Monday, April 13, 2009

Monday, March 2, 2009

Sew what?



This is my brand-spanking new sewing machine: a Pfaff 1132 that I got on sale this weekend at the 2009 Sewing Expo in Puyallup, Wa.

I've been wanting a sewing machine for many years now so, as a Christmas present, Ivan purchased a Bernina 830 Record for me off of eBay. Unfortunately, it turned out to have mechanical problems that 2 different repair shops deemed "unrepairable". Disappointed, we decided that I should go ahead and purchase a 'beginners' machine for around $200 that I can learn on. When I found this Pfaff at the Expo, I jumped on it. Pfaff has a good reputation and I think it will serve me well as I brush-up on my machine skills. (I learned how to sew on my mothers old Singer. A machine that was once powered by a treadle/foot pedal and was later 'electrified').

I've nearly finished cleaning and organizing our office, so I will soon be able to sit down and learn what the Pfaff can do. On the short list of projects to attempt this spring are:

1) Roman blinds for the office
2) 1 or more pairs of comfy pants for Ivan
3) skirts for me
4) pillows for the office couch
5) floor pillows for the living room.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Today's Moment of Happiness: Presidential Edition!

Putting aside my guilty pleasures for a day to bring you a three Moments of Happiness from a day filled with so much joy and hope.



YO-YO MA, ITZHAK PERLMAN, ANTHONY McGILL, GABRIELA MONTERO PERFORM "AIR & SIMPLE GIFTS" ARRANGED BY JOHN WILLIAMS.



YES WE DID!!



RICK WARREN CAN SUCK IT.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Todays Moment of Happiness: Guilty Pleasure #2


ROBBIE WILLIAMS: LOVELIGHT


This week may as well be all about the guilty pleasure. More Brit Pop, this time from Robbie Williams.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Todays Moment of Happiness: Guilty Pleasure #1



GIRLS ALOUD: CAN'T SPEAK FRENCH

I wish I could be ashamed, but I just can't. I fully embrace my unhealthy love for British pop.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Todays Moment of Happiness: Life Of Brian



ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE


Growing up catholic, I remember when my church was attempting to sway the congregation not to see this movie. I wasn't old enough to see it at the time of its release, but it was on my list of things to watch as soon as I was old enough to rent video's on my own. It's a classic and one of my favorite Monty Python movies. This song, written by Eric Idle, was put to good use many years later when Idle put it in is Broadway musical "Spamalot".

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Today's Moment of Happiness: Meglio Stasera



David Niven, Robert Wagner, Capucine, Claudia Cardinale and the great Peter Sellers listen to Fran Jeffries sing "Meglio Stasera" by Henry Mancini and Johny Mercer in the first (1963) Pink Panther movie's musical interlude.

I love this song.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Todays Moment of Happiness: Fleet Foxes



WHITE WINTER HYMNAL


Vocally, they remind me of My Morning Jacket but, hey, that's cool.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Todays Moment of Happiness - Bare Naked!



I wish this were an actual music video as it is one of my favorite Christmas covers ever: Bare Naked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan. Canadian's doing it up right. Turn it up and make some cookies!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

End of the year update



I've been very quiet on this blog - having not posted since April. Part of the reason was my other blog that took precedent over the summer ( http://www.cocksauce.us/). It too was neglected after my partner came back from the trip and we got immersed in nesting in our new house.

I'm now in the process of re-thinking this blog, the other blog, and a potential new blog. To wit - do I want to blog at all? And, if so, should I restructure this one? Should I maintain two separate blogs each with its own focus? Why am I blogging in the first place? Can I maintain a commitment to it (or them)?

I hope to come to some decision this weekend so stay tuned!