sea and islands

Christmas at Waverley

2011-12-28T23:31:00.001-05:00

The whole Hammes clan, minus the greatly-missed Florida ones, came to our new home for Christmas breakfast and presents! It was a joyous, hectic, merry time!

We are trying on Waverley as our house name for a bit. Maybe it will fit. Maybe not. How does The Loys of Waverley sound?!?

Post Thirty-one: Take Heart

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Screw Your Courage to the Sticking Place

awe.

Thank you for joining me as I explore the redeeming work of Christ in my life this month. It is an on-going journey, a never ending challenge. I can think of no better way to end than to encourage you, readers. I pray that you too would press on, keep searching for glimpses of His face, and may you find it everywhere.

Post Thirty: Live.

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

growth

Ephesians 4:1b

Therefore I urge you who have been chosen by God to live up to the life to which God called you.

Post Twenty-nine: My Answer

2011-11-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

reverence

A C. S. Lewis quote often comes to mind in these soul-searching moments. It is from my favorite of his works, Till We Have Faces:

I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You areyourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answerwould suffice?

Post Twenty-Eight: Not Alone

2011-11-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

porches

Post Twenty-Seven: Joy

2011-11-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

first blush

the very place our fear lies is the very place Jesus will redeemus with joy.

Post Twenty-Six: Full Attention

2011-11-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

light

Our nothing, for His everything.

What am I willing tosurrender?

prayers

2011-11-16T22:23:00.001-05:00

Thank you for your prayers this month. I have been under the weather in one form or another for 3 weeks now. Sorry for the interruption of the blog series on Redemption. It has returned :)

Post Twenty-Five: A Remnant of Grace

2011-11-16T22:07:00.000-05:00

rust

a quarter lays dirty, on the floor at my feet. dust, germs, and filth clumped around this quarter of a dollar. I remember: a time I wold have already snatched up -- even were it only a penny. But now, I wear a $50.00 shirt and do not think twice of picking up a quarter.

nearly.

instead, I remember and I think my God for sustaining, providing and blessing me.

"It is the nature of grace to fill the quiet, empty place"

God's grace fills all.

under the weather

2011-10-30T19:17:00.002-04:00

posts are way behind. but my brain is also way behind.

still on the couch, still on meds, still on liquids.

some prayer would be appreciated as i go back to work tomorrow and try to function reasonably.

thanks, friends.

two posts, five teeth

2011-10-26T08:05:00.002-04:00

hi friends. getting five teeth pulled today. this has immensely filled my mind, my focus, my sleep, everything. some prayer would be appreciated. catch up on posting soon (thinking Friday).

Post Twenty-four: Ugliness

2011-10-24T07:45:00.000-04:00

Le laid peut être beau.

Post Twenty-three: Beauty

2011-10-23T21:45:00.001-04:00

perspective

A quest for eternity is surely, also, a quest for truebeauty. Thomas Aquinas said, "Beauty is that which being seen, pleases." What are the beautiful things that I do not recognize because I cannot see? Where are the pleasures my distraction blocks from me? What are you trying to show me, Lord?

Open my eyes that I may see.

Post Twenty-Two: Eternity

2011-10-22T11:05:00.000-04:00

fading

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Viceverses by Switchfoot

To listen to the full song, which I highly recommend, click here.

Post Twenty-one: the Impostor

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

hope II

In Life's Extras, whilst standing in a hurricanesque storm on a mountain-top, Archibald Rutledge saw a single shining star through the clouds. It was as if it whispered to him.

This storm is an impostor. It is momentary. The sky ishere, and the stars; all shall be well.

Post Twenty: Hope

2011-10-20T07:55:00.000-04:00

hope

behind the clouds, light never stops shining

Post Nineteen: We have to Trust

2011-10-19T07:48:00.000-04:00

My used-to-be-boyfriend/now-husband knows I love books. Often, to cheer or surprise me, he will take me to a bookstore or library unannounced. On one such occasion, a few years back we were in a used book store when I found a treasure: a small, well-loved Archibald Rutledge book. As the poet laureate of South Carolina for many years, you can imagine he has a way with words. I am always struck by the beautifully simple way he will state the most complex idea. In this book, he explains his thoughts on why God created a beautiful world. If you ever find his books anywhere, buy them! It will be well worth it for your soul.*

a candle's touch

Over the last few weeks, the question keeps arising: how do I have strength to hope? Never mind ME, how do people who live in far greater despair than I find the strength, the will, the belief to hope? To what do we cling when we question everything, including ourselves? To whom do I turn when life crumbles?

If we are to hold anything – and in times of sorrow we musthave something to which we can cling- it must be to the unseen. For thestrength that is permanent, we have to lean on visions; for immortal hope, wehave to trust, not the things that we perceive but those invisible things thatour spirits affirm.

– Archibald Rutledge Life’s Extras

*I cannot resist the temptation to note: When I checked out with this book, the lady at the register remarked that she did not think anyone under the age of 40 had ever heard of the man. I was happy to prove her wrong and assure her Ol' Archibald and I were well acquainted. More on him later though.

Post Eighteen: Trust?

2011-10-18T07:45:00.000-04:00

creekside

Do I trust Him?

Do I believe in a good God?

Post Seventeen: Lament

2011-10-17T07:45:00.000-04:00

hope.

Being rearranged, tried, and prodded at is uncomfortable. It hurts. A LOT sometimes. Trusting the work of the Lord can be so hard. I have always believed that it is wise to question and wrestle through spiritual quandaries. I do not think we must take the work of the Lord blind. He longs for our engagement.

Ask God. Weep before him. Scream out, if you have to.

There is great freedom in this.

Ann Voskamp, in her recent book One Thousand Gifts, explains, "Lament is a cry of belief in a good God, a God who has Hisear to our hearts, a God who transfigures the ugly into beauty. Complaint isthe bitter howl of unbelief in any benevolent God in this moment, a distrust inthe love-beat of the Father’s heart."

Post Sixteen: A Quote

2011-10-16T19:12:00.001-04:00

growth

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in torebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. Heis getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; youknew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presentlyHe starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does notseem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that Heis building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing outa new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, makingcourtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: butHe is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."

— C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

Post Fifteen: Trouble

2011-10-16T19:09:00.003-04:00

In this world you will have trouble…

not very reassuring, is it?

Post Fourteen: Remember

2011-10-14T07:45:00.000-04:00

in any language

Take this with you: No matter what, God doesn’t stop writing His heart, His story, His messageto us.

Post Thirteen- the Will of Another

2011-10-13T21:37:00.000-04:00

letting go

2011-10-13T08:46:00.001-04:00

Post 13 will be slightly delayed. Look again this evening. :)

Post Twelve: A Choice

2011-10-12T07:45:00.000-04:00

the way

"There are only two kinds of people in the end: thosewho say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, inthe end, "Thy will be done." All that are in Hell, choose it. Withoutthat self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantlydesires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it isopened. "

— C.S. Lewis (The Great Divorce)

Post Eleven: Chains and Strings

2011-10-11T07:45:00.000-04:00

rusted chains

I hear the voice of the Lord, whispering softly, urgently:

The strings are cut. This is live. This is real. This isMe, pursuing you.

Post Ten: Thy Will

2011-10-10T07:45:00.000-04:00

what is counted?

No one who has ever said to God, "Thy will be done," and meantit with his heart, ever failed to find joy - not just in heaven, or even downthe road in the future in this world, but in this world at that very moment. -Peter Kreeft

Post Nine: Living as One

2011-10-09T10:26:00.000-04:00

sublimity

Perhaps I need to dive more into the character of God for another day-- or twelve. One day and one chapter may not be enough. During this process, I am asking, When I say, thy will be done, do I mean it?

These are the dreams of my Partner:

I thought to myself, How wonderful it would be to treat you like children and give you a beautiful land, an inheritance unrivaled among the nations. And I thought, You will call me father, and you won't turn away from me.

This is His promise:

Return, unfaithful Israel, declares the Lord. I won't reject you, for I'm faithful, declares the Lord; I won't stay angry forever.

from Jeremiah 3

I encourage you to do this as well, to supplement what is given here.

Post Eight: Knowing our Partner

2011-10-08T09:53:00.000-04:00

viewpoint

Psalm 111-

Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart
      as I meet with his godly people.
How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!
      All who delight in him should ponder them.
Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.
      His righteousness never fails.
He causes us to remember his wonderful works.
      How gracious and merciful is our Lord!
He gives food to those who fear him;
      he always remembers his covenant.
He has shown his great power to his people
      by giving them the lands of other nations.
All he does is just and good,
      and all his commandments are trustworthy.
They are forever true,
      to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
He has paid a full ransom for his people.
      He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
      What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
      All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
Praise him forever!

Post Seven: As One

2011-10-07T09:32:00.001-04:00

his love, stained on my hand

Yesterday, I asked the question: Why is it our human nature, amidst tragedy, to go first to feeling abandoned rather than redeemed? Kelly and Patrio added some beautiful thoughts to the discussion in the comments. Specifically, the Oswald Chambers' words:

We "begin to get the seal of 'damnation' when we realize Jesus Christ came to deliver us from sin, but refuse to let Him do so."

Is this what atonement is?

Honestly, whenever I see or hear the word anywhere, I immediately think of McEwan's book and make a mental-association definition. A young girl, who does something horribly wrong, strives her entire life to fix this wrong. This seems sort of at odds with what I have read in Scripture. Are we to strive to make up for our wrongs? Remember the Reformation?!?! Fine. Maybe my weak- foggy definition needs help. So now, I have to actually look up the word:

Atonement (n.): Theology- the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Christ.

That's more like it. Honestly, it sounds a bit like redemption to me. We still have the question: how do we allow Jesus to deliver us from sin? Recently, in a sermon or in a book or in a movie (I am trying to be better at citations, I promise!!!), I heard that atonement is being "at one" or "as one" together. The idea of atonement between ourselves and Christ was likened to marriage. In marriage, two people come together, laying aside their individual lives. They then live ONE LIFE together. Atonement is to be as one with Christ.

The choice seems to be ours...

Why does our human nature feel so abandoned? Because we have walked away from the ONE LIFE we are called to. We leave our Edenic-walk and allow sin to reign. We make gods of ourselves and forget the Dance.

I may go so far as to say we do not truly know our Partner...

Post Six: Hope and Trust

2011-10-06T07:45:00.000-04:00

a way through

Redemption is our sin, our slavery, our debt PAID by thesacrifice of Jesus Christ.

If He has done this, surely, we can trust Him withall else.

Question of the week:

Why is it our human nature, amidst tragedy, to go first to feeling abandoned rather than redeemed?

Post Five- Just a Photo

2011-10-05T07:45:00.000-04:00

wood and wires

Post Four: Debt of Life

2011-10-04T07:45:00.000-04:00

in any language

The debt against me- for ugly sin, for all I have thought, imagined, and done- has not beencancelled. The accounts are not erased. The record remains in bold, black ink... forever.

But this debt, my debt, is paid in full.

Mysin-debt is covered in Christ’s blood. It is the ransom by which my spiritsprings from sin-servitude to freedom. Such sweet, undeserved joy is mine.

Post Three: One Scripture

2011-10-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

alleyway joy

Mark 10:45

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.

That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.

Post Two: Redemption Defined

2011-10-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

No Entry

We, as Christians, believe Christ redeemed our lives with His death on the Cross. We speak of the redeeming power of the blood of Christ, but do we know what this means?

I suppose if I am going to do a blog series on Redemption, I should define the word. Besides, I am an editor of English reference books, so its in my nature to want to define things. Today's entry will be simple definitions:

Redemption means:

1. the state of being redeemed (yeah, need to define this further, so see below)

2. deliverance (this too!); rescue from sin

3. salvation (protection from harm)

4. atonement for guilt

5. repurchase, as of something sold

Redeem means:

1. to pay off

2. to buy back

3. to exchange

Deliverance means:

1. salvation

2. liberation

3. a thought or judgment expressed; an authoritative pronouncement

A synonym for redemption is "ransom." I always think of the movies with the rich, heiress hostages and the cute police officers who negotiate a way to free the beautiful, smart hostage and capture the evil psychopathic kidnapper. Ransom is mostly used nowadays in a monetary sense. But the meaning is basically the same as redemption. Think of Christ's blood as the ransom to free us from sin's bondage.

An antonym for redemption is "abandon." In difficult times, this is exactly what we think God has done, isn't it?

But I am getting ahead of myself...

Post One: The Beginning

2011-10-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

thought is the wine of the soul

September, bringing fall and another anniversary of life,shocked me with its complexity. I have wrestled, for some time, with the ideaof how the ransoming of our souls by Jesus Christ interplays with our everyday. Its as if I was being bolstered to face the knocks of this month.

September found me crying before the Lord, “Where is Yourredemption? How will You deliver us?” This Israelite-echo filled my mind.

They call them the Children of 9/11, bringing to mindRushdie’s Midnight Children. Thebabies, in womb, when their fathers were killed in 2001. These children arenine, turning ten in a few short months. Their lives are drastically differentthan other nine year old lives. They do run with total abandon through schoolplaygrounds. They do make mudpies, play soccer, or build blanket forts in quite the same way.They cannot revel in their childhood. At least not without the press lookingon. These children are toted before newspapers and magazines. These are asked “howdo you feel…” about things a nine year old should not face for another tenyears-- at least. At the magazine stand, I see their eyes stare through glossycovers and penetrate me. Lives torn apart. No one to coach soccer practice. Noone to throw the ball with. No daddy to join the tea party. Children, madeadults before first earth-breath. Father,can this be Your will?

Tree-climber, book-lover, peaceful-dreamer, and friend. She stareshurt head-on today. Deep, uncomfortable hurt. She faces something I have not-the death of a family member. She explains to her eleven month old, “Grandma isin heaven.” She holds her sister-in-law, bursting with child, and cries hersoul out dry. She turns to her husband, aching for words to support, strugglingin the grieving. She mourns the loss of a mother by marriage. She mourns theloss of her son’s grandmother- for no one loves, spoils and dotes quite like agrandmother does. The children, in womb and in hand, do not know. But sheknows. Can there be good in this too,Lord?

“You just watch these babies grow and then fade. You don'tknow if you're supposed to name them, or bury them, or...”¹ Eachmonth, the hope grows. Each month, the tears fall, heavy and breaking anddevastating. Names are uttered, rooms are envisioned. “But every time wepseudo-name, it all comes crashing down.” What can you say to the empty womb,refusing to fill? Namer of all, will youbreath life?

------------------------------------------

September found me crying in joy. Sons, born seven thousandmiles away, found their way home. Home to a father and a mother. Home toanother brother. Home to love. And I cry, because although the womb is emptyand dreams freeze cold, You breathe life. There is a family that transcendscircumstance. There is a Life that defeats death. There is a Hope. For all ofus. HOPE.

I ask that you, reader, join me on this search. Ponder these words.Take them with you into the fresh air and the closed offices of your lives.Hold them on your tongues. Roll them through your thoughts until they reachyour soul. Ask questions with me to figure out how our lives are to reflect, honor, and represent Him. Join me in this struggle with Love's redemption.

Find a way to respond. When things strike a nerve, ask why.Comment here or email me. Or, talk with friends as you wrestle through. But do notlet the truth float by ungrappled.

¹-(from the movie Away We Go by Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida)

October: Redemption

2011-09-29T22:05:00.000-04:00

For the month of October, I will be on a visual, literary, and Biblical journey here on Sea and Islands. I will ask hard questions regarding redemption. I want to know how the Lord is working out redemption in my life. I want to know where the ransom is for our aching souls. I want to know where God is in the earthquakes, the hurricanes, the stillborn children, the violent wars.

I do not know where this will take me. Tune in to find out...

[And feel free to ask your own questions and add your own observations, of course.]

extra reading...

2011-09-11T15:34:00.001-04:00

from my brother:

Explaining Away a September Day

9/11

2011-09-11T15:12:00.004-04:00

we honor the stories we have heard

for ten years.

of bravery, sacrifice, and valor.

of i love yous and im sorrys.

of second chances and last goodbyes.

to the backyard patriots, whose stories go unheard, we remember you too.

When Hitler Pops Over for Tea

2011-08-16T22:05:00.003-04:00

My heart mulls the depravity of man. I wrestle with these words from the Apostle Paul. I listen, in silence, to news anchors informing me of mass murder in Norway, a child's whisper cut short by the hands of a parent, brutality and greed teeming from a leader's hand. I hear family, friends, co-workers, buzzing with chatter --did you hear what that person did?-- and I say nothing. I chew the cud, to borrow a line.

And I stumble across blogs and organizations talking about depravity. at least I am not alone. One such organization is called People of the Second Chance. Their tagline is "overthrow judgment. liberate love." What a powerful message. In this era of care-about-social-justice-it's-the-cool-thing Christians, it is refreshing to have a bold re-statement/ re-assessment of purpose. Its not about crushing and avenging. Its about loving and encouraging.

I watch the news again and I turn on documentaries and I study history and I am angry. again. How can such selfishness, evil, pain exist in this world? How can tempers and power-trips and rampages go unchecked, in so many places, for so long? My heart breaks and I can barely breathe and I remember. "all have sinned."

What separates me from the likes of Bin Ladin, Mubarak and Mugabe? What makes me different from the suicide bombers throughout the Middle East- throughout the world? What stops me from going on a rampage and destroying lives around me like Breivik, Klebold and Harris?

nothing.

I am convinced more now than ever before that I am capable of the corruption and grotesqueness of each of these people. I am no better because I have not done these things. Hasn't my heart wanted to murder these dictators and perpetrators myself? Haven't I mentally damned murderous mothers to hell? Haven't I thought of how to torture and punish rapists? In my anger and pain at injustice, I create new sin- if only in my thoughts...

I know what the Creator says about thoughts. I know that to think is the same as doing. I am not making a statement on righteous anger, capital punishment, assassination, or social justice. I am not going there with this discussion. I am talking about me and second chances. Because here is the deal, I believe in Love, Grace and Mercy. I believe in a God who will forgive my every fear, my every pain, my every sin. Because I believe in this God, I am forced to reconcile myself with my own depravity and with His saving grace.

Would you give Hitler a second chance?

Christ would.

In my heart of hearts, I do not know that I can.

Some Thoughts on [Good] Friday

2011-04-22T08:37:00.005-04:00

Last night, some two thousand years ago, was the Passover feast in which Jesus spoke strangely of giving up his life for his friends. He also spoke of betrayal. After dinner, there was prayer in the garden: pleading, bleeding prayer from the Son; sleep from the friends. And finally, horror of horror, Jesus was arrested and accused. What feelings of hopelessness and uselessness must have risen from his friends. What lies must have been whispered to them during their despair.

Last night, April 2011, at small group, we watched The Passion of the Christ. All week, Brandon and I have been working at sitting in the moment. At church on Sunday, we were encouraged to try to experience Holy Week as the disciples did. Try to think through each day from the triumphant entry to Jerusalem to the billion-times-more-glorious resurrection. And so, nightly, we have read through the Gospels, trying to sit with the followers of Christ, in the moment.

Last night, nearing midnight, Brandon and I shared the communion from our Savior. We broke bread. We drank wine. We refreshed our souls with Truth from the Gospel of Luke. We sat together, one couple, thankful for a sacrifice and a pain we will never endure nor comprehend. The Eucharist, after all, is an act of thanksgiving.

Today, as my Savior was tortured millennia ago, I will strive to sit and remember in the midst of chaos. Only, how far I have come. How far HE has brought me. I pause and I praise the King. His love brings us through!

Today, I am thankful I know the end of the story. I have never known the Easter story without knowing the Truth of the end. I am thankful I am not living through such a day when this was the worst Friday any friend, mother, follower could imagine. Today, I am thankful for GOOD Friday- with all its weight and joy and beauty and sacrifice.

Today, HE has overcome.

Art

2011-04-15T16:50:00.002-04:00

the truth is, we can all use a little inspiration. the truth is, sometimes that inspiration only comes when we pick ourselves up and decide to do something. to encourage her readers to do this, lovely Jeanne Oliver has decided to host an art supplies giveaway!!! go enter to give yourself a kick in the bum!

and have a lovely weekend...

2011-04-14T08:43:00.001-04:00

Happy lovely, beautiful Thursday

~with dreams of beaches, unread books, pina coladas and sun hats!

"Leave to See" Video

2011-03-31T23:21:00.004-04:00

Brandon and I have been busy this week stealing the few daylight minutes between the end of work and the beginning of night. Did I mention its been raining for eight days straight here too? But we managed to pull off a video for the Trent Dabbs Music Video Contest. Who doesn't want to win a free iPad 2? Great incentive to get our creativity going! Part of the contest is based on YouTube views... so feel free view this baby ten times a day!

Don't you think Brandon did a great job- as always? So much fun being creative together! Oh, and the little girl is our niece Anna from the Czech Republic.

a thought.

2011-03-27T21:31:00.004-04:00

The minute I heard my first love story

I started looking for you, not knowing

how blind that was.

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.

They're in each other all along.

-Rumi

The more I know him, the more time I spend with him, the more fights I have with him, the more we laugh together, the more I wake up next to him... the more I know this to be true. I love you, husband.

Give me Something... from England!

2011-03-24T08:27:00.009-04:00

I am not the one who typically promotes music on my blog. I reserve that for my husband. He does such a great job of it, why should I interfere? But today is a different sort of day! Last night, he and I attended a free concert put on by The Bridge, our local radio station. The lovely band was none other than Scars on 45. I am convinced we were the only ones to show up for this band in particular. Fortunately, it was held at Wild Wings Cafe, so there were a large number of guests [insert guys looking for girls, girls trying to look like they don't want the attention]. Don't let our sole attendance put you off. Charlestonians just let me down last night. [We did invite everyone we know in Charleston to this show as well. Lame friends! :)]

After a great set, sadly riddled with sound issues (by the way, even crackly, Aimee sounds INCREDIBLE!), someone called for an encore. The band kindly said "we don't know any more songs." Brandon and I were going to have none of this. We KNEW they had other songs. So we shouted out "What about Tired Eyes?" Three members turned around with genuine shock on their faces. I guess they have not had many requests on this American Tour. I even heard Aimee say under her breath "That's a first!" They did not play our song because they don't remember how to play it. After they packed up, Brandon and I chatted with them. Aimee is the nicest person in the world. She was just so amazed that we knew and requested one of their old songs, that she made the band sign a CD for us and gave it to us for FREE. (We only had $2 with us, which we offered and she flat out refused, saying our requesting "Tired Eyes" was payment enough.)

They are incredible live, and my humble, unlearned opinion is that if you have a chance to see them live: do so now! Go buy their EP and give them some support. I cannot say enough how genuine, kind, and joyful this band was. Oh, and very entertaining too!

Oh, I nearly forgot. Part of the reason we may have been the only fans present was a miscommunication. Their website said they were playing at 7pm at Wild Wings Downtown. We showed up to no band- but our awesome waiter hunted down the information for us. Perhaps others showed up to Market Street and just gave up after being told "the show was cancelled." I am so thankful we pursued the correct information!

2011-03-22T15:07:00.001-04:00

No Coward Soul is Mine

  No coward soul is mine,   No trembler in the worlds storm-troubled sphere:   I see Heavens glories shine,   And faith shines equal, arming me from fear.    O God within my breast.   Almighty, ever-present Deity!   Life -- that in me has rest,   As I -- Undying Life -- have power in Thee!    Vain are the thousand creeds   That move mens hearts: unutterably vain;   Worthless as withered weeds,   Or idlest froth amid the boundless main,    To waken doubt in one   Holding so fast by Thine infinity;   So surely anchored on   The steadfast Rock of immortality.    With wide-embracing love   Thy Spirit animates eternal years,   Pervades and broods above,   Changes, sustains, dissolves, creates, and rears.    Though earth and man were gone,   And suns and universes ceased to be,   And Thou wert left alone,   Every existence would exist in Thee.    There is not room for Death,   Nor atom that his might could render void:   Thou -- Thou art Being and Breath,   And what Thou art may never be destroyed.

-- Emily Bronte

The Path of Peace: A Reflection

2011-03-12T08:54:00.006-05:00

You don't know when you're taking

the first step through a door

until you're already inside.

Ann Voskamp

A new beginning. A trepidatious return. Both parties anxious and excited. Both willing to turn to God and each other for their strength. February 18, 2009, a day marking parents first meet and the love of this couple. Too much weight for one day to hold. A bright, sunny day, I climb into a car- his car- filled with boxes, frames and plants. So many plants, it looks like a garden center on wheels. He locks the gate on our rental truck, securing all of our belongings. I watch him, excited for the future, nervous for the long, lonely drive, and sad for the friends and memories left behind. I send a quick joking text to a dear to brighten my mood. And to keep the tears at bay. This should be a happy day.

A scattered and frantic unload before dark: family in a jolly mood. Most to storage, a drizzle to Harborview. We find ourselves that night in a 100 square foot living space. I cry. The space is temporary. The space is free of charge. This space is a gift of love. Although my mind knows these things, my heart aches for room, for home, for community.

We take up life here. Surprised by the places God calls us to. Surprised by the old friendships, refusing to rekindle. Surprised by a love of this city. Dcf'ers come to visit on long weekends through Spring and keep our hearts light. You need distant friends to stick by you when you move somewhere new. We struggle through jobs, bills, friendless days and dryness. We live for the weekend and the promise of grilled vegetables and chicken on a barbecue, the sand and shells between our toes, the refreshing waves lapping, lapping, lapping. We live for a promise of tomorrow, waiting for God to show His way.

Surely the story comes. God reveals Himself in mid-October. He, put through the ringer, has been promoted with pay raises three times this year. And I, tired of meaningless jobs, am given a dream job utilizing passion for the written word and excitement for the treasure hunt historical research so often is. A new business is started, uniting mother and daughter, healing old wounds. A new church is planted in August; we attend from the beginning, finding community, friends, passion, and worship. We gift each other a new car, Liam, for Christmas. I cry, at the mercy and faithfulness of our Father. We move from a lovely wood-view apartment to family land. With walls we can paint guacamole, winter's day, fog blue, and nutmeg brown, we embrace this space and call it home.

With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven

will dawn upon us. It will shine on those who live in darkness,

in the shadow of death. It will guide us into the path of peace.

Luke 1: 78, 79

Aversions, Affections, and Adorations

2011-03-05T08:52:00.002-05:00

I have seen this idea around bloggerworld and thought I might join in for a short Saturday morning post. I enjoy specific lists and categories like this. Hope you do too:

Aversions: cream in tea, iced coffee, cold showers, humidity, people who are always late, improper pronunciation of "anyway," hearts, dry skin, non-creative ruts, headaches, eggs, painted-shut windows, dirty screens

Affections: coffee, jeans, boots, earrings, books, hammocks, tidal creeks, the smell of pluff mud, this land I live on, number 7, history-specifically post-colonial Africa, photography, Nikolai my camera, freshly painted walls, champagne

Adorations: my Jesus, His Daddy, and the Spirit; worship of the aforementioned; my quirky, intelligent, humorous family; my loving, encouraging family-in-law; good friends whose conversation makes time stop; the husband who makes my heart jump

What are your aversions, affections, and adorations?

The Artist Life: RIE

2011-03-03T08:46:00.001-05:00

The creative is the place where no one else has ever been.

You have to leave the city of your comfort

and go into the wilderness of your intuition.

What you’ll discover will be wonderful.

What you’ll discover is yourself.

-Alan Alda

Check it out on Quixotic RIE's blog every Friday for March and April. You will love it and meet amazing people too!

yesterday/ a year ago

2011-02-19T08:59:00.002-05:00

February 18, 2010, Brandon and Claire Loy moved to Charleston, SC. I am doing some thinking and writing on the matters that I plan to post later. For now, know I am honoring the day in my heart and plan to reflect [publicly] on it soon.

Have a beautiful Saturday.

a day late... but you get the idea

2011-02-15T09:19:00.003-05:00

Hope you are all having a lovely month of LOVE! :)

RIE's New Line

2011-02-12T21:22:00.004-05:00

Quixotic RIE has released the Spring Line for 2011! Its classy and casual with a twist of elegance. I hope you like it! Items will be listed for sale on Etsy over the next week or so. To introduce our new VINTAGE line, we will also be having a week long giveaway, starting tomorrow! Check it out!

Creativity Bootcamp 2011: SO PUMPED!

2011-01-27T17:31:00.001-05:00

Last summer, I participated in Madeline Bea's Creativity Boot Camp. It was an online two week course in which each participant was encouraged to focus on one particular creative outlet. I chose wearable art in order to push myself towards our Grand Opening of Quixotic RIE. It was difficult to find time every day to accomplish the tasks, but I took the program at my own pace. I was exceedingly pleased with the results. Maeghan has kindly made a Workbook available for those of you who missed out on participating. I would encourage each of you to do this at some point this year. It is stretching, encouraging, and eye-opening. You are bound to love and hate it at the same time. And be thankful, in the end, that you gave it a go.

A little details, in Maeghan's words:

The Creativity Boot Camp e-book is filled with all the creative goodness of the two week course. With ALL NEW CREATIVE PROMPTS and a brand new Workbook with some extra thought provoking questions that you can print out and use to get the most from your daily exercises! Don’t feel like you can devote the time to it right now? No biggie…work through it at your own pace! Take a whole week per assignment if you wish! Use it as a tool in whatever ways work for you! Feel free to use the CBC Flickr group to post images from the brand new prompts. I know everyone loved the camaraderie of the two weeks we shared together…so utilize the spaces we have and connect with each other!

Also, Spring Training is coming in May. See you there for sure! What will your medium be?

NYE: 2011

2011-01-07T16:40:00.002-05:00

2011: A Year of Peace

2011-01-03T21:43:00.006-05:00

"a new day from heaven will dawn upon us.

It will shine on those who live in darkness, in the shadow of death.

It will guide us into the path of peace."

Luke 1:78,79

2010 resolutions assessment: I accomplished all of the goals outlined here- except a photo a day for a month. Perhaps I can do that this coming year with my new computer and photo editing software! Who knows what 2011 will bring!?

As is clear from my last post, 2010 was a year of blessing for Brandon and me.

-new computer (beautiful Deirdre)

-new wonderful job (me)

-raises (B)

-new homes (the Regatta and now, Treetops)

-new city (Charleston)

-new friends (Britten and Chris, Patricia and Brian, Christine and David)

-vacations (Savannah x2, Puerto Rico, D.C., Boston x2, Florida x2, Greenville and Clemson)

-visits from old friends (Kelly, John and Jana, Mike, Melissa, Reid, Amie and Nathan, Ali and KW, Jay G!, the Hayes family)

2010 was busy and bustling and blessed. It was a year of change.

Now, at the dawn of 2011, I look forward to the stability and rest it is sure to bring. I am certain changes are ahead, but it seems 2011 has more peace than transition. For this, my heart is happy. I thank the Lord for such a time.

We live in a time in which Christ's light outshines any darkness. May this truth guide, sustain, and lead you and me in 2011. May we find the path of peace promised.

whispers of love

2010-12-19T21:07:00.004-05:00

To say that I have been blessed is an understatement.

Love has been lavishly poured on me in such abounding and non-proportionate ways. I loose my breathe to think of it. For some unaccountable reason, the Lord has seen fit to always provide me with a car. In necessary (for jobs) and unnecessary (for errands and coffee shop visits) situations, I have always found myself with some transportation-busy, bike, car. My parents have 8 children and could hardly afford to give us each a car. I bought my first car, Seamus, when I was 20 years old. He treated me well and those who rode in him, remember him fondly. He had a sad end and was buried in a Charleston junk yard in 2006. Since then, I have been officially carless. I lived on bus routes and hitched rides with kind roommates and generous friends.

Until this string of blessings:

-My first car-lending blessing came from Clemson Family who had an extra car they used to lend to those in need. Their car saved me for several months from cold, 5AM bus rides. I graduated and moved home. The car needed a new home in another desperate person. And so, pseudo-Seamus was passed on.

-I was offered a raise upon graduation that came with a car at the Coffee Shop. The car wasn't officially a company car- it was the Jittery Family car. And so, in using it, I became a part of the family. Sharing rides, giving rides, lending and swapping cars with the dear Jittery Family. This becoming a part of someone else's family was more a blessing than the car was. But the Coffee Shop closed. I married my Love. And became essentially jobless.

-Until Canadian-Pop-Star went to Italy for three months. While my friend was in Europe, her parents (who had only met me once) agreed to my using her car. This was during the first three months of marriage in an empty Summer Central town. The car was a salvation- a tie to real life- a way to run errands for elaborately planned meals- a way to meet Love for lunches- a way to go to ice cream with friends- a way to not be stuck. An incredible blessing.

-Love and I moved to Clemson. Canadian-Pop-Star came back from Europe and Sheila went with her to Georgia. I found a job doing research and occupied myself for some months via bus routes.

-Until Clemson Family Mom met me for coffee one morning. And heard I had no car again. Immediately, she gave me the key to Pseudo-Seamus and said "go pick him up." This is how giving the Clemson Family is- not a second thought to the

ir own inconvenience or expense. Just a simple "here." I drove pseudo-Seamus for another half a year until Love and I moved to Charleston.

-I was hired for a three month job- hardly a reason to buy a car. And so, Rooster Brother lent me his old, tired Bronco for the extent of the job. It was old and rickety and broke down on us. But it got us through, once again.

I fear my words do not do justice to my heart. These gifts of transportation have been whispers of love from friends, surely. But I declare that these whispers were mere echoes of my Father's love. He loves in so many diverse ways- we cannot even fathom. I do not understand why he chose this method of love. Why cars were so important to Him to give to me. And yet, I cannot help but know it is an intentional movement on His part: four cars lent over four years of life. An intentional move to woo my heart and soul.

Thank you, Clemson Family, Canadian-Pop-Star, Jittery Family, and Rooster Brother for being the voice of my Father and for allowing His love to move through you.

Yesterday, Love and I bought our first brand new car together: a 2011 Honda Civic in metallic grey with tinted windows. I think this will be a new sort of blessing. A blessing we hope to share.

Peace to you this Christmas season. How is our Father whispering to your heart?

Gift Ideas for Your Southern Friends

2010-12-10T10:34:00.003-05:00

$30.00-Vintage Floral Full Gidget Apron by sugarnspiceaprons

SugarnSpiceAprons's Desription: "The Gidget apron evokes the same fun, flirty, bubbly persona as it's namesake. With a full bib and adorable peter pan collar, the Gidget will keep you looking stylish and keep your clothes protected at the same time! It has a neck yoke so that it rests gently on the nape of your neck, instead of tying. Long 30" ties make it easy to adjust the fit of the waistband. The Gidget is made of 100% cotton reproduction feedsack fabric for that touch of vintage authenticity. "

$20.00- ANTIQUE RED GLIDER, print 12x12 photo by SandraRussell

SandraRussell's description: "Original Photograph archival printing. IMAGE SIZE 8X8. MATT SIZE & Frame size 12X12"

$12.00- Y'all Signpost by quixoticRIE

Description: "Looking for a truly Southern phrase, it is "Y'all." This linguistic reminder of Southern heritage adds a slow smile to your decor. This particular sign features grey-blue highlighted lettering with antique white background on this nearly square sign. A wire for hanging can be attached *upon request* for the buyer. The dimensions are 7" x 7.25"."

Gift Ideas: Mother-in-Law

2010-12-10T09:13:00.001-05:00

$59.00-Vintage Silverware Santa's Reindeer Spoons by WoodenHive

WoodenHive's description: "YAY! Christmas is coming and so are Santa's Reindeer! They are flying right to your house for the holidays. Vintage silver plate teaspoons with all nine of Santa's reindeer on them. You will receive Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen my fav ;) Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and of course Rudolph! All on different patterned vintage silverware." If your mother-in-law isn't into reindeer, why not have custom ornaments of all her children's names? Don't forget to include yourself tho!

$38.00-Victorian Sterling Scottish Thistle Amber Brooch by iciernia

iciernia's description: "Beautiful Victorian Sterling silver Scottish thistle brooch. Signed by the maker along with the word "STERLING". Cut Amber crystal thistles. Open curling c-clasp closure on reverse. Measures approximately 1 1/8"

$20.00- Recycled Wood Garden Sign by quixoticRIE

Description: "Decorate your gardening shed, conservatory, gazebo, or garden wall with this simple, rustic sign which features black lettering on ivory wood with a whimsical border. Display your enjoyment of your garden! The dimensions are 7" x 15"

Christmas Gift Ideas: for the Eccentric Sister

2010-12-08T18:23:00.002-05:00

$20.00- Electric Blue Earrings by veryprissy

Very Prissy's Desription: "Electric blue earring in one ear....Punky peacock in the other. Why not? If anyone asks, tell them you have a split personality and almost matching was an option and you did not feel like limiting your choice on earrings to wear with the slammin outfit you have on!"

$25.00- Birds Nest Bangle Set of 6 with 3 Birds by allisonmooney

Allisonmooney's description: "A set of six polished gold plate textured bangles adorned with three birds. These are perfect bracelets to layer with your other metallic pieces. Bangles measure 75mm in diameter and the gold plate bird measures 6mm by 12mm. Bracelets are packaged in organza jewelry bags. This not only makes for a beautiul presentation, but it is perfect for keeping your earrings organized as well."

AND, she offers FREE SHIPPING. What a wonderful plus that is!

$8.00- Carroll Crocheted Watch by quixoticRIE

Description: "The fantasy world of Lewis Carroll would be pleased to sport this whimsical time piece. Crocheted of soft light-grey yarn to create a faux watch face with pearl accents, measuring about 1" across the face. Wear it any time to accent your fall wardobe with a touch of fun."

A Vintage Noël

2010-12-05T00:55:00.001-05:00

A Visit from St. Nicholas

by Clement Clarke Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

...

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

...

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

ENJOY!

CYBER MONDAY SALE at quixoticRIE!!!

2010-11-29T14:26:00.002-05:00

RIE is having a CYBER-MONDAY sale at our ETSY store!

Check it out, up to 20% off on select items.

ChristineClaire

2010-11-16T10:46:00.003-05:00

On my sick day, I am perusing the internet for Christmas gift ideas. How fun is that? And though most things I find have me selfishly thinking, "I want this!" at least I am not actually purchasing said items for myself! :) My searches reminded me of a recent friend's business. She is based out of Charleston and makes gorgeous jewelry! Excellent quality and very affordable. Please, check out her items for your Christmas loves.

Happy Shopping with Christine Claire

Today I am thankful for:

2010-11-14T10:20:00.003-05:00

houses for Thanksgiving gatherings

used cars for sale

amber drinking glasses

pumpkins!

PW giving me courage to make my own pumpkin puree

cameras

nice computers

creativity

family

momentum after a big move

coffee with cream

good friends near and far

days off work

weekend sleep-ins

Christ. and His mercy.

football- even when the Tigers choke.

the friends who surrounded me at my wedding

my husband doing laundry at 11 at night

a wonderful job

family to help you move

photo albums

fabric and buttons and lace

words like "snazz" and "glamour"

plants

especially bamboo

snow

and sunshine

internet and cell phones and technology (hello, Scotland!)

quixotic RIE

aigretts

sweat pants

down comforters

and hot cocoa with a fire and a good book.

cue charlie brown christmas music: moving time is here

2010-11-11T22:22:00.002-05:00

Everyone is dusting off attic boxes with sharpie-sketches of Christmas trees and tuning their radios to Christmas stations and running extra miles to prepare for the extra holiday goodies. Not the Loys. Normal? not us! We are moving... AGAIN. No Christmas trees, ornaments or snowmen for us. No stockings hung with care nor popcorn on a string.

Oh, and where? We don't know yet.

(In all seriousness, please be praying for us about this one! Thanks!)

Happy Holidays!

birthdays with the loys

2010-11-10T23:04:00.004-05:00

are always an adventure. :) mucho love, to the birthday boy of the month.

2010-10-17T09:24:00.002-04:00

Some RIE Treasury Love

2010-10-12T17:58:00.002-04:00

Mum made Rie's first treasury today under the wonderful title: October Blue

Blue Light, Fine Art Photo...
JudyStalus
$25.00 USD
Light Blue Branches Brass ...
humblebeads
$28.00 USD
Light blue sweater size 2/...
knittingcate
$44.00 USD
Light Blue Cubes and Silve...
ColumbiaRive...
$18.00 USD
Light Blue Flat Sandals - ...
mykashoes
$139.99 USD
2T to 4T Toddler Cotton Vi...
TwoSeasideBa...
$33.00 USD
Trouble Maker Star Shirt (...
OctoberBlue1...
$7.00 USD
Vintage Blue Samsonite Sui...
lookwhatifou...
$49.00 USD
1950's COUTURE Rare De...
redboxvintag...
$850.00 USD
MILLEFOGLIE - Made in Ital...
Jume
$94.00 USD
Handspun BLUE FROG BFL and...
bibere
$35.00 USD
On the Beach
mijardinflor...
$30.00 USD
Vintage Artisan Light Blue...
LemonDropKni...
$25.00 USD
100 1/2 Inch Tahiti Sunset...
ktulip11
$6.50 USD
SALE Vintage Birthstone Fi...
LottieMaesVi...
$20.00 USD

it must be Autumn

2010-10-08T16:36:00.002-04:00

... cause football is on in full-force. went back "home" to Clemson last weekend for an exciting, though heckled, Miami defeat of Clemson. Sorry, friends, I cannot abandon my first team that easily.

Brandon, Andrew and I stayed with the Hayes, tailgated with the Guthries, dined with the Breitys and Mr. Bynum and ran into Kate DT. Overall, it was magic.

to encourage you

2010-10-08T11:23:00.002-04:00

"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby."

~Ruth E. Renkel

Hard to believe its already October- and everyone I know is in the hospital having a baby today. Well, to be fair, not everyone. Just a handful, including Jenny G. in labor with her little Levi. September has come and gone, including birthdays, Boston trips, and Charleston adventures. October has been good with promises ahead: Miami/ Clemson homecoming game, an impending visit from Emily and Grammie's birthday. I can smell autumn. I just can't see it yet.

watching cucumber grow

2010-09-27T21:44:00.000-04:00

on our back porch.

Moments on Upper King

2010-09-22T18:32:00.002-04:00

at the Market

2010-09-22T18:20:00.005-04:00

On Saturday morning, Brandon and I grabbed an iced americano and iced vanilla latte from Muddy Waters and headed downtown for some fresh produce and live music. Every Saturday, I have an internal battle: do I stay in bed for an extra hour or do I get up and go out in the heat for fresh vegetables? This weekend there was no battle. I was spending the weekend remembering my life and thinking about the areas I wanted to improve in my life. One of those improvements involves doing things now. We ended up buying two photographs from Diana Lauderdale, a local super-talented artist, and a fair amount of produce from The Vegetable Bin. Overall, a great way to spend a morning. We even made it back in time for noon kickoff. :)

Storybook Friends

2010-09-11T15:06:00.004-04:00

Today I read a quote by a woman named Siobhan. She said: "I felt like I was far more alive in fiction than I ever was in real life." It struck me.

First of all because I love the name. For my wedding, I was facing an OVERWHELMING amount of close girlfriends to choose from as bridesmaids. I have been incredibly blessed with beautiful, smart, thoughtful, creative girlfriends. Brandon and I wanted a small wedding party though- so I came up with a new idea. Why not have a new category for a wedding? Why not honor the special friends in our lives without making them buy the dress, throw the parties, do their hair and toes and nails? I came up with the name Siobhan, which means God is Gracious. My Siobhan were present with me on my special day, getting ready, taking pictures, setting up- they were honored in my programs- and were photographed in one huge fun group shot! I love each and every girl who was there with me. You can imagine when I saw an interview with a lady named "Siobhan," I knew instantly that we were kindred spirits.

The second reason the quote struck me was because this is how my friend Ali makes me feel. I don't think I am ever as brave or crazy or spontaneous as I am when I am with Allison. A few weekends ago, I went to visit her in Orlando. We had less than twenty-four hours to see each other. And do you know what we did? We went to Disney at midnight to ride the monorail. We walked through the resorts, tripping and falling on our faces (intentionally) for the whim of it. We got home by 1:30 but stayed up talking and laughing til we couldnt breath until 3. The next morning, I crawled in bed next to her (wonderful Kenworth woke with the children so we could have a little lie-in) and we sipped coffee and laughed some more. Then we went shopping for HOURS at the outlet mall. We only went in two stores- but we made it count. And we had dinner with another kindred spirit, Tiffany.* It was about 20 hours of laughter til tears and exhaustion smothered us! Thanks for making life seem like a story-always adventure, always laughter, always new- every time we are together, Ali (even if ours is a book with no pictures, alas no camera!).

*Oh! And Tiff and Ryan are pregnant again so CONGRATS there too!!!

clicks from silence

2010-08-29T11:25:00.003-04:00

I know I have been away for a while. Life just sort of filled up and other obligations came first. But I miss being here. And so I return for a moment to share my goings-on:

1. started and thrilled with the initial success of RIE. On this matter, please keep sharing the word. i am LOVING everything about it so far.
2. been working on new ideas for RIE, including our Autumn line and some blogging ideas. This includes weekly meetings of the RIE staff :)
3. started a new, full-time job which included being promoted my second day to lead the entire office-based team with only 2 weeks to learn the whole system before my predecessor left for San Francisco. I should note that I am enthralled with my new job- its fully, totally, completely ME. And, challenging. Thats nice, eh?
4. planning a baby shower for Sara, aka sister-in-law, for this coming Thursday. planning an out of town shower is difficult at best.
5. filling my time with as much AILEEN as I can before she leaves town. trying to find time to reconnect with Charleston friends (Laurence, Amanda, Melissa, Hannah and Jenny) and to maintain growing friendships amongst my brothers and Brandon.
6. been saving up for a new computer as my current one takes ten minutes to turn on and open to my email. by the time I do this in the evenings, I cant be bothered with reading or writing blogs.

On Wednesday, we fly to Boston and I have much to do before then. I am planning a few Boston adventures and am sure to post about those soon. Much love!

Grand Opening: Quixotic RIE

2010-08-04T15:40:00.004-04:00

About a month ago, I shared that I was participating in a Creativity Bootcamp. It was the busiest two weeks of my summer before I added the boot camp. I imagined my creativity would be thwarted in the process but instead, I found the daily writing and creating to be relaxing and enjoyable. My goal for the course was to get myself to a place where I could say "I am an artist and I create art" without feeling like a fool. Why is this so hard for me to do? On the other side of the course, I feel more at liberty to talk about my art with friends and family. But still, not with strangers yet. I am a work in progress.

Another goal was to work towards opening an Etsy site with my mum, Ranne. Since February, we have been meeting, planning, creating, and changing things around getting ready for this. It is easier to identify art in others over oneself. The bootcamp was for me to begin to feel comfortable with making my "crafts" into art for others.

Because we are so passionate about literature, adventure, words, and dreams, Ranne and I chose to name our store: Quixotic Rie. Rie is a command to laugh in French and Spanish. What a word to speak into people as we form art to represent our inspirations, our dreams, our loves, and our Creator--however literal or figurative as they may be.

And so, I am excited and honored to announce the opening of our Quixotic RIE. We will be having a giveaway this week as well on the store's blog. More details to come this evening.

Dayne's Birthday Package!

2010-07-24T12:11:00.005-04:00

My brother Dayne turned 25 this week... all the way in Germany. I guess they have birthday celebrations there too. It was a little sad he wasnt here for his 25th, but its ok. I am sure he had good fun with his German friends. Inga took some pictures of Dayne opening his ENORMOUS package from Mum and Dad so I am reposting them here for the benefit of our non-Facebook family members. Hope you had a great day, Dayne!

25 year old Dayne:

Dayne and Inga:

Post- opening Carnage:

Reading his new book, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo:

The view from his window:

Imitating Pops:

*Sorry the pictures are backwards. I cant be bothered to rearrange. ENJOY, Mum!

For Breakfast, We Gather

2010-07-22T12:10:00.001-04:00

if you have a moment, pop on over to For Breakfast, We Gather for our first "breakfast blog" post.

The Loys: August 5th

2010-07-22T05:27:00.000-04:00

New Paint. New Fabric. New Art. DCF Revamp

before:

after:

and new art for bathrooms:

The Loys: August 20

2010-07-22T05:24:00.001-04:00

Who Said Moving was Normal?

In moving from a 3/2 apartment with a huge kitchen to a 2/1 apartment with a tiny EVERYTHING, you have to go through your junk and get rid of A TON! I managed to capture many moments of Brandon going insane as his precious treasures were ripped from his hands. [I did mine more privately, sans husband and sans camera.] Also, know you will eat a lot of junk food when moving. Just embrace this ahead of time, and all will be well. Enjoy our oreo and cape cod chip induced insanity: we moved our bed to the living room the last 3 nights to 1. watch lost in bed and 2. have some awesome sleep in a well air conditioned place.

no, he did not graduate from clemson. its breitmeier's tassle.

my name is whitney and they are too cheap to get me a new name tag of my very own.

i dont even know.

more to follow here or at Sea and Islands of our new home called "Paloma."
also, more on naming things later.

The Loys: August 29

2010-07-22T05:22:00.000-04:00

The Scent of Autumn

And so, we have moved into our new home, which I cannot yet call that happily. This act of adjusting to a new environment and situation is more difficult that I am accustomed. I wake in the morning, confused as to where I am and where I will take my coffee. I have not found my reading nook, nor my place for quiet journal moments. My desk is in serious need of organization and, yet, I do not do it.What has helped immensely has been the blessing of friends to join us for movies, coffee, dinner and a blether. There is something about hosting that forces a place to feel like home.

Another action which enables these emotions is the act of naming. My goal and desire is to name every place Brandon and I live. Here, we live on "Dove Circle." I am not immensely excited with this word, dove. I recall, in the courting days of our dating/ getting-to-know-you relationship, Brandon was quite taken with the Spanish translation, Paloma. We have agreed to call this home Paloma in honor of the giddiness of first dates, the lavishness of languages, and the Christian symbolism of peace. May this address be a place of romance and friendship, a place of rest and dreams, and a place to develop inner passions into our greater calling as husband and wife.

The Loys: February 8

2010-07-22T05:21:00.001-04:00

you do see it correctly: the Loys are moving to Charleston! this is a bittersweet time, folks.

sweet in the recognizing of God's breathe over this transition and His hand in guiding our steps. sweet in the prospect of seeing the ocean more than tri-yearly. sweet in the hope of laying some roots and being established for a few years to come. sweet in the promise of living near family, in this adult life we have created. sweet in the renewal and continuation of friendships long-ago begun.

this move is providential and sweet.

but the bitter brings tears and moments-to-pause. bitter at the friends we are leaving, life-long friends we've created a life around. bitter at the leaving of our dear church, sweet dcf, and the love we have been living there. bitter at the loss of mountains and waterfalls, of snow days and mid-summer lake excursions. bitter at the seperation of life we know as a couple and life we cannot fathom.

this move is tearful and bitter.

And yet, we have a promise and a hope. We walk alongside Eternity's Plan in crafting this life of passions, sorrows and dreams. We will sit and we will ask and when opportunity arises, we will say "yes." (Lord, may this be worked out in our lives, day-in and day-out.)

when 3 am calls

2010-07-22T05:05:00.005-04:00

I normally lie in bed, wanting to toss and turn, not wanting to awaken the husband. After ten minutes or so, I typically think to pray for both of us, for our friends and our families. We have a lot of friends and families so by the time I am done here, I normally fall asleep again.

Alas, not today.

I have been up for two hours now, trying desperately to stop myself from making coffee. My body wants caffeine but my head knows I should sleep more tonight. I have worked on several of my impending projects, which feels nice to check some things off the grand List of Projects and Things To Do.

Mostly, I am amazed at how quickly one can accomplish things in the wee hours of the morning. I might become an addict of going to bed at 9 and getting up at 3 or 4. I will have to remember to remove all things-with-potential-to-be-used from the bedroom the night before.

Over on the Loys blog, we are changing things up. Brandon and I are going to start writing breakfast reviews of places we eat in and around Charleston. Because we love to travel, we will guest highlight a spot or two. Pop on over and enjoy the nitty gritty of reviews! Also, because of this, I will be reposting some of the "getting married" and "newlywed" posts here, as I will delete them due to their now-unrelevant factor.

back from PR

2010-07-06T10:56:00.003-04:00

I am back from PR and you can see some photos here. By no means is it all of our photos- many more of mojitos, beaches, ferry rides, and old san juan where these came from.

the making of a home

2010-06-28T16:15:00.002-04:00

I am home, to this place he is more comfortable in, to this place he has lived and knows as home. I am home, though it does not feel like home yet. I fold t-shirts, sheets, boxers, dresses and towels. I hang art and mirrors and clocks. I move furniture and mementos and books. I am home, but I do not feel like this is home.

How long does it take to make a place a home?

He welcomed me with giant hugs, Saturday morning breakfast, and uninterrupted World Cup games. He wrapped me in his love, anxious to make this place ours. I recall another Summer night- over a year ago- in Central. We were newly-married/just-honeymooned and I moved into his home. It took rearranging the 3 bedroom apartment several times to make that place our home.

Does the time-disconnect between place and home shorten with time?

I hang our "Welcome Home" card from Amanda and light our home-warming soy candle from Grammie. I turn on the praise music and whisper a prayer, "Please Lord, dwell here." I wash the sweat, sand and sunscreen from my Puerto Rican clothes. I empty the refrigerator of near-finished containers. I plan menus to make in this new, extravagent kitchen. I smile as objects fine their places. I know I will find mine soon.

The disconnect will shorten for home is what we create.
Soon: I can almost smell it.
Soon: I hear the rustling.
Soon: this will be home.

Puerto Rico

2010-06-17T09:18:00.004-04:00

In the face of pilot strikes, world cup excitement, creative bootcamp highs and lows, new job sweats and anxiety, Mum the Twins and I are finally getting on the plane to Puerto Rico! The week had us wondering what would happen and fortunately for us, in the midst of it all, we had friends praying for us that the strike would end and our 60th birthday vacation would proceed. Thank you for those prayers! and Praise God for His grace to us! [You might be thinking a vacation is a silly thing to pray about- but remember its diety-exemplified Law to have time of rest.]

Our flights will be completely during the USA vs Slovenia game tomorrow morning- but I will receive text updates to my phone [yes, you, send them!] Once we land, I will turn my phone on and see...

Perfectly executed CORNER KICK BY DONOVAN AND DEMPSEY HEADS IT IN!!!!! [again, I might add]

That will be the perfect start to a wonderful week of waterfall jumping, lagoon diving, phosphorescent bay exploring, sunning, shopping, and mojito drinking with Mum, Lydia, Lynda and Elba.

As a side note on the Creative Bootcamp- it ends tomorrow. Because of the move, no internet and lost tools, I fell a little bit behind so over the weekend I doubled up on days' activities. This proved exhausting and frustrating. I was having great personal insight followed by some of the worst "creativity" -if you can call it that- I've had in a while. When the pilots went on strike and Thursday flights were cancelled, I thought, "Oh, guess I'm not going now-at least til next week at earliest." I slowed the gears on the creative activities as I thought I would have the weekend to finish up. Rather than rush through them today only to be left with ONE to do when I return, I will save the 4 remaining and continue on June 25th. I will also share more of whats been going on in that front with you later.

GO CELTICS! GO USA! and Go GERMANY!
my only P.R. regret is to miss these games with my brothers and husband.
Cheer loud for me, guys!

Creativity Day One

2010-06-06T21:47:00.002-04:00

Its day one of my voluntary creativity bootcamp and I cant be happier with it! I am a little disappointed that I'll be in P.R. for part of it, because it will delay my finish. At least I am off to a good start!

Today's writing task was to write a letter to your post-two-week-course self explaining the things that have happened and how far you have come. I have always found "future" letters odd and hard to write- but this was nice- it was like speaking the next two weeks into being and claiming personal satisfaction and victory. I'm guessing I did it to look back on and think "what were my goals? what did I accomplish." To be honest, I have not yet narrowed my hopes for this course but think they will formulate with time. I know what I want to be on the other side of this, I just don't know how I will get there. I want to know myself as a creative person and to not feel like all of me is just a copy of another's idea. I am likely to make some ugly things in these next two weeks, because I am going to stretch my mind and say "why not?" to odd ideas. We will see what comes of it.

Today's creative task* was to incorporate IVORY into our chosen medium. I crocheted a three-strand necklace, clasped with buttons, and made a fabric and tulle side adornment for it. I am pleased with the outcome and excited for where new ideas like this will take me.

*There will be no photographs of my creations for a while as we are in the middle of moving.
I have also not decided how public I want this journey to be.