Heavenly.

This gives me goosebumps...

Morning Musings

Ethan, my brother, sometimes I make faces in the mirror and I remind myself of you. So,  I think we must be related. You are better at making faces than I, however.

I like to talk about music from time to time. I have a tendency to over-listen to songs that I like, and I listen to them so many times that I have to take a break from the song.

Here are the songs I am over-listening to right now:

I Dreamed a Dream (from Les Mis.) performed by the Glee Cast.

Yes, I watch Glee. I know. The story lines are so cheesy. But the music, people. The music.

The High Road by Broken Bells

{via}

New Slang by The Shins

{via}

Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap

{via}

Have no doubt though, Paul Simon, Phoenix and Vampire Weekend are still heavily featured on my playlist.

I didn't spend any time on pictures last night, but they are coming soon. I went to the grocery store so that we could eat. That's important, right? Currently I have a slight obsession with Clementine Oranges. They are just so cute and sweet.

I came home and made Nie Nie's Mexican Lasagna. I was a little skeptical about all the spinach, but it added a wonderful flavor. And so healthy! I added some ground beef for Daniel's sake. He needs his meat.

Here's Nie's picture. Mine looked really yummy too :)

It was yummy.

I also bought the ingredients for this delectable-looking dish:

I heart food!

Copacetic.

Meaning, very satisfactory.

Use it in a sentence?

This weekend was copacetic in every way.

The Slovaks came. The name of their band is actually Longital. The first couple of days they were here were a whirlwind. Our schedules were so completely opposite that we barely saw them. But finally, on Saturday, we were finally able to spend time with our guests.
Early Saturday morning they were up and out of the house for a feature interview with NPR. I thought that was pretty darn exciting. At 4 PM they had a show at Mi Casa on 6th, and Daniel and I were determined to go. Despite the overwhelming crowds and horrible traffic. We managed to score a parking spot just 5 blocks away.
We settled in at Mi Casa, helped ourselves to some free tamales (oh, they were so good) and drinks, and prepared for the show.

Longital.was.awesome.

I'm not one to get into the music festivals and all that. The crowds do nothing good for my social anxiety. Looking for parking is maddening. Bumping shoulders with so many strangers makes me want to sit in a corner with a blanket and suck on my hair.
So typically, when the festivals come to town, I lock myself in the house for several days.
But I am so happy I ventured out into the frightening world of skinny jeans, eye liner, colorful tights, and straw fedoras. (People dress like clowns. Clowns.)

I was a little hesitant when we arrived at Mi Casa. Would this be good? The bands that preceeded them were so loud I thought my ears would bleed. You couldn't hear the voices, the instruments, even the baseline was blurry because it was so dang loud.

But then Longital stepped onto the stage and whisked us away to Slovakia.
The music was upbeat, creative, passionate, and nothing like I'd ever heard!
I was thoroughly entertained.

And to top it off, they dedicated their final song to "Karen and Daniel, two beautiful people sitting right over there (he pointed)." I felt so honored.

They were a crowd favorite, and their music certainly captured the attention of the noisy bar. The chatting became hushed and people were listening.

After the show we packed up their gear and Daniel and I took our guests to Maudie's for excellent Tex-Mex (they were quite pleased), Margaritas (very pleased), and then to Amy's Ice Cream. They were fascinated with the way Amy's "prepares" the ice cream. It was quite funny.

On the way home we discussed "comfort zones" and how their experiences in America have helped them grow.

Dano said, "Amy's is comfort zone. If I lived here, I would be regular there!"

Now they are gone, off to Bratislava for a quick stop before heading off to Italy for a show.
Kind of makes me wish I had a shadow of musical talent.
I've never really spent any time with real, genuine, musicians. At least not any like this. You can actually sense the creative juices oozing out of these people. They see art and beauty everywhere. They seem aware of things that my mind has not been trained to be aware of. It was really interesting and, I feel, like I benefited from being around them. I hope they could say the same of Daniel and me.

Life is feeling normal again. I continue to heal, the guests are gone, our house is empty, and I have a lot of laundry to do.
Daniel is helping me with the laundry. He is so good to me.
Last night I found myself in Clarksville again, having dinner at the Galaxy Cafe and sipping coffee at Cafe Medici with a friend I hadn't seen in a while. Another beautiful evening, full of sweet and nourishing conversation. I am so thankful for my good friends. And I thank God for those friendships that feed my soul and lift my heart. I don't know what I would do without them!

the prototype

I had it all planned out.

I was going to leave the building, the sawing, the drilling, the measuring, in the very capable hands of my incredible husband.
I would take the pictures; I would document through photos the progress of the prototype.

But I soon found out that the boss had other plans for me.

We went out to the garage, and I watched him get to work.

 

  

  

I enjoyed watching those strong hands work.  

 

Oh those hands...

 I love those hands. 

But as I said, the boss had other plans for me. Plans that included eye and ear protection. And one very large saw. 

He showed me the ropes...

And then he put me to work. 

I was skeered. 

And I think he was a little nervous too, because he kept yelling at me to watch my hands. At least I think he was. I couldn't really tell due to the screaming saw and the ear things (what are those things called?). And I was afraid to turn and look at him on account that I was holding a very large, sharp, spinning saw right next to my hand.

I measur'd an cut them there pieces a wood. Yessiree. 

Then I had to glue some of the pieces together, whilst I explained to Daniel how this picture would be dark because the light was behind me. 

And then I focused on gluing. Glueing? Glewing. I glued. 

That all just looks so wrong to me.

I glued in my gold shoes.

Can you 

See me glue

In a golden shoe?

I think Dr. Suess wrote that.

Then the boss said, "Now we must clamp the pieces together for several hours." 

And then he clamped. 

 

 

Then I threw my ear things on the ground and screamed that I was over-worked and needed a nap. 

The boss said we were at a stopping point, and he took me upstairs and cuddled me. 

Then we went to dinner at a romantic restaurant, drank lovely wine, ate shrimp and arugula pesto bruschetta, and talked about our love. And the boss winked at me like 40 times during dinner.

I told him he was inappropriate. 

Then we met some new and old friends for coffee and talked about everything, long into the night and the wee hours of Saturday morning. And it was grand. 

It was a good day. 

And an even better weekend. But I'll tell you more about that later. 

For now, I'll tell you that the best thing that ever happened to me today was discovering these two albums: 

 

 

What's that you say? You've never given them a listen?

It changed my life today. 

Try "White Fences" by Vampire Weekend and "Girlfriend" by Phoenix. Or if you love Paul Simon as passionately as I do, listen to "California English" by Vampire Weekend. In my mind, Paul Simon and this song are related.

Just press play and dance around. 

You won't know what hit you. And then you'll want some more.

A Gloomy Day in March

I have a sudden obsession with Simon and Garfunkel. I can't stop listening to "The Boxer" and "Cecilia." There is no explanation for this.

'Feel Good'

DG and I watched the movie Penelope last night and we both really enjoyed it. It's one of those movie's about "self discovery" and all that mush. And I recommend it. There's a good amount of the silly and whimsical to get lost in. I love movie experiences like that.

Also, please watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QHbMojr7SQ

I love it!!!!

Music I Love

Hello my loverly readers.
I was thinking this afternoon of the music that I love.

*Pause*
I just realized that the fun new toy the puppies are playing tug-of-war with is one of the socks I laid out to wear tomorrow...hmm.

Anyhow. I was inspired to create a post about a few songs/artists that are catching my fancy these days. Perhaps I should label this post "Music I'm Infatuated With." That doesn't sound as nice, does it?
I really wish I had some musical talent. My friend Amy would be mad at me for saying that. She's a strong believer in "practice, practice, practice." Sure, she'll admit that there are a few people out there that are just plain good at stuff. But most of us, she'll tell you, can't be good at anything without practice. Makes sense. Where was I?
Right, music I love. Well here you are:

1. Let's talk about my musical soul mate. His name is John Mayer. It's really not as bad as it sounds. I started loving John Mayer right around the time I met Daniel, when I was running through the halls of my high school.
He hasn't come out with a "new" album in a long time, but he recently released Where the Light Is; John Mayer Live in Los Angeles

I've fallen in love with this album...particularly two tracks:
In your Atmosphere and Free Fallin'.
The last thirty seconds of In Your Atmosphere has changed my life forever. I'm better because of it.

2. While we're on the subject of music, let's also discuss The Wailin' Jennys. It's three girls, a couple guitars, maybe a fiddle here and there, and some amazing, bluegrassy harmonizing. No...not the Dixie Chicks. Better.
Their album Firecracker makes me feel optimistic about the future. Particularly the tracks Long Time Traveller and Prairie Town. If you like a little Nickel Creek crossed with Allison Krauss you'll probably enjoy a tune or two of these girls. They're good. Real good.




3. Speaking of great music, I can't leave out Mr. Jon Foreman. Some of you may recognize Jon Foreman as the lead singer of Switchfoot. I've been enjoying some of his solo work these days. I encourage you to give his four EPs Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer a good listen.
I especially encourage you to listen to these three wonderful songs:
The Cure For the Pain
Your Love is Strong (this is my favorite of my favorites)
The House of God, Forever

So there it is. The music I'm listening to non-stop. I'll make myself sick of it pretty soon, but I like to experience things full force. Seriously. I've been listening to In Your Atmosphere so much that I think I might go crazy...it's just that good.

It's super cold in my house. Daniel and I haven't been running our heater (c'mon! It's only 38 degrees outside!). I am so turning into my parents.

Something You Must Do

Last night I was introduced to the band Cabin by Shane, and I am in love.
They have a 5-track EP out on itunes, and if you know what's good for you, you will go listen to Cover Your Eyes and Dance With Me.
You know how there are certain bands or styles of music that affect you in an emotional way (more than others)? Like in an abnormal, sometimes scary way?
This guy's voice completely slays me. Like, I want to laugh and cry and sit contemplating life as I write poetry or drive down a country road lined by trees with changing leaves.
You know?
John Mayer's Stop This Train does the same sort of thing to me. I relate to that song.

iPod.

Polite Dance Song - The Bird and the Bee

The Story - Brandi Carlile

I'm a Broken Heart - The Bird and the Bee

Have You Ever - Brandi Carlile

I Can't Break Her Fall - Mat Kearney

God Only Knows - Jonatha Brooke

Who Needs Shelter - Jason Mraz

Forever - Chris Brown

Thinking and Singing

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocing voice,
Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that helf Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Packing Playlist

Knees to the Earth - Watermark
All Things New - Watermark
Glory of Your Name - Watermark
It is Well With My Soul - Chris Rice
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Chris Rice
How Great Thou Art - Chris Rice
Hungry (Falling on My Knees) - Joy Williams
Communion Song - John Michael Talbot
Creed - John Michael Talbot

Plus: Browsing Flickr is fun. Does anyone know in what country this picture was taken?