Project 365 - Day 26

Happy New Year! I finally found crackers at Meijer in their clearance section so we popped open some to get tiny toys (bracelet, toy top and a plastic scorpion), cheesy jokes and the best thing of all...a tissue paper crown! Yay for crackers!

Project 365 - Day 25

Went on a thrift store adventure and got this lovely little blue Estée Lauder mock croc makeup bag. Haven't decided if I'm going to use it as a pencil case or for makeup or just as a little purse. Doesn't really matter, I just love the color!

Project 365 - Day 24

Frosty trees against a blue sky gives the scenery outside a sense of magic. I love winter!

Project 365 - Day 23

Winter sunset at the stoplight. I actually like all the cars and signs and stuff framing the sun.

Jump into the pool, you loons!

Today I watched the last installment of BBC's Sherlock miniseries and actually enjoyed it. I say it like that because despite being terribly excited about the series before its premiere, I could not sit through an episode. I would start it and get bored or distracted or fall asleep. At one point I found myself putting it on mute so that I could catch the local weather report and it was then that I decided that Sherlock just wasn't for me.

Maybe it was because I'm a fan of the books and countless other adaptations of them, so it's hard to jump into an updated version. Maybe it's because I'm desperately in love with Arthur Dent (or Martin Freeman to non-Hitchhikers fans) and it's jarring to see him in another role. Maybe it's due to the fact that I spent hours coming up with amusing variations on Bendict Cumberbatch's name (fave: Bumblyshoots Cucumberbritches). All or some of these reasons just kept me from watching what I had heard was an excellent bit of television.

Finally a friend held me hostage and forced me to watch an episode with her and I was surprised to get all the way through it (and not just due to being held hostage!). The plot was exciting, the acting was great and the cinematography was both inventive and still inherently British. I left feeling like I wanted to watch the other episodes...only to get home and realize I couldn't. I started the second show and experienced the same sort of apathy. Something about watching Sherlock at home just didn't work and it wasn't until I went back to my friends house that I watched the next episode. After that I didn't even bother giving the third and final episode a try on my own. Obviously I have some sort of anti-Sherlock-alone problem so I just waited patiently until I could watch it with others. Now that I have, I really enjoyed it and am anxious for them to do another series!

I'm a girl who enjoys watching some things alone. I like rewinding Bill Pullman's speech in Independence Day over and over, I like laughing at the science in Stargate: Atlantis, I like being able to fast forward through all the bug scenes in CSI. But there is something to be said about watching with others, about the community sense you get when you are laughing or crying or being scared together.

Also, it helps when you get distracted and need someone to point out a plot point you missed.

Project 365 - Day 22

Today I made a casserole and it was very yummy. I fully intended to take a picture for the blog but I was busy trying not to burn my biscuits and accidentally breaking a plate in half and sadly the picture-taking got forgotten until after dinner.

Instead, I just drew a picture of me cooking!*
*picture may include items not actually seen in Jen's real life - such as apron, hat, and silver serving dish and may not include items actually used in Jen's real life - such as messy dishes, burnt fingers, or potato soup in hair.

Crafty Christmas

 

These are some of the potholders that I made for my mom. There were several firsts involved with this project. First time quilting. First time making potholders with Insulbright. First time binding. Sadly, not the first time doing binding well. I was really bummed at how badly the binding turned out (these pics are all before binding) because I loved how the quilting and piecing looked. Oh well, it’s the thought that counts!   

Heather’s elephant! I loved his little ears and the curly trunk and the little button on his tail. The fabric for the body came from the dollar bin from Walmart and I think the ear and tail denim were scraps from a shirt. I smooshed his button eyes together so that if someone uses him for a pillow, the buttons won’t poke them.

Pictured here are a fluffy pillow which has a cool tattoo-esque fabric on the front and black dot minky fabric on the back. I’ve always wanted to use minky fabric in a project and was thrilled with how well it turned out. It did shed a bit so that will be something I need to take in account in the future, but I will definitely be using it again. Soooo soft! Next is the paper I stamped for the calendar desk set. I’m too impatient for stamping to become my new favorite craft, but these turned out nicely. For some reason this is the only picture I have of the pillowcase I made…apparently the happy sharks on the fabric were camera shy. This was my first pillowcase made using french seams and it was a lot harder than it sounded. The tutorial I was reading assumed that I was a neater seamstress than I really am, so it didn’t mention that I should trim after sewing the first seam. Since I didn’t do that, there was rough edges poking out of the final seam. But other than that…it looks nice. It makes me want to whip up a bunch of flannel pillowcases!

 

Finally, cookies! I still haven’t found my camera cord so the shots of the baking are stuck in limbo. But here are finished shots of my cookies. In the top left are peach jam thumbprints, orange-soaked chocolate chip thumbprints with a rack of snowballs underneath, next over are cinnamon cookies and chocolate dipped soldiers and the cookies on the bottom are lemon glazed shortbread.

Project 365 - Day 21

A tiny snowman peeking out from an envelope. He's hopefully heading out in the mail tomorrow.

Things that make me smile

I have a bad case of after-Christmas blues so I’m trying to focus on things on happier things.

1. The NCIS marathon on USA is called “DiNozzo DiKnow’s Best” and no matter how many times I see the commercial, I still laugh.

2. Doctor Who season six trailer!

3. Finding other peoples self-portraits on your camera.

4. Hallelujah chorus flash mob. Awesome.

5. My new and very warm Christmas socks.

Project 365 - Day 20

You know those pictures that invoke your senses? A clear picture of a snowy landscape that gives you the shivers, a shot of cookies where you can almost smell the chocolate chips. This picture is like that for me, when I look at it, the sound of my friends laughing rings in my ears.

Meg and Shelby looking all pensive in black in white. Well, actually they were looking pretty normal in color but putting it in black and white makes them look much more serious and somber. Losing all your color will do that to you.

WHO IS WATCHING DOCTOR WHO??

ME AND ALL THE MOST AWESOME PARTS OF AMERICA! YAY BBC AMERICA! YAY DOCTOR WHO!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FELLOW GEEKS!

25 Days of Christmas – December 25th

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  Luke 2:1-14

Merry Christmas!

Project 365 - Day 19

One crazy light display at a house in Okemos. Look at the size of that snowman on the roof!

Home! Now its time to crawl into bed and put on the yule log channel and get on with the visions of sugarplums and whatnot.

Christmas eve feast of gas station hot dogs while sitting in church parking lot. Not sure why I feel so sacreligious...

Twas the night before chritmas and all thru the land no fast food was open and jen was sad. We are spending the next few hours before midnight mass looking at lights and searching for food. What are you doing?

25 Days of Christmas – December 24th

Christmas Eve Gift!

Families have lots of traditions during this time of year. Matching sweaters or reading a poem, going to look at light displays or attending church services. If you’re like my family, one of your traditions involves sneakiness, pre-dawn attacks and a lot of yelling.

The story I’ve heard begins about 70 years ago, when my aunt asked my Grandfather for a present on Christmas eve. He began a game with her where they would see who could say it to each other first. A silly little game between a father and daughter all those years ago has lasted and grown into a yearly contest between the members of my family.

The game has no rules and only one goal. To say “Christmas Eve Gift” before the other person. When calling people in my family on the 24th, prepare to hear it shouted over the phone instead of hello. Beware of voicemail and answering machine messages because those have gotten changed as well. The advent of technology means that texting and the internet have gotten into the act, and blogs and Facebook are now viable ways to “get” someone.

Over the years we’ve all made attempts to be sneakier than our relatives. There have been tricks to get people to call on the phone and tricks to get them to read the message on a letter or card. Certain sneaky people have slipped the message into newspapers when on their morning route or held up signs outside of windows. We’ve made countless phone calls across the country, sometimes several from house to house since even though you “got” one person in the house, it doesn’t count for everyone. I remember as a kid being excited to get to call people on the phone to try and “get” them myself.

As a child, I assumed that everyone did this. To me, saying “Christmas Eve Gift” is as much of a part of Christmas as the tree. It’s always been there, and it wouldn’t be Christmas without it. As an adult, I love the connection. The tie that bonds me with my kin, the fact that with three shouted words, you identify yourself as family. Three little words that tie us together, that span decades and states and all the changes that families go through as they evolve. Three little words that no matter how they are texted or typed, shouted or giggled, are full of love.

25 Days of Christmas – December 23rd

“So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:1-2

One of the local churches has a sign that says “Jesus is the reason for every season”. I like that idea, that all year round you act as if there is a bigger reason for what we’re doing. A bigger reason for why we are here. Everyday we should be striving to live life as if there is a reason, as if there is a plan and a Planner. People make more of an effort to be nicer around Christmas, and I think that’s great. As humans we should be more focused on the lives of those around us. But as Christians, we should be making that extra effort every day. That joy and wonder and focus on God should be something we cultivate year round.

Project 365 - Day 18

Today was a day for last minute shopping. I simply LOVE last minute shopping. The frenzied pace, the multitude of shoppers, the shared goal amongst a wide diversity of people. You make such nice friends on these days. The two old men who entered the jewelry counter strangers, but ended up helping each other shop. The lady with the green shirt who laughed with me over funny hats. The smiling man who started a race on whose checkout aisle moved the fastest. It's always so much fun!

I saw this awesome car at the beginning of the day. I rolled down my window to see if I could hear the transforming sound. Didn't hear it...but I'm sure it was going incognito in the McDonalds parking lot.

Project 365 - Day 17

This was a year of a lot of road tripping for me and because of my affinity for highway rest areas and free things...I've an overabundance of maps. Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and even Michigan (although I usually save these for the car since I'm traveling in the mitten more often than not). What to do with all these maps?

Why, wrap gifts, of course! Look at that pretty pile of map-wrapped packages. The unfolded maps make sturdy wrapping paper and though you need something a bit tougher than scotch tape to hold it together (I used packing tape), the effect is pretty fetching.

Most are just random, although I did manage to wrap a gift for my mother with her hometown in Arkansas right on top.

Merry Christmas from me and various southern state's Departments of Transportation!

25 Days of Christmas – December 22nd

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14

25 Days of Christmas – December 21st

The Christmas Orange from here

Jake was nine years old with tousled brown hair with blue eyes as bright as a heavenly angel. For as long as Jake could remember he had lived within the walls of a poor orphanage. He was just one of ten children supported by what meager contributions the orphan home could obtain in a continuous struggle seeking donations from townsfolk.

There was very little to eat, but at Christmas time there always seemed to be a little more than usual to eat, the orphanage seemed a little warmer, and it was time for a little holiday enjoyment. But more than this, there was the Christmas orange!

Christmas was the only time of year that such a rare treat was provided and it was treasured by each child like no other food admiring it, feeling it, prizing it and slowly enjoying each juicy section. Truly, it was the light of each orphan's Christmas and their best gift of the season. How joyful would be the moment when Jake received his orange!

Unknown to him, Jake had somehow managed to track a small amount of mud on his shoes through the front door of the orphanage, muddying the new carpet. He hadn't even noticed. Now it was too late and there was nothing he could do to avoid punishment. The punishment was swift and unrelenting. Jake would not be allowed his Christmas orange! It was the only gift he would receive from the harsh world he lived in, yet after a year of waiting for his Christmas orange, is was to be denied him.

Tearfully, Jake pleaded that he be forgiven and promised never to track mud into the orphanage again, but to no avail. He felt hopeless and totally rejected. Jake cried into his pillow all that night and spent Christmas Day feeling empty and alone. He felt that the other children didn't want to be with a boy who had been punished with such a cruel punishment. Perhaps they feared he would ruin their only day of happiness. Maybe, he reasoned, the gulf between him and his friends existed because they feared he would ask for a little of their oranges. Jake spent the day upstairs, alone, in the unheated dormitory. Huddled under his only blanket, he read about a family marooned on an island. Jake wouldn't mind spending the rest of his life on an isolated island, if he could only have a real family that cared about him.

Bedtime came, and worst of all, Jake couldn't sleep. How could he say his prayers? How could there be a God in Heaven that would allow a little soul such as his, to suffer so much all by himself? Silently, he sobbed for the future of mankind that God might end the suffering in the world, both for himself and all others like him.

As he climbed back into bed from the cold, hard floor, a soft hand touched Jake's shoulder, startling him momentarily and an object was silently placed in his hands. The giver disappeared into the darkness, leaving Jake with what, he did not immediately know!

Looking closely at it in the dim light, he saw that it looked like an orange! Not a regular orange, smooth and shiny, but a special orange, very special. Inside a patched together peal were the segments of nine other oranges, making one whole orange for Jake! The nine other children in the orphanage had each donated one segment of their own precious oranges to make a whole orange as a gift for Jake.

Sharing what we truly value is the true spirit of Christmas. Our Heavenly Father gave us His beloved Son. May we, like the children in the orphanage, find ways to share His love with others less blessed.

Project 365 - Day 16

My ornaments that I made for my bible study group.

Merry the Moose!

Finally a craft I can post on here since she doesn’t watch this blog. Sewed my sister’s Christmas present today and it turned out simply lovely.   Merry has pink button eyes, a curly tail and is made entirely of thrift store finds.

He looks cute all floppy and lying down, but he is able to stand up…propped up on his feet and his nose. Isn’t he just adorable?!

25 Days of Christmas – December 20th

Every kid wanted a bike for Christmas (although I seem to remember getting mine in summer) and even as an adult, there’s just something that seems right about bikes and Christmas.

Go to Schwinn Bell Choir to see carols being played on bicycle bells! It’s fun to watch, and even better, when you send an e-card, Schwinn will donate bikes and helmets to kids in need. How awesome is that?

Schwinn Bell Choir from Schwinn Bellchoir on Vimeo.

Project 365 - Day 15

BEAR IN THE WOODS!Okay, so it's a wooden bear in the woods. Still, pretty awesome.

25 Days of Christmas – December 19th

Project 365 - Day 14

This is my 200th post on this blog! There's really no point to that, just wanted to share.

Project 365 - Day 12 & 13

Oops, missed yesterday! Ended up needing to choose being watching The A-Team or posting pictures. Guess what won?I did not have this snack while watching the movie. Ew. Instead I had tuna nachos. Yum!

Spent time this morning making ornaments for my bible study group. It involves lots of tiny little buttons!

25 Days of Christmas – December 18th

 

Innocent and welcome be they ever held, beneath the branches of the Christmas Tree, which cast no gloomy shadow!

Read the rest of “A Christmas Tree” by Charles Dickens here.

25 Days of Christmas – December 17th

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

This time of the year can be stressful. Trying to find the perfect gift, trying to find a close parking space. Baking and cleaning and getting ready for family. Struggling to manage money and time and sanity. Thankfully, our peace isn’t dependant on a peaceful holiday. We can have peace despite any circumstances, peace that never ends and peace that is true and holy when we look to Jesus for peace.

25 Days of Christmas - December 16th

Legend of the Poinsettia

A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.

"I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.

Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.

As she approached the alter, she remembered Pedro's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.

Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.

From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.

Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia!

Project 365 - Day 11

I liked this picture, but because of the snow it looks better in black and white then it did in color.

Project 365 - Day 10

Trying to take this photo made me realize that I need some work when it comes to portraits. People are just not as easy for me to shoot as trees or sandwiches or snow.

Besides improving the actual photography part of my portraits...I also need to work on my jokes. I'm pretty sure that I would get more smiles if I could get the punchline right.

25 Days of Christmas – December 15th

I’m a huge fan of Boston Big Pic, a picture blog that…like it says…is all about posting really big images. News stories usually have really small pics so it’s always nice to be able to see more detail in larger pictures.

They have a lovely post of Christmas pics from around the world. My favorite is the spaceman reindeer! What’s yours? Check out the post by clicking here!

25 Days of Christmas – December 14th

In honor of The A-Team being released on DVD…

First Lady Nancy Regan sitting on Mr. T’s lap who is dressed as a sleeveless Santa Claus handing out toys of himself. Merry Awesome Christmas!

Project 365 - Day 9

Smokestacks in the sunset.