Tile Art

While planning our bathroom renovation, Jeff and I looked at a lot of tile. And then we looked at some more. And then some more. After looking at hundreds (thousands?) of tiles, we ended up choosing white ceramic, clear glass and grey slate. While our very neutral choice may be a little boring, we're both still confident it was the right choice for us.

Sometimes, however, I wish one of us had been brave enough to suggest something like the tile in this kitchen, designed by Jute Interior Design in Mill Valley, CA.

It's certainly striking... I just wonder if I would still feel that way after living with it for a week?

Draw us nearer

Last weekend, our church unexpectedly lost a member. While the announcement of this tragedy immediately changed the tone of the service on Sunday, it also brought our congregation together in a much deeper way than I think we have experienced in recent memory. This was due in large part to our music pastor who, completely led by the spirit, led us through an amazing mix of old and new worship songs that brought us together in a profound way.

One of the final pieces we sang was an old Fanny J. Crosby gospel hymn, "I Am Thine (Draw Me Nearer)".  It was completely new to me but I have been unable to get it out of my head and have continued singing it all week.  Here is a modern interpretation, very similar to the way we sang it last Sunday.

Poppies and Remembering

photo taken at Blackstone Farm nature reserve in Bewdley, Wocestershire, UK by Alan Ranger

photo taken at Blackstone Farm nature reserve in Bewdley, Wocestershire, UK by Alan Ranger

Yesterday...

... I awoke to sunlight streaming into our kitchen. After two weeks of grey rain, it was a most happy sight. 

Gobble gobble...sizzle

I once ate deep fried turkey. It sounds disgusting but I assure you it is the most delicious, full-flavoured and moist turkey I have ever eaten. Every time I tell the story, people ask how to go about deep frying a turkey. Here are great step by step instructions from Bon Apetit. If you try it, let me know how it goes!

Skirting

I'm not sure if this really deserves billing on "Creative Monday" but I finally mustered up courage to cut up a piece of fabric I've had for 4 years and sew it into a bed skirt. I'll post photos in a few months once I tackle the curtains and bed pillows but for now... it feels like a creative start.  

Joy from head to tapping toe

I'm not comfortable with charismatic worship. That's probably the introverted side of me talking... and the part of me that isn't introverted is still very Mennonite, so that side isn't going to go in a charismatic direction, either! The awkward truth is that I'm one of those people who stands in church, hands glued to my sides, while everyone else is clapping along.

Except when it comes to African spirituals and songs of worship. I'm not sure why, but these pieces of music engage my entire body and make me start unknowingly dancing along. That, in itself, makes them rather miraculous. Here is a medley of two of my favourites, Babethandaza and Siyahamba, sung by The Choral Project. I suspect this will get your toes tapping and head bopping without you even realizing it. And make you feel inexplicable joy. That's why I love African spirituals so very, very much.

Babethandaza 

Sin nje nje nje ngemi thandazo (We are like this, like this, like this because of prayer)

Ngemi thandazo, Ngemi thandazo (Because of prayer, because of prayer)

Oo mama bagudala, Babethandaza (Even forefathers would pray)

Babethandaza, Babethandaza (They were praying, they were praying)

Siyahamba 

Siyahamba ekukhanyeni kwenkos (We are marching in the light of God)

Yesterday...

our view included these. Any guesses as to which one of us carved each one?!