freedom is. You and I have always had the freedom to worship however and whenever we want to, to say anything we feel like saying, to elect our own law makers and officials, and to pursue our own dreams and aspirations. We take our freedom for granted to the extent that we complain when we can't find "anything" to wear on Sunday to church, forgetting that many have died (then and now) to give us the freedom to go to church. Ouch! I seriously doubt that any American living in the late 18th century took those things for granted. They had the graves of their fathers, husbands, and brothers to remind them of the cost of their freedom.
And I am mindful of many people in this world, outside of America, who are living with chains around their ankles, literally and figuratively, because they dare to declare that Jesus Christ is the living God, the savior of the world. Ironically, while Christ followers are tortured and murdered for their declarations, the same God that their torturers abhor, paid the ultimate price for their own freedom. He gave His life to reconcile them to himself, to forgive and love them.
Perhaps that is why these Christians are so strong in the face of persecution. They are constantly reminded, with each blow, of the price that was paid on their behalf. They don't have the luxury of taking their faith for granted.
The good news is that this story doesn't end with a dead God, dead Christians and dead freedom fighters. The unfathomable hope of the oppressed Christian rests in the resurrection of the dead, a risen Christ who beat death, allowing the dead in Christ to rise at the trumpet call of God to be with him forever.
How's that for fireworks!
Just as prominent on my mind was the thought that we have no idea how costly our freedom is. You and I have always had the freedom to worship however and whenever we want to, to say anything we feel like saying, to elect our own law makers and officials, and to pursue our own dreams and aspirations. We take our freedom for granted to the extent that we complain when we can't find "anything" to wear on Sunday to church, forgetting that many have died (then and now) to give us the freedom to go to church. Ouch! I seriously doubt that any American living in the late 18th century took those things for granted. They had the graves of their fathers, husbands, and brothers to remind them of the cost of their freedom.
And I am mindful of many people in this world, outside of America, who are living with chains around their ankles, literally and figuratively, because they dare to declare that Jesus Christ is the living God, the savior of the world. Ironically, while Christ followers are tortured and murdered for their declarations, the same God that their torturers abhor, paid the ultimate price for their own freedom. He gave His life to reconcile them to himself, to forgive and love them.
Perhaps that is why these Christians are so strong in the face of persecution. They are constantly reminded, with each blow, of the price that was paid on their behalf. They don't have the luxury of taking their faith for granted.
The good news is that this story doesn't end with a dead God, dead Christians and dead freedom fighters. The unfathomable hope of the oppressed Christian rests in the resurrection of the dead, a risen Christ who beat death, allowing the dead in Christ to rise at the trumpet call of God to be with him forever.
How's that for fireworks!
Mucha
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I am in love with the illustrations of Alphonse Mucha, Czech artists who made a name for himself in Paris in the late 1800's. Mucha is one of the fathers of the decorative art nouveau style. You can see more of his illustrations here.
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