November

Here are the things I finished from October's list. My excuse at the small number is traveling, but of course more than these actually got done ;)

1. Make headbands for fair

2. Finish new set of herb girl paintings for fair

6. Memorize Isaiah 58:10-12

9. Try making Tartelette chocolate tarts or pear cakes, or something from my French cookbook.

10. Have some special time with one of my well group girls

13. Finish 'note-stitches' for fair.

And November's goals.

1. Make a certain birthday gift.

2. Prepare majority of Christmas gifts.

3. Bake and cook for Thanksgiving

4. Plan Christmas tea

5. Send a Christmas package

6. Read the pile of articles in my room

7. Paint my hallway turquoise.

8. Work on quilts

9. Make autumn fabric bunting

10. Practice pipes. a lot.
11. Design, make and give out tea invitations
12. Get hair trimmed (in desperate need)
13. Have individual time with one of the well group girls

What are some of your priorities?
love,
Cait

glasses and their houses

These pictures have been inspiring me so much lately. Not that I have a kitchen to decorate or anything, but I love open shelving. I know the second one is from a store, but still! Can you get any more prettily cluttered? I'm no pack-rat but I love artful clutter. The last one is more simplistic and streamlined but still cute.

Here are some of the last things made in November. Another headband and my first try at a necklace, again prompted by some etsy or anthropologie examples.

Is anything influencing your creativity or plans lately?
For me, it's also this.

Love,
Cait

of fairs and frames

The Expat Woman fair yesterday made for a very long day. It went rather poorly; I had an out-of-the-way table and was unable to set up the way I wanted to. Though there were crowds of people, there was little interest. Quite a few women took a card and said they wanted to call about some custom things (but in the past I've never received follow-up on those!). I'm thinking about the two other November fairs, though I'd decided against them before. We'll see!

The current herb ladies - Rosemary, Ginger, Sage, and Coriander.
You'll be introduced to Ginger and Rosemary shortly :)

I used this antique painted frame (found at a thrift store for 1dhs!) to display the headbands. They are quite top-heavy so were constantly knocked over, but it looked nice. Only one sold but they were priced very reasonably (the same or less than mass produced ones from Accessorize) so I was a little surprised. More for gifts now =)

How was your weekend?

love,
Cait

Listen.

6.11.9

I arrived home to a lovely parcel and letters from Katie. She knows me so well :)
The flight to Texas was uneventful and traveling with our family friends was a joy. I was thoroughly amused by the children, especially when Faith told a stewardess that she was from Italy (I couldn't stop laughing, even to tell her to stop giving Faith chocolate). Having time before the flight home, I'll have you know that I walked through two terminals to find a Starbucks and get a peppermint mocha. We don't get the holiday drinks in Dubai! Thanks to lovely Mrs. Marques I had a pumpkin spice latte a few days earlier, on a long afternoon outing to the cafe :)

The week was so full in every way. In fact it was very laid back, but it was full of people and talking and new friendships. There were also surprises, and I got to spend some precious time with a dear friend I hadn't met it person yet. That was such an unexpected blessing (Like all of this)! At church some very old friends were also there and it was the most extreme kind of crazy happening that is only providence.
I was encouraged to see that there is no 'formula' for what young ladies at home do or should do, but there are still things I learned from them. Simply being with other girls was the most meaningful thing, having never had that total sense of complete fellowship.

What stood out to me at church was that very little did stand out. It was exceptional, rare, family integrated, but though I hadn't had the chance to see it before it felt so right that it wasn't unusual. The differences were not so radical, not so strange or difficult to see; it was simply Scriptural. Why does a literal understanding seem so hard to accept or apply? Even we are blinded.
I'm so thankful for this trip. Its encouragement, new fast friends, new challenges for myself.

It's lovely to be home though, and tomorrow is the fair!

with love,
Cait

with a real report to follow when sleep is found.

Lots of conversation, holding babies, and making food.

Fresh Sri Lankan curry cooking and family hospitality.

French press and Pumpkin Spice, with a lovely fall afternoon of friendship.

Vivaldi demonstrations and sweet Elena playing the weathered piano.

I am thankful.

love,
Cait

With A Pleasing Theme

As you read this (scheduled post ;) I am on a plane to Houston, Texas. I am traveling with a beloved family, and the occasion for the trip is this conference on family integrated churches. My motivation for the trip, however, and primary excitement, is meeting other girls who have made the purposeful decision to stay home after graduation. This was a relatively sudden plan, and I was incredulous when I realized I was actually going. It is such an unexpected, amazing blessing. He is able to do far more abundantly than we ask or think! (Eph. 3:20) This has been seen in the traveling, new friendships, who I will stay with, and even more events in the past few weeks. I am stunned!

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme
I address my verses to the King.
Psalm 45:1

There is a pile of headbands made for the craft show, and several herb girls completed (Rosemary and Ginger). Everything else will be leftovers from the last fair, or last minute frenzies of preparation when I get home. After some thought, I think I have a cute way to display the headbands even though I sadly don't own a mannequin of any sort! You know what I was tempted to pack? My stapler! Of all things - but I am wanting to art journal again. And after all, office supplies are suddenly chic. I don't know where that came from, but ever since summer, masking tape and staples are going alongside lace and roses in my inspiration!

Love,
Cait

Lovely Package : On the recieving end

You can only imagine my delight upon seeing this pretty bundle under my dad's arm, knowing it could only be the 'lovely package' from Christine. Long-awaited and resent from Germany, this was the culmination of the package exchange as Christine received mine a few weeks ago. Everything in pink and orange, the colours and wrapping were of course beautiful, and everything was styled with Christine's clear, natural photography. The box opened to an accordion-style card with tiny polaroids.

There was a fun mix CD with a gorgeous cover, antique stationary, a handmade notebook, and decorated mini moleskins. A parcel of autumn flower pictures offered to substitute for fall in the desert.

French biscuits, homemade organic German cookies, boxes of matches decorated with vibrant pictures (because she knows I burn a lot of candles), all tightly packed together, and pungent incense fragranced the entire box. A necklace found in her term in the Canary Islands completed an international selection.

To crown it all, a block of four mounted flower portraits stood solidly in the bottom. Chris had made wall hangings of her photos, and they are stunning.
Everything was tastefully chosen and arranged, handmade, or designed. It was a cheerful theme and such a fun gift to open; like a little Christmas! This was a perfect artistic endeavor and seems to have been a blessing to both of us. If you have the chance to do a package exchange (particularly with other art bloggers), seize the chance!

Love,

Cait

P.S. Sunny enjoyed the paper.

Neither Degree nor Diamond

Lately when people ask 'what I'm doing here' (kindly, of course, if not a bit confused), they've given some interesting responses. Maybe the ideas are logical, but I found them funny.

Firstly, when I explained my vision of staying home, and desire to purposefully prepare for womanhood, wifehood, and motherhood, at least three people in the past few weeks have exclaimed, "Oh, so you're engaged then?"
And upon hearing the negative, say, 'Well, I could understand these ideas if you had a boyfriend or something, but really, how can you know that you'll get married?'


Scenario number two:
Many friends ask why I don't go get a degree if I want to homeschool my own children. Even girls who semi-agree with me say, 'What if someday it's illegal in America to homeschool without having a teaching degree?'

These are valid ideas or arguments, but they don't really mesh with my primary convictions on staying home or not pursuing a degree.
While I don't think there is anything wrong with further formal education (though I would do this from home), I do have a problem with getting a teaching certificate 'just in case' so I can teach my future children.

You see - a government with a law like that is not one I am willing to submit to. It is statist and unconstitutional. I would go against it despite the cost - or move. In addition, I know a teaching degree statistically does not improve homeschooling. However, the bottom line in this issue is that it is a tangible way for me to trust the sovereignty of God. I know that He is able to protect and guide, and His laws are higher than man-made ones - even ones which would seek to prevent parents from their God-ordained role of discipling their kids.

Likewise the boyfriend issue. While I'm not planning a wedding, I do know that God will use this time of preparation, and that even now I have been so blessed in learning at home. In His timing and sovereignty He may bring a husband - which is normative - but even if not, He is faithful and I don't have to go the world's route.

This is a bit longer and heavier than my usual crafty posts. But I hope it helps you understand where I'm coming from...or even made you laugh at the ideas I thought were funny in their own way.

In other news, I made this Mud Cake Magnifique invented in honor of NieNie by Conversations with a Cupcake. It turned out perfectly and looked just like the pictures (sorry the lighting on these is so terrible). I was thrilled - and even more happy that our guests enjoyed it.

love,

Cait

Hazardous

The conference this weekend with D.A. Carson was wonderful. I appreciated his constant reference to hymns and poetry, particularly this poem by E.B. Browning. Jesus was forsaken on the cross so no other would ever be forsaken - his cry was echoless.

Yea, once, Immanuel’s orphaned cry his universe hath shaken--

It went up single, echoless, “My God, I am forsaken!”

It went up from the Holy’s lips amid his lost creation,

That, of the lost, no son should use those words of desolation!

It was a crazy busy weekend of the conference, meetings, babies, lovely fellowship, and little sleep. Today is quiet. Painting waits but I may ignore it today.

A little boy told me on Friday, 'We boys are not cuddlish. We are hazardous.'

Whatever you say darling. But I'm going to kiss your chubby cheek anyway.

Not from the new EP, but here's some luscious forthcoming Eisley.

love,

Cait

Fire Kite

I'm listening to Eisley's new e.p. and you should get it too. (Ambulence may break your heart though. But at least get that and The Valley)

And I've been painting - and thinking
- ugh, I have no technique, no skill there. It's all wishes.


I'm making a list of herbs and spices for more girls waiting to be made. Some of my new favorites are Bergamot, Calendula, Aprica, and Calamintha. They will make lovely pictures.
Last week I deleted facebook (and a few weeks before ended my brief round with tumblr). Time is too precious, now and always. Facebook is handy, tumblr inspiring, but right now it's not what I need for distraction.
This is a busy time. Always, but the ret of October is filled with guests, serving, preparation, a conference (D.A. Carson in Dubai!), and then a flight out to Texas. So exciting; but possibly overwhelming too!
Do hold on to time. 'look carefully then how you walk.'

with love,
Cait