Liner Notes: April - Florence + the Machine/Dog Days Are Over

Well I guess it's April now. Seems sort of weird and presumptuous of this year to already be the month of April, but here we are. As is the way, let's start with a song:

I'm pretty certain "Dog Days Are Over" was the very first Florence + the Machine song I ever heard. It's catchy and fun and joyous. It's hard not to like this song. It's also from my favorite album of their albums, Lungs. I was absolutely obsessed with this album when it came out. The songs were so big and interesting to listen to. Even with the first album, there was so much power and magic in the songs. Another ethereal, weird girl to add to my record collection. 

This month's focus is going to be on song lyrics. I think Florence Welch writes some of the best lyrics and they all feel very much like poems or prayers or spells. I was sourcing fabric for this month and found some really great options but wasn't sure how to put them together. It clicked over last weekend: I'm making a lyrics spellbook, playing into the witchy vibe of Florence and her shows. I'm going to stitch the lyrics on the striped and velvet fabrics and then add them to the lace book. I'll finish it off with the flower trim and an earring as a clasp. I don't have a goal for how many lyrics I'm going to embroider; I'll see what happens by the end of the month. Each week, I'll share the songs that I stitch so you can enjoy them too.

I'm also going to see Florence + the Machine in concert later this month. I've never seen her live so I'm very excited about this. The images and videos from the European leg of the tour are amazing to watch. The amount of energy in every arena has to have some sort of cosmic impact. 

Do you have a favorite Florence + the Machine lyric? Let me know what it is and what song it's from and maybe I'll include it in the spellbook. 

Here's this week's entry:

Materials for this month. I may add some more but this is what I've planned so far.

April 1

April 2

April 3

April 4

The first week of the Florence + the Machine liner notes.

WIPs, Opening Day, and Other Small Joys

I finally feel like a human again. Being sick last week really kicked my ass. I haven't been that sick in years, but thankfully rest and antibiotics have gotten me back to normal. Of course now I have to do all the stuff I didn't do last week, like clean my house, this weekend. Being an adult is a scam. 

Anyway, I did make some progress on my mushroom needlepoint piece. I'd really like to finish it up this month so I can finally hang it and a few other pieces up in my kitchen. It's all part of the whimsification (not a word) of my house. The switch plates are one step, hanging some new art is another. I also have this fun wooden cat I found at a thrift store that I want to do something with. Perhaps it'll be an option instead of switching out one of the plates. Ideas, ideas.

Baseball has started again. I went to the home opener for the Nats with my brother on Friday. They lost (shocking I know), but it was nice to sit in the sun and enjoy some baseball. We had a fantastic Korean hot dog from Ssong's, one of my favorite vendors at Nats Park, and tried the churros from Don Churro, a new vendor this season. The Don Churro cart is located near my brother's seats, which is going to be a "problem" this season.

Obligatory Garland sibling selfie at a baseball game.

The start of baseball season also means the return of my seasonal hobby: cloud photography at baseball games. The sky is always amazing at baseball games. I don't understand it but I'm not going to waste any opportunity to take pictures of clouds. 

Bea had a little health issue this week. A small patch of fur came off her face. I don't know what caused it and it's similar to what happened when I first adopted her and a fur patch went missing from her back. The vet still doesn't know what's causing it but thinks it might be seasonal allergies given when each issue happened. I have to put ointment on her face three times a day...she is less than enthused about it. She's being a good girl, but man, is she squirmy. 

She loves a box from Chewy. Their packing paper is extra crinkly. I hate to take this joy away from her, but the box is going to have to go this weekend.

I'm off to get a mammogram and a haircut - very exciting day. PSA: go to your annual appointments, get your skin screening done, and get whatever vaccines you need. Bea wants you to take care of yourself and take care of your health. You wouldn't want to disappoint an adorable baby cat would you?