Hello friends and hello Fall here in the Shenandoah Valley! I’m not much of a Fall decorator or a pumpkin spice girl, but I do love a good pair of jeans and a snuggly sweater. Here are a few good things to share from this month, in pictures: SEPTEMBER IN PICTURES *The lovely photography from the Maker’s Market is by Katelyn Gypsy Photography. Lastly, this song (and a playlist from this group) has been on repeat at our house...
I am creating a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This poem is based on the story of Jesus raising the widow’s son from the dead in Luke 7:11-17. one large crowd going outwith weepingmeets a buoyant and curious crowdgoing in buzzing around the Teacher I stumble against the waves of shock and tearsmy only son’s bodysapped of lifea close copy of his father’son a similar bier Pain in, pain outthe expansion of my lungsa merciless...
Hello and welcome! Last week on a gloomy, rainy day, I recorded a bird tutorial for you featuring a fun purple-blue bullfinch on a branch with berries. I think you’ll enjoy it. Want to paint with me? Here’s what you can round up before you start the video: SUPPLIES jar of water paper towel for blotting watercolor paints. I use this Sakura Koi set in the video. your favorite brushes (I like rounded brushes with tips like these*). paper: I...
Hello! I’m back, and I’m so glad you’re still here after my long summer break. LITTLE PROJECTS I got to focus on lots of important things this summer. Those included trips to the pool with my kids, tending the wildflower garden in the backyard, and a long list of painting jobs around the house. Here’s a before and after of our downstairs family room shelving: A BIG PROJECT I may have mentioned that I was going to work on...
Hello friends! Yesterday was the last day of school for my kids are we are . . . ahem . . . adjusting. I typically take the summer off regular blogging and creating to focus on time with the kids. Our summer plans this year include summer school, pool trips, working on a mural for the kids’ elementary school, and preparing for a September artisan festival in town hosted by another local church. The shop will remain open and...
I am the bleeding womanmy body a brittle wineskinleaking joymy purse exhaustedby the fruitless help of healers I have longed forrelease from hopeheart sick with its delayto despair fullytempts meand yet I hold twelve years has weaknessimprisoned me my boundaries drawn unpleasantlyin law and bloodshadowed and untouched an urgent crowd now rushes Jesus to a fading daughterher 12 years blooming and belovedto my 12 shrinking and stainedbut like a shockhope shoots through me with all that remains of faithlike...