Love is my name.

I am curled up in my reading chair with a good book and a cup of green tea, letting the words of Thomas Merton sink deep down...

"To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love.

Love is my true identity.  Selflessness is my true self. Love is my true character.  Love is my name.

If, therefore, I do anything or think anything or say anything or know anything that is not purely for the love of God, it cannot give me peace, or rest, or fulfillment, or joy."

From New Seeds of Contemplation.

Early Christmas!

I have always wanted to be able to sew.  It's an incredibly useful skill, but also one that allows for so much creativity.  My mom can sew, and she was able to make these curtains for my apartment:

She also made lots of my clothes when I was little, because I was rather picky and opinionated about what I wore...

Anyway, after years of wishing I could sew but thinking the whole deal was too complicated, I decided to ask for a sewing machine for Christmas.  I've been researching, and thought that the Bernina Bernette 65 was going to be a good beginner sewing machine, but also one with enough features that I can use it when I get better and want to make some more complicated things. 

On my way to go grocery shopping today, I stopped by the fabric store to have a look at it.  What do you know, they are going through a remodel and had a bunch of stuff on sale - including the exact model that I wanted for Christmas!  It was $100 off, so I called Dad and he said to go ahead and get it!  So here you have it, my first sewing machine:

I'm really really excited.  And I'm already thinking of a couple seemingly easy projects to start with.  

My 21st birthday present was a Kitchen Aid mixer, and my 22nd Christmas present; a sewing machine.  I'm sorry, Gloria Steinem, but let's just call this Betty Crocker feminism, ok?

Hilarious.

So, I love watching Ellen.  Thus far, my clinic schedule has allowed it, but it won't starting Monday. Boo.

I wanted to share just a little of the joy it brings me in the morning.  And P.S. Who knew Dennis Quaid was so funny?

Progress.

So remember when I embroidered a girl elf about a million years ago?  Well, I finally finished her male counterpart:

He's a cutie, no?

And, thankfully, his robot turned much better than the gimpy elf doll.

This fella and his little friend are going into frames of some sort to help jazz up my apartment at Christmastime (which is rapidly approaching!).   Now, on to my next project!  Sublime Stitching has tons of cute patterns, and I couldn't say no to patterns designed by Emily Martin at the Black Apple.   They are bound to be super cute.

You don't know what you're missing.

Wednesdays. 8/7c. 

Pushing Daisies.  Watch it.  Or it might not get picked up, and you will be dealing with a depressed Christie.  So check it out! 

Seriously, how can you not be dying to watch that?