It's almost here...

today is christmas eve... eve. Today my mother-in-law brought over our stockings and set them up under the tree... then covered them with a blanket. Do you have any idea how hard it is to not look under that blanket? Especially because right now my husband is asleep and I'm the only one here... I could... no.. I couldn't.... or could I? I guess my best bet is to go to sleep too. The sooner I'm asleep the sooner I can wake up and the closer it will be to Christmas morning! Eeeek!!!!

(Abbie, notice your gifts under the tree?... notice how you are amazing in every way?)

I'm really looking forward to Christmas (duh)! Especially because that means I'll be off work for a whole week! Tomorrow at 2pm I'll be done and won't go back until next Friday! I can't wait to get some down time, work has been super busy, which is really good... but really exhausting. I hope these next couple days will be amazing for everyone! I'm looking forward to sleeping by the Christmas tree tomorrow night. Traditions are so great. It's a little hard for me making traditions, this is mine and Nathan's second Christmas as a married couple (which is crazy in and of itself) and I feel a little sad not participating in family traditions with my parents. Like making homemade marshmallows with my mom and delivering them to all our friends... Things just change... they are all good changes, without a doubt, but I feel all nostalgic inside... Christmas makes me want to be a kid again and wake up hearing my brother sing, "You gotta get up, you gotta get up, you gotta get up! It's Christmas morning!"

Tomorrow I'll be making cinnamon rolls all day. That's another tradition we do around here... it's a delicious one! What are some family Christmas traditions you do around your home?

Merry Christmas, friends!

Crafty Wonderland

Today I went to the Oregon Convention Center to Crafty Wonderland! Such a great event for anyone that loves to create and appreciates homemade goods. I ventured off, alone, two hours before doors opened to be one of the first in line to receive my free goody bag full of wonderful treats from the venders. I got a Chinook Book, a handmade notebook, hair clips, small prints, and lots of info on stores and local shops that sell PDX art work. It was so worth it to come early! I would strongly advise you to look up theses artists and see the beauty the make. Some of my favorites are:

Misha Ashton Photography

Nikki McClure - I didn't get to meet her, but if I did I would have peed myself!O.Boy.Studios

Phoebe Owens - that lamp is so amazing!

Plywerk

Dolcetti Jewelry

Faune Yerby- Brooklyn NY

coqu-usagiuma-maho

So many talented people in one room, it was inspiring! Next year, perhaps I'll inspire someone... because I'll be there with my own booth! EEK!! if I get accepted.

Hailey's Quilt

I made this quilt for my lovely niece. She makes my heart sing!

Your never going to believe this...

I burned my hand really bad today at work when I went to grab a metal spoon... little did I know at the time it was one million degrees. The day was painful and I was useless, unable to write, do dishes, or any other of my workly duties. I walked around one handed (my bad hand no less) while grasping a cup of cold water in the other to keep from shouting in pain.

Once I got home I looked up home remedies to burns. And I came across this. Aluminum foil?Aluminum foil. Yes. Believe it. My pain is gone. It's still pretty tender to the touch, and I still have a pretty badass blister, but the pain, the unbearable cut off my phalange I'm going to die pain... that's gone!

This is me: The Robot.

So, friends. Next time you get a burn, wrap it in foil. You look cool, and it feels better within 10 minutes or so!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I am thankful for...

My friend Rae, who inspired me to make a thankful list.

My husband, who is working a graveyard shift right now in preparation for Black Friday at Target.

My family, that will be all together over one roof for dinner tomorrow.

This website

Creme Brulee


A Job.

A the ability to do what I love.

This Man. And his voice.

For My Friends...

I ache for my friends when they ache. Death is never an easy thing to deal with, it hurts. It hurts so bad and there isn't really a lot of comforting things to say when it happens. And it hurts. It feels like there is no hope and nothing good can come from it. And it hurts. When morning comes and your eyes are still red from crying the night before. And it hurts. School and work are not put on hold and the world moves on while you are in agony. And it hurts. It's okay to hurt. It's okay cry. It's okay to be broken. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Jesus said so.

After Watching Harry Potter...

...I tend to think with a british accent. How peculiar.

think about it...

Little Things

Little drops of water,

Little grains of sand,

Make the mighty ocean

And the pleasant land.

Thus the little minutes,

Humble though they be,

Make the mighty ages

Of eternity.

Ebenezer Cobham Brewer

Times, they are a-changin'

This week starts the beginning of something beautiful. Something I haven't experienced as an adult, ever. I... have a job. A single job. One. Full-time.

If you, for some reason, don't understand the excitement, let me fill you in...

Last September I got married ((yay)). Last October we realized we had little money and a sad looking income. Last October I got a job at Forever 21. Now, I must really love my husband, because I kept that job for a year. That job, for lack of a better term, was hell. Complete with moody managers, sassy customers and horrible corporate policies. During my employment at Forever 21 I was also employed at Newport Seafood Grill. Newport has its pros and cons, and after a dedicated year and nine months I put in my two weeks. My skills are now dedicated to one employer. They asked for full-time and I accepted! WooHoo! Killer Burger is my new work home. I'm so done with corporate companies. I'm proud to be with a family owned business, and in this economy thats what people like to support.

Excited about this, among other things...

This is my niece or nephew

This is what I will be witnessing on October 29th

Sufjan Stevens

Nathan is employed at Target (yay for discounts)!

Looking back.

Nathan and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary this past Sunday. It was wonderful. Our weekend started out with Stumptown Coffee at the Bipartisan Cafe and a drive to the beach. Cape Lookout is truly breathtaking. Someday we will camp there, without a doubt. The hike was fun, we booked it! We passed so many people hiking, I felt really good about myself. Working out has really improved my hiking skills, who would have thought?! 5 miles was long, but so doable!

After our hike we drove south to Pacific City where we had a fabulous lunch at The Pelican Brewery. Nathan enjoyed his beer while I enjoyed my... water.

The evening was beautiful, amazing sunset! On the beach outside our hotel was a really great tide pool, which was something I really wanted to explore! I am completely blown away by sea life. I could spend hours looking at all the incredible animals and plants.

Here is a collaboration of photos of Nathan and my first year together as a married couple. This year has been so much more than I ever could have imagined. I love my husband, I love the home we live in, and I love how the Lord has provided for us through and through.

Agape Life

Pennsylvania beauty

"Agape doesn't love somebody because they're worthy.

Agape makes them worthy by the strength and power of its love.

Agape doesn't love somebody because they're beautiful.

Agape loves in such a way that it makes them beautiful."

Rob Bell

With that quote in mind, I'd like to say a few things. First, I love that my God has the ability to make me beautiful without having anything to do with my physical appearance. I love that lately, I've come to understand and accept myself on a lot of different levels. The concept of being comfortable in my own skin is attainable. I like who I am and who I am becoming.

Along with that, I also have understood how to think more of others. The fact that I think more highly of myself has enabled me to have a deeper rooted love for humanity. I want so much for others to understand they have value.

Unconditional love, Agape, is amazing. It's really remarkable that this love has no boundaries. It has no agenda. It does not love because of anything. I want to live this way. I want to create and give and have relationships and have no strings attached. This kind of love is authentic. Life is way too short to not live this way.

Nathan's Birthday (better late than never)

My wonderful husband's birthday was about a month ago... I know, I'm not the best on timing when it comes to blogging. None the less, here it is!

Turning 21 is pretty great, except when your significant other can't do anything with you... I feel so lame not being able to go out with Nathan. He will enjoy my birthday much more, that way we can both celebrate! Here are some picture of Nathan's birthday celebration...

Happy Birthday Miss Taylor!

I made these shoes and dress for a friend of ours this past week. I must say, the gifts I make are not only for the people I give them to, but also for me! I LOVE creating things and I LOVE knowing others enjoy them. It's just a beautiful thing! Not to mention, this child I gave this adorable outfit to is going to look fabulous in it! She is SO stinkin' adorable in every way! Happy first birthday Taylor!

in love

If you were an ocean

I'd swim in your body

and dive in your love.

I'd splash with your laughter

and sink in your flood.

I'd wade in your patience

and float on your grace.

I'd sail on your current

to never leave your place.

If you were a tree

I'd climb up your branches

and sway with your leaves.

I'd glide with your twigs

and fall with your seeds.

I'd dig to your roots

and find your heartbeat

I'd hold it to mine

until our beats meet.

If you were a forest

I'd know all your secrets

and hide in your caves.

I'd dance down your paths

and rest in your maze.

I'd smell all your flowers

and eat your berries sweet.

I'd never be empty

because you make me complete.

Hailey Rae

Today I'm feeling like I need some loves from my girl... over 1000 miles away, I'm sure you can imagine, I am a little sad. Here are some photos I snatched while she was here in June. My heart is crying. These pictures always make me smile though :)

too excited!

So many good things are happening right now. I'm feeling overwhelmingly grateful and happy. I'll start with the super exciting...

Something Baby

There isn't much to it yet, but oh man... there will be! I made tags and everything!

also...

Something Quilted

Again, nothing. But there will be. I'm just proud of myself that I have both stores UP!

I don't want to jinks it, but I'm going in for an interview tomorrow at ANTHROPOLOGY!!! Best place to work EVER! EEK!

I guess I'll find out how it goes tomorrow...

I'll be praying all night.

Pray with me?

This job would be such a blessing, another one stacked on the top of all the others... like a cherry on an ice cream sunday, only better.

Earth and Moon

My shadow casts itself upon the Moon making her appear smaller than she truly is. As I move, the Moon grows weaker. In her defense, it is all about the position she is in. She will never cover me up, I am too great. Her world revolves around mine, making me the most important. The Moon, her shapes and shadows so beautiful, will never be as breathtaking as me and my colors and mysteries. To the Moon I am everything.

I am alive! Living. Moving. Breathing. My breath is more important to the Moon than her own breath she breathes. My concerns concern her, my fears frighten her. In any situation, when I am well or distraught the Moon, she aches for me. She fears my need for her will dwindle to nothing.

Little does she know she is everything to me. Despite her small stature and lack of awe - she is what keeps me alive. She is my emotion, my dance. She pulls me in - captivating.

We are drawn to one another and she knows not. She is unaware of my need for her. If she were to grow wings and soar to another, well, I would end.

On the other hand, I know she needs me. I know her love, her deep rooted, unending love for me. And it fills my soul.

Sometimes I am afraid. Afraid the morning comes and evening never returns. I fear I'll never see the moon again. Never her piercing illumination in the darkness. Never her face on mine. Only the sun, what has the sun done for me? Nothing. Left me a desert. A barren womb - lifeless.

But the Moon. The Moon sings me songs no other could. Her voice is gravity.

birthday quilt!

My best work I've done thus far in my journey with my sewing machine... I must say, I am so proud of myself! I look at this thing and think, I really made that? I'm sorry if I sound self centered... I just am so excited! I'm looking forward to making more quilts and things for people I love, and people I don't even know yet!

This quilt is for my life long friend Autumn, she is the most amazing artist I have ever had the privilege of knowing on such a deep level. I love her so so much. This quilt is for her, everything about it has meaning that she understands. Happy Birthday to my wonderful friend!

not much has changed...