Merry CHRISTmas

Mcabe building his book. Shots taken by Devyn Arrey.

Celebrating the arrival of the prophesied, long awaited, and much anticipated King of Kings w/ friends.

Film Shoot

Images shot on Braverijah's old Minolta XG1.
I simply ignored the exposed wires.


Processed at Walgreens. These three images are way worth the few bucks it took to get them.

Hip Hop Class / Scottsdale Parks & Rec

Zion is growing in confidence and blossoming more and more w/each passing day. I LOVE watching it happen...although I'm a bit melancholy about how fast time moves into the future.

American Girl

If you've ever stepped foot into an American Girl Doll Store...you know what I am talking about when I say, "It's like a Doll Heaven/Fantasy Land for little girls...squared x infinity" I especially like the nursery. So precious. The twins...they kill me.

This year, Zion asked for a My American Girl Doll for CHRISTmas. I never ever say "Yes" to anything like that...but always answer with an annoying "We'll see...I want a lot of things too...but you can't always get what you want."

While in LA last week...we stopped by the store to browse and see what our "maaaaaybeeeeee" options were.

Zion could not find a doll who resembled her. This one or that one either had too dark a hair color...or blue eyes... or freckles or green eyes. It was quite frustrating.

Finally we stumbled upon Julie. She is not a My American Girl Doll....but she bares the closest resemblance to Zion. The light blond hair (although it's much longer than hers)...the chocolate brown eyes...no freckles.

Zion wanted her and only her.

Wise Mommy over here was not going to purchase a doll like this two weeks before CHRISTmas. Poor Zion left the store empty handed w/a slightly broken heart and big big dreams.

Today, Bradley ordered Julie. And a pair of eye glasses. The next time we are in LA...we will have her ears pierced.

Zion has no idea.

I believe she will be thrilled.

And, since I refuse to pay the asking prices for clothes for dear Julie...I'm gonna look into downloading some FREE patterns and put loving older sister, Jemima to work. Zion is not at all into calicoes. A few yards of zebra prints, neons, stripes, and plaids...and we are set to go.

Santa Claus.....he is everywhere these days. A friend posted this great article over on her facebook page today. It's EXACTLY how we have dealt w/ Santa over here since being saved in 1997.

Here is a sweet little book for your library. It is an all-time favorite....and soooooo convicting & inspiring & encouraging.

And, here is another one.

In my humble opinion....the truth tells such a more fabulous & fantastic story than the fairytale one does.

Sam's Bagels

BEST Bagel Shop on the planet! $1/bagels w/ the freshest cream cheese EVER! We bought two dozen (to eat w/ cousins Josh and Nicki...& freeze the leftovers) and parked ourselves on a blanket in Griffith Park for a few hours.

It was nice because the park was the suggested meeting spot of a photographer who was shooting Mcabe...

...which worked out beautifully...because Bradley and Josh grew up going to the park w/Josh's mom/Bradley's Auntie Judie...who passed away last week. What lovely memories. And, what lovely memory building.

It is a pleasant thing to see your husband's eyes through the eyes of his child.

LA Jesus

I know that Santa Claus is in town. We ran into him twice. Once, at the Grove.

And again...at the corner of Beverly and Wilshire.

But what about the Lord? Where is He? Is he in Los Angeles? Can He be found there?


As I contemplated this billboard and what it means in regards to my own personal walk....
...I spotted Jesus heading South on Sunset.
He was kind enough to stop and pose for a photo.

One of A Kind Wall Art

The "could" part CRACKS me up! Found this inspirational message in a fortune cookie recently.




So...here's how it works...

You visit my smugmug site and browse through my Abstract Gallery images. You find an image you like and then come up with some text that you like. You let me know all about the wonderful ideas floating through your mind...and we work together to create a beautiful piece of art. You approve the piece... then order it. You hang it up in your home after it arrives.

The next step is VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!

You send me a photo of your new... one-of-a-kind art piece hanging in your home :)

Each shot was snapped by me.... either in New York, Italy, Los Angeles, or Arizona. Sometimes...you'll see the same shot presented w/ variations. Simply choose what suits you best.

Canvas Wall Art

I'm talking CHRISTmas orders now for canvas wall art over at my smugmug site. Wall Art...Abstract...New York... and Italy galleries.

I have the sweetest most dearest girlfriend. She told a little lie to protect my feelings years ago and last Sunday she felt compelled to confess her sin to me. She repented. Of course I forgave her ...oh my goodness if you knew how small this lie was...you'd laugh....and we hugged. I just love her.

And I just love what the Lord shows me through her. She has no idea...but this evidence of His goodness was exactly what I needed at that very moment.

Evangeline Cottage

I like making jewelry. Some people know about this fun side thing of mine and they place special orders. This is a Sterling Silver Light of The World ring w/ matching Sterling & Copper Swarovski Drop Earrings.

Hero's Journey

For my Hero's Journey students ....I find myself in a peculiar spot...known by some as The Return. Looking for and waiting for my Master From Without.

ASLAN, please. PLEASE.

I appreciate your prayers as an intense spiritual battle heats up.

Hanukkah

And it is so interesting....because as Bradley and I talked tonight about acknowledging the first nite of Hanukkah in our home...his desire to do so fizzled out. It's as if he felt he "should" lead us in that. But it felt forced.

It has something to do with the emptiness and meaninglessness of past traditions....as we knew them to be. And, because those traditions didn't have their footings built on solid ground...it seems awkward somehow to Christianize them.



One, Two, and Three (an all time favorite) books on our coffee table to be read over the next month.

I keep hearing Tevye singing. He's ringing in my ears.

Advent

It's fascinating to me to observe how each of our personal histories impacts each of our personal here and nows. How they leave impressions. Imprints. How they influence us.

Because each of our stories are varied layer upon layer...our today's are filled with nuances...and variations as well.

What some practice....others do not./ What other don't practice....some do.

I grew up in a non-believing home w/ occasional church attendance. It was either an Episcopalian or Lutheran church that had us in their pews for Holy Days, or an event such as a Christening, a wedding or a funeral. When I was with my cousins...it was the Catholic church who got me...an unregenerate lost soul...dutifully taking the body & blood of Christ on bended knee directly from the priest's hands while incense wafted under stained glass.

We grew up getting chocolate crosses at Easter...big big white chocolate ones...really impressive ones w/ lots of intricate design work and adorned with delicate candy flowers. And later in the year, the Advent calendar...made it's appearance. Stark, simple ones....nothing ornate. Crafty ones. Homemade Noah's Ark sorta looking ones. The kind you find at a church bazaar handcrafted by an elderly woman w/ a Germanic accent. Advent candles were around too. They would diminish little by little as the birth of Baby Jesus came near.

I was surrounded by "religion" which showed it's face now and then. It was not anything that meant anything however. Really, it was nothing more than a cultural phenomenon and...

..it equated to a whole bunch of meaningless tradition. Romans 10:2

So ....all this to say.....all these years later....I have not had a desire to cultivate an external "advent tradition" in our home. As I ponder the nuances of my own particular history...I wonder if there is a way to do so without it feeling like the old life?

Pondering Advent today...and how to best communicate outwardly the anticipation I experience inwardly when I reflect on the King of King's humble entrance into humanity. That is...if an outward expression is even called for....for us?????

Lent. Not even on my radar screen.