for your eyes and ears

I'm waiting on the gray and rain to bid Houston goodbye. Then the natural light in our living room will improve, making for a much better photo op. My friend Kierstin sent the most amazing piece of her artwork for my (belated) birthday and I'm dying to show it to y'all. Until then, care to see one of the best poets on the planet? Thanks to a tip from Kate, I watched Billy Collins read a few of his poems last night while Johnny was at rehearsal. Billy is very funny (I pretend we're on a first name basis):



Also, the greater part of my morning involved sitting near a crackling fireplace (34 degrees outside), cradling a warm mug of Enfusia, and listening to Almost and Always, Part 1 by David Mead (via NoiseTrade). I already told 5 people about this lovely album, but I wanted to tell more, so here you go:

And now, Johnny and I are gonna celebrate the 2nd Sunday in Advent a few days late (it happens): hang new pieces on the Nativity Advent calendar, light two candles this time, pray + read Scripture, and hang purple ornaments on the tree while listening to Sufjan. On the actual 2nd Sunday in Advent, our Church went caroling at a nursing home down the street. It's a pretty run-down place with run-down souls, but it was one of the most well-spent times of my entire life.