December Favorites

I joked with my last post. It wasn't my last one of the year.

But this is definitely my last one. Maybe. Or not.

You know, I don't really feel like committing to that decision right now..

Anyway.

This year has brought some pretty fun things across my path. And when I get to experience beautiful or fun things, I like to tell other people about them so that they too can experience them.

Since Christmas is two days away, you can be sure this is not a sales-pitch post. This is purely me raving about a few things that I like. So bookmark for future reference. And as the year closes, I like collecting and gathering, harvesting and noting, and saving. So let's just call this one my December favorites list.

:: My friend Lindsey over at Worship Rejoices thought I was kidding when I first told her about this lip balm. But then she tried it. And ordered it. And so the story goes. My brave niece even tried it and said blissfully, "I love unicorn farts!" THIS STUFF IS MY FAVORITE. May I never be deprived of this lip-saver in my future. Long Winter Farm is just a pretty store too and I want to shop there more, simply because of the name.

:: These two books have been sweet additions to our family discussions of faith, Jesus, the Gospel and our hearts — Glimpses of Grace by Madeleine L'Engle — This book was rescued from a $3 bin at a thrift store, and it's been a sweet companion to my days ever since.  Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing — rich, rich, rich. My heart has needed these words.

:: EVERYTHING AT TERRAIN. I just snagged a few things from their holiday sale, and I feel like I've bought the world. (Not really, but you know what I mean.)

 

:: THIS NECKLACE by Mishakaudi. I want to wear it with everything, all day long. I'm super picky about my accessories, and generally skip them all together if they're not just right, but this one is perfect. It's hammered brass and quality work and not expensive and I pretty much just wanted to buy their entire store. Also, I've found myself as a girl who tries to keep my closet and jewelry rack streamlined, that adding superfluous accessories to my collection is just confusing. I only keep what I know will work with a myriad of outfits. And this one? KEEPER.











Enjoy your Christmas, sweet friends. And while I'm at it, just in case I don't pop back in here again, Happy New Year!

A Little Bit of Sunday.

I wish to write.

But writing means digging. Digging means quiet. Quiet means time.
All of those things are just beyond my fingertips.

So I give you a slow Sunday afternoon. A mulled cider candle is flickering, another end-of-the-world disaster movie is playing (my latest timekiller), my current read is bookmarked and waiting... this is just that sort of Sunday afternoon. I'm still chewing on an amazing message at church this morning. The kind that has me looking at 1 John 4:10 again and again and again. Isn't this the greatest love story every told?

M just stirred from her nap and has now snuggled her toes underneath my legs. I have to remind myself to not feel guilty for such moments of leisure. Somewhere along the road, I listened to the "if you're resting, you're lazy" mantra. Never more does my belief in that lie surface more than when I'm actually resting.

Anyway, that was a random rabbit trail.

So today, we're resting. Watching movies. Reading books. Tucking our toes under blankets. Not feeling guilty. Here's some Sunday tidbits.

1. On my wishlist. Not Another Bill. 2. With a birthday coming up this week, it means I'm almost at the end of a decade. 3. Super depressing song. Really catchy tune. Band of Horses' Detlef Shrempf. But seriously, don't listen if you don't want to be sad. 4. Books I want to get for Madeleine. 5. Another wishlist. Kinfolk subscription. 6. Morning, noon and night. And with whole beans to grind and friends to share it with, who could turn it down?


Happy Sunday-ing friends. The weekend is wrapping up. Squeeze it all for what it's worth.

right on time, as i planned it.

"Blog consistently," say the pros.

Really? Gahh. I don't like blogging when I feel like it's work. That's why it's here and there, all around the square and such things. I blog when I have something to say, verbalize and sometimes just when I need to think outloud...in a public forum.

(That is perhaps the equivalent of me walking into a crowded mall and yelling/rambling, maybe near the Gap or Aunt Annie's pretzels.)

(p.s.s. This is yet another confession of my amateur status.)

Yet I'm glad that you read. Whether I'm blogging on a Wednesday at 5 p.m., or a Sunday at 6 a.m., you wander about this little nest.

That really means a lot to me. A whole bunch of meaning packed in your browsing.

That being said, here's the blog I meant to post Friday. :)

favorites.

I have to post my favorites every now and then. Sometimes because I don't know how else to say... "I want to send Hershey's Mint Truffle Kisses to all these people/creators/thinkers/friends."

So I just put them here and gush. Enjoy.

1. Ruggles Stitch.
     

I don't know Alexia but I think she's one of the coolest people I've ever not met. I don't actually remember how I found her blog, but she became one of my favorites immediately. She also makes these super-cute cross-stitch hoops. You should go buy one of her hoops for someone for Christmas. A couple of them are on my wishlist!

Ruggles Stitch Etsy
Her blog 

2. Bryan John Appleby

The first time I saw this guy's video, I watched it over and over and over again. His words. His voice. The two are like coffee and toast. If you know me at all, you know there is no greater combination. Except now for Bryan John Appleby. He beats coffee and toast.

Go buy his album. Pick your price and download the digital files. Or spend $5 and order the actual CD. Either way, go get some.

His website

3. 2011 Calendars

Maybe it's the prospect of a new year. New things. New numbers. New days. I'm ready for the new. I'm hoping third's a charm, since the past two years have been not so charming. I would really love to have one of these in my home to help ring in the year.