in company with sparkles.

2011-01-11T09:06:00.004+04:00

With a young year and a young marriage, it seemed like a good time to begin a new blog.
It will explain a little bit more at

What Kady Did

Enjoy! Thank you for reading and I love you all :)
I'm glad to have friends in person and over the screen who are welcoming and read this.
Keep in touch!

Love,
Cait

we got married 'last year'

2011-01-04T14:45:00.000+04:00

The day before Christmas Eve, Joel and I went to the Dubai Mall (one of my favorites - here there are so many malls that you have to have a favorite) to our favorite restaurant (Vapiano). Many of our gifts were stuck in America with a friend because of the backed up flights through England, and Joel wanted to do some Christmas shopping. I hid in the enormous bookstore while he ran his errands. We jumped at the sight of a beautiful old perfume boutique called Penhaligon, an English company from the 1870s. Since becoming interested in the scent industry and knowing more about it, it was fun to look at the beautiful old style bottles and smell half their products.
On Christmas Eve our newlywed friends came over for lunch after church. Chris and Nicky were a blessing at our wedding and we were able to do the music at theirs in November. Since becoming engaged in the same week, we've made better and better friends.
Joel and I had a quiet Christmas Eve dinner by ourselves.
The morning was slow and relaxed and lovely, an absolutely perfect first Christmas together. And lo and behold, there was my favorite Penhaligon scent from two days before! The night before I'd put together a chocolate-laden breakfast cake, a tradition in my mom's family; and let it rise and bake in the morning.

In the afternoon we drove over to my family's house, bearing gifts and prepared for fondu. My parents thoroughly spoiled us with a coffee machine and grinder (I cracked our French press and it's not very practical for company).

My youngest sister, Candace, got to pick out a hamster, and when we arrived we heard the tale of buying Duffy, who was discovered on the ride home to only have three legs! They decided to keep him after realizing how hilarious his habits were, and he is completely healthy. Candace is enamored, of course.
Happy New Year to all :)
Joel and I have been so blessed in the past year, as you can see in the previous post. It's an exciting (though always unexpected) prospect to see what else will have grown and changed by next Christmas. You can probably guess one of our wishes, but we're treasuring every day at a time :)

In the next week we have a little surprise for you!

love,
Cait

two thousand ten

2010-12-30T09:04:00.003+04:00

Since 2010 was the biggest and most eventful year of my life so far, it makes sense to look back on it thoughtfully, though I haven't done so very concretely yet. It was very, very full, as every year is, with most blessed events added in.
It began happily, already in a courtship with Joel and him being there for Christmas and New Years. We saw the midnight fireworks from a friend's rooftop, and later cooked a fancy dinner together for two well-loved visiting couples.

In March my family traveled to see dear, old friends in Lebanon.

April 19th Joel took me on the SeaWings flight and we were engaged. Oh happy day!

In the summer I went on one more layover with my dad, to Prague in the Czech Republic. We stood on Charles Bridge and a watercolor of the skyline hangs above me now.

Life began a whirlwind of wedding planning, preparation, making, organizing, deciding. I saw my dream gown unfold and we did premarital counseling with our pastor.

My family traveled to the US for August, and Joel unexpectedly was unable to travel so we were separated for 6 weeks. Lovely showers were given in Michigan and Washington, with family time, errands, and visiting.

September was far too busy and fast and simultaneously dragged on forever until the 25th. Arielle stayed for three weeks and was a joy and a help, along with Kyleigh. Family arrived and we rehearsed.

The day of our wedding, the beginning of all the rest. I couldn't say enough.

Honeymoon to (surprise!) St. Petersburg, Russia.

Hosting our first Thanksgiving in our own home :)

Joel's 22nd birthday :)

Our very first Christmas together!

We had a lovely New Year's Eve with the same couples we cooked for last January, this time in our own home and with a new addition and with one of the couples engaged. Yay! It was lovely. We experienced one of my very favorite parts about living in Dubai - standing on the beach at midnight and watching beautiful fireworks by the Burj al Arab.

God bless you, and happy January :)

much love,
Cait

2010-12-27T08:53:00.002+04:00

These ornaments were part of an attempt to fill our tree and to have extra gifts for people. I wish I'd brought more foam balls back from the US this summer!
Joel and I had the most perfect first Christmas, and a lovely afternoon with my family and my sister's new three legged hamster.

Christmas day was also three months to the day since our wedding.
Look at my sister's blog for a peek :)

Love,
Cait

2010-12-19T08:38:00.002+04:00

I want to share some real little peeks into our flat soon, but these pictures were taken by my sister Kyleigh on my family's first dinner with us. I love our house so much :) we are very thankful to have such a comfortable place! (Though I was telling my friend Hannah last night, if we ever live in another apartment again I want to be as close to the ground floor as possible, even though we'd forgo the pretty city lights at night. That's a story for another day!) By the way, that beautiful crocheted afghan was a wedding gift from Kyleigh that we found when we returned from St. Petersburg. Everyone would have been amazed if she'd unveiled it at the shower, but she quietly put it on our couch. We use it every day!

Six days until Christmas, and I hope to find the last of Joel's gifts before grocery shopping today, apart from perhaps some homemade ones :) For two days this week we will stay with my siblings in my old house (it always feels strange to say 'my family's house' and not 'our house') while my mom flies with dad. I'm looking forward to the special time with my siblings, and maybe we will make ice cream (another soon-post!).

Do you have any advent traditions?

Love,
Cait

our first thanksgiving

2010-12-16T08:39:00.003+04:00

The Saturday after Thanksgiving Joel and I hosted our very own first Thanksgiving. I loved the busy day in the kitchen, and it didn't seem hard to get everything together. We invited some good friends from Russia with their new baby Bogdan (the star, see above ;) and new Kazakh friends. They seemed to enjoy all the dishes and had never had a thanksgiving before so if something had gone wrong, no one would have guessed! I said it before, but this really made our house feel cozy and homelike. It already was to the two of us, but that feeling simply quadrupled with a full room.

We learned about Russian New Year salad, Kazakh food and horse meat (they promised to invite us over but I might have to play sick), Grandpa Frost, and other traditions, as well as exchanging stories and reading together.
We had our Christmas tree up, and Yelena made the lights flash to entertain Bogdan.
Joel and I were so happy.

Love,
Cait

2010-12-12T10:57:00.002+04:00

this is my husband (I love saying that), singing me a silly song off the top of his head and being the rockstar that he is.

we can't believe Christmas is so soon! I still need some more ideas for Joel - it's hard; and he just had a birthday too!

How are you choosing, buying, making, and wrapping gifts this year?

2010-11-28T10:57:00.002+04:00

It is difficult to pick up where you left off, or to write an emailed reply, when there has been a gap of time or life has moved and changes considerably. I'm been content not to be on here (and regrettably neglecting emails) and so much has happened.
Little special days - one month of marriage, one year since our courtship (november 12th), two years since our meeting (november 21st), two months of marriage. We bought a table, hung pictures, bought a Christmas tree (and put it up).
We had our first married Thanksgiving with my parents, and last night had our first Thanksgiving in our own home. Denis, Zhanara, Marat, Yelena, and baby Bogdan came over for their first Thanksgiving ever. I had a lovely time making everything! (Though two little chickens substituted the turkey, since one wouldn't fit in our tiny, pretty oven) We've had guests before but it was amazing to see our table almost full, and to feel our house homey and warm. And one told me, "I like your house, I feel comfortable here." That is what we want, and what its goal is. Warm, comfortable, inviting, something that says home (and is also very colorful). And lots of talking (which also happened).
I love grocery shopping. And cooking, baking, making ice cream, curtains, keeping the cat happy. We got fish (tentatively named Miss Scarlet and Mrs. Peacock) and they need protecting.
These pictures are from our first morning in our apartment, after coming home from Russia. Boxes for tables and boxes everywhere :) It was very happy. And then reading cards a few days later, after going to my family's house (with it not being my home) for the first time to open gifts.

Have a lovely day; I'm going to get to the Thanksgiving dishes. See you sooner again!
Love,
Cait

2010-10-18T09:24:00.004+04:00

dear friends,

we have been happily married for over three weeks, and home from St. Petersburg for nearly two.

Russia (Joel told me in the taxi on the way to the airport) was beautiful, and we loved it.
We saw the Kirov do Swan Lake at their Marinsky theatre, and it was Joel's first ballet (perfectly fitting that it would be the best company and ballet in the world, and on our honeymoon :).
The food was delicious, the air cold; love blissful.

Our eight days there were marvelous, but it was thrilling to come back to our home, and life here has been peaceful and joyous. (We've declared the year our honeymoon, even though Joel is back at work)

The wedding was perfect, and we were amazed. All thanks to God who ordained it, and the myriads of loving, skillful people who ran it!

More soon; love,
Cait Kady :) :) :)

would you like to watch our wedding?

2010-09-22T15:44:00.007+04:00

We've been talking about this for awhile (ever since this couple did it), and are very pleased to actually be able to live-stream the wedding for our family and dear friends across the world.

Our church administrator is going to do it on his iPhone, and you can view it from right here (on the right panel)!! On Saturday the 25th, you can come to my blog and watch the ceremony. The video is located in the sidebar to the right. The official invitation time is 3:45pm, and we certainly intend to start before 4 pm. Dubai local time is GMT+4. So plan to join us at 7:45 am EDT (Michigan!), 4:45 am PDT (Seattle!) or whatever your local time works out to be!

If this video does not work (realize it won't start until the wedding does), you can go to this link [http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kady-wedding-dubai] once the wedding has begun, and watch from there.

We hope this is a blessing to the family and friends far away :)

Much love,
Cait
P.S. Three days!

seven tiny days until wifehood

2010-09-18T13:45:00.003+04:00

Only a week left, and all the planning and preparation and work will be over. It will be such a relief to just be married, to each other, and able to rest. We are so ready, and looking forward also to having a settled home and no more long drives to each other or talking about details.
I want to seize quiet this week, and time with my family that has trickled away unknowingly.

We are so happy, and thankful, but it is easy to get overwhelmed and I need consistent dependence on God, and joy (which is bubbling up inside but needs help coming out!).

Much love,
Cait

2010-08-24T09:03:00.004+04:00

We are back in Enumclaw after a big-family weekend in Seabrook, and seeing an old friend in Sequim on the way home. More about the lovely Pacific Beach soon, but here are two more Michigan snippets - Aubrey's amazing cat, the fat and friendly Fezzik - and my kindred spirit Sara, with bubbly, cheery Raya. The two had never met before but after a sweet shower that Sara had for me, we got to spend some time with Raya, the first female (Christian!) piper to join Cabar Feidh after I did :) We hadn't seen each other since I moved four years ago, so it was good to catch up.
I could never say enough about the blessing that dear friends have been in these past few weeks, especially in their celebrating with Joel and I (even though they haven't met him yet). It's been overwhelming!

Love, Cait

P.S. the counters are safely replaced, but here is more of the sharpie spree:
(I'm making it sound like a big deal but really it was just something silly to keep all the cousins excitedly occupied during one of our big barbeques at Grandma's)

P.P.S. I finally bought this song on iTunes :)
P.P.P.S. Five weeks gone and one more until I see Joel again!

these are some goings-on

2010-08-19T09:14:00.003+04:00

Local lavender has been dried for shower-favor sachets. It smelled beautiful through the window.

My fantastic cousin Hannah. I wish you could all meet her, really.

Said amazing cousin suggested that we color our grandparents' counter with sharpies since they were getting it torn out (it's now a gorgeous granite). They agreed and the little cousins enthusiastically obliged!

Sister.

We just returned from a full, too-busy time in Michigan. It was lovely to see old friends again, and I was so blessed by them. It was simply a little too hectic. I will write more about the lovely parts soon :)

How is your August so far? It feels like it's flying by in some ways and dragging on in others!

love, Cait

a traditional stack

2010-08-12T10:10:00.000+04:00

finally - this big stack of state-side invitations addressed, filled, stamped, sealed, and ready to mail. And I even have a couple blisters to show for the sealing :) It was a fun job and I was amazed at how fast everything went, especially writing all the addresses and return addresses out. I love the seal; we used it on top of the wrapped baker's twine for the invitations to be handed out, and on the back of the mailed envelopes. It was a natural black resin I found on ebay, and we used a beautiful tree seal that belonged to my great-grandmother. The resin didn't have a wick running through it, so I had to use a flame lighter to melt and drip it.

I would have more pictures of finishing them up but Kyleigh took them while I was singing along to an opera song, so they aren't too attractive ;)

love,
Cait

Rainier

2010-08-07T03:40:00.001+04:00

Last week I went on the longest hike I've ever been on, with Joel's adorable sister, sweet mom, and younger brother and brother's girlfriend Heather. It was near Mount Rainier, and we encountered a lot of wet and slippery snow-covered paths! We saw plenteous birds, gophers (up close! I wanted to cuddle them), elk, deer, and even a mother bear with her cubs, from a distance!

It was fantastic, and I couldn't believe how close to the mountain we were, but made me miss Joel really bad.

IloveWashingtonbutnotwhenJoel'snothere,
Cait

twenty-four and forty-nine

2010-08-07T02:46:00.003+04:00

It has been a very bittersweet trip, these last two weeks. It was bittersweet, already, because I was going to be away from Joel for over a week. But now that week is turning into six. Stand-by flights failed us and we are across the world from each other for over a month, longer than it will be from when I get back until our wedding day (that is the good part).
That was very, very hard to realize, having not bargained for that long away. It's helped me know how blessed we are to live in the same city, unlike some courting or betrothed couples. God has very wise purposes we don't know in this, and it is a unique reminder that Christ is my true bridegroom, and that seeking Him first is important even when Joel and I are together. Joel reminds me that if we knew all that God knew right now, we would choose the same things. Painful to think about but true!

Those numbers up there are how many days until I'm home again, and the number of days until September 25th :)

And after a weekend of attempts, all this was found out on my birthday. That was so sad! We still had a very sweet evening at dinner with Joel's family, who are so kind and lovely to me. But it was difficult to think that I was supposed to be meeting all his relatives with him, and then when all my family came on Wednesday, he was supposed to be getting to know them all for the first time. Also, I've never gotten to see him on my birthday! What is neat is that when all of this does happen someday, it will be as husband and wife, for real.

love,
Cait

things that have made me smile this week

2010-07-24T03:25:00.002+04:00

- my sweet friend Arielle saying yes to this question:

- the two huge boxes of silk flowers awaiting me at my grandparents' house, and how beautiful and richly colored and perfect they were.

- my cousin Hannah and her shennanigans.

- teenagers walking into the Starbucks I'm sitting at and fanning themselves desperately, exclaiming "I'm hot!" in this 70-degree Enumclaw weather. Hot!? (though I have to admit, I'm not used to being outside in warm weather. But coming from 118 this is very, very nice.)

- the find of an exquisite thrifted 50's dress.

- that this the wedding day of a dear friend! (2 months and 2 days for us)

- surprises for Joel =)

- American coffee shops, atmosphere included.

- shopping for pretty things I've never had to go shopping for before.

- seeing Mount Rainier from my window :)

what does not make me smile today:

being halfway around the world from Joel and having to settle for Skype (but I am very thankful for Skype).

I'm going to go join my grandpa outside now. What has made you smile/laugh/cry this week?

much love;
Cait

i here refrain from a pun on 'Czech'

2010-07-15T11:30:00.002+04:00

My dad flew to Prague last week and I went on the layover with him. The only other time I've been on one of his layovers was to Venice, two years ago (I'm still in love with that place). We had 24 hours in the beautiful city and it was a wonderful time with him as I get ready to go back to the states.

This is going to make me sound like a spoiled brat (which I am when it comes to traveling! That's what comes of having a pilot father and living overseas. We've been so blessed!), but really, once you've been to the major European cities....they all start to look the same.

This was no exception, but the unique thing about Prague is the cause of its well-earned title, City of Spires. Along the skyline and everywhere you look are the delicate, high-flying steeples and peaks of town halls, cathedrals, castles, and clock towers. Hauntingly fog-covered in photographs (how I wish I'd had a polaroid!), and starkly rising in streetside watercolor print shops, the Charles Bridge had the best few and was crowded with artists.
Photos to come soon, I hope! There is much to do in the THREE days before I leave, and tonight I'm cooking a big dinner for my dad and Joel and some others (but that's fun and relaxing :).

much love,
Cait

P.S. What says 'processional music' (think 'entrance of the bride or bridesmaids') to you? I'm stuck on music!

2010-07-05T20:05:00.001+04:00

I am officially on a blog break.
This means if I comment on your blog, scold me.
This does not mean that if there are a bunch of things to share and a bunch of free time (not happening) then I won't write something, but I do want to seize the time.
I spend much more time browsing than writing (evident by my irregular posting!), so that is where I need the declared break. This is because I enjoy your blogs, not because I want to absent myself from them! ;)

There is so much to do in the next two weeks before I leave for the states, and just a little more before our marriage, and using time well is something I struggle with constantly. Enjoying blogs isn't wrong, but maybe sometimes some people can do things that I cannot, if I want to be trained better in diligence and faithfulness for the future.
Especially now, and probably increasingly as I get older, I want to look back with no regrets of wasting days.

I'd really like to keep a blog after Joel and I are married, as long as I can use computer time really well. We've talked about the benefits of that; all the ways that I've been encouraged by other blogs, especially of those a step ahead of me in life.

So, maybe it's a blog reading break, but don't expect me around too much.
Maybe I'll post a lot through the summer
Maybe the next thing you'll see is wedding pictures (!!!)
Maybe the next thing will be a new Kady blog address. (!!!!!!!!)

You ladies are just too inspiring. So much so that I need to hide for a couple weeks ;)

with love,
Cait

p.s. we looked at an apartment yesterday!! :)

he's twelve

2010-07-01T18:23:00.004+04:00

Joel and I promised Nate and Candace awhile ago that we'd take them each out with us sometime, because they (Candace) would be sad when we weren't home in the evenings. It was Nate's turn this week, and like Candace, he only had one word - burger! (Candace's was 'Starbucks!') All he wanted was a giant burger somewhere. We found an empty table in a World-Cup-crazed Dubai Mall diner, and Nate happily ate and tried to catch glimpses of Germany winning. He is a bottomless pit right now (and would tell you that he has one dinner stomach, one spaghetti stomach, and two dessert stomachs), a growing boy. I love my little brother and I've always looked forward to being the watchful big sister when he's tall and handsome (it's getting close!).
I still remember his chubby toddler cheeks and the sour faces he made when he tried yogurt for the first time.

Joel had heard about the 'best milkshakes in Dubai' and we got those after exclaiming with glee over the new Hershey's store in the mall. It was very sweet, because Joel knows my constant irrational cravings for milkshakes. These were so good.

Nate was so wound up, and I look forward to many more times of making him feel extra special (preferably with quality time daily until our wedding). My dad and I are the only ones left of our family now; all have departed for music camp or Grandma's house in Washington. I follow on July 19th, and he in August - it's the yearly Dubai exodus. Time is so precious and short. I'm happy that it's short because oh my GOODNESS in eighty-four days we'll be married, but at the same time I want to freeze the months and invest in people and plan details. Enjoy those siblings while you're in the same house.

much love,
Cait

p.s. thank you for all of your lovely, sweet comments. :)

Engagement Pictures [Nicky Rivett]

2010-06-29T14:59:00.001+04:00

Our friend Nicky did a lovely job with these, and was creative and professional and relaxed. I love looking at these photos. It was a special day together and such a fun time with Nicky and her fiance (they're getting married two months later!).
I hope you enjoyed them! (I've saved just a few for later!)

Love,
Cait
P.S. I love the ones with the guitar because I guarantee you have never heard anybody in person play like Joel can.
P.P.S. This very encouraging post articulated much of what I'm thinking and experiencing and trying to live out, re. several posts down. Thank you Jasmine!
Listen --I'm so excited right now, because I'm thinking of the next generation of Christian young people, marrying and raising their children with a view towards multigenerational faithfulness and a biblical purpose -I'm thinking of houses brimming with God-fearing families, burgeoning with cultural impact -and I'm thinking of revival, of the gospel of Christ dispersing through the means of these godly families. I'm thinking it starts here -with you choosing to invest in your family; it starts here, with me doing the same. It starts with us loving every second of it.

ninety days

2010-06-27T16:31:00.006+04:00

in case you were curious, here's where we're at :)

. (almost) everything planned, organized, and designed
. found a caterer
. decided on silk flowers and found where to order them from
. picked a song to be performed during the signing
. favors half finished
. dress designed and underway
. supplies for bridesmaid headpieces bought
. discovered that the seamstress will make my veil for free
. was given a lovely shower with the older ladies who have impacted and influenced me
. registry finished (here, if you have recommendations or see any gaping holes!)
. bought COUCHES (okay, not directly wedding related but it's super exciting!)
. was offered the bridal package as a wedding gift from friends starting a salon (hello saving 2000dhs)
. stored a couple hundred jars and emailed ladies to save their used ones
. bought 244 yards of ribbon
. have no idea where Joel is taking me afterward :)
. invitations printed and assembled (so pretty!)
. had our first premarital counseling session

Before leaving to the US for a month on July 19th, I need to find shoes, order flowers, organize teams of helpers, locate a little arbor somewhere to buy or rent, finish invitations, and work on favors, garlands, and other little handwork things. It's not too overwhelming and much can be finished in September, when planning is done and my sweet friend Arielle is here. These are all little things to be progressed in, and I'm so happy we get to do so many creative things ourselves, it's so much fun and when it's all mapped out I can be at peace about having time.

What are you up to these June days?
love,
Cait

P.S. I really need a new header. It's shameful.

young we are

2010-06-24T12:50:00.000+04:00

this picture has nothing to do with this post; I'm just happy the three of us are in the same country for a few weeks.

Have you ever been lectured?
I know we all have, but a few weeks ago I got a good taste of what I could expect from a lot of people but which has been gratefully restrained.
[You should expect things like this when you do anything atypical.]
We were at a church where my father was guest-preaching, and I'd arrived late because of a Requiem dress rehearsal (it was a lovely experience, by the way). A man whom my family knows and respects, but whom I myself had never met, interrupted my conversation with my sister with a blank stare.
When we noticed he was standing near us, we paused and looked over, and he asked if I was the one getting married. I answered and he exclaimed "Too young! Too young! Too young!"
followed by another disbelieving stare.

What I want to say is that in the course of the following ten minute lecture from someone I didn't know, many things ran through my mind. True, it wasn't his business, and true, it was a false cultural presumption, and true, I wasn't at all interested in chasing other ambitions - I need none higher.
But I couldn't argue, because he was as convinced as I was, and I didn't want to disrespect him. Thus I could do nothing more than smile and try to express my joy and conviction (while next to me, my dear sister broiled inside) and thank him for his concern. My business is to, hopefully, represent myself and Joel and God's word as best as possible, and leave it at that. I can't argue, even if I wanted to, and the desire was gone.

I can laugh about it because it didn't upset me and was so bizarre an event. I'm grateful that it hasn't occurred more frequently - we've been blessed with the rejoicing of our friends at church. I do wish, for his sake, that he knew that there are more far-reaching things than independence and individualism and 'experience' before you settle down.

When relating the story to friends later, one father said "Why is it that today people can stare and accuse and ask you to your face why your wife didn't have a career first, or why you would ever consider homeschooling, or why you were so irresponsible as to have that many kids, and it would be seen as completely appalling for us to ask 'How were you so selfish to wait so long to have children?' and the myriad of other questions that would be biblically grounded?"

It is frustrating to be minorities sometimes, but what I want far more is for people to see truth and to obey, and to experience the same blessings that they miss out on - not for them to be just like us.

love,
Cait

p.s. expect an indefinite but finite hiatus sometime soon, announced or unannounced. I need a blog-free timezone in order to be super productive! (not that I'm the world's most regular or engaging poster anyway)

Father's week

2010-06-20T15:57:00.000+04:00

Because this week was Father's Day, and my last in my father's house, and because my father deserves it, I wanted to write about him, however incomprehensive.

Let me start by saying two things:

Because of Daddy, I was blessed by staying home after graduating.
Because of Daddy, I am getting married.

My three younger siblings and I have been homeschooled our whole lives, by parents intent on training us in the home and with a Biblical worldview. My dad would tell people that he'd never have given the privilege of teaching us away. He was the 'principal' of the Fox Home Academy, and when it came to high school, he directed, compiled, and even wrote much of our curriculum, in order to give us an informed, Scriptural understanding of culture and history, and teach us that 'ideas have consequences,' as Dr. Grant says.
He took me to a Vision Forum Father-Daughter retreat the summer before I turned twelve, and then I told him that I was going to stay with him until I got married, and that he had my heart, and left behind the mental journey to professional ballet.
We moved to Dubai and I was the foolish teenager guinea pig, but they figured things out, even if it was the long way. God has transformed our family over the past two years, using friends and convictions to turn us to obedience and reform. Daddy teaches us. He always has, but now he is a visible beacon to other fathers of discipling their families. He is an elder, and I couldn't be happier because he is qualified.
Because the Lord gave my father vision, I was blessed to remain in his home to prepare for my own family, was encouraged to be obedient to Scripture uniquely as a woman.

When I was little I always told him I wanted to marry someone exactly like him. As I grew up, I understood his qualities better and grew more thankful, and he taught me things that I would need in a husband that I might not realize. When we were very young we were prepared for what to expect leading up to marriage, under Daddy's guidance and protection. He guarded me from harm and waste (even though I have my own mistakes) and he helped me with a 'list.'
Then he excitedly spent months talking to Joel, as he saw all of these things, and more, in him. I didn't know, of course =) but he was doing exactly what he had always told us he would, and what it was his job to do. My father's time with Joel gave me complete peace that the man I respected most loved and approved of Joel. Daddy is thrilled (even though it's harder for my family to think about than me) and my parents are as thankful as I am (well, almost ;) for God's generosity in bringing us together. I love Joel because he is Joel, but, like I thought of when I was a little girl, there are many similarities. They are both noble, purposeful men who fear the Lord, and courageously follow Scripture.
Daddy took seriously his biblical responsibility for the transfer of his authority to my future husband, which will take place in 94 days. God willing, generations will thank him for it.

He is a man who stands, often alone with little likeminded fellowship or encouragement from other men, and who is unashamedly counter-cultural. He fears God rather than man, and I am grateful, privileged, praising God that I am his daughter and was raised and loved in his house.

love,
Cait

(I write this because I love him, and if it makes you discontent with the father God has placed you under, that was not my intent! We've been blessed by the grace of God, and don't deserve it. You have been planted there purposefully, and all of our dads are imperfect. We will be far happier if we serve joyfully rather than wishing we had a model man for a father, or despairing that he is not all that he could be. Obey and pray hard for contentment, and try to bless him as he is.)

2010-06-16T12:48:00.002+04:00

we are super excited about the engagement pictures Nicky took for us, but this is just a peek for today :)

some things I've been working on

2010-06-07T14:59:00.003+04:00

But mostly wedding favors, with a sweet bunch of girls helping us.

Aaaaand, my dress is in the works! We knew I would be getting it made, since it's impossible to find a modest one in a style I like. I'd decided on a tailor in Satwa, and almost refused to meet with another seamstress because 'I already knew I wanted that guy to do it.' I am so thankful we met with her! Three hours later and we'd decided to go fabric hunting the next day. A week later, and fabric is bought and we've given her the initial payment, and a mock-up is being made! She is a fun, young, Indian designer who studied fashion in London, and herself got married a year ago. We both love vintage styles and classic gowns, and she is wonderful to work with, confident and honest. And most importantly (and amazingly) she'll work with my budget.
Because I know you'll be curious, here are some clues (which Joel knows about, but more than this you won't be hearing because he reads this blog!).

. it's white :)
. it has sleeves (shock horror!)
. it is exactly what I had in mind (you should have seen her sketch out my ideas in her fancy designer freehand)
. it is very classic, with my own twist.

But just as much as wedding details, we've been thinking and talking about our family and our home. I am so excited to see how and where God leads Joel, now and throughout our lives. He is purposeful in all things and is thinking hard and learning about our direction, and filled with God's Spirit. I'm so thankful to be marrying a man like him - especially because it's him!

love,
Cait

2010-06-06T16:04:00.005+04:00

my little sister Kyleigh graduated this spring. we had a party for her last weekend.

sister

sixteen
faithful
diligent
motivated
lover of excellence
composer
multigenerationally minded
thinker
reader
quilter
politically incorrect
obedient & firm
feminine

I'm very proud of her. She has and will accomplish much more than me, by nature. I love you :)
Mr. Lumberjack, please hurry up, you're missing out. (don't ask)

love,
Cait

P.S. Look at sweet Hope between her daddy and mine. (You can't distract two visionary men when they get together!)

P.S.S. Think of my dear bloggy friend Leanna. Her family is suffering a lot right now, but she is continuing to praise and glorify our great God through the trials! It is such an encouragement to me to see, but they need strength.

Kitsch Cupcakes

2010-05-31T22:59:00.003+04:00

The well group year is over with the (approaching) ending of the school year, and I missed the party because of my brother's Court of Honor (which I was happy to attend and very proud of him. He's a Star ranked boy scout, a real leader in his troop and getting ever closer to Eagle! He works hard, that little handsome fellow.).
I'll miss the girls but it's been a stretching and delightful experience since the fall. I've learned so much from working with Mrs. Welkner in leading the group, and been humbled by the girls' insight and love and joy. They are so much fun and some are really...special ;) In a silly way but in reality too, of course.
A few months ago we had an outing to Kitsch Cupcakes on beach road. I've wanted to take Candace since then, and a couple weeks ago we finally made it for a little date. The time with Candace was sweet but I've decided I'm not actually a fan of their cupcakes. I prefer them softer, sweeter, more flavorful, and maybe even chilled. We'll have to find another sister date favorite, and maybe even another cupcake shop!

love,
Cait

2010-05-29T13:05:00.001+04:00

Here are some major inspiration pictures for our wedding. (Looking at them may or may not help you picture it; I'm being a tiny bit sneaky - these photos are still important though!)

love, Cait

p.s. listen to this lovely tragic celtic ballad, with Kate Rusby's gorgeous accent.

He's ridden o'er yon high, high hill,
and down yon dowey den,
And the rushin' in of the Clyde water
would fear five hundred men.
"Oh, roaring Clyde, you roar so loud.
Your streams are wondrous strong,
Make me a wreck as I come back,
but spare me as I'm gone."

on why we are having a large wedding

2010-05-26T12:25:00.001+04:00

Many prefer to have small, intimate weddings, for many reasons.
Perhaps because of cost
Perhaps because they can have a fancier wedding with less people
Perhaps because they want it to be very personal and private, with the very closest relatives and friends.
All of these are valid and admirable reasons.

For several other reasons, we desire to have a large wedding on principle.
(Not just because I like things big and beautiful - but that too)

Joel and I would like our wedding to be as much of a witness as possible, in several ways.
First, the message of the Gospel.
Second, the witness of our covenant before God.
Third, the message of what we believe about marriage and family.

We would like our entire church to attend!
This means that the time will be announced in the service on the Friday morning before our Saturday evening wedding. We by no means expect all 600+ to come (though thankfully the next door church building can hold more than enough people!), but want it to be very much a church-wide service, and a worship service.

This is the community that has watched and counseled our friendship, courtship, and now engagement, and is the main reason we are being married in Dubai and not in Washington, where most of our extended family is (thankfully the closest family will be able to travel). It is also the community and church we will be living among after our wedding.

Covenants should be witnessed, celebration should be shared. I'm so excited about the family and community aspect of everything - even if I'll only be thinking about one person :)

Love,
Cait

(By 'large' I mean the whole church is invited to the ceremony. The reception shouldn't exceed 250.)

2010-05-24T22:00:00.002+04:00

Please pardon my unmanicured hand, but I wanted to show off my beautiful engagement ring. I love it and can't imagine having anything else! It is elegant and tapered, and a picture really couldn't capture how sparkly it is!

I love to think about how it will be there for the rest of my life, and the fact that it symbolizes that I will get to be Joel's wife. O happy thought!

love,
Cait

Dear Sleepyhead

2010-05-20T16:30:00.006+04:00

Dear Sunny, when you clean your tail it is the cutest, because you hold it between your paws. Dear florists, why are you so expensive? I am not paying 800 dirhams for my bouquet. Dear Marsik, I hope you become our cat after we are married, because you are the prettiest and fluffiest thing ever. Plus you live with our stylish Russian friends so that really raises your attractiveness. Dear Nicky, you are amazing at taking engagement pictures, even if we had to go back and take more when I was hungry because the sky suddenly turned bright pink. I can't wait to see them. Dear bridesmaids, you are going to get to pick your own dresses, isn't that fun? Dear Leader Hunt, I'm very excited to dress up for you. I'll wear jeans and no one will recognize me. Dear wedding and registry websites, thank you so much for being free, it's very nice of you. Dear Joel, you are my favorite.

love,
Cait

finally blue

2010-05-16T11:27:00.004+04:00

Months ago now, just before going to Lebanon, we painted my room's little hallway a dusty turquoise. It had been intended for over a year, and I bought the paint around Christmastime! I absolutely love the color, and it makes the hallway so much more interesting. (I'm getting very excited about having our own little home to arrange and decorate and make welcoming!)
It's feeling like there is so much to do and not nearly enough time to go around. I'm not panicking, just really wish I could do more. What are your best time-using and saving habits and priorities?

love,
Cait

last thursday's prayer

2010-05-12T01:22:00.000+04:00

Father,
break up my fallow ground, for it is time to seek you (hos. 10:12)
You have given blessing upon blessing and filled my heart with joy. distill all these thoughts into thanksgiving as an offering, and do not let me ever neglect praising you for what you have graciously, abundantly given (not because of righteousness).
o God in the face of happiness i am overwhelmed; keep my wandering heart tethered to your side and seal all my love and hope to Christ. He is so beautiful and i am blind sometimes, and always need your persistent drawing.
Father, to think that i am betrothed to Joel! let that thought never lose its glow, for it is a gift from you and it will always be good and for Your glory.
You have done far above all that i ask, think, imagine, and you will continue to - please continue to, great God.
please bless Joel, call us to pray and to your word, and be pleased with us today.

amen

2010-05-03T14:01:00.004+04:00

Some things with wedding planning just can't be like you would do it in America. For example, the gift registry - all the stores that are both here and in the US have very little variety or no online store. You can do the fancy ex-pat thing and get a service to compile a registry for you from all the stores in Dubai, but then you're paying 1500 dirhams for their work (that's almost $500).

Then there are flowers. They just aren't as good here, because few can be grown locally and bringing them in is very expensive. And fresh, delicate, springy flowers like anemones...forget it! So I'll likely use silk flowers. That way I can get all the perfect flowers (including usually expensive ones like peonies) in the perfect colors, arrange them myself and get them done stress-free, long before the week of the wedding. (Fresh sounds much nicer to me too, but the look is more important than the natural sentiment, and there are some things we have to deal with living here!) I'm excited at the prospect of arranging the bouquets myself this way, too.

What is or was your dream bouquet?
Do silk plants offend your organic sensitivity?

Even if there are extra decisions to make and frustrations with working things out in the UAE, I am so happy to be thinking about a wedding that it's all wonderful. Every opportunity for panic is met with Wedding=marriage to Joel and I can't believe it. Planning is something I've always looked forward to anyway, so all of the little details should be considered a joy. And they are.

[ranunculus collage from Emilie Duncan]

Pretty Camera

2010-04-26T17:03:00.000+04:00

Thank you so much for all of your sweet notes and congratulations!! As if this could be any happier, all of the shared rejoicing by our friends here and far away is an added blessing.

Before this little blog gets inundated with wedding ideas and plans (or completely neglected), I'll share a few finished projects from over the past few weeks.

This one, a cover for my canon camera strap, was on my list for a long time and finally got stitched up - it was a really easy craft, using the strap itself as a pattern and cute fabric from Katie. It was a little hard to take pictures of though, being attached to the camera! This also meant I got to check off something on my '18 before 19' list - 'Make stationery case and camera strap cover.' Something else on the list also got checked off recently - can you guess what it was?

love,
Cait

the starry song that April sings

2010-04-23T23:14:00.003+04:00

Lovelies, friends, bloggers,

I have an announcement to make, of the most glorious kind

because

I am getting married!!
Joel and I are engaged! Affianced! Espoused! To be wed!

I am dazed and joyful, and my heart is both stilled and dancing with happiness.
Joel proposed in a seaplane above Dubai, and I was completely surprised.
(My dad is an airline pilot, and I think this is the perfect 'transition' from one era to another, as it were. And it just makes a romantic and incredible story!)
It was quiet, and beautiful, and the little details are hidden away in my heart.

It was perfect.

I am overwhelmed with the blessed thought that I get to be his wife. That we're going to be married!
Oh, how God has been gracious to us.

love,
Cait

(photo from before the special flight)

heavenly cake.

2010-04-10T11:02:00.002+04:00

A few weeks ago I decided to try this triple layer chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting, and that's when I decided anyone in the world who loves chocolate, or cake, or peanut butter, needs to make it. Oh, you will die. And it is so. easy.
This rich and chocolatey recipe is from Smitten Kitchen, phenomenal cake mistress.
There is moist, dark, flavorful, chocolate cake.
And thick, creamy, peanut butter cream cheese frosting and filling.
And gloriously dark ganache on top.
(Which I spread because it didn't drip over the sides very attractively)

Everyone could only eat a tiny sliver, but I seem to have an immunity to richness in cakes. I savor and savor but can still eat a whole piece. But, a rich cake can be stretched farther than anything, and it keeps very well if you can't finish it. As you can see, I didn't even get around to taking a picture til we'd been eating this for a week.
It takes a lot of ingredients, but they are fairly normal so you have no excuse for not trying it with a recipe as simple as this one.

Delicious. Make this cake.

Lebanon: cute kids and ancient buildings

2010-04-04T15:06:00.006+04:00

Lebanon was beautiful. It was good to see old friends again (and to see children whose birthdays I remember!), joke about culture, remember stories, laugh at the kids faces and antics (that is a snail that Judson is kissing), see the rough beauty and ancient ruins in Byblos, Sidon, Tyre, Beirut, and southern villages. A soap factory, a hippodrome, harbors, ice cream, a circus troop, gorgeous little Jemmilie.

but I'm especially glad to be home again.
love,
cait

things that inspire me.

2010-03-25T17:31:00.004+04:00

. Wives who desperately love their husbands

. Women who pursue excellence

. Mothers who give selflessly

. The courage to say that not everything is art, and that saying something is art doesn’t make it so

. Beauty

. The American Constitution and the rare politicians who believe in it

. Fearless submission

. Poetry with heartrending substance (e.g. 1914, and Verses of Virtue)

. Gentle leadership and men of courage (e.g. Daddy, Stonewall Jackson, Joel)

. People who make beauty or possess true beauty

. Paper. And delicious fabric and velvet ribbon.

We're off to Lebanon for a week, so see you soon :)

hundreds of squares

2010-03-18T21:54:00.004+04:00

I did work on the quilt quite a bit this week, and have done all that is possible before more memorable fabric crosses my path :) I can recognize each little square in this, from something I or my grandmother made, vintage and antique fabric from her house, or gifts. But because it isn't made with just any fabric and because the squares are so small, it will take forever to finish! The sight of the brightly mismatched rows haphazardly stitched and pressed together is worth it.

I love this photo below - the perfectly pressed underside of the small-squared quilt on top of the larger one. Here you can see how small the squares really are! With seams they are an inch wide; a tiny mosaic.

Do you have a special quilt that has been passed down, or made by someone you know?
love,

Cait
P.S. Joel took me to see Alice in Wonderland yesterday! I loved it (but mostly being with him).

P.P.S. Thank you for your lovely comments lately! (Just to clarify, I don't make my own stationery - just the travel case! Stationery making does sound fun though - we should all try it :) I'm thrilled that some of this is giving you ideas though - that's exactly why I share because I've gotten so many project ideas from other blogs!

write you a letter

2010-03-18T17:28:00.003+04:00

I've been meaning to make a stationery case for a long time (it's been on my list ever since seeing them on etsy and thinking 'no way am I paying that, I could make it!'), and finally sat down to business. It was a one-evening project, with a rough sketch and no pattern. It's imperfect but I love all the fabrics and it will work beautifully for traveling. Much better than envelopes and papers getting lost and bent in suitcase pockets!
Some of the fabrics were a gift from Katie, and one is from Joel and one from his mom. I love them all; the purples and warm florals. There is a main pocket for stationery, with a smaller for envelopes. On the other side there are spaces for pens and another little pocket. It fastens with a snap and there is a bit of cardboard sewn into the back cover for stiffness and a possible writing surface. We're traveling to Lebanon next week to visit friends, so this will get some use =)

Baby Pilots

2010-03-16T12:51:00.000+04:00

There are lots of babies coming to our church this month, which we are super excited about. Right now there are adorable maternity shirts and bellies, and in the next few weeks, multiple newborns to hold. This means there have also been many baby showers, and I had fun wrapping the presents a few weeks ago. We love using my dad's old flight maps for wrapping paper, and I used baker's twine (love baker's twine! I ordered mine from belladrummer, who also is the best scrapbooker ever and very sweet.) and paper bags to decorate and label them.

Both of these were for baby boys, so the pilot paper was fitting (but I think it's cute all the time).

love,
Cait

october2009-march2010

2010-03-10T12:46:00.008+04:00

This dear journal was scribbled up to the last page, and a new one had to be found. I wanted another spiral bound (so it could be folded back), preferably without lines. I came across a Kraft notebook, in Hyper Panda of all places (our local supermarket - is that a creative name or what?). The cover looks like a brown paper bag so I won't even have to decorate it much. Not only was it Kraft, but it is natural recycled paper, and it is graph paper.

Did you hear that? Natural graph paper ladies. I am such a nerd when it comes to pretty paper! Unfortunately, my favorite pens bleed through said natural brownish paper, so I'll have to figure something out. The cover has finally been fixed up with part of my favorite sonnet set ever (The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke) typed out in Dymo tape, and a little birdcage sticker from Joel, because I love birdcages and wanted to put it where I'd see it often. The last line of the verse especially is my favorite.

love,
Cait
p.s. I've been quilting and crafting a bunch in the past week, so artsy posts are returning! My goal is to work on the quilts every day this week.

sleepless life and happiness

2010-03-07T09:11:00.000+04:00

Mrs. Yong is a woman, wife, and mother that is an admirable and beloved role model for me. She has two sweet and fun children, Miah and Ellie (Jeremiah and Eliana), and gave birth to baby Bethan a month ago. We went to see her in the hospital (though I didn't take this photo) and I've gotten to hold little Bethan several times since. Isn't it painfully beautiful to hold a newborn?
This Friday I stood with Mrs. Yong and Mrs. Brikho, a new mother, as they spoke of newborns and night feeding and sleep, and heard Mrs. Yong say 'it's so much easier once I've given up my right to sleep.'

This was so striking, but isn't it true? I've been thinking about that a lot this week, and wondering what it would be like for every area of life to be lived without a feeling of entitlement (and wanting and praying for that). Perhaps hard things don't have to hurt so much if you aren't caring what you get or don't get out of it, or how it inconveniences you and displaces your own desires. That sounds like selflessness, cheerfully, which is what I want to live out, in my own home and now.

love,
cait

in the morning

2010-03-05T20:07:00.000+04:00

Monday night we received calls and warnings about having the biggest and worst storm Dubai has ever had. We were a bit dubious but moved things up off the floor downstairs in case of flooding (Dubai roads are hardly built to handle rain) and put rags on the windowsills. Almost needless to say it was not that bad, but that doesn't mean some of us still weren't awake all night watching the construction crane across the street slowly swing back and forth toward the compound, its sign rocking wildly, or hearing the trees crash against the ladder going up to our roof, and having nightmares about what could happen. But really, it was a very typical Dubai annual thunderstorm.
(and thank goodness, not worth losing sleep over - not that we could help it)

But there are lots of happy things around the house - coffee, packaging, birthdays, wrapping, cake, pretty paper, always rejoicing.

the end of february.

2010-03-01T16:39:00.003+04:00

Joel's mother and little sister came from Seattle to see him for a short week, and stayed with us (to our enjoyment). There was a great deal of coffee and tea brewed, and home time as well as their adventuring into the Dubai malls and other sights. I loved seeing them together (and felt very spoiled getting to see Joel so much), but their having to leave him again was heartwrenching. They're close and loving and fun, and could say nothing bad about their son and brother.
I'm very sad that his family can't be with him all the time, but I'm so, so happy he's here.

2 Corinthians 1:12
For our boast is this, the testimony of our, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

'and the flowers would have very extra special powers'

2010-02-24T15:05:00.001+04:00

Tim Burton's revised Alice is coming out next week, and I've been looking forward to it for a long time. Though I don't know when I'll actually see it, the wonderland looks beautifully interesting, even if a bit mad. The books, Disney film, old Tenniel prints, and other Louis Carroll pieces have long been favorites. Ever read The Hunting of the Snark? Creepily classic!
(Our ballet school did Alice in Wonderland years ago, and the Cheshire Cat costume was quite an impressive work of art.)
This screencap is lovely. The singing pansies and operatic roses were one of my favorite parts of the Disney movie, especially the queenly white rose whom you always wanted more than a glimpse of. It frustrated me each time when they threw Alice out in the end!

Ink

2010-02-21T10:33:00.004+04:00

I looked at old sketches and drawings today, wishing my good pens weren't clogged (that's no excuse not to draw though.). One was a collaboration with my friend Krystal (who is probably now living in a trailer under a waterfall and photographing street hippies), which I still really love because somehow pictures of anatomic hearts are intriguing. The last drawing used copious amounts of the special spidery-tipped ink pens.

Ink lately has been more used for writing letters, or journaling, or studying.
I like it better that way, even if it's unartistic.
(The pens dried up because of lack of use, after all.)

I never want creativity to dry up, but life happens (and life is more important).
I like it.
It just has to be woven together better.
And I'll draw today, I promise.

love, cait

pretty paper

2010-02-18T16:45:00.002+04:00

A new-ish scrapbook page, of a favorite picture from my autumn trip to Texas.
It's my lovely friend Elena playing her beautiful family piano.
I think this is my current favorite page ever.

in front of me there is:

surprise flowers

an empty coffee cup

an envelope

and Dahlia Oz Vanderbilt the Blythe.
her plastic face charms me from across the room.
(she needs new portraits, that spoiled doll)

love,
Cait

beauty of a place

2010-02-11T13:49:00.001+04:00

It's a lovely thing to love your room. Or your house, or your kitchen. Right now I have a room, and it is my favorite place, and what I could have called years ago a dream room (even though it's not pink and fairy-themed). I love the cranberry wall and Grandpa's olive dresser, and the chair that I can't sit comfortably in, and the art shelves and story-filled pointe shoes. It's scattered with gifts and old books, oddities and quirky color combinations. There are cards with wise words to memorize. In the afternoon the room is flooded with colored light coming through the curtains. (Isn't afternoon sun delicious?) I light all my candles and it smells heavenly (like Tyler Candle Company to be exact). I like the frame wall and the painting by Katie and the twine with pretty things clothespin-ed to it.

Blythe eyes, German monkey dolls; cat.

Bagpipes in a corner gathering dust. Cat hair everywhere. (Especially on the pretty chair that's made for taller people)

Peacock feathers, wax drippings, a painted marionette that lies with no place to display.

But a room is not a home, and if you have a home it needs to bless everybody, not just yourself. The most beautiful homes I've been to are the ones that are aesthetically lovely and personal, and also welcoming, warm, song-filled, pouring love and time and good food and purpose.

I don't have tea parties in it but a room is good practice.

pardon the messy desk, ladies

2010-02-08T23:17:00.003+04:00

Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin have just written another fantastic article on Visionary Daughters. This one is about daughters in difficult situations and how truth still can apply to them - and challenging reminders to daughters in more 'ideal' circumstances as well. A similar subject I'd recommend is their answer to the common 'but what if?' question about the decisions of young ladies. (And of course, the article on Twilight. Read, by all means - some controversial wisdom!)

A controversial statement of my own - I've seen a lot of people joining into GalaDarling's "self love month challenge," and find it disconcerting. Perhaps it embraces flaws, but it denies our brokenness. We are certainly not goddesses and are made to be dependent, on our Creator and in a community, and this project will do no healing, nor bring truth, however much it temporarily builds self esteem. I know some of you love Gala, and I'm not pointing at you (or condemning her) but everything she stands for is the opposite of what I live for, and it's all over the 'blogosphere' right now - which I couldn't really ignore. Please do take that thought with understanding.

love,
Cait

p.s. See that pretty/bizarre hand mannequin? I've wanted one of those for ages, and saw them at Borders a year ago but never bought one. Finally they had them again when I walked by last week, and I thought it was worth it after more than a year. Maybe someday I'll find a real antique one too ;)

tangerine pinwheels

2010-02-05T23:59:00.001+04:00

You can tell I'm a little bit addicted to headband making. Once a new one is thought of and completed, it's a difficulty to not let myself wear it every day until I'm sick of it (or other people are). This delicious fabric was salvaged from a fancy thrift-store pillowcase, put together with gift fabric from Katie and velvet ribbon (my favorite).
I could see headbands being a pretty lifesaver for busy mothers, because they quickly (key here) add so much to hair or outfit and don't get in the way or get dirty.

It's been another lovely week in the Fox household (and I discovered that homemade espresso with whipped cream is dangerously yummy) and undeserved blessings abound. God is kind =)

with love;
Cait

always idea gathering.

2010-02-04T10:22:00.001+04:00

We haven't done this for awhile! My collection of homey pictures isn't getting any smaller and it' s about time to share more. I love these new, warm, comfortable, colorful ones (or at least parts of each).

(that room makes laundry look fun!)

(mmm...antique velvet couch + crocheted afghans...)

credits: sera of london - tumblr - sherri dupree bemis - canova misia

Dress Up

2010-01-27T11:35:00.000+04:00

A few weeks ago Joel and I decided to be indie kids. I think we're pretty good at being hippies but the reason it was a big deal is because I never wear trousers. Ever. I've worn almost solely skirts and dresses for nearly a year now and am simply more comfortable that way. But it was fun to wear jeans again and act brave enough to wear a headband like that because I've always wanted to. And I wasn't the least bit embarrassed because I was with Joel, and the people at our favorite cafe didn't even notice we looked less refined than usual.
The pictures don't do it justice but I hope you are amused! We had fun.

love,
Cait

Thankful

2010-01-26T11:26:00.002+04:00

a song about a boat

a picnic

a cat, who is very vocal, and quite sunshiney

braided herb bread

exercise

a newly made memory box

pondering selflessness, and pouring out.

praying to be filled now even for years to come.

Sandy Beauty

2010-01-22T21:02:00.003+04:00

We spent the afternoon in the desert last Friday after driving half an hour out from Dubai and then twenty minutes off-road. I'm not really the rough-it sort (though we will be desert camping next weekend) but this is beautiful, and one of my favorite parts of living in the middle east. We saw two scorpions this time - not a rare occurrence but the most we've seen at once! They are spotted by the fire, and usually someone catches them in a cup and throws them in before they run around too much. Still, it's unnerving to see the deadly, tiny things scurry past!

These photos don't show my favorite two things about the desert. One is the endless, untouched, rolling dunes you see after driving a few minutes farther out, and the other is the blanket of stars once dark has fallen. The only time you'll ever see more stars is in Khasab when the village power goes out :)

love,
Cait

Global

2010-01-19T10:12:00.000+04:00

Last Friday three of my friends (two just home for Christmas) and I went to Global Village for the evening. It's a fun place to walk around, with internationally themed pavilions selling (usually) authentic, unique, or handmade things. Our favorite 'countries' are India (a bounty of cheap earrings), Nepal (lots of brightly colored felted wool and knitted mittens), and Africa (hand carved wood and friendly coffee sellers).
Hannah greeted the coffee seller with 'Praise the Lord!' in Swahili, and he immediately responded 'What church do you go to!?'

Jamaila, as always, made us a few friends, including this tribally dressed performer who would have charged Hannah 10 dhs for a photo if Jamaila hadn't interjected with immovable protest.
This is the Dubai version of a fair, and lasts throughout the 'cooler' months (look at them all bundled up - we are such sillies).

love,
Cait

Probably

2010-01-14T14:10:00.002+04:00

Maybe I'm still listening to the Libera Me every day.
Maybe it's 3 p.m. and I'm wearing a pencil skirt but still a pajama shirt.
Maybe I finally bought pale turquoise paint for my hallway.
Thankfully, the chorus practice was unintimidating and exciting.
Maybe I was planning to wear red lipstick to church on Friday but chickened out again.
Maybe I'm really behind on thank you notes (even though I love writing them).
Maybe I'm also really behind on emails.
And, quite possibly, I write down every text Joel sends me because I hate how my tiny inbox fills up and has to be deleted.
Maybe, I'm also a very bad blogger. No, definitely, and that doesn't bother me.

And just because my little sister is cute and pictures of girls and cats are beautiful.

love,
Cait

Requiem

2010-01-10T12:15:00.003+04:00

Thank you all for your sweet comments and for rejoicing with me =) It's a lovely thing to share.

It's been so busy here that I haven't been very crafty of late, but tonight rehearsals begin for a new musical venture, participating in the chorus for Verdi's Requiem. You can listen to the entire fiery requiem here, and I beg you to listen to the last sixteen minutes at least; the ridiculously beautiful Libera Me. I'm a little nervous, having never been part of a formal chorus before, much less on such a grand scale. There are a bunch of notes to write into the score, saying things like "look out for unprinted rallentando." "Look out for unprinted stringendo." "Observe all dynamic markings and accents and exaggerate." Or, "Sotto voice."

So tell me, what are you listening to these days?

2010-01-07T10:36:00.003+04:00

I scarcely like it when bloggers post only about 'inspiration' or 'what I just made,' so I guarantee you the lack of interesting stories and deep thoughts on here (apart from what comes out ever so naturally, of course) is purely the result of the increasing shortness of time. To be honest, this is ok, as there are more important things and I don't see life in terms of 'I should blog about this.'

But, there's some news I'd very much like to share with you, since those of you who really read this little blog are caring enough to be interested and happy. In mid-November a courtship was begun between a truly wonderful and exceptional man named Joel, and myself. That occurrence held incalculable delight and surprise for me, and continues to astound me.

Those comments on my blog about contentment, and joy, and fulfillment from the beginning of this year until now did indeed increase over the past month, but they were heartfelt before too. Because I was happy before this happened too. And if I wasn't content and satisfied before, finding my satisfaction in God, 'He Whom my soul loves,' I wouldn't be content now either. But He is worthy, and this is an added, undeserved gift, and I couldn't be more happy.

But what is courtship?
For us this means an intentional relationship under the authority and guidance of my father, for the purpose of getting to know one another better with increasing commitment (determining whether it is God's will for us to marry). Some would refer to it as a wise alternative to dating, but I think it is rather a Biblical model.

If that sounds stuffy and old fashioned; trust me, it's exciting =) And what makes it more exciting is the assurance I have that I'm being protected, cared for, held accountable, and kept from unnecessary emotional confusion or pain. And that this man measures up to my dad's (high) standards and was 'evaluated' for months before it reached me. That I get to learn about him and pray for him and have this time is something to praise God for every day.

If you have any questions please ask; I'd be happy to explain and try to answer.
I'm sure you'll hear more about it.
This is a very happy Cait typing, and a very thankful daughter.

much love;
Cait
p.s. he's amazing.

January of 2010

2010-01-03T21:21:00.002+04:00

Happy New Year Ladies =)

From December.
- Have Christmas tea
- Complete all gifts in timely manner
- Have time with out of town guests
- Cook for out of town guests (On January 2nd!)
- Scrapbook with Candace (partially done the 3rd)
- Practice pipes more again.
- Memorize my new song; Care Selve
- Successfully make ice cream cake
- At least buy paint for my room (This keeps getting pushed back!)
- Finish '18 before 19' list.
- Finish current book ('What He Must Be')
- Find new cute, practical shoes since mine are all falling apart

This has been the best and most blessed year of my life thus far, I think. But I also think that I will be saying that for a long time, by God's grace =) Do you make resolutions for the new year? I have intended to think of some in earnest, which are worth putting great effort into throughout the year, and have been helped by Jonathan Edwards' resolutions as well as Donald Whitney's 10 Questions.

Thus, among others, I echo these three of Edwards';

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

64. Resolved, when I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those "breakings of soul for the longing it hath," of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear', of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

Feltband

2009-12-29T21:53:00.000+04:00

This new headband/fascinator was inspired by Ruby's beautiful new stocking for one of her girls. I love everything she does, and everything having to do with felt, mixed up colors, and that perfect, mauve-ish shade of purple. So with layered circles, gathered leaves, and embroidery floss, this was put together (and the first time I wore it the flowers were safety pinned on to the headband!). It's my new favorite thing and I'm in serious danger of wearing it every day for the next month. Try something like it and show me what you come up with! You can do anything with felt.

love,
Cait

a merry little Christmas

2009-12-27T14:38:00.007+04:00

How was your Christmas? What was your favorite gift given?

Half of mine were planned far in advance and half were finished at the last minute.
We had our traditional cinnamon rolls for brunch and fondu for dinner.
On Christmas evening we drove out to the desert for a bonfire and carols, an annual Dubai gathering.
I received some beautiful pastry rings which I'm very excited to use. Perhaps tiramisu first - I want to make it pretty and finely stacked but not dry like the ones you buy in cafes.

In the evening as we had family worship and then read a chapter of A Christmas Carol, I was overwhelmed and awed by the blessings this year has brought. Maybe I'll write more about that later ;) God is so good.

For our parents this year, my sister had the idea to take photographs and frame them. We did the pictures on Tuesday, printed them on Wednesday, and then I framed and wrapped them before we celebrated on Thursday. They went in black frames backed with patterned cardstock, with a few lines of stitching to make the photo stand out more. These are the two we used -
And here are some of the (pretty and not so pretty) rejects. I love my brother.

with love,
Cait

'you see the outside first'

2009-12-23T14:53:00.005+04:00

After taking part in Oh Hello Friend's 'lovely package' exchange, I was persuaded to put much more effort into wrapping gifts and trying to make them look creative and pretty, as well as the contents. Here are some of the most recent results. As you can see I love brown paper bags and doilies and string.

Do you enjoy wrapping gifts? Do you like to watch people open them or do you get embarrassed? I love watching and seeing their (hopefully) happiness, but I also get nervous!

Back to wrapping -
love,
Cait

Birds

2009-12-22T17:53:00.005+04:00

After seeing some birdcage inspired handmade ornaments, I was itching to try free-handing some birdcages on the sewing machine, much like Ruby (Cakies) does with her crowns and dollhouses. I had to come up with some final, nice gifts for one of the girls in my well group, so I jumped at the chance and made her a birdcage pillow, with a felted sparrow to match. Thankfully I think she liked it, and I was happy with how it turned out and want to experiment more.

The Christmas tea was this afternoon, and went reasonably well despite miscommunication and miscounting. We just hurriedly arranged a third pretty little table and fit all 25 in. Hospitality is about spontaneity too, right? In all the rush I didn't photograph the table beforehand, but I might write more about it later.
What are your last few days before Christmas filled with?

love,
Cait

2009-12-19T10:08:00.002+04:00

The Christmas tea is Tuesday. The paper bunting is made, Kyleigh is crocheting 23 wreath ornaments, extra people have been invited, and I am considering chocolate macarons dipped in crushed peppermint. A good experiment? I think so. We hope the tea will be fun and a blessing to all the girlies that come.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence
And in fear and trembling stand
Ponder nothing earthly minded
For with blessing in His hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth
Our full homage to demand

this outfit

2009-12-18T23:02:00.002+04:00

makes me happy.

The perfect shoes were found at Spring last week and I wore them all weekend. I've been in love with ruffled T-straps since February, and finally snatched them. (and you need ruffled flannel for good measure, don't you?)

Christmas is in one week. Dear me! Are you ready? I'm not. There are gifts to finish and a tea to put on and make decorations and presents for. But I'm ready for the cinnamon rolls, and fondu, and wassail, and family time, and watching White Christmas, and special times of worship.

Mary was probably younger than me - isn't that amazing? She is such a role model for me. Humble, willing, wise, strong, reverent.

with love;
Cait

2009-12-14T23:40:00.001+04:00

He answers prayers faster than I can pray them.

Eph. 3:20

what a faithful God have I

2009-12-13T11:28:00.002+04:00

A few Christmas gifts have gone in the mail, but I'm feeling a bit rushed for time by now! Particularly when hoping to make most of my gifts, less than two weeks isn't much time. Do you prefer to make gifts? Or do you try to buy handmade? It's difficult to buy handmade here, but I would like that.
The adorable wreath below is Rachel Denbow's, which I'd love to make. There are no wreath forms to be found here so perhaps I'll wrangle a wire hanger into shape.

love,
Cait

17 -- 50

2009-12-09T02:15:00.000+04:00

I made a scrapbook page last year that has carried on into this year. It's 50 things I love, at the age of 17. Of course there is a new one for 18, but I'm being careful of what goes on it because the year isn't even half over yet ;) It's like a thankful list, and ranges from the heart to the silly, in no meaningful order whatsoever.

Do you make lists? Do you write down your own inspiration?

Stay thankful.
Love, Cait

1. owls
2. red shoes
3. painting
4. the book of Hebrews
5. scented candles
6. iced tea from Seattle's Best
7. thunderstorms
8. Sunny
9. bright red lipstick
10. 'Wives and Daughters'
11. Haggai 2:9
12. arab cafeteria juice
13. Alice in Wonderland
14. Spurgeon, Piper, & Washer
15. MAC
16. Vanessa Valencia - A Fanciful Twist
17. clouds
18. macarons
19. little Leif
20. the Fleet Foxes
21. Robert E. Lee & Jefferson Davis
22. The Desperate Battle of the Birds
23. graduating
24. Politically incorrect history
25. Faith, John, & Hope Neal
26. pretty textured paper
27. Rupert Brooke
28. Flying Emirates!
29. sandals
30. Being Alive - Bernadette Peters
31. embroidering flowers
32. writing letters
33. giving gifts
34. hairbows
35. hope chest things
36. driving =)
37. little girl cousin hugs
38. Arizona iced tea
39. sending (real) letters
40. OSAS
41. family reunions
42. heritage
43. soy candles
44. cousins.
45. carmel macchiato
46. Washington rain
47. Pike Place buskers
48. dresses
49. being content.
50. Zechariah 3:7

Soul

2009-12-07T16:10:00.000+04:00

Welcome to sweet, pretty little Soul.
May she be a creative, motherly, godly woman like her mother Ruby.
Brave, True, and Soul. What a blessed family!

love,
Cait

P.S. #8 is checked off! Ice cream cake successfully made and devoured.

December

2009-12-06T15:37:00.001+04:00

November's goals were -

Paint ideas that have been floating

Prepare majority of Christmas gifts.

Bake and cook for Thanksgiving

Plan Christmas tea and give out invitations

Prepare Christmas packages (well, I did do this...but it was in the first few days of December!)

Read the pile of articles in my room

Paint my hallway turquoise.

Work on quilts

Make autumn fabric bunting

Practice pipes. a lot.

Design, make and give out tea invitations (and I did make them...but I did that only yesterday!)
Get hair trimmed (in desperate need)
Have individual time with one of the well group girls

So the majority of things did get done. Still not ideal!

For December we'll say -

- Have Christmas tea
- Complete all gifts in timely manner
- Have time with out of town guests
- Cook for out of town guests
- Scrapbook with Candace
- Practice pipes more again.
- Memorize my new song; Care Selve
- Successfully make ice cream cake
- At least buy paint for my room (This keeps getting pushed back!)
- Finish '18 before 19' list.
- Finish current book
- Find new cute, practical shoes since mine are all falling apart

We'll see if that's too ambitious. I don't think so. But I must emphasize (should you think I'm terribly lazy and underachieving) that even though I'm a horrible list writer (even though I write them every day) much more than this actually gets done each day and month! I know you're all forgiving ;)

With love,
Cait

Nie Does it Again

2009-12-05T14:14:00.004+04:00

I've often told you about Nie.

Well, amidst her motherly, funny, honest-to-goodness writings, she's just posted another of her 'letters', this time to National Geographic, which I think deserves reading and cheering.

(Here to see.)

My little Boy Scout brother had a court of honor this week that was quite exceptional. Firstly because it was an Eagle Court of Honor (one of his troop members becoming an eagle, a very auspicious occasion) and secondly because it was aboard an aircraft carrier. The USS Nimitz was in the Jebel Ali Dubai harbor, and allowed the Dubai troop onto the Navy ship for the event. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we were able to explore the ship and were given a presentation by two of the squadron lieutenants. (Nate had them sign his cast ;) It was unnerving and sobering, however, to see the women working on the carrier. A noble Navy can hardly function with honor in such a time.

We've put the tree up and are listening to Christmas music by now =)

with love,

Cait

Seeing Family

2009-11-28T14:20:00.004+04:00

Recently I scanned these weathered photos so I could get copies printed for myself. They are old prints and antique plates; photographs of generations on my father's side. The majority (and these three) are likely of Rose Theresa Muldoon, who emigrated from Ireland a century ago. She is the great grandmother whose cross I was given. It's so precious to have pictures like these - I'd like to know exactly who everyone is. Look at that bird on her hat! And the beautiful finger-waves in the above photo. The man could be my grandfather, Joseph, but could be her husband, Ira. They look exactly alike! He's quite young there though.

Are there old photos or other treasures you cherish?

Love,
Cait

Cheery Bunting

2009-11-24T00:53:00.005+04:00

This was made exactly how it looks - triangles of fabric, sewed along the edges, and then lined up on a folded strip of lace or bias tape. And hung wherever it pleases you ;) Super easy and colorful. I love mixing patterns and colors like this; don't you? It's very homey.

So, I stinkin love my life; just so you know. God is gloriously kind. There's nothing to complain about with the joy, purpose, and contentment given at home, and He keeps heaping blessing upon blessing on top of that. So thankful.
Tell me what is blessing you today.

love,
Cait

Pretty Pumpkin

2009-11-19T20:43:00.004+04:00

These are some of the cutest autumn decorations or projects I've ever seen - especially since we can't really get pumpkins in Dubai. Danielle Thompson has made a tutorial for fabric pumpkins, and they look incredibly easy (my favorite are the velvet ones she's made in the past).
One thing was crossed off the little November list last week - the fall bunting was a quick and fun experiment, though now it's simply above my desk as we aren't having any gatherings at which to hang it. Pictures soon ;)

How has your autumn been so far? Mine has been marvelous. God is so good =)

love,
Cait

summer, Brooke, and geisha

2009-11-15T21:58:00.004+04:00

Forgive my absence around here ladies; it's been busy (in the best of ways) and I haven't had much time for making things. Here are a few more old pages from the scrap journal.

love, Cait

November

2009-11-12T08:47:00.001+04:00

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. Paint ideas that have been floating.

2. Prepare majority of Christmas gifts.

3. Bake and cook for Thanksgiving

4. Plan Christmas tea

5. Send Christmas packages

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

2009-11-10T11:03:00.001+04:00

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

2009-11-08T16:27:00.003+04:00

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

2009-11-06T13:55:00.003+04:00

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.

2009-11-04T23:11:00.004+04:00

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

2009-10-26T21:12:00.002+04:00

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

2009-10-25T14:18:00.004+04:00

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

2009-10-22T14:24:00.002+04:00

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 as planned and looked just like the pictures. I was thrilled - and even more happy that our guests enjoyed it.

love,

Cait

Hazardous

2009-10-18T11:08:00.005+04:00

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

2009-10-15T13:48:00.001+04:00

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

2009-10-12T23:04:00.001+04:00

Being a new driver is fun - and how many of my teen friends get to have an international license? We are blessed to be here.

I love saying 'Is where I parked ok?' or 'I drove two of the girls out to Jebel Ali.' Or walking around the immense Dubai Mall to meet Danielle, knowing that I got there by 'all by myself.' Ha, I'm such a dork.

But I'm treasuring the extra moments in the car for prayer. (And singing super loud, but you know.) Time alone that's very different from frequent commutes as a passenger. It doesn't replace study but is a refreshingly interspersed pleasure.

Time is racing, as always, and the craft market (several?) is hanging overhead. Here are some herb ladies in the (very early) works.

So, what about you - Do you enjoy driving? What are your current projects?

love,
Cait

Owly

2009-10-10T14:23:00.004+04:00

The promised homemade candles - but only the pretty one. We made a bunch poured in waxed paper cups to make simple votives, but my favorite is this one made in a mold that was my mother's when she was little. You know I love owls (see the little porcelain phone charm on my pink phone? Silly me ;) and this goes perfectly by the vintage-looking pencil sharpener a friend gave me. It sits on 'the classy shelf,' beside my great grandmother's sewing box and the Venetian mask from Daddy.

Here are a few more recent unspectacular scrapbook pages. Snow Mountain cousins, beloved Pike Place market, and friends from Puyallup.

You have all been so encouraging lately - thank you :) It makes me so glad to know that you enjoy reading these little crafty postings and are maybe inspired to try things. Definitely the goal!

with love,
Cait

October Goals

2009-10-07T14:48:00.003+04:00

1. Make headbands for fair

2. Finish new set of herb girl paintings for fair

3. Progress on all quilts

4. Practice music on a weekly schedule

5. Have time every week with my brother

6. Memorize Isaiah 58:10-12

7. Start a certain Christmas gift

8. Make other gifts

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

11. Get at least halfway through one of the books I'm reading (really low goal alert).

12. Organize and host Mother-Daughter tea party for the well group.

13. Finish 'note-stitches' for fair. (I did this after writing the list but before posting!)

[These are more practical goals for October, but there are more personal ones too, and which calling 'goals' might trivialize a bit.]

And in keeping with the theme, I finally made a planner. Does that mean I'm somehow professional now? ;)

Headbands in Action

2009-10-05T18:15:00.002+04:00

Here's the pink rosette headband I made, which is a little larger than the others. I was very pleased with the outcome and have already worn it loads. The best thing about making things is that I can choose to keep and give the best ones and then just sell the rest (and maybe wear them first). These headbands I think are a step in the direction of bringing back fascinators - which many many etsy sellers are already doing! But I think they should be a more everyday sight. And maybe fancy hats next!

It was a pleasant, busy weekend, and Sunday was full, but today I had some treasured time for quiet study and reading.
'in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.' [Ps. 16]

love,
Cait

velvety supplies

2009-10-03T14:42:00.003+04:00

We spent the morning in Satwa, gathering silky fabrics for rosettes (and velvet ribbon...just because I think it's gorgeous and delightfully old fashioned). I also found some fun blossom-print cotton, and couldn't resist buying a quarter of a yard though I don't have a current project to use more than that. An exciting discovery was tiny, miniature clothes-pins, which I've been wanting for ages (more like two weeks actually, ever since I hung up an inspiration wire).

I'll be back soon with homemade candles and some monthly goals. Those seem like a good idea - like blog accountability maybe? Plus it will make me think clearly and get things accomplished for the November fair!

love,
Cait

Journal Year

2009-09-29T22:04:00.004+04:00

Now that the year for me finally seems like it is getting started (due to travel and uncertain schedules), I can see how full and busy it will be. Busy is a word I don't particularly like, though I love to be doing things. Down-time is so important to me though, and right now means time for treasured reading and quiet study, not so much entertainment.
For perspective, here is what my father wrote for my graduation announcement:

Although Cait’s homeschool education has been at a college preparatory level, she is not continuing with a traditional education in the modern sense. Cait’s vision is to live for God’s glory in ways that reflect His design for woman at creation, emulate the prevailing pattern of womanhood throughout the Bible, and apply the apostolic teaching in the New Testament. Confident in her identity as a woman, she seeks to embrace biblical womanhood’s orientation toward home, service in the church and community, and, in God’s providence, toward a husband and children.
We joyfully receive this gift of Cait remaining with us in Dubai, while she develops her home-management, musical, artistic and entrepreneurial skills, practically helps her parents and siblings, mentors younger girls in a Bible study, and assists her voice teacher one day a week in her Kindermusik business.

The last note about Kindermusik is one of the things which has altered and made things seem up in the air for so long. A new assistant was flown in from the US to take over lessons for my voice teacher, and she will also be doing all the Kindermusik classes while my old teacher, Sara, is pregnant :) This was slightly disappointing (though I'm delighted about the expected baby!) but it opens up other opportunities for serving in areas I wasn't able to before. As time fills up and as I make decisions and establish something of a pattern, it's a little frustrating but it reminds me how blessed I am. There is nothing of unpleasantness. Learning can be hard, but every day I am able to practice and progress in the things I am passionate about and need for life, to say nothing of contentment. Why more girls don't do life this way I'll never know (well, I do know, but it's sad!). God's way is so good, and His grace alone is what led us on this path!

My 'lovely package' finally arrived in Germany and I was overjoyed to hear how much Christine, my partner, loved it! It was such a blessing to me and well worth all the time and effort and love put into the package. I can't wait to receive mine and get a little glimpse into this sweet lady's life!

I've talked about journaling a lot, and know many of you do as well. This is my current journal (but at the rate it's going it won't be current much longer), and I bought it in Pike Place Market, Seattle. It is made of thick Nepalese rice paper, and was found at one of the oriental side shops, next to my favorite little Indian store. I covered the front with fabric, and used a tag and rotex tape to decorate it. Thy dross to consume comes from a favourite hymn, 'How Firm A Foundation.' It says, the flame shall not hurt you, I only design thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. Sanctification. The story of our lives, and what I pray for, and what each year holds. So it's fitting for a journal cover!!
What does yours look like?

This afternoon I spent time with one of my favorite people. She's creative and crafty and loving. We went to a neat gallery in a traditional part of Bur Dubai, and an art cafe. It was such a pretty area, one with a quiet and quaint atmosphere rare here.

love,
Cait

adjective

2009-09-26T23:01:00.006+04:00

Another batch of pretty letters went out recently!

I've added the rosette tutorial link to my last post for anyone who wants to try :)
Leanna is hosting a beautiful fall giveaway that you should be sure to enter!

Erin has tagged me for another sharing of 7 things about myself.

- We saw a big wooden box by the compound dumpster a few weeks ago and Daddy put it in the trunk for me so I spent the afternoon scrubbing and scraping it. It's beautiful cedar and smells delicious. I love rough wood like that and it looks great in my room (but doesn't have a permanent place yet). I have no qualms about reusing things and am quite proud of my new-old chest!
- This week my favourite verse has been Isaiah 58:10-12.

- I knew next to nothing about hand quilting when I set out on this endeavor to make a nice new coverlet. So now that the quilting itself is all that's left to do, I'm finally researching it. And thinking about winging it without much of a pattern.

- I'm not actually really a good painter...I just like to paint.
- Speaking of paint, hopefully within a few weeks my hallway will be a lovely dusty turqoise!
- This morning I had my membership interview at church. So excited to finally be old enough to be officially a part of this beloved body that has helped me grow.
- One of my well group girls this week said I looked 'wisdomous.' Ha!!

Happy Birthday to my amazing, guiding, protecting, loving, and imitable Dad! (He actually is 'wisdomous')

last year's card

with love,
Cait

rosettes & swimming pools

2009-09-25T23:50:00.003+04:00

A few weeks ago I made all these rosettes from online tutorials, and stitched them together on felt while watching a movie. The next step was to find plain headbands and sew them on, which was prompted by the desire to wear one on Friday (a pink one, not pictured). These two will probably be gifts, and I'd like to make more. We don't have any more chiffon or silky fabric left, so we need to make a run to Satwa soon! I'd also like some velvet ribbon - it's so pretty and you can do numerous useful and inspiring things with it.

Since it was eid week, on Tuesday the well group girls went swimming and played games. They are all so much fun to be around, and so unique and interesting in their developing personalities. I made them all line up for a few pictures, and then was begged to take jumping picture after jumping picture. We're all about jumping in photos here.

Is your autumn cooling off yet? It's no longer too hot to go swimming here, so that's a nice change!
love,
Cait

drone insight

2009-09-24T18:17:00.004+04:00

It's not very often mentioned on this craft blog, but I play the bagpipes and it's a huge interest of mine, even though not as big a part of life as it used to be. It's an incredibly fun instrument.
People usually don't see anything of the inside and I thought it would be fun to share a new little improvement on my pipes. Drones (the three long things that rest across the shoulder - one bass, two tenor) create the background humming sound for the bagpipe and if they are in tune nicely, it creates a really nice tone. Good quality reeds, steady blowing, and a good ear add to this.
Up until now, for all my 6 years on the pipes, I've used the same basic drone reeds. This summer I invested in some beautiful Crozier Omega reeds, and have just now begun switching over. The hum is marvelous and these reeds are way too modern and nifty. Look at the difference! I love how old school my former E.z.drone reeds are, but these are much more efficient. They are engineered specifically to tune perfectly and adjust more effectively.

Drones are tuned by lengthening or shortening them on the slides, but the reeds themselves can also be adjusted - moving up or down, moving the position of the tongue to the reed body, and in this case tightening and moving the keys - very technical comparatively.

When I deal with my chanter reed's faulty pitch (next up) I'll try to record a tune so you can hear =)
I've happily secured a table at the November art fair, and today made candles with some of my well group girls. It's been a hectic week and I'm thankful the weekend is here!
love,
Cait

21.9.09

2009-09-21T13:14:00.003+04:00

Father,
thank you for the brief deep blue sky this morning
and the smell of onion confit browning
and warm dough rising
and getting hot while reading with an apron still on.

'delight in life'

2009-09-20T15:02:00.004+04:00

I'm hoping to get a table at another Expat Woman fair this November. It's the Christmas one and people are looking for gifts, so it's great. I haven't made much lately so I'll need to get working, though without letting it become a consuming task for the next month. What I was really excited about though, is that a photo of my table from the last fair was in the announcement email!

and just because I think mushrooms are beautiful.

A few old pages of the inspiration journal -

What do your weeks look like?
love,
Cait

honest 80's

2009-09-17T15:00:00.004+04:00

Here's the fabric I'm using for the new bedcover. It's a lovely deep plum, paired with a muted turqoise pattern. Now I just need to research the actual stitching method - it's all ready, 'organic cotton bonded' batting included.

This is such a sad, sad, beautiful song. I love the dancing and old-world musical quality about it. And Bjork performs exquisitely as always. I like the line, 'all walls are great if the roof doesn't fall.'

The talented Natalie has tagged me to write ten honest things about myself (Is honesty not expected in these?).

- I love candles and burn a lot of them in my room (and recycle the wax to make more). I consider unscented candles a waste of oxygen ;)
- Four of five best friends live in other countries.
- I love to be out but over time I'm becoming more and more of a homebody.
- My style is also getting quieter, though this is largely unintentional. I need to get more colorful clothes since it's still what I like.
- Cirque du Soleil has come to Dubai multiple times in our residence here and I've never been able to justify the money it would take to go. But I'd be so thrilled.
- I'm working on my first quilted blanket (as opposed to a quilt - though I'm working on one of those too).
- For Christmas I gave my little brother 'Time.' An hour each week set aside for him. Even though we're...months? behind, it's still priceless when we do it. He explains football to me, or tries to teach me how to play his computer games, or makes macarons with me. Basically whatever he wants to do. It makes him so happy and is always always worth it. It needs to be more regular.
- I've always liked coffee but we're increasingly developing into a coffee-every-morning family. Maybe that's not good.
- A goal for this year is to experiment with many of the diverse cafes and restaurants in Dubai. It's tragic that there's such a variety and yet I meet friends at Starbucks every time. (Maybe it's the Seattleite in me)
- I didn't buy a stapler for ages because I was waiting to find a pink one that wasn't mini-sized. But I kept stealing my dad's so he bought me one. It isn't pink, but after some searching, my new phone is.

Last night Jamaila (the dear friend that doesn't live in another country) celebrated her 19th birthday with an 80's night. One guy decided to creatively interpret this dressed as an actual 80-year old man. I'd never met him so I thought it might be a real elderly person coming to the party. Here he is doing some dancing and rockin' out with one of the other best dressed guests.

with love,
Cait