Lewis Carrol and Special Gifts

Twas brillig and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe
All mimsy were the borogoves
And the mome raths outgrabe.


This is an Alice in Wonderland/Jabberwocky shadowbox, because I love both stories.
Sorry for the photo quality, the lighting is terrible.

You have already seen the turqoise painting, but I did its mushroom sister a few days ago.
They can't really be considered proper paintings, but were fun!

And Daddy's Christmas present, this painting representing the claddagh rings he gave my sister and I, which we wear as purity/promise rings, but I replaced the crown of a claddagh with a light.



love,
cait

revisiting Blythe

I've been again tagged, by Blue Ring this time, for the random picture - and this is the one it turned out to be. Some of you have already seen it - my Anne of Green Gables according to Blythe entry for the TIB heroes contest earlier in the year. So, in return I tag anyone who has not yet done it! And let me know :)

Has anyone seen this? I highly recommend it.
Wives and Daughters - one of my most exciting Christmas gifts!
In my opinion it rivals even Pride and Prejudice, which is saying a lot for me!


I have lately done a lot of painting (some for Christmas) and so a post about those is forthcoming!
How was your Christmas? Do tell! Ours was quiet and pleasant, with cinnamon rolls, fondu, family, rejoicing and warm weather.


with love,
Cait

this eve of Christmas

I'm sitting in the dark in my room, on the floor with light streaming

through my bright curtains, making colourful shadows.
And tomorrow is Christmas.

That's rather surreal, in the desert.

And I came to a kind surprise; this undeserved tag from BlueRing.
"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming.These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement!Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut,even more friendships are propagated.Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award."

How sweet! I am thankful for all of you and your encouragement and friendship...for sharing your creativity and words. Many have already received this award and many deserve it, but here I pass it on to -

Milkberry, though busy, has always been friendly and involved, as well as having a cute blog.
A Fairytale Unlike Any Other, definitely putting forth the effort to be more than a passive blogger, making friends and people feel welcome!
Blue Ring, who has already received it, but just a reminder, you are such a dear! However new a friend.
the tea drinking english rose, again, has deservedly received this but is the most inspirational bringer of sweetness in her writing.
Rosie Posie Rosie, likewise delightful to read and hear from.
She Loves the Radio, my Dutch friend, with lovely fashion sense!

Now I'm off to watch White Christmas with my little sister.
Merry Christmas to you; as this joyful season we remember the incarnation of all that is fully God into Christ's amazing birth for us!

to all a good night -

love,
cait

come to Christmas high tea with me...

The Christmas tea is past and enjoyed, and we had a lovely afternoon.
A few stayed afterward to watch a film called 'Return of the Daughters.,' which I highly recommend.
We had fun talking, laughing, drinking tea and wassail, and having all the pink Christmas cakes.

And the crowning centerpiece, the sculpted rose chocolate cake.
I am pleased with how it turned out and will probably do a post on its making eventually!

The lovely Rosie Posie Rosie tagged me for this :

1. Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.

2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag 4 people to do the same!

So here is my photograph;

It is Sherri Dupree, from Eisley, one of my favourite bands. She also is one of my favourite artists and photographers - her self portraits are quirky, creative, and beautiful. And she shares my love of Alice in Wonderland and Disney!

So now I tag -

Kyleigh, my sister - Drum of a Different Beat

Anna, my friend - Barefoot Arrowsong

Stacey, kind Dubai crafter - Stacey Dot Dot

Krystal, highland meeting, if she is still blogging - Be What You Mean

What gifts are you most looking forward to giving? Did you make or buy most of them this year?

love,
Cait

home and busy

well, I am home in Dubai until January 3rd. The week was exhausting but rewarding.

I can't post photos of the children, but trust me, they are darling!

While in Oman I was able to get a little crafting done in my spare time, including a Christmas card, gift for my little sister, and a painting/collage.

today I am baking up a storm for the Christmas tea (tomorrow) and we are having some dear family friends over tonight. Last night I was reunited with Cathy, who is home for Christmas from Northern Ireland at university. Four of us friends met for coffee and had an amazing time of fellowship and girly talk.

Three days
until Christmas! Doesn't it seem strange?
I'm going to stay up late painting under the Christmas tree tonight.

love, cait

Burka

This morning I went with my host to about 5 other ladies' houses for breakfast, which they do every morning. There was bread, fruit, dates, and coffee at each house, and of course many elderly women in burkas. It felt like I was in Freej, the Emirati show!

In my spare time I do my own school work!

The mountains are breathtaking, especially at sunset with the clouds.

How are you all doing?

Love,

Cait

tomorrow away

I apologize for my growing absence and lack of artful news and photos. Tomorrow morning I leave for the first week with the children, and tonight is our second night of the church Christmas program.

So, a short post, and a tag from the kind Blue Ring.

- six things that make me happy -


. stimulating, encouraging, and challenging conversations and friendships

. planning a Christmas tea with pink roses.

. the shining sky blue decorations for the Christmas program.

. Josh Groban singing O Holy Night.

. Good Earth tea

. painting for my family.

[photo from unknown source]

whirlwind

there is a great deal more on my mind than crafting, but I have been busily making tea invitations, finishing Christmas presents, and making birthday cards for friends.
it has been crazy here, and there is so much to do to prepare for the next few weeks!

How are you all?
I'm off to finish homework and some secrets in the making.



I leave you with this beautiful jazz piece sung by Sara Gazarec. Watching her sing is delightful.
love, cait

tea plotting

Good evening!

We just put up the Christmas tree. I love standing and just looking at it,
or doing schoolwork nearby. We've always used tiny coloured lights and a conglomeration of collected ornaments and I can't imagine it any other way.
Speaking of ornaments, I just made a ton for an elaborate Christmas tea I am planning for when I get back from my first week with the children. I've wanted to do a crazily formal and special Christmas extravaganza for the girls from our church for quite awhile.

in real life they are very sparkly, tiny, and creamy looking. I am having an enormous amount of fun planning this occasion, and it will include more baking than I've ever done at once, and lots of decorating and pink and white and silver Christmas themes.
it will be beautiful and very old fashioned
and fun and everyone will have to dress up as much as possible.

and now studying and bed! It's been a very tiring weekend.
love,
Cait

happy Thanksgiving

happy Thanksgiving darlings.

we have just finished our Thanksgiving dinner. soon more people will arrive and I will meet the family whose children I will be nannying throughout parts of December and January. I am apprehensive but very excited!
There are so many things I am thankful for. my Lord. family. parents that guide and teach and mold. the desert. the beauty of music and art. Sunny. talents. my incredible life and opportunities we have had. all the places we've been. All the dearhearts and friends in my world.
for the future that awaits.

and also for all of you who read this. you are all sweet and
your encouragement to my art and the enjoyment of blogging is very kind.

love, cait

I wasn't planning on making a post of this.

- because I first thought my answers simple and short.

I was thinking of comforts, as mentioned by the darling Tea Drinking English Rose.
Upon further thought, there are a lot of things I find comforting when sad or upset, which is something to be thankful for!

Firstly, having a good cry definitely helps if it is truly needed. In America I used to go for a walk if upset, but here it is too dusty or hot.

Listening to music like Josh Groban or the Fleet Foxes is soothing.


Sometimes writing...or emailing a close friend.

Cooking.

Tea or chocolate. Sad but true =]

hugs. they always have such a comforting effect.

this verse.

He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be discouraged
till he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his law.
Isaiah 42:2-4

what comforts you?

pink & ornaments

hello darlings!
as I write this the smell of baking sugar cookies is floating into the room. it is so pleasant!
I was rather frightened this morning as I woke up with a horrible sore throat and I am singing at a little Christmas concert tomorrow night. thankfully I feel alright now, and just hope I am able to keep my throat clear and warm until then.

now, here are some Christmas ornaments I've painted for a little bazaar on Saturday.
this year I'm into the light, white-and-pink, airy Christmas look as well as the warm, dark colours.

love,
cait

for the love of Nie

this is a woman who has inspired me more than anything else about taking joy in life. stephanie nielson, who wrote theNieNieDialogues is a wife, mother, and blogger who loves her husband and four adorable children so much it spills out in enormous beautiful quantities into her pictures and words. accomplished and lovely self portrait taker, collecter of cake stands, painter of silhouettes, creative and ecclectic decorator, she is all this and more. every other post is a love letter to her husband.

this is what I want my life to be like.

raising children (lots!) to find beauty in everything - and find it myself. cook, live colourfully, enjoy pretty skirts and yellow shoes, paint, use organic lotion, make surprises, let the world know that my husband is the best thing that God has given me (when I have one =)) and that children are a reward.

right now Nie Nie and her husband are recovering from severe burning after a plane crash. the flight instructor died and Stephanie and Christian were left with burned bodies. thinking about it makes me want to cry; because someone so beautiful and inspiring and loving will spend the rest of her life recovering, dealing with pain and limits and time and difference. But so many people have been encouraged and amazed by her and that will not change. She's still the same person and though things will be vastly different for her and her family, her joyful and creative spirit can hardly be overcome.

Her children are living with her sisters now and I am hoping to be able to make them some surprises to send. There are many ways to donate to the Nielsons for their continued treatment and family, through her blog or etsy.
truly, Nie's blog is eye opening. even if being a mother isn't your goal in life, the approach to life is still the same. I want to give the way she does. All the fairytales that she lived out and gave to others. Now we are the ones to help and pray for her.

this, my friends, is what it's all about.