2009 November | chatting at the sky

in which I direct you elsewhere

November 16, 2009

Even though I have full access to my laundry room, my kitchen and my computer, the fact that construction isn’t finished in the living room has been my reason for every procrastination this week. It seems like when one part of life is out of sorts, everything else suffers too. It’s worth it, though. All the suffrage. So worth it.

Since there is nothing to see here today, I am directing you to some of my favorite peeps who actually have something to offer.

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Kimba has finished her e-book! For a measly $8, you get details on how to make five new Christmas projects for your own home or to use as gifts. Lucky me got to preview it and I was instantly inspired to be Christmasy. And I also instantly changed the words to Holly, Jolly Christmas in my head: Have a very Kimba Christmas! It’s the best time of the year…

Do you know Gussy? She makes some of the cutest bags in America. I recently ordered one for me and one for my sister. Gussy is currently on day three of her five days of giveaways. So go visit her and see what you can win.

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Also, my friends at DaySpring have partnered with Danielson Designs to offer personalized signs and frames. I love this site. In the month of November, you can buy one get one half off.

One last thing. For those of you who know or read Kendra of My First Kitchen, she had her baby this weekend! So go see a photo of her sweet boy and send her love and joy.

Lots of fun things going on. Come back here tomorrow to unwrap your Tuesday. November is the official month of small-gift-noticing. I’m so glad we do it here every week.

Filed Under inspired

and the wall comes tumbling down

November 13, 2009

construction

I have nothing to offer today but this little preview of our living room. The wall is down! I’ve been measuring and sitting and staring and thinking. And then I move to the other side of the room and measure and sit and stare and think. This is most definitely my idea of a good time. It’s like I have half a new house. I’ve secretly been scoping out other walls in our house, wondering what if we just…?

(Just kidding, honey. I’m not really doing that. This is our last big project. Really.)

Filed Under a house-lover 32 Comments

His visible presence

November 12, 2009

his visible presence

Often times I think of God as the holy invisible, the unseen Maker, the hiding weaver of evidence. But there are moments here and there where time takes a break and I am overcome with the reality of His presence. Where I see color and creation, laughter and relationships as good and perfect gifts that exist because He does. Where I notice that all these things are a direct result of a God who lives and works and IS among us, not because we believe, but because He does. My dad calls it The God Show. Care to watch?

Filed Under inspired 18 Comments

the rest express

November 10, 2009

railroad

There has been a lot of stuff going on, along with some things and a few happenings. Isn’t that how it always is? I need some perspective in the midst of all the action, especially considering the fact that it is almost mid-November. Tuesdays are a great time to jump off the speeding train and take a slow walk down the empty tracks: to consider the gifts in front of me, to receive life, to extend grace, to give my soul some space to take a breath.

What are the gifts before you this day? Click on the button below to learn more about Tuesdays Unwrapped. Feel free to grab the button for your own post.

As always, if you are reading in a reader, you will need to click over to see the links. I hope you’ll be glad you did.

Filed Under Tuesdays Unwrapped 14 Comments

sittin’ on ready

November 9, 2009

front living room

Remember this room from this post? The one where I asked for your advice on knocking out this wall? Well, you spoke and I listened. So now, it looks like this.

empty room

One step closer. Of course, the kids immediately brought toys down from the play room to junk it up because being present in an empty room without toys is evidently against kid law. Construction starts on Wednesday. We’re sittin’ on ready, as my sweet, Southern mother-in-law would say. Actually, we’re sitting on nothing if you want to be accurate. Can’t wait to show you after photos. It won’t be long now!

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Bloggy friend Kimba just moved to a new address. I know you read her. Now go update your feeds and check her out!

Filed Under a house-lover 24 Comments

why I love picnik

November 6, 2009

sunrise before

Any budding photographers out there who don’t want to spend a lot of money but would like to make their pictures pop? I hesitate to post this because I would love for you to think that every photo I take is frame-worthy. In the spirit of being technically vulnerable, I introduce you to the beauty of Picnik.

sunrise

I admit this one may be a bit over-done, but it’s fun to play around with. They also have a premium service you can pay for, but I have been able to get a lot out of the free one so far. I don’t use it for photos I plan to print or for ones I shoot for other people, but so far I really like it for blog post photos.

Now go upload something and impress yourself! If you do it and have a great before and after, post it and let me know in the comments. I love a good before and after shot.

Filed Under a photographer 47 Comments

to enter in

November 4, 2009

She was in town to do an outdoor concert at the baseball park. I had no ticket because in those days, I didn’t have the foresight to plan ahead for things like that. The drivers seat of my little black Corolla would be the best seat I would get. I drove to the park determined to roll down the windows and find a spot on the street close to the stadium. I was happy there.

the street

In the middle of Come In, a couple leaving the concert early noticed me sitting small in the front seat and held out an extra ticket at the end of outstretched arms. I gratefully accepted and within minutes, the gray muffled tones from the parking lot became rich and distinctly colorful. What had been background was now center stage.

I sat up front, counting her freckles. And then she came into the grassy area after her set and I walked up to her. And we chatted, yes we did: about how her brother and I went to the same small school in a suburb of Detroit, though not at the same time; about how I remember her before she was famous when she came to our youth group and sang folksy, poetic tunes from a stool in the front and about how I had been a fan ever since.

But you know this isn’t really about Sarah Masen. It’s about my continual insistence that I’m okay with less when really, I long for more. It’s about how often I tell myself I’m content to sit on a side street rather than taking thankful steps toward the center of adventure.

If he says He will do far more abundantly beyond, then who am I to stop before He gets there?

Filed Under a girl 16 Comments