::Windows & Doors; Shelves & Lights::

We hung our first curtain: A tablecloth I found in Montreal for $14.00, and am now kicking myself over-- why didn't I buy ten?!

Aidan worked on the linen closet. {Currently holding more presents; less linen.} See the beautiful trim work? He did it all himself. We are going to put a door on the closet eventually, but for now I'm still rejoicing over the shelves.

The lovely reclaimed window I first mentioned *here* has finally been given it's place of honour. It has been fitted up above the firewood storage cubby. We have big plans for that space. The window is a good start. {Pictures to come}.

These carriage house lanterns, meant to be outdoor lights, now adorn our upstairs hallway. They were intended for the garage, but proved to be too small. They completely fit the decor of the house. And they give off such a nice light.

And finally, a bedroom door! It has been a long-standing joke to entice guests over for the night with promises of a door on the bedroom next time. . . Well, we've finally hung one on the boys room--no joke. It only took 15 months. This door, along with two others, came to us via the side of the road. {The same house that offered me *these*}. We should invite those folks over for dinner. They've unwittingly saved us a bundle.

Small changes.

::Christmas Idea::Number 1::

Over at Sweet Paul's delicious blog there will be a daily "Christmas Idea" posting. Since he makes everything look beautiful I am excited to see what he has in store.
::Idea Number 1::

::The many faces of success::

Tomorrow I am off to the fair.
I would ask you all to pray for my heart. Pray that the experience will be a blessing, no matter what form that takes. The hope, of course, is that my *Alphabet Letters* will fly off the shelves. But, still chastened from *last year's experience,* I am very prepared for the possibility of many compliments without many sales.

I have had a lot of fun putting together my display this year. Last year, I did not enjoy the preparation. It was an assembly line of drudgery, and my children were neglected while I rushed to get everything done. This time around, my little ones were tucked in bed before I even picked up my paint brush! Every morning they would awake to see a new set of pretty painted letters added to the display.

I have also learned much about unrealistic expectations. After my one year of crafting, I have become aquainted with the ebbs and flows of demand. I have also learned that marketing is a very powerful tool; one that a mother of four has no hope of harnessing while keeping her family the first priority. And so, I have settled into the slow and easy rhythm of creating at leisure, while accepting the small successes with grace and joy.

Another very specific prayer request: May my display shelf stand firmly. May it not tip over on top of an unsuspecting peruser, possibly eliciting a law suit.

Thanks to all of you.

::Pushed from the Nest::

Like fluttering birds
pushed from the nest.
so are {the children of Congo}

Let the {children} fugitives stay with you;
be their shelter from the destroyer.
The oppressor will come to an end,
and destruction will cease;
the aggressor will vanish from the land.

In love a throne will be established;
in faithfulness a man will sit on it—
one from the house of David—
one who in judging seeks justice
and speeds the cause of righteousness.

~Adapted from Isaiah 16:2-5~

::Big Picture::

::Tiny arms. Big Tears::

Tears streaming down my face I read the last words. "Mommy, what's wrong?" Caelah was peering into eyes, her lips already trembling in empathy. "It's just so beautiful, sweetheart. It's about Jesus."

I was so caught off guard. I hadn't even paused long enough to look at the cover. If I had, I would have noticed that the story was by Oscar Wilde, and the true meaning of the story would have made itself evident to me far sooner. Instead, I read it through purely for my children's little ears. I used my voice as a tool to make it come alive. And then, well, the story made me come alive. That light-filled presence that seems to gust through us suddenly to get our attention again.

Jesus.
Beautiful Jesus.

::Bringing the Rain::

I have been deeply moved by this story. It has consumed my last two days. I can't even recall how I came to find it, but I am very aware that sometimes soul-growing things find you. Angie has lost a baby girl. She carried her little one nearly to term knowing that there was virtually no chance of survival after birth. Months of raw, honest, beautiful God-wrestling agony. And she chose to share it with us. Thank You.

The Begininning of the Story
*Here*

::Montreal Anecdote::

Caelah: "Mommy? You know girls who walk like this?" {She asks, putting her hands on her hips and walking with a much exaggerated sway of the hips...}

"They would like this." {She says with certainty as she holds up a a leopard print purse.}

Me: {Laughing in delight, while looking around to make sure there were no leopard print-clad women within hearing distance.}

"Yes, sweetheart, you are probably right."

::Grammie::

When old pictures unexpectedly come your way of someone who is gone they bring with them both the joy of discovery, along with a sharp grief at the staleness and lifelessness of the image, when all you want is the real thing. Looking at this smiling lady, memories poured in until I could taste and touch them. Then they lingered. They followed me to bed. They follow me still.

While the treasure was passed around the table I stole glances at my mom and aunt; their eyes fixed on the photo of their mother. If I hurt, what are they feeling?

Grammie.

::Wisp::

I have a craft fair coming up, so. . .
My business cards!

::Sugar-Packed::

Another year. Another butterfly. Another fireman. Another bee.
This is the triple-R principle put into practice. You know: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle? It works for us, and will continue to work until the last kid just can't be stuffed into that bee suit!

Thursday night I used my face to run a makeup test for Caelah. She loved it. I was scrawling all over with eyeliner and "painting" it in with blue eye shadow. I saw the cogs turning in her girly mind: I can't wait to try that. {"Caelah, this may be butterfly-pretty. But it is NOT everyday-pretty. Please don't try this before your first job interview."}
I came very close to joining Caelah as a fellow butterfly on the 31st, crazy makeup and all,but decided that wings and face paint are not conducive to domesticity, nor cuddles and baby face nuzzling.

We did something different this year. We joined two other families for a candy party and sleepover. The kid tally was 10. The cute factor was through the roof! A princess, unicorn, butterfly, bumblebee, fireman, knight and Mr. Incredible: "Look at my pipes!"

Sugar-packed good time.