I am blessed with such a generous and talented sister!  After having the last theme for over a year, I thought it might be time to freshen things up a bit, and did she ever!  She was so gracious while I told her about what I wanted, and she created exactly what I had in mind.

You’ll find that I have a few new pages, a brand new subscribe button, and it’s all organized in beauty and simplicity.  I love the Provence palette and feminine feel.  Just my cup of tea.  Thank you, darling Emily Rose, for taking time out if your overwhelming schedule to make your sister such a lovely design!  I love you!

I’ve been reading J.R. Miller’s book The Family (formerly Home-making) and have been drinking in its beauty and wisdom. I highly recommend this book to every Christian who desires to bring honor to the Lord in their entire lives and learn how to better serve their families. This following quote is from the chapter, “The Parents’ Part.”

“But the true idea of a home is that it is a place for growth.  It is a place for the parents themselves to grow - to grow into beauty of character, to grow in refinement, in knowledge, in strength, in wisdom, in patience, gentleness, kindliness, and all the Christian graces and virtues. It is a place for children to grow - to  grow into physical vigor and health and to be trained in all that shall make them true and noble men and women.

“. . . A true home set up and all its life ordered for the definite purpose of preparing and sending out human lives fashioned into symmetry, filled with lofty impulses and aspirations, governed by principles of rectitude and honor and fitted to enter upon the duties and struggles of life with wisdom and strength.”

- J.R. Miller, The Family

The first painting in my series to donate to Rescue Haiti’s Children is titled,
“I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me.”

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5″x7″ Watercolor painting by Breezy Brookshire

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I was left in the rubble, forgotten by the dead,
Amid the stench and smoke, I laid broken and unfed.

You knew not my kindred or family of birth,
But redeemed eyes saw that our Creator gave us worth.

He led you by my dying cries and rushed to set me free.
Though I was but a stranger, you loved and welcomed me.

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(detail)

I will be posting pictures of the paintings here on my blog as each one is created.  Once I have completed all six they will be available to buy individually in my Etsy shop. To buy on Etsy, you will need an Etsy account and a PayPal account, both of which are very easy to set up.

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For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
I was naked and you clothed me,
I was sick and you visited me,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
- Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV)

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!

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I love my Daddy so much! I am so glad he’s my father, protector, and provider.

God has worked greatly in his life (rebel-turned-reformer), but I only know him as the kind, loving, and hard-working leader he is. He’s always been praying for his family, leading us in studying God’s Word, and made sure we were safe and protected from harm.

When we were little, Emily and I loved to dance with him as he held our hands and we stood on his feet.

In the summer we liked to go swimming at a local reservoir. When I was little, one of my favorite parts was when I got to hold onto his back as he swam. He’d tell me to hold my breath, we’re going under! and I’d squint my eyes, imagining I was riding on the back of a giant sea monster.

He’s even joined us in science projects like dissecting owl pellets and cow eyeballs!

And he’s taught us a great many different things, from walking on stilts and mowing the lawn, to studying God’s Word and praying to our Heavenly Father.

Thank you Daddy for being such a great father! Happy birthday, and may God continue to richly bless you in everything!

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But he’s a good little boy (most of the time) and likes his veggies.  Cucumbers.   Lettuce.   Cookies.  Root Beer.  .  .

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Our website is now open, and we have a blog on it as well! The Grand Opening sale ends on Saturday at midnight.

There’s also a give-away at Sarah Mae’s blog, which ends on Friday night. Hop on over to enter and tell her which one is your favorite!

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Our new home business’s website, Noble Rose Press, will be having a grand opening on October 7th, and we’ll be having an introductory special offer from October 7th-10th. Emily Rose has been working on setting up the site, so be sure to check out the sneak-peek. While you’re there, you can also click on our Facebook and Twitter links!

Everyone, thank you so much for being so supportive and encouraging throughout the journey! We hope you’ll enjoy the site, and the up-and-coming products!

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And the word of the Lord came to me and said,
“Jeremiah, what do you see?”
And I said, “I see an almond branch.”
Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.”
(In the ESV it says that “almond” sounds like “watching.” What a beautiful reminder of the Lord’s provision.)

-Jeremiah 1:11-12

Thus says the Lord, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

-Jeremiah 9:23-24

These verses have been holding me together this morning. I have a few butterflies: Emily and I have been invited to a meeting this afternoon to give our testimonies, and talk about home education, art and “our futures.” It begins around 12:00pm, and if you think of us, prayers are most welcomed.  :)

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Update (3:33pm): Thank you all for your support! Everything went really smooth and we were warmly received. The people were very kind and supportive, and we enjoyed visiting with them all. Thanks again for your payers - it was a blessing.  :)

Our unveiléd scheme is yet continuing. . .

Enshrouded lore for you still brewing…

But this, our clever, prolonged devising. . .

You’ll soon discover quite surprising!

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