It's a beautiful day in Seattle.

Today was the first day in quite awhile that I have been able to walk around outside in a short sleeve shirt with no coat. It was a bit chilly in the shade, but it was so wonderful. I even went outside to take an outfit photo! This is a really typical daily outfit for me (skirt, t-shirt, belt), especially during the warmer months. During cold months, tights and a cardigan are generally added to the get-up.

What I'm Wearing:

Skirt--Goodwill in PA

V-Neck Tee--K-Mart

Belt--Forever21

Shoes--TOM'S

Necklace--Hand-me-down from my great-grandmother.

Earrings that you can't see--Gabriel Brothers

Movies I'm Looking Forward to in 2012...

2012 is going to be a fantastic year for movies. The main two that I'm looking forward to are The Hobbit and The Hunger Games, but there are many others which I'm also looking forward to seeing.

The Trailer-less Ones
Les Miserables and The Great Gatsby. They're both classic pieces of literature turned movie, and both are coming out in December 2012. I'm eagerly awaiting their arrivals. 

Fairytales

Despite the fact that I'm not a huge Kristen Stewart fan, Snow White and the Huntsman looks like it will actually be a pretty good movie.


I'm a sucker for fairytales, and Jack and the Giant Killer isn't often told.

Animated

Brave is the newest Pixar movie, and I am so looking forward to seeing it. The main character's crazy red hair is fantastic, and it's set in Scotland. Plus, it's Pixar. What more could we ask for in a movie?


I first heard about this movie because David Tennant (the 10th Doctor in Doctor Who) is voicing Charles Darwin, but when I realized that Pirates! is by the same people that brought us Chicken Run and Wallace & Grommit, I became even more enthusiastic about it.

Romantic Comedy

I'm not often one for Romantic Comedies, but One for the Money actually looks really good.

Superhero

It's going to be a good year for Superhero movies. Here we have the much-anticipated third and final installment of the Batman series. I am super excited after seeing how fantastic The Dark Knight was. Plus, I originally hail from Western PA, and The Dark Knight Rises was filmed in Pittsburgh, it will be great.


Then we've got the reboot of the Spiderman franchise. We'll see, but it looks really good.


The Avengers is bringing back our favorite Marvel superheroes, and having them save the world together. How awesome is that? Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America? Awesome.


Then we have Men in Black III--perhaps not a Superhero movie, per se, but a similar dynamic.

The Epics

You can't have a list of the anticipated movies of 2012 without saying something about The Hunger Games. I loved the books, and while I'm not 100% sure about all their casting choices, this movie is looking to be extremely good.


Finally, we have The Hobbit. There was not question in my mind that this would be on this list. When the trailer first came out, I watched it around five times in a row. I've watched it more since. This is probably the movie I anticipate the most in this coming year. Come December, I have a Midnight release to attend.

"...and now it's time for Silly Songs with Larry..." [Veggie Tales: The Early Early Days '93-'97]

"...the part of the show where Larry comes out and sings...a silly song..."

These words were a major part of my childhood, as I devoured the Veggie Tales movies. I sang the songs, I memorized the dialogue, I loved Veggie Tales. I still definitely appreciate Veggie Tales, particularly because for sentimental reasons, but I do think that the quality has gone down over the years. Perhaps this is just because they are not as applicable to me anymore. One thing about Veggie Tales that I still love, though, is the Silly Songs with Larry portion to each movie.

It all started with "Everybody's Got a Water Buffalo"

No matter how old I get, every time the words "water buffalo" are spoken, I will begin to sing.

Then came "The Hairbrush Song"

This one is even more useful than the "Water Buffalo Song," because it's more common to have lost a hairbrush than to be talking about water buffalo.

"Dance of the Cucumber" comes next

Children are now being introduced to the Spanish language--the fact that a cucumber is a "pepino." Also, wearing a sombrero is cool...and it's part of Larry's "authentic Argentinian garb!"

Of course, "I Love my Lips" is another classic favorite

While watching this, children gain a new appreciation for their lips, and a few children may in fact be inspired to become Psychiatrists, if only to interact with delusional cucumbers named Larry. Oh, and they'll know how to say "lips" in Polish--always a useful skill.

Then the first Christmas movie comes out with "Oh Santa"

It's actually somewhat surprising that Veggie Tales actually has a song about Santa Claus, but I couldn't care less. This song is always fun, and it teaches children to dislike IRS agents, even ones that are peaches. Oh yes, and it teaches sharing, even with thieving Savage Norsemen and Bank Robbers.

Before the pretty terrible "Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" movie, there was a wonderful Silly Song that started it all...

This song is incredibly catchy, hilarious, and pretty much pointless, but it's a Silly Song--what do you expect?

And then came "Song of the Cebu"

This one always had special significance to me because I had a baby doll names Baby Boo, and I was convinced that the song was saying "Say Boo." Back to the meaning of the song, though, modern children will learn about the "stone age" version of Power Point--the slideshow with actual physical slides.

This has been Silly Songs With Larry...join us next time to watch some more shenanigans with Larry, Archibald, Mr. Lunt, and.Barbara Manatee.

Villainous, Sinister October Playlist

Since it is Halloween season and everything, I have created a lovely Villainous playlist. It consists of a bunch of Disney Villain songs, a few showtunes, and even a veggie tales tune or two. Just keep in mind that a few of the showtunes might have a few derogatory words or themes.

Memories of Indonesia

If you know me personally, you most likely know that I spent about a year in Indonesia in 2000, when I was 7-years-old. My family lived on the then-called "Irian Jaya," which is presently known as Papua. It shares the large island with Papua New Guinea. The shape of the island itself is said to resemble a bird of paradise, and Papua is on the "head side." 

In December-January 2010, my family and I went back to visit my grandparents who still live and work there.This is an extremely picture heavy post, so after the first couple of pictures, the rest will be after the jump.

 The Papuan landscape is so incredibly beautiful.

Meet Theia

 Another doll has joined my doll family. Perhaps someday, I'll work up the courage to sell them, but I'm currently attached to these little bits of fabric and work to try and relocate them. That said, if anyone reading this blog has a desire to own one or these dolls, or one like them that is in personalized colors and/or style of dress, contact me at decembergrace13@gmail.com. I'll work up a price estimate, and we'll negotiate.

Anyways though, business aside, meet Theia! She has long, silky, black hair, and piercing green eyes. She wears a navy blue, flowered skirt, and a pink bandeau. A lace shirt overlays that, and is accented with assorted silver-spiral jewelry.

As with all of my dolls, Theia's clothing and jewelry are completely hand-sewn, and hand-designed.

Theia's hair is held back in an elaborate twist with two pearl-tipped "chopsticks" hat pins.

The jewelry that adorns Theia's wrist, neck, and upper arm are hand-twisted from bits of silver wire. 

Here is a close-up of the pink bandeau, overlayed with the lace top.

Before, Theia and I bid you adieu, here is the back view. The skirt and bandeau close with snaps, and the shirt is somewhat stretchy.

And now, we will leave Theia to sit and gaze at the world.