better after.

for this before&after, all credit is due to my incredibly crafty husband. he very graciously took the lead on this project (i fear the truth is, if it were left to me it would still be sitting on the floor). he even took these pictures for me.

here's a peek at the before:

this picture actually makes it look like it's in pretty good condition. but, it wasn't. it had a lot of potential, but it wasn't quite there, due to lots of dust, dings, scrapes & general old age. after a bit of washing, spray painting (our new favorite medium) & shattering, it now looks like this:

yes, i said shattering. in an effort to place the thin, old glass back in the frame, it shattered. it was a lovely surprise to find that it looks even better without the glass, letting the glossy print have a bit of the stage against the matte mat. 

well, there you have it. success.

love.

archives (daffodils).

because spring is here. and because it's almost my birthday:

Alive –
Though frost and chill
Still ravage the earth this March
Yellow hues have broken through earth –
Daffodils.

(2007)

Hidden Arts: Music

well, it's been much longer than i anticipated in between posts. but, at least i've had a decent amount of time to apply the first art to our life at home.

we love music. it's always been a huge part of my life, and i can get pretty passionate about it. but recently, i've found myself not listening to much music at all. i tend to have NPR on in the car, and usually forget that i can play music at home--where i spend most of my time.

thanks to this helpful little challenge, i've been much more aware of moments when i can put on an album for my family to enjoy. it's been such a delight! C. loves all music, but when it comes to one with a steady beat, he likes to dance.

to think that i wouldn't have this video to share with you all if i didn't think to give my family the gift of music is just a shame. you'll see what i mean shortly. :)



i'd like to leave you with this, from our lovely mrs. schaeffer:

"christian homes should not be places where nothing but a bit of sentimental or romantic music is heard, but places where there is the greatest variety of good music, so that natural talent may find the necessary spark to set it on fire."

also, i'm super excited about getting to the next art. stay tuned for: painting, sketching and sculpturing.

archives.

since i [used to] write poetry, i've decided to resurrect some from my old blog and start posting them, so that maybe i'll be inspired once again to write more fervently. and maybe just inspire a few more people along the way.

to my Grandmother, whom I miss dearly

Tell her that I’m blue and lonely, dreamy Carolina moon


A phone call last week
Produced from you a memory–
A sweet melody from you mother,
From Dean Martin.

Carolina moon keep shining, shining on the one who waits for me

I sang to you, in the shower
On February 12, 2007.
Outside the sparrows called
For a reunion across four state lines.

Carolina moon I’m pining, pining for the place I long to be

I dreamt of a funeral I visited
Last month.
So close, so cold like I could
Touch her face. A clean canvas

How I’m hoping tonight you go, go to the right window

Stands in my bedroom
Corner, deprived. The phone sits
Wanting.

Scatter your light, say I’m alright please, please do

O my dear one, I fear
This final thread of sanity will
Slice itself, upon hearing tones
Across phone lines of your joyful voice

Masking a tearful shake.

Tell her that I’m blue and oh so lonely
Dreamy Carolina moon



-2007

(today) i love...

i love that today we've had the windows open, and the sun shining in:

i love that even though the warm weather is making way for a stormy evening, i can sit here with a cup of tea:

i love finding new music. i've been listening to this album today, and it's so good:

and i love that no matter what the weather may be, or what i have to listen to, i have these guys: