Things I Love Thursday

Posted: November 12th, 2009 | Author: Sarah | Filed under: art, family, home, life, music, things i love thursday | Tags: things i love thursday | 3 Comments »

Whoop whoop! Are you pumped? It’s time for another one of my lovely lists of things that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside – you know, like I just ate a huge piece of moist chocolate cake. Because maybe I did. I’ve been looking forward to this all week long… I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and that you find a few minutes today to make a list of the things that are making you happy as a clam. Can’t think of anything? How tragic. Time to make some changes?

photo: etc…

Things I Love Thursday!

- Classical music. First of all, I’m not a musician. Save for the year of piano lessons from the old lady with two smelly dogs and a solitary piano recital where I butchered Chopin, I’ve had minimal experience with a musical instrument. I’ve always WANTED to learn to play piano again (especially since my Dad is an incredible pianist so chances are it’s in my blood), but it’s one of those things I don’t currently have time for. The point is, I’m not sure where this came from, but sometime on Monday I decided tuning into one of those Classical music radio channels on iTunes was a splendid idea. And what do you know, it was! At first it made me feel fancy, like I needed to be having a dinner party complete with expensive china, pearl earrings and coy looks, or perhaps reading a classic novel in front of the blazing fireplace while discussing current events with my boyfriend who is smoking a cigar nearby. Then I was reminded of the smell of my grandparents car – leather seats and lipstick. Eventually the shock of “wow, I’m really listening to classical music” passed, I began to find it extreeemely relaxing and the most perfect thing to keep my creative juices flowing and my heart rate low while having a busy day at work. I’ve even managed to find the local LA classical station, 91.5, and have been listening to the radio in my car for the first time in a la-ong time. It sure helps to calm me down when idiots in Ferraris on Santa Monica Blvd think they own the road and that cutting me off is not only perfectly normal, but completely called for. Try it! See if listening to this bewitching music makes you as oozy-goozy happy as it makes me.

- This awesome gold leaf project. This tutorial outlines how to transform river rocks into a beautiful little artistic knick-knack using a few sheets of gold leaf, some double-sided sticky film and a pair of scissors, but it’s got me thinking about other things I could make (i.e., Christmas gifts?) in a similar fashion.

- Volunteering. I’m not sure what it is, but every time I volunteer – whether it be at a shelter, for a friend, or at church – I feel awesome. I’m not trying to get all goody-two-shoes on you, either. It might just be the enthusiasm in whoever it is you’re helping’s voice, or the fact that they are truly grateful and thankful to have you spare just a few hours of your time to make someone’s life easier just for a little while. My former pessimistic self used to think that the joy one feels from giving meant that it was no more than a selfish act disguised in generosity. I realize now that theory is total bunk. Giving feels good because giving is good. If I could, I would give everything up and move some place to permanently help people in need all the time. I can’t think of anything more rewarding than using your time and energy to brighten someone’s day, provide for someone less fortunate, or teach someone a useful skill. Though it is sometimes a challenge, my world always looks and feels better when I greet every person with love and every situation with a smile and a willing attitude. If you get a minute, please read these 5 Steps To Be Selfless When It’s Really Hard. I challenge you to make a shift and think of others before you think of yourself, and watch how it transforms your mood. Keep in mind – I am NOT preaching or saying that I do this all the time… God knows I have just as hard a time keeping my ego in check as anyone else.

- Mothers who quilt. I’m not sure if it’s because she has less kids at home to take care of (though more pets than she ever had kids), or if it’s just the female seamstress gene that seems to run in my family snapping into place, but my Mom has been on a serious quilting kick these past few weeks. My grandmother (her mother) is an amazing, incredible, simply wonderful quilter and clothing-maker and always has been, so it’s no wonder that seems to have passed onto my Mom, who is devouring fabric the same way she has devoured books for as long as I can remember (the woman can plow through a pile of library books in just a few days time). Her latest conquest can be seen below, but her newest project full of pastel paisley prints is going to be totally awesome, especially because she’s generously decided to gift it upon ME! I know she has great taste, and her quilts are always super comfortable and well-made, plus she’s using organic cotton and bamboo for the batting, so I know it’ll be Earth-friendly as well. I can’t WAIT to use it. Mom, I love you. Thank you!

Her most recent completed quilt.

Some of the gawjus fabrics she’s using in my quilt.

Other bits & pieces:

cats who sleep on the back of the couches cutely; upcoming road trips; tea, tea tea; black bean hummus tartines; when my boyfriend gets a new “toy” (camera equipment) and invites his friends over to play (so cute); six month anniversary celebrations (I love you, J-Monster); planning all the fabulous ways I’m going to decorate my apartment; when my Mom makes up new online acronyms (TDF = too die for); looking back at the last five years of my life not with regret but with appreciation for the lessons I’ve learned and ways I have been able to grow; libraries, even though it’s been a while since I’ve been, free books = awesome; people who care enough to ask; spontaneous chats with my Dad; quiet time; design work by Jennifer Daniels (this wallpaper for example, is awesome, though the image below hits a little too close to home.)

And I end with a quote…. have a fantastic weekend!

“Don’t let today’s disappointments cast a shadow on tomorrow’s dreams.”
-Unknown

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