Create and Complete

A few weeks ago I took a sewing class with my co-worker Sarah. There is this wonderful little place called Sew Deluxe. Their tagline is "San Antonio's only alternative sewing lounge." How fantastic is that? They have the machines; you bring your own fabric and thread for a specific class (i.e. project). Sarah and I arrived with our knit fabric and matching thread only knowing we were making a boatneck tunic. In three hours we had a very cute (if I may say so myself) empire waist, cap-sleeve summer dress. The instructor did a great job of going step-by-step and offering variations by skill level. I had never had great success sewing on knit, but this class made it seem easy. [Of course having a professional mess with the tightness of thread to bobbin ratio is always helpful.]

I left the class at about 9:30PM elated and energized. It was so great to create and complete something in one evening. This made me realize just how much I thrive on feeling like I am creating something AND completing it. I love the feeling of job well done, let's move on to something new and different.

I will definitely take another class. What shall be my next project? Only time (and their website) will tell. Sew Deluxe also has some charity events (sewing for a cause) as well as girls' nights out. A hip little spot worth checking out if you are in the area. Let me know, maybe we can sew together!

Bliss of Nothing

Today is the first day in months where I have very few plans, commitments, errands that *have* to be done. I woke up sans alarm and I just lay there. My one major must-do outing today is lunch with friends and then I can sit and stare into space if I so desire. It feels so wide open and spacious to have a whole day that is Mindy-centric. I may choose to clean or run errands, but it is a choice and there is zero hectic frenzy involved.

Allow me to share my day of luxurious time so far:

I sauteed mushrooms with garlic, cut up a home-grown jalepeno, and scrambled an egg with some cheese and avocado. Wrapped up all that goodness in a Central Market tortilla and finished off my deliciousness with some Ritual Roasters espresso. Not too shabby.

Craft time was up next. I have had the supplies to do iron-on stenciling for months. My friend and fellow blogger, Rachel, inspired the freezer paper acquisition and I have been putting off craftiness for far too long. This morning I realized I finally have the time to find my exacto knife, cut out the stencil, and play with fabric paint. I'm fairly pleased with the result, and can see how this could become addictive!

I had lunch at Twin Sisters with fabulous folks and I am now headed out for a long walk in crisp, sunny, "winter" air. After that the next major agenda item is Christmas leftovers...the day is shaping up well. Hope your boxing day is also glorious and relaxing. Best boxing wishes to each and to all!

It's the Little Things

Sharpie makes an ultra fine tip marker that is just dreamy. For the last two years I have had red and purple and only fantasized of having a complete set. Thursday night I learned that dreams do come true. The parentals had a coupon for buy one set, get the second set free of any of the Sharpie markers. . . I am now the proud owner of a dozen assorted colors, Thanks, mom and dad! Sure I could have (and was close to) buy them for myself, but how much more fun to have them magically appear in my life?!

The markers are shown here in my card making station.

All a girl needs: glue stick, scissors, and some super fine markers!

Press Release Bliss

Extract, Mike Judge's new movie, came out this weekend. [Mike Judge is the great Texan behind the movie Office Space.] The idea for Extract came from Judge driving past the Adams Extract building in Austin. The movie revolves around the owner, Jason Bateman, wanting to sell his extract company, but running into bizarre obstacles. I will totally be seeing this movie if for nothing beyond my devotion to the cast of Arrested Development. However, my resolve to see the movie solidified when I heard the Press Release quote from Adams Extract's Chief of Marketing on my Friday morning commute.

"It is going to be unbelievable how many young people will be introduced to what baking Extracts are for the first time. Hopefully they will go home and learn to bake some cakes and cookies from scratch."

I let a snort and giggle escape when I heard this. Adams Extract is expecting a lot from Mike Judge fans, but I will let you know if after seeing the movie, I am swept away by an inescapable baking mania!

If you want to read more of the serious devotion to the joy of extracts, the complete press release is here. Also, just because I love snippets of Texas History, I've included the history of Adams Extract, straight from the official website:
Adams Extract traces it beginnings back to 1888 when John Anderson Adams sold extracts in the harsh Michigan climate. In 1905 he moved his family to Texas. At the time, most vanilla was sold to pharmacies and was often labeled “Do not bake or freeze.” John A. Adams, a pharmacist whose imagination was stirred by his wife’s yearning for a flavoring that wouldn’t bake or freeze out, announced that he could produce a better vanilla than the one his wife was currently using. Working with just $6.71 worth of materials on top of an old icebox, Adams discovered the formula he wanted.

16 Moments

Watch this video, 16 Moments, por favor. It caught my eye on the RadioLab blog. [More info on the best radio show ever (aka RadioLab) at the end of this post.] The most recent RadioLab show featured different theories on death and the afterlife; 16 moments is filmmaker Will Hoffman's response--capturing an array of life.

So much of the media input that confronts me moment-to-moment is negative. There is an entire movement of media that searches for alternative perspectives even (gasp!) the positive ones. Utne magazine comes to mind. It makes me so happy when I happen across uplifting moments in mainstream media. (Yes, I consider NPR mainstream, deal with it.) As I write that, the voice in my head (or should I say, the loudest voice in my head) says, "uplifting sounds like that Hallmark pull-your-heartstrings crap." So, for that voices sake, I say: I don't seek sappy. Rather, I seek a point of view that celebrates life: the good, the hard, the mundane. The world view of awe.

Watching 16 Moments reminded me of how I see differently when I'm on vacation. It is time away from routine and my senses feel sharper. I notice the details. Wandering Chicago I am distracted by the beautiful shadows created by fire escapes. In San Francisco I stop to take a photo of a phone booth showing its gay pride. Visiting Brooklyn I sit in Prospect Park for hours happily watching people. Noticing takes time as does happiness - both of them are cultivated practices. My goal this week is to notice as I go through each day.

Postscript: If you don't know RadioLab from WNYC, subscribe for their free podcast today! The show describes itself so well, I choose to quote it here:
"Radiolab believes your ears are a portal to another world. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience. Big questions are investigated, tinkered with, and encouraged to grow. Bring your curiosity, and we'll feed it with possibility."
How can you possibly resist that?!

Zen Night Driving & A Resolution

Today, I spent the day at the beach.

Read. Swim. Walk. Repeat.

The beach always leaves me fairly blissful, but the drive home was perfection.

Sometimes night driving makes me sleepy. Other times I find the Zen traveller within. Zen Mindy could just keep driving into lands unknown. Z.M. sings along to her music at the top of her voice. Z.M. attains that perfect blend of alert peacefulness. Tonight's winning combo included:

• All windows down
  
• Fabulous musica (See below for smattering of tonight's music)
• Amazing stars
• Huge orange moon

I had to pull off on one of the farm road exits to get out and really appreciate the stars. I could see the Milky Way! I made a resolution that I will make it back to McDonald Observatory before the end of this year. They have star parties that are incredible. There is a large outdoor amphitheater and there is a star guide with the mother of all laser pointers who points out constellations and tells their stories. It is awe inspiring.

The afore mentioned smattering of music:
Wilco, Indigo Girls, New Pornographers, Sharon Jones, Blitzen Trapper, Bishop Allen, and finished off with "Golden" by My Morning Jacket just as I pulled onto my street. All is well with the world!