Saturday night, about 10pm

I’m sitting here late in the evening wrapping up a day’s work, serenaded by quiet yet heart-swelling music. Wearing a scarf of deep purple (a new favorite color), I feel rather writerly. I’ve always wanted to be a writer or musician. Throughout my young life I’ve wanted to be many things (architect, actress, cartoonist, animal rescuer, etc.). But the enthrallment with words and music has been there the whole time.

I’ve loved doodling all my life, but every now and then a transitory hope would rise in my heart that indeed, I had it in me to become the next sonnet-writing Shakespeare, the piano-trilling protege of renown. Hours of an afternoon would be spent deep in thought, daydreaming about my myriad ideas and all the possibilities. But somehow the conqueror spirit would leave me discouraged and the scrawled-on pages lost and forgotten.

It’s been a trouble for me, this bog of discontentment I sometimes find myself in. The Sovereign of the universe saw it fitting that He give me a particular gift, and I’ve spent countless hours wishing I had another.

A while back a saw this clip of Maurice Sendak (a famous children’s book illustrator) talk about what it means to be an illustrator: it has given definition to my frustration. Notice what he says 0:53 seconds into the clip. I remind myself of this anytime I feel discouraged about not being a writer:

(Please excuse the momentary curse—to avoid it, mute it from 2:01 to 2:05.)

So that’s what its been! “An illustrator . . . is someone who so falls in love with writing, that the closest he can get to it is illustrating it.”

I’m still slowly learning the how’s and why’s of using art to glorify my King, but it all begins with a thankful heart, praising the One who chose to give the gift.

I write poetry.  Occasionally.

And I can’t wait to go to the beach.

Poem Copyright © Breezy Brookshire 2010

“In today’s culture, the homemaker is seen as unnecessary, uneducated, and unfulfilled.  But as a counter-cultural daughter, I refuse to believe this lie and have chosen to stay at home and prepare for the wonderful life God has called me to. . . .”

Continue reading over at Raising Homemakers.

This is my little sister, Emily Rose. Isn’t she a cutie?

Today is her 17th birthday, and I would like to share with you some pictures of her!

The first picture was taken in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, at the Portsmouth Light House. It was one of the most memorable vacations, even though Emily and I were ages 4 and 6. We traveled along the northern coast and saw lots of light houses, swam in the ocean, and even visited a castle perched on a mountain encircled with clouds. (At least that’s how I remember it.)

In the summer we would make daisy chains together. In this picture we had just finished our first fishing trip at one of the ponds. Emily was always much braver at baiting the hooks than I was!

Emily and Daddy . . . We had been in our enormous yard playing “gymnastics.” (Or was it ballet?) We did that a lot, Emily and I. Jump on mattresses, leap through the air, try to twirl in the grass, and tumble around till we were breathless. I guess I’m kinda glad we grew out of that, but don’t you miss those days, Emily?

The Lovely young Princess Emily Rose, Empress of HTML, and Chatelaine of Domestic Cheerfulness!

And this has to be one of my favorites - Emily posing in front of Granny’s puma grass, with a crown of daisies atop her head. That day I remember we had a family get-together, and we ate lots of watermelon.

Would you bless Emily with a birthday  greeting? Click here to leave her a comment. Thanks!

Happy Birthday, Emily! I love you!

.:. .:. .:.

In John 1:35-37, John the Baptist has just watched Jesus walk past him. John says to two of his disciples, “Behold the Lamb of God!” the One whom John has been preaching about throughout his whole ministry.

This moment is what John the Baptist has been preparing his disciples for. Andrew and, mostly likely, John (who never identifies himself in the book of John), recognize Jesus as the Messiah and, leaving John the Baptist, follow the Son of God.

“Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What are you seeking?’ And they said to Him, ‘Rabbi, . . . where are you staying?’” -John 1:38 (ESV)

Notice that Jesus doesn’t audibly assume they are following Him by asking Whom are you seeking, but what are you seeking. In this morning’s sermon, Pastor Jeff said, “All men, by nature, are seekers. Jesus reveals this in His question.” Men (and women) seek all kinds of things - status, image, money, entertainment, power, etc.

But Andrew and John answer with another question that reveals that they not only are seeking Jesus, but want to pursue a relationship with the Son of God. “Teacher, where do you live?” implies that the one who seeks to learn wants to be near the teacher, around him as often as he can be, to spend time with Him.

In verse 39, we find that it is about 10:00 in the morning, and Andrew and John spend the whole day with Jesus.

Do I seek to spend my whole days with Jesus, or just the mornings? How about you - Is your relationship with Jesus at the top of your list?

.:. .:. .:.

Okay, so y’all probably knew long before I did that knitting cables generally doesn’t take five needles. Saturday evening I finished my first cross-over.

Here it is (snickers):

Saturday night I decided I really needed help. I looked on YouTube and found some very helpful videos I’d like to share with you.

How to Knit : How to Knit a Cable Stitch - All this time I thought learning how to cable was for the knitting elite. Good grief. :)

This is a real cable:

For those who would like to see a lovely post in pictures on how to cable, The Purl Bee has a lovely post. (Scroll down aways.)

Here are some more helpful videos:

How to Knit Basics - The Cable Cast on Method

How to Knit Basics - Rib Cable Cast on Method

Continental Knitting Stitches : How to Knit Cable Stitches

And for Sara, the I-Chord: so über-easy, I can’t believe it! Did anyone ever “Cork” to make these?

And here is my latest knitting project-in-the-works:

.:. .:. .:.

The Studio is coming along nicely with only a few more things to finish up.  Dad has sealed the windows off with plastic to keep out the winter drafts, and I’ve added two more lamps to my collection for extra light.

I’d like to replace the lace curtains if I can find a good bargain on at least 32 yards of fabric (just kidding).  And I need a thingy to cover the light bulbs dangling from the ceiling.  I originally wanted an Italian Tole chandelier, but I can’t find anything less than hundreds of dollars, so I’ve settled on something much more simple.

In the bottom right corner you can see that one of the bookshelves was painted, where I keep more of my books.  I have yet to figure out a better way to store my knitting and sewing supplies, but they can stay under the table as long as they need to.

And here is one of my new favorite spots in the house.  On the opposite side of the room from my table is a comfy chair and stand.  The old easel stored behind the table and chair is for purely compositional and aesthetic reasons, but the little table and chair are just right for my daily quiet time.

This room has been such a blessing to work in.  A northern window, beautiful antique wood trim and floor, and a large table . . . sigh.  Thank you Lord!

It was Tuesday night, September 8, approximately 9:03 pm.

Emily, Maggie and I, along with our parents were walking down the campsite road to a large open space away from the trees.  We had been told by a friendly camping neighbor that we would be able to see the ISS and the Discovery in the night sky at 9:14 pm. But at 9:07, I saw the first one.  It was the tiniest pinprick of a shimmer, sliding in and out of our sight.  The second soon followed, and then they were lost.

On our way back the campsite, we stopped in the ladies’ room.  But just as we were exiting, Aunt Lou came running to tell us that now we could really see them.  We all rushed back out into the darkness, hoping for one last peek.

Apparently, what I naïvely pointed out to my family were either some minor satellites or jets.  But now at 9:14, there they really were.  Two stately, shining orbs were about a hand’s span apart.  Both were like Venus, only larger and more brilliant, and swiftly slipped across the sea of stars.  It nearly took my breathe away to experience such a celestial event.

Tonight, Dad, Mom and I waited in our backyard around 9:40 to see if we could spy it once more.  Again, they were there, but fainter and farther apart.

Jesus, thank You for creating such a fascinating universe for us so that we can admire your splendor and creativity.  And thank You for granting mankind the ability to explore the nearest heavens.

(Find out if you’ll be able to see them within the next few days by clicking here.)

Last Tuesday was the big day. We had completely finished the paper dolls, read and re-read everything, and then kissed it goodbye. As we uploaded them to the printer’s website, I cranked up Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus (a favorite).

Every step of the way God was teaching me to lean on Him. Learned to trust. Trust Him for strength. . . endurance. . . inspiration. . . His timing. When I felt I was running dry, I only had to ask and He filled me up.

His sovereignty and timing is so perfect. Once or twice someone forgot an important email had come. A date on the calendar would approach, anxiety would set in. And then we realized all was in place and we had everything we needed. It was one step at a time, trusting Him with the process, the results, trusting Him to provide what we didn’t know we needed.

He is always faithful. Always has been and always will be. And through something as seemingly insignificant as a new series of paper dolls, He’s showing me how beautiful it is to let go and really trust.

You hear the word a lot, don’t you? “Random this, random that…” It’s so fun to read “one million random things” about online friends, and randomly search the web. And it so aptly expresses our inner feelings and spurts of humor, that it’s used almost mindlessly.

But then, that shouldn’t be such a surprise, should it? “Random” means mindless, unintentional, unproductive, unchecked; without direction, order, or purpose. Being random is pretty meaningless and empty.

In contrast, we as Christians have hope, purpose and direction. God created each of us with a plan, bought us with a price, and has given us His word to follow. Instead of promoting the “over millions of years through random processes” view of life, we need to be good and faithful servants with the short time we’re given.

Resist the urge to be less than you were created to be. Live with purpose.