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Saturday, February 28, 2009

Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs: "The LORD Is"

In the last couple of months, as we have driven through the countryside here and have seen shepherds with their flocks, and as I read through "Hinds' Feet on High Places", the picture of God as our Shepherd has become particularly meaningful to me.

Even in this last week, I have seen my own foolish faithlessness answered by His clear ability to provide and surpass every need I have, and even meet desires and bless me above and beyond what I would have thought possible.

Early Tuesday morning, as I drove back from dropping a dear friend off at the airport for her return home to the States, this song came on and it so very perfectly expresses what I have found to be true. I pray that God will keep me at a place of remembering His faithfulness to lead and to shepherd me, even when the way seems unclear, or the answers seem hidden.


"The LORD Is" by Sovereign Grace's Psalms Album

The depths of Your grace who can measure
You fully supply all I need
You restore my weary soul again and again

And lead me in Your righteousness and peace


You’re with me through every dark valley
There’s nothing that I have to fear
You are there to comfort me again and again
Protecting me, assuring me You’re near


The Lord is
The Lord is my shepherd
The Lord is
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want

You gave Your own life for my ransom
So I could rejoice at Your side
You have shown Your faithfulness again and again
There’s nothing good that You will not provide

I will dwell in Your house
All the days of my life
I will dwell in Your house
All the days of my life

SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

I thought I would share some of my little gatherings of things that I just love looking at.
Nothing more than that to post - just thought you might enjoy too.












Karen

Friday, February 27, 2009

Back on the Bookshelf-- Hinds' Feet in High Places

Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hulnard has come at an incredibly helpful time in my life. In recent months, there have times that I've needed to "accept with joy" what comes my way, trusting in my Shepherd's guiding care to lead me the best way to the heights He means for me.

Facing loneliness. Not having a vision for where God wants to take you. Thinking that He does not see. Wondering if He will come to your aid when you call. Learning to receive the teaching and growth that comes through suffering and sorrow. Resting in the promises that God has given.

All these things and more are directly addressed with great spiritual clarity and discernment in this rich, descriptive picture of the Christian life. As "Much-Afraid" walks through the deep valleys, climbs the cliffs, and walks through the mist, where nothing she has been promised-- and has even seen with her own eyes-- seems to be near, there are many lessons for the reader to glean.

I enjoyed this book a great deal, and am thankful that I read it in this season of life. Here is a helpful study guide for those who want to go deeper in thinking about and applying the lessons from Hinds' Feet on High Places.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

RAINY THURSDAY

Wish I had some fun pictures to show you today but I'm not into anything creative at the moment.
I had lots of accomplishments already today but nothing really fun!

One thing I did was pack up some Amish Fiction books for a girl on one of the forums I'm on and got them shipped off. And she's sending me one that I need to finish the Trilogy. Now neither of us have to go in search of the book(s). It's such a great idea to share books you already read!!!

I have several series of Amish Fiction books that I would glady send to anyone that wants to read them....and there are many.

If anyone is interested in them I will gladly make a post with the list of what I have and the ones I STILL NEED and maybe you will have one or several and will share. Just let me know.

Then I got two orders packed and shipped as well and then Doug and I went for lunch and then to the grocery store and it's raining and no fun to be outside today so this afternoon it's laundry and answering e-mails.

I was asked by a forum I'm on if I could send a Penny Rug pattern for their Newsletter so I got that going for them.

I'm also trying to get an ad going for Mercantile Gathering Magazine...wow I love that magazine. I thought a summer ad might be what it takes to keep the flow. Advertising at the Holiday time might just put me over the top for keeping up with the sewing so a Summer ad seemed right.

Wohoooo, as I was typing this post I got an e-mail from Country Sampler telling me they will be sending us 6 copies of the May issue that our home will be in! Yippppeeee. Now the waiting game will begin. I sure hope you will all like it - our home is more Traditional Colonial with not so many Primitives around. Not that I don't want them - just don't have the room!

Wondering if it's just me but I'm in a slump. I can't seem to get motivated these past few days. Seems there is no creativity or desire to do anything so I'm hoping it's just the weather. I do think I need some sun!!!!

Remember a couple posts ago with the Lego Birthday gift for Joeseph - well, they were here on Monday and he brought all three of his Power Miner Legos that he built. He wanted Grandpa to see them but Gramps was in Rhode Island.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Show & Tell: Links A'Plenty!

I've got a lot of interesting links for you this time... and this is the pared-down list. :) I deleted at least 15-20 links that I had stored up to share, just so that it wouldn't be so very overwhelming... still, it's a hefty list. And I'm going to take this opportunity to share some recent pics of my kiddos-- because I can. :)

So let's get started. Click, read, learn, be challenged, laugh, and enjoy!

FOLLOWING CHRISTIN THE HOME
RANDOM, BUT INTERESTING, READING
ABORTION: Inform yourself!
MAKE SOMETHING!
  • Make your own Taco Seasoning. Rave reviews and a recommendation from Terry @ Breathing Grace (I'm pretty sure). Once I run out of my stock, I'm trying this one.
  • Here are some fascinating ways to use old plastic bags: You can fuse them into a durable & sewable material. Here's a link with lots of info and several helpful how-to videos. Use the material to make a cloth shopping bag or purse. Here's a FAQ about safety for these projects. This sounds like an inventive & potentially beautiful way to recycle those gazillion bags that pile up under the kitchen counter, in the pantry, etc.
GOOD FOR A LAUGH
HAPPY READING!!!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Back on the Bookshelf-- Abortion: The Silent Holocaust

There is so much I could say about John Powell's book, Abortion: the Silent Holocaust.

Though written in 1981, it is still an extremely relevant book that will motivate readers to act on behalf of the unborn. A Jesuit priest, John Powell shares his insights gleaned from years of experience counseling through and witnessing significant moments of life-- including birth and death.

Honestly, though this won't sound like a resounding endorsement, the book depressed me. I felt it difficult to breathe at times while reading... and many times, had to put down the book in disgust that such a thing as abortion even happens once a year anywhere in the world, much less over 4,000 times a DAY in our own country. That said, it is a righteous depression that he evokes. He takes us through the moral decisions that led to the horrific holocaust of European Jews in WWII, and shows how we as a culture are accepting all of the same premises by accepting abortion. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book... it will stir the heart and inform about this watershed issue of abortion, and the rights of each individual (born or not yet born) to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

I'll share some highlights & quotes...
When people ask me why it bothers me so much that there are more than four thousand abortions each day in this country , I am reminded of a story from the life of Martin Luther King. Once he was jailed for protesting the denial of equality to black Americans. Someone asked him: "Why are you in jail?" His only response was: "Why are you not in jail?"
As he examines the similarites between Nazi Germany and Abortion-era America, he shows how the mind can't really grasp this kind of wholesale discarding of human life. He writes of his thoughts while visiting an extermination camp in Europe:
As our guide escorted us, I began to have an eerie feeling... Could human beings really do this to one another? The evidence was before my eyes, but my mind balked at understanding.

... Back in the mainstream of German life, ... I discovered a question struggling to the surface of my mind. I wanted desperately to ask... "Did you know?"
Also similar to the tragic killings of the Jews in death camps, doctors are complicit in the taking of the lives of the unborn. Those that study to help, protect, and heal end up hurting, killing, and experimenting on those that are deemed unwanted.
Which patients were to be killed was determined by a board of doctors, most of whom were professors of psychiatry in key German universities. ...There was considerable experimentation done on those people docketed for death, such as amputations and gunshots in order to test blood coagulents. There were live dissections...
And lest you think this is not happening with aborted babies in America today, read here, or perhaps here, and also here for some of recent examples.

PROPHETIC WORDS
Another illuminating part, for me, was seeing how many of the things Powell wrote about in '81 that seemed so far away to him are now being practiced. He sites an article in 1979 that said:
Unless we stop abortion we will go further than Hitler... we will call on brilliant scientists who know all about creation... we will ask them to tell us which child is worthy to live and which is not. We will go Hitler one better.
Click on the embedded link above to see how this is already happening.

ABORTION IS KILLING A HUMAN BEING, PLAIN AND SIMPLE
Powell shows dozens of examples of leading abortionists of that time fully admitting both the humanity and murder of aborted children.

In Sept. 1970, one doctor wrote that because Americans had not yet fully bought into the principles of utilitarianism/convenience, "it has been necessary to separate the idea of abortion from the idea of killing." An abortionist in Wisconsin wrote, "we know it is killing." A leading pro-abortionist & former medical director of Planned Parenthood stated it quite clearly: "abortion is the taking of a life."

An entire chapter of Powell's book is devoted to the very clear, medically-documented evidence that doctors and abortionists have spoken and written about, showing that from the very moment of conception, a new life has formed. There is only one "neat beginning" to every human being, and that is at the time when an egg is fertilized.

CALL IT WHAT IT IS
Powell challenges us to talk about abortion in honest terms.
Language is something like the sugar coating of the ideas which we swallow and digest. And ideas have serious consequences. It's a lot easier to swallow dishonesty if you call it "a fast buck" or "easy money." It's a lot easier to commit adultery if you trivialize it as "fooling around." ... It's a lot easier to kill a baby if you call it "terminating a pregnancy." It's a lot easier to discuss abortion if you never mention the tiny human victim or refer to the victim's death.
CHRISTIAN and PRO-CHOICE?
Powell asks, "How does a minister of the Good News [which is every single Christian person, not just clergy!] come face to face in prayer with the Lord who said, "Whatever you do to the least of my children..."

PERSONHOOD: THE POINT ON WHICH IT ALL HINGES
The [Supreme] Court itself acknowledged in a footnote... that if the personhood of the unborn child were established, abortion could not be allowed, even to save the life of the mother.
He points out how very similar this is to both Nazi Germany and slavery-era America. When we allow ourselves to take those people who are clearly human beings and define them as a sub-category (as 3/5ths of a person, or as a non-person), we should all take note and let history teach us the results. When we devalue one portion of humanity, we devalue it all... which is why there is more and more of a modern push for euthanasia, prenatal diagnosis and elimination of preborn children with genetic abnormalities, selective abortions (when, through IVF or even natural conception, a mother pregnant with multiples is advised to "reduce" the number of children in her womb), and other death-inducing "choices".
I try to imagine a world creatied by the logical extensions of this quality-of-life ethic. It is a world that will answer no challenges, will abide no struggle, and will tolerate no one unless his/her life and contribution to society are considered meaningful and worthwhile.
I highly recommend that you get and read Powell's challenging book.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs: It Is Well With My Soul

This is my very favorite hymn... the third verse reminds me of how much God has forgiven in my life, and how very much I have to be grateful to Him for.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(repeat chorus)

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(repeat chorus)

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
(end chorus)

Praise the Lord for His comfort in the midst of trials, the reminders of just how much we have to be grateful for to Christ, and the promise of His return!

BUSY WEEKEND!


Winter has returned to Wisconsin!

It started in the night Saturday night and kept going till almost noon - Spring just isn't happening none too soon around here. Not sure where those birdies are that I heard last week and it's for sure Lola kitty isn't going to be watching them in the bushes through the window for quite some time now.

Today was one of those do nothing important kind of days....do you have them?

Doug is gone till Monday night and I was just floating through the house going from this thing to that thing! But I did finish up my orders and cleaned out my desk and shoveled the courtyard....WHEW!
Yesterday I received my grungy labels and oh I can't wait to get them on some jars - what I'll do with them after that I don't know. I was sitting here wondering to myself where in the world I would display anything else in my kitchen - there are just no places....but hey, I'll get 'em made if nothing else and sell them with some grungy gauze on the tops.

I received 50 out of the 55 in the order so not sure what went on there - but I probably won't use up all of these in my lifetime! lol
SORRY I DIDN'T PUT THE LINK TO WHERE I PURCHASED THESE WONDERFUL LABELS...HERE IT IS: http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/blue*cupboard*primitives_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ



Today I finished two of the items for my special order - I do hope she will like them.
I'm always concerned when someone says "can you make...."...lol, and she wanted the sheep to be pulling an apple cart - somehow I just can't get apples in the cart because they won't show up with the background. What would green apples look like?

She sent me a large piece of the wallpaper so that helped with color and fortunately I had all of them to work with.



She wanted a chair pad for her small windsor chair - it isn't finished in this photo - it needs grass around the tree trunk and the tufting yet.

And a small runner for a small table



And I finished up a pillow for one of our blogger friends! Hmmmmm, who is that!


Have a great evening and I hope to hear from all of my friends out there!
Karen

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Parenting is All About Seasons

Just about a year ago, our sons had just started playing together. Not playing with intermittent fighting, not playing with mom refereeing, but REALLY playing together-- imaginations running wild, rules and games that only the two of them know, building things side by side, wrestling like young lions... what a blast! I remember what a relief this was for me as a mom of three kids five & under-- that they could occupy themselves happily for longer stretches of time. It is still a great joy to me to hear and see our sons enjoying each other's company and learning together through large portions of each day.

A few months ago, I was dealing with a four year old who politely talked back and a seven month old who was eating dirt on a semi-regular basis. :) Now, just a few months later, my four-year-old is learning self-control and is learning to express his desires respectfully, and my eleven-month-old is walking. So he has better things to do than eat dirt now.

SEASONS COME & GO
This is a very rambly way of saying that this business of parenting changes like seasons. Some seasons last longer than others. Some seasons are easy, some are sweet. Some are rough, and some pass quicker than you'd like. Some are fun, and some you just do what you have to to get through. But it's all about seasons. And just about the time I get "used to" a certain season, it's gone.

WHAT HELPS ME ENDURE?
For me, flexibility and a willingness to keep on learning are essential. I have to be willing to flex with the times... for example, letting less crucial things go when there's too much to do, or taking on new challenges when they arise.

Six years ago, for me, life was all about Babywise & breastfeeding. Then, I focused in on making baby food from scratch (which, like breastfeeding, seemed so difficult at the time, but is now second nature). Next up was learning & researching biblical discipline. Then managing more than one child. Then within a couple years, I was researching homeschooling in a general way. Then I began looking at specific curricula and methods. Two years ago, I began homeschooling (while disciplining a 2 year old and nursing a new baby) and started hearing about cloth diapering.

Now, I'm reading about educational theories, researching differences between boys & girls, and starting to learn about parenting older children and adolescents, while continuing to do most of those things in the last paragraph. But those things aren't near as taxing and many of them don't require the careful attention that they did when I first started doing each thing.

If we as moms are willing to keep learning, then those things that we learn will benefit not only that first child, but any subsequent children that come along. And we can keep adding to that knowledge and getting better in each area as time passes.

What I'm driving at is this:

(1) No one just "zaps" into being capable as a mother all at one time. (And I'm not trying to act like I have it all together, by any means... but even those things that I do have "together" didn't happen all at once!) It comes over time-- God doesn't just *ZAP* you into a woman who knows how to homeschool, breastfeed, handle tantrums, offer hospitality, and make your own babyfood (or whatever kind of women you are or will be)... it happens over time. Like Sarah said SO eloquently expressing this very idea,
Somehow, in our six short years of parenting, we have learned to be productive despite little hands and feet getting in the way. We have grown in patience and ability.
You get better at things the more you do them... and things that were once difficult become second nature and no longer seem as monumental as they did the first or even second go rounds.

And... (2) in parenting seasons, things wax and wane. Some things come and go over and over (like breastfeeding, tantrums, and teaching the alphabet). Some of these are things that you learn once and never have to re-learn (like how to make your own babyfood or use cloth diapers... if you ever want to learn in the first place, LOL), some things have to be adjusted as you go (like teaching different students), and some things may be totally new (particularly tackling new developmental stages with that first guinea pig child). But the pressures and demands wax and wane-- parenting is an adventure!

Truly, children are a blessing-- and God uses the seasons of parenting to refine and discipline us. So take heart! If you are a new mom or in a new season, what you are learning now will benefit you later... and God will use it to sharpen, shape, and sanctify you. He is faithful to gently lead young mothers, and He will be faithful to lead you if you look to Him.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Spiritual Wisdom from Lewis's "The Horse & His Boy"

Our oldest son and I have been reading aloud through the Narnia books (in the original order, of course, no matter how they print it these days!), and I've come across a few quotes that are particularly challenging & thought-provoking. So, I thought I'd share them with you.

The first has something to teach us about hard work & perseverance... The two humans and the two horses are riding fast to warn a King of some evil that is about to come his way... galloping fast, but not really fast enough:
"Certainly both horses were doing, if not all they could; all they thought they could, which is not quite the same thing."

It makes me wonder how often *I* think I'm "doing all I can" and if there might be points on which I sell myself short and could be doing more if I was really working all things as unto the Lord (Colossians) and not growing weary in well-doing (Galatians).

And then here's another quote worth hearing- it tells us something maturity and the constant sanctification and growth in the Christian life. After running hard for miles to beat their enemies to a city to warn of attack, nearly watching his companions be killed, and facing a lion, Shasta (one of the human main characters) realizes that he still has not reached their destination, and is faced with yet another job, assigned by an old man he encounters on the way:
"Now, my son waste no time on questions, but obey. This damsel is wounded. Your horses are spent. Rabadash [the enemy he's trying to outrun to the city] is at this moment finding a ford over the [river]. If you run now, without a moment's rest, you will still be in time to warn King Lune."

Shasta's heart fainted at these words for he felt he had no strength left. And he writhed inside at what seemed the cruelty and unfairness of the demand. He had not yet learned that if you do one good deed your reward usually is to be set to do another harder and better one. But all he said out loud was, "Where is the King?"
It's true, isn't it? My heart cries out "unfair!" when more work is heaped onto my already full plate. I don't see it as a reward. Bitterness rises.

Or even worse-- when I think I've 'hit' whatever mark/destination I was aiming for, but then I'm asked to go even further. Perhaps there is more learning to do... perhaps the destination changes entirely... perhaps the initial pain/sacrifice was only the down payment on the lessons God has in store to teach you through suffering... regardless, when you think you've spent everything you have, reaching a certain place, and then you're asked to go even farther... goodness, that's tough.

This process of being sanctified to be more like Christ-- I've said it before, and I'll say it again-- it's not for the faint of heart.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Tria Giovan Photographs


Tria Giovan is a NY based photographer specializing in interiors. I stumbled across her work and thought there were some you'd like.


Copper bathtub, Gothic window -- it might be chilly to bathe in, but it's beautiful.


More Modern than what I usually like, but the light fixture, the industrial vanity, the artwork and the tub all add up to something special.


A great naturalist's collection.


Another modern setting -- but take note of how the early aeronautical diagrams and displayed over the bed.

I have a weekness for wood and white, and I love these stools.

all images from Redcover, if it isn't obvious.

What's On The Horizon

So fresh from the HOME SALE on Saturday~which was a success thanks to my fabulous little group of junkers~I wanted to give you a heads up on what we'll be doing at the Pea for the next little while. First off, next Saturday my oldest son is getting married!!!! My first time as a mother~of~the~groom! Very exciting and so much to do! We are hosting the rehearsal dinner on Friday and of course I have been shopping,shopping,shopping for a dress,shoes,etc.

So once the smoke clears on that weekend, I am happy and excited to let you all know that I will begin preparation to move into my new booth at an antique mall called Halley's in Maitland FL! It's a teeny space but I am the queen of stuffing lots into teeny spaces! I have found lately that I really miss having a shop and while that's not likely to happen again anytime soon, a booth will give me the design fix that I need on a regular basis. Please come by after March 1st to check out the booth and the rest of the shop as well! Halley's is located at 473 S. Orlando Ave. Maitland FL 32751.

Once settled in my new digs at Halleys, then the real down and dirty begins. Time to get ready for...TEXAS!!!!!! Woohoo! We'll be pulling out of here before we know it for Marburger and all my bestest friends that I see way too little! There is so much to do and I can hardly believe that it's almost here again! I hope you all can come out and see me and my pals at the show. If you've been, you know how fab it is! If not,you need to come just once and you'll be hooked forever! There's nothing like it I promise! Well, until next time stay safe and keep junkin!

TREASURES

Although most of our shopping in Pennsylvania was designated to our business purchases we did find time to purchase a few treasures for ourselves.
In one of our other posts I showed you a couple of them and now we have the others out and displayed.
Doug finally found a resting place for his huge rusty tin Paul Revere Lantern and I’m loving where it where he put it.
We just never had the right thing to balance off the cabinets on the sides of the fireplace but now we do!
Thanks Doug for your good eye!!!!

The pillow is sooooo nice and now I wish I would have purchases more of them to sell - the size is perfect for the bed - I used to have 3-4 smaller pillows now and then but now this one works so much better.

And sitting next to it is my adorable doll I won from Dawn Gunning of THE FORGOTTEN BARN http://dawngunning.blogspot.com/ in one of her Give A-Ways. Isn’t she cute there - a perfect match don’t you think????


One of my passions- coverlets/table squares/throws from Family Heirloom Weavers. The quality of these items is so wonderful and if anyone has any of them I know you would say the same thing.
There are many more of these scattered throughout the house but these at least are all in one place so you can see them here.



And finally I finished up the last of my special order.
The picture shows just the 3 pieces but now they are sewn together with tabs at the top to make one long piece that she will most likely run a dowel through and use it as a hanging although it shows in the photograph that it can be used as a mantel doily or where ever one would choose to display it to hang over the edge spelling out the word 'Welcome'.



I hope those of you who have off today have a wonderful 'Presidents Day' and find lots of fun things to do with your extra day!
Hugs, Karen

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Botched Abortions: Why They Matter & What They Tell Us

Just last week, Americans were horrified to learn that a baby born alive in an abortion clinic was promptly put into a trash bag and left to die in a dumpster. And rightly so. It's a horrible tragedy... but really, it's no more horrific than what is done to the other 3,500+ babies aborted every single day in our nation, or tens of thousands every day around the world. This baby just happened to breathe before being murdered for money.

Please don't mistake my bluntness for being glib about it. It absolutely sickens me... it's numbing and I find myself almost unable to process when I really stop to think about how many children have died at the hands of abortionists.

After reading the horrible details (and they were ghastly), I did a simple google search for "botched abortions"... and pulled up a dozen or so stories, with varying results, for you to consider:
These stories stretch across these last three decades, when abortions are supposed to be "safe, legal, and rare". In truth, they are none of those three things. They are obviously unsafe for the baby... but they also pose serious risks to the mother. And in addition to all of these examples, there is the possibility of permanent infertility, along with other very serious complications. And after having an abortion, there is often lifelong guilt, questions to face, and depression.

Every day in our nation, children are being put to death at similar ages to the baby who was murdered in Florida last week. So why would journalists and newspapers be eager to report about this one? What makes it different? And why would it bother someone who is pro-choice? Really. It's a question worth asking. The only difference between the poor baby that died then and any other aborted baby that day was location. He made it outside the womb before being killed at the hands of an adult in an abortion clinic.

But it's the same action.

Both actions end the life of a human being. Botched abortions show us the life that exists in every unique person; they show us the truth. They hold up a mirror to the action of abortion itself and reveal the horror therein. From the stories above, several things are clear:
  • It really is a baby-- a real, unique human being.
  • It really is murder-- intention to kill a living thing.
  • It really is horrific-- it's easier to see when we actually have a visible, breathing baby involved rather than something nebulous that we can write off as "tissue" or "inviable". (As others have noted.)
  • Mothers really do have an instinct to protect their babies. Bird mothers will run down animals 50 times their size for trying to loot their nest... and abortion-minded human mothers (sadly) often only realize how much they want to protect their baby once the abortion has been botched or completed-- many times, even years later.
If you are contemplating abortion or know someone who is, you may find it helpful to browse the following links:
Father, help us to do what is right. To act. To pray. To celebrate life. To give life. God, help us.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs: As Long As You Are Glorified

This song has spoken greatly to my heart in these last few months, and I hope it will speak to yours.

In times of economic crisis, job loss, food shortages, and struggles, particularly for a country that has (all too often) put its trust in the wallet and in the filling of the belly, a song like this is all the more necessary and well-suited. You may want to scroll down to my music box at the bottom of this screen and listen to the song as you read through the lyrics.


AS LONG AS YOU ARE GLORIFIED
~by Sovereign Grace

Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt

Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long

As You are glorified

Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry

You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night



"You know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." ~James 1:3-4

Tidal Table


Adrien Segal designed this beautiful table based on historic tide data in the San Francisco Bay.
(Am I allowed to ask how you'd actually set anything on it? )

via Information Aesthetics. (Thanks, Ben!)

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The New Traditional


The New Traditional, by Darryl Carter, caught my eye while browsing a local bookstore; I turned a couple of pages and was hooked! (Luckily my in-laws got me a copy for Christmas.) Since then I've seen a number of magazine articles featuring Carter's designs. He even has a line of furniture with Thomasville.


If you were a fan of the "minimalist steampunk" look I posited a while back, this book is for you. Carter takes traditional elements -- high quality floors, antiques, dark wood -- and combines them with light backgrounds and black accents for a traditional minimalist look.


All the magazines mention that Carter is a lawyer turned interior designer with little formal training; I suspect the analytical lawyer mind led to this highly disciplined look.

It looks deceptively easy, but this look requires a lot of careful editing and high quality pieces. I think it would be fun to find just the right set of pieces -- to make it steampunk, focus on Victorian or Gothic furniture (or reproductions), add in a handful of brass accessories, and make or splurge on a standout clock and lighting. I suspect this look could be adaptable to apartment neutrals. A key piece of the look is unadorned neutral upholstery; slipcovers could transform existing pieces. Paint would transform the walls (note: O at Home had the exact color Carter used on a house for them: Tackroom White WW10 by Ralph Lauren) For flooring, I keep picturing cream colored travertine, but a lower budget option could be wood look laminate flooring in a medium or dark tone.


None of Carter's houses have *any* color outside of his very neutral pallete, but you could soften and personalize the look with a small handful of accents -- pillows, rugs, a painting -- in a single color. (Dark reds or navy blues would set off the neutrals, but almost any color could work as long as you were diligent to keep everything either neutral or this color.)

The New Traditional, by Darryl Carter, at Amazon.
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