oh, the joys of good ink

A few drorings from the time in Oman...playing with new pens.

My dear friend Sara is visiting from the states - the first close friend to come to Dubai. It's only been a day so far but we are enjoying each other's company :)

love,
cait

déan tú féin sa bhaile

[make yourself at home]

mmmm it is sweet to be home.
I arrived last night, after a long day of driving and uncertainty, from Khasab.
The children will be missed, their frustrations not so much, but my own growth will remain!
- Reward enough for long weeks away.

I have missed family, blogging, dressing up, good coffee. Contentedness in simpler surroundings is a joy though, and natural beauty is an added pleasure in the mountains. Though I realize how I enjoy and am blessed by the material things and aesthetic happiness, I'm reminded of their ultimate meaninglessness!

I did do some painting in Oman, and drawing with my new rapidograph Koh-i-noor pens (eeee!) and that will be shared later. For now, how are you all?

incense

Crinkly smell of incense

Warm and pungent

Burning

Spreads through the house.

Welcome.

Baby’s cries from incensed houses

Fragrance covering lies.

The neighbors bustle, lives of happy fear.

And I lie awake to the sound of cats, shrieking as they fight.

A Note of Thanks

- for all of your lovely, sweet comments.
I miss you!

[there was much painting of mushrooms and cupcakes,
and cutting up of paper (the Shakespeare variety) on my day off,
so hopefully I'll have something to show soon]

until I return

Now that Christmas is past, packages have been received and opened and I can share two more special gifts of this year. These were created for two of my dearest friends; Katie and Sara. They are small scrapbooks made from simple photoalbums filled with cards of art, Shakespeare, quotes, passages of Scripture, glitter, lace, and love. Here are a few examples of the pages.

I am off to Oman again for about three weeks.

Leaving my family again is not ideal but I am excited to serve them again, and to see the baby and invest in the little girls' lives. The culture there is so beautiful too and I am thankful to experience it more. I will have limited internet access but will come by when able!

Much love to you all. Tell me how your January goes!!
Cait

A New Year

Already New Years Day, how strange that seems right now. Years never seem to be concise; the starts and finishes are never quite proper in my mind and the in between stretches out to be forever, or yesterday.
You grow a lot in a year, hopefully forward. This year God protected my heart, and transformed it, took things out and put things in and moved Himself closer to the center where He belongs.
There were new friends, more challenging and meaningful conversations than ever before, learning from each other.
There was increased family vision, and the pain of seeing our mistakes, looking ahead to the slow process of grace reinventing us.

I found out that people would actually buy my art. I realized that some of my best friends are held captive by the tragic lies of this world's priorities.


I drank a lot of tea.

I spent a lot of money on Starbucks, and a lot of my parents' money on paint.
Giving became a lot more important than receiving.
I became a yankee seccesionist. Hehe. I fell in love with Dutch clouds and Omani stars and incense, and the example of NieNie.

I will graduate and I will stay home to learn and serve and prepare.
God will continue to be faithful and amaze me with his steadfastness.

And hopefully I will continue to blog and get to know all of you.
Much love for this new year,
Cait

Lewis Carrol and Special Gifts

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


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

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

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



love,
cait

revisiting Blythe

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

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


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


with love,
Cait

this eve of Christmas

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

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

That's rather surreal, in the desert.

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

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

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

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

to all a good night -

love,
cait

come to Christmas high tea with me...

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

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

The lovely Rosie Posie Rosie tagged me for this :

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

2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag 4 people to do the same!

So here is my photograph;

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

So now I tag -

Kyleigh, my sister - Drum of a Different Beat

Anna, my friend - Barefoot Arrowsong

Stacey, kind Dubai crafter - Stacey Dot Dot

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

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

love,
Cait