Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.(source)
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listen
Comfort, Comfort Now My People
JG Hymns
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make/do
send Christmas cards to some who might not normally receive them Christmas cards via James B. Janknegt
In the fall, I stopped posting my Monday Mixtape posts in favor of a more personal weekly series promoting independent art-makers. That series Buy More Art has been fun and I'm looking forward to taking it up a notch this year with giveaways and interviews and more all-around hoopla.
Still, I miss being able to share with you the daily bits of song and story and craft I'm enjoying that was the original intention for Monday Mixtape. Yesterday at Sarah Bessey's place I stumbled onto a fun blog link-up hosted by Hopeful Leigh. I think I've found the happy second generation of Monday Mixtape -- so ingenious it birthed two spin-off series: a bi-weekly Buy More Art post and a monthly What I'm Into Lately.
I don't know about you, but happy mediums make me -- well -- happy.
1 The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared, Alice Ozma I can't remember if I read a review for this book or if I just loved the title, but I picked it up in a quick sweep through our library last week. It's a quick and sweet read tied together by the 3, 218 days in a row Alice Ozma's father read aloud to her before bed. Occasionally sentimental, but often legitimately funny this book reminded me again what I love about memoir framed by a concept. It's one of my favorite structures for storytelling. Ozma's life has hard stories but she -- maybe unknowingly -- carried the weight of them in the grace of nightly reminders of her father's love for her, for reading, for story. A delightful read.
I didn't get The Waste Land in my first attempt at T.S. Eliot. I want to get T.S. Eliot. When I stumbled onto an online book group at Greener Trees I figured reading along with community might be the second-chance I needed. After all, the same method worked for Flannery O'Connor so why not Eliot? (next I need to find someone to help me with Walker Percy)
I'm reading, friends. Not getting too clear, yet, but reading away. You'll be the first to know what I learn, I promise!
Call the Midwife: You guys, this show is so, so excellent. I like it way better than that other PBS blockbuster everyone's talking about right now (although I watch every episode just to be sure). Only disclaimer: If you've had a traumatic childbirth experience this show might not be for you. The stories are redemptive and beautiful but very, very real.
on the big screen (if not literally then at least via Netflix)
Les Miserables: Cried like a baby. Plan to finally read the book. in my ears
I'm loving Spotify -- a lot. I don't own a personal computer so I'd given up trying to keep an iTunes library up to date. This allows me to do much of what I loved on iTunes (including accessing my iTunes library): create playlists, share songs/playlists via social media, see what my friends are listening to, check out new artists, etc. Soon I'll create a "new songs I'm digging playlist" to share with you each month. For now, thought you might enjoy the Sunny Day playlist I created for all the spring cleaning we've been doing around here this month! art I'm loving
Shannon Newby's always making work I want to be able to see up close. Check out photos from her recent exhibit,All Creatures Here Below. in my kitchen So you've probably figured out we're not really the crunchy type, but a few months back our daughters asked us to try a Paleo menu. We compromised and serve Paleo dinners while making lots of healthy, raw foods available for them to eat at breakfast and lunch. Thankfully, Emeals started offering Paleo menus right around the same time and we've enjoyed every dinner we've made so far. This week Brian made Winter Vegetable soup and it was delicious! Crock Pot Winter Vegetable Soup
(3 T olive oil) 3 boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (Salt and pepper to taste) 4 c peeled & chopped sweet potatoes 2 c chopped red onion 12 c chopped fresh kale, 2 large bunches 32 oz organic chicken broth 13.5 oz can coconut milk (½ c white wine) ¼ c chopped fresh chives (2 bay leaves)
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan, and cook 4 minutes per side, or until browned. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add potatoes, onion, kale, broth, coconut milk, wine, chives and bay leaves to slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours p.s., We weren't sure what to expect when adding coconut milk into the broth, but it added a lightly creamy and sweet flavor that we totally enjoyed! on the blog (Get This Sacramental Life delivered by email.)
My dining room table right now. By the way, the candles, candlesticks, vase are all thrift store finds. That really makes me happy.
what i’m looking forward to next month
February is a big month for celebrating with friends: birthday parties, weddings, ordinations. We'll probably try to have a little cozy dinner for Valentine's Day somewhere in there, too. Alex will come home at the end of the month for Spring Break and I'll try to take a few days off for a minor out-patient procedure that was a bust last week. Probably the biggest thing I'm looking forward to is staking my claim with the Anglican Church through an adult confirmation service on February 17. If you'd asked me a few years ago if I could imagine myself in the place to do this, I would have laughed out loud. But here I am; rather, here we are. (Brian, Kendra and I will be confirmed together.) I'm planning a short blog series sharing the story of finding my liturgical home in Anglicanism. For now, I'm taking classes and trying to figure out how to share what I'm learning in a way that won't chase you all away. I'll keep you posted!
So what about you? What’s in your book pile? What art, film, song has captured your imagination? What are you pinning or cooking or planning?
There are few things in the world I get more excited about than imaginative, risk-taking, art makers sharing their work.
Each week, usually on Monday, I compile a metaphorical mixtape, a few "tracks" of art featuring the work of independent artists making good work. (with an occasional pop artist thrown in for kicks)
Won't you consider this weekly post my little patched-together gift to you? Hopefully, the post shares a little bit of happy with the featured artists, too.
Enjoy!
p.s., this mixtape is meant to be shared; help a starving artist and pass it on!
track 1: Kenyon Adams & American Restless
Yet another artist I've gotten to know at the Ministers to Artists Retreat at Laity Lodge each spring. Just like most everyone I meet there, Kenyon's passions, talents, and work defy categorizing. I met him first as the Arts Ministry Coordinator at the Center for Faith and Work, a ministry of Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC. Then I watched him in the award-nominated indie film Lucky Life. This past spring, he and Charlie Peacock teamed up on an inspired musical improv and I realized this man can sing! Seems his band began kicking up dust this past year, recording and performing in New York. Not sure why it took me so long to mention them here. I promise you're going to love the sound! From their Band Profile on Facebook:
"The blues is about a soul crying out before God..."
This statement captures our shared artistic vision to create progressive rythym and blues music which marries the southern soulful stylings of Kenyon Adams and the Chicago-based roots music of Noah Lekas (American Restless).
To this picture and in this scenario we wish to contribute our own "cries" out to God in solidarity with all who struggle to reconcile inner longings with the besieging cruelty of the mundane.
Band Instrumentation: Inspired by Muddy Waters Band, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Little Walter, Jimmy Hendrix, Elmore James, among others.
Kenyon Adams, lead vocals & amplified harmonica "Restless" Noah Lekas, lead guitar Shawn Best, Drums
Speaking of that Laity Lodge tribe, Erik & Shannon Newby unveiled their newest venture, fontface on Etsy. E+S=fun and pretty every time! About the shop (+ opportunity to be an arts patron x 2!):
We take pride in using 100% recycled, post-consumer and biodegradable papers and packaging. We also believe it’s important to invest in the arts, so we pledge to give 10% of our proceeds to supporting other creative initiatives and individual artists
I didn't know about this Vancouver-based indiegogo campaign until just a few days ago (thanks to DT for the hat tip). How exciting to link there today and find out they've reached their goal already! Still, if you'd like to contribute you have to the end of today to add your contribution (Monday, October 15). Mostly, I love what they're doing and why they're doing it and thought you would, too. The Artist-in-a-Tribe is a beautiful thing. from the indiegogo page:
WeMakeStuff Volume 01 is a stunning book that will showcase one hundred artists and innovators from Vancouver exploring the collision of faith and creativity. It will be a historical document showcasing creative people expressing their process, intent and the tensions of their reality.
The one hundred are artists, innovators, inventors, engineers, architects, designers, film-makers, dancers, programmers, entrepreneurs, chefs and writers. For the first time, their collective voices are being recorded in one ground-breaking publication.
It's time for a new look here on Mondays. Tracks are loosely related by theme and very much influenced by whim. This week I'm thinking a lot about friends who are making art while at the same time trying to make a living.
Here's my contribution to your week, a small taste of Goethe's daily prescription of little songs, good poems, fine pictures and reasonable words. Enjoy!
I've mentioned Shannon Newby here several times (see here & here), but am mentioning her again because the works she's been making lately are topping my list of favorites. Combine old books and art and I'm a goner!
You can see Shannon's portfolio of work at her website. Make sure you visit her Etsy shop and pick up something for yourself while you're there! This Robinson Crusoe piece is currently for sale ($250). You can direct any inquires directly to Shannon through the contact page at her website.
I've definitely talked about Jason Harrod lots of times around here.. We're so excited for the release of his new album, and it's been fun watching hisKickstarter campaign take off. Watch the video to get to know this songwriter a bit (and, if you love NYC like we do, to get really homesick!) Plus, we're all in in luck - there's still time to contribute!
In Jason's words:
Wow. We raised $7,095 in 8 days on kickstarter, surpassing my goal of $7,000 for mastering, artwork/layout, and CD manufacturing. That means this record's going to happen! I'm really blown away and grateful for your generous support. Thank you!
There are still 22 days left in the campaign, and I could still use your help if you'd like to help me expand my budget in the following ways: For $1500 I can press vinyl copies of the album. For $3000 I can hire a publicist for three months to help the album reach a wider audience. So my new goal is $11,500. Thanks again to the many of you who donated, and for everyone else, thanks for considering donating and spreading the word about the continuing campaign. There are still 22 days left in the campaign, and I could still use your help if you'd like to help me expand my budget in the following ways: For $1500 I can press vinyl copies of the album. For $3000 I can hire a publicist for three months to help the album reach a wider audience. So my new goal is $11,500. Thanks again to the many of you who donated, and for everyone else, thanks for considering donating and spreading the word about the continuing campaign.
If anyone out there pays attention to the Shelfari widget on my sidebar you may have noticed this title sitting on the shelf for a couple of weeks. Andrea and I attend Christ Church together and it's been a privilege getting to know her and her story in real life at the same time I'm reading her new book.
I've just completed reading a round of memoirs -- including this title -- and I hope to write some of my impressions in a book postlater this week. In the meantime, why don't you go here and buy yourself a copy of Faith and Other Flat Tires: Searching for God on the Rough Road of Doubt. That way we could have a conversation back and forth -- fun, right?!?
By the way, Andrea is the leader of a Christ Church writer's group to which I belong. I'm so grateful for her investment in my writing life and am hoping to make her proud someday!
So maybe your purchase of recently launched Star Wars: The Old Republic provides a living for more than just one artist, but we think we're pretty lucky to be friends with at least one of the concept artists behind the scenes. We've been getting to know Ryan and his beautiful family slowly so it took awhile for us to even know what he did for a living. Honestly, I'm almost completely illiterate when it comes to the gaming universe but I have a lot of good friends quite fluent in the language, including my two sons.
And just when they thought this guy had the ultimate dream job, Ryan told us that in August of this year LEGO plans to release a ship that he designed. Right about then, I'm pretty sure I saw a tear welling up in my both my boys' eyes.
track 5: arts center Executive Director Jenny White
Jenny White would be the first person to tell you that she's no artist. I know this because I had lunch with her at a retreat for ministers to artistsand it's one of the first things she told me about herself. I sort of think it all depends on how you define the word. Let's not get bogged down in semantics, let's call her a primo cultivator instead. From what I can tell she has crafted a beautiful community of artists and art-appreciators -- following closely in the footsteps of her mentors Charlie Peacock and Andi Ashworth.
Now Art House Dallas is ready to renovate a space for their very own. And Jenny is telling us the story in this campaign video. Inviting us to get excited with her about a very good work that is making something exist that at one time did not exist.
Before I go, I should tell you that I love to hear what poems, pictures, songs and reasonable words you are enjoying. Please do stop by the comment box and
