19 years ago today I gave birth to Mcabe Justus. He is such a joy.
M ischief
C harisma
A rtful
B efriender
E legant
J ovile
U ber
S olid
T ruth teller
U nadulterated
S assy
Jun 29, 2013
Happy Birthday, Mcabe Justus
Jun 27, 2013
Thrifting / Evangeline Cottage
Finding this MOSCHINO jacket is why I love thrifting so much.
I was about to price it and list it FOR SALE over at Evangeline Cottage ....when I realized how much $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ MOSCHINO jackets are going for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obviously we are keeping it.
The icing on the cake? The color. It's a shade of that coral color in the Marie Antoinette pallette that you see hanging on museum walls. It's what caught my eye on the rack.
Jun 23, 2013
Creative Download
I go through these creative spurts. I like to think of these times as "downloads from the Lord." Literally...I am flooded with ideas. And then I start working and ideas lead to more ideas.
While I'm designing jewelry pieces...I'm writing. In my head.
Then I sit to work out on paper what has already been worked out during my time of jewelry designing.
Then I start thinking of photography things...and how I can use my images in new ways.
This was more like it.
As I was going over Isaiah 61: 2-3 in my mind...I was thinking one of my characters...and working out what it is that he is wrestling with. The thing that is being made new out of his ashes.
When I've got that figured out...I've got Act Three.
It will come when it is meant to.
Jun 18, 2013
Identity & Idol Worship
I attend Women's Bible Study and it's safe to say that the topic of "identity" comes up at least once each time we meet. If we aren't trying to figure out where we actually find ours...we are reminding one another where it actually is to be found.
Some of the temptations...we gals face...we are tempted to find our identities in our...
relationships
physical appearance
health / body / fitness
careers
talents
finances
sobriety / addiction
sexuality
mental/ emotional health
reputations
marital status/singleness
possessions
When relationships break down...when wrinkles & age spots or blemishes arrive...when jeans are tight and boobs are too small...when roadblocks to success send us on wild gooses chases down bunny trails leading to nowhere....when the phone is not ringing or call backs don't come...when the $ Store and $ Menus are about all we can manage...when temptation rears it's ugly head & gets the better of us...when we are pursued or rejected...when memories come & anxieties take over...when you've not measured up...when things are rocky or you've given up on the dream...when that item that glimmered & glistened for a moment...whatever it is...goes out of style...
....we might be tempted to lose sight of ourselves. If we find our identities in those things which are fleeting/fading/vapors in the wind we will struggle. If we find our identities in our circumstances we will struggle.
Whatever is competing with the Lord in this area of our lives is an idol.
Where we spend our time...where we spend our $$$...all that we pour into...worry about...lose sleep over....re-arrange our schedule for.....that is where our heart is...that is what we value.
And even if all we are doing is considered "good" by any one's account...we may be playing directly into the enemies hands. There is nothing that prowling lion would rather.... than for us to be busy little beavers "doing good" while we turn a blind eye to the Lord's BEST. The thing He has given us to do.
We are all about tearing down idols over here in the Gregg home. And the Lord is faithful to reveal them in His perfect timing.
People can be turned into idols. Ministry opportunities can be turned into idols. Service can be turned into an idol.
Whatever feeds our laziness...our pride...our comfort...BEWARE of those things. Without knowing it...they will sneak up on us little by little.
Doing "good things" is fine and dandy...but not if it is keeping us from doing the BEST thing.
The thing He is instructing us to do.
Jun 17, 2013
Evangeline Cottage
I love being a wife. I love being a mother. I love being home.
It is for this reason...that I spend some of my free time using & growing my
gifts/abilities/talents...at Home. Home is my base camp.
Proverbs 31 10:31
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Jun 16, 2013
Roxbury Park
It's very sweet...watching your husband reconnect with childhood friends. (In the very park he used to visit with his maternal grandfather as a little boy.)
These particular folks represent safety and security in Brad's life. Good times. Carefree times.
While processing his own family breakdown..there were times growing up when Bradley pulled away. It was easier to isolate than to be faced with what he and his brother and his mother did not have. One of his great regrets is that he did not invite this particular family to our wedding (he didn't invite any family friends from his side.) At the time...he wanted nothing to do with childhood memories.
Kindred hearts however....know very little about such things...or pay attention to distance in space or time.
I believe the Lord is very purposeful as far as relationships go. I believe each and every one is an appointment scheduled by Him.
My Baby Daddy
Celebrating a pre-Father's Day Date Nite at Cafe Gratitude.
We ordered I Am Present and I Am Comforted to start. Then we shared I Am Terrific and had I Am Bliss & I Am Mystical for dessert.
Jun 15, 2013
2 Years Today
We celebrated our 2 Year Anniversary in LA by transforming the side yard into The Art Yard.
I thought I was coming out of a fog last year...but upon reflection...I was still deep in the midst of it.
and
Things have become clearer. My heart is settled.
I asked everyone in the family to put into words a response to this....
Today we have been here 2 years. What has God shown you in that time? What has He taught you? How has He revealed Himself to you? Or challenged you?
Braverijah called in his response from somewhere in Washington State. He talked about the way he was living in a bubble in Scottsdale....surrounded by people who were pretty much all like-minded. And that with the move came opportunities for him to really experience the full force of worldviews clashing. How he is being able to put into practice all he's been taught or heard about growing up. And, how the Lord has met him each step of the way. He talked about seeing through the "Hollywood scene." And he mentioned that Reality LA has been really good for his spiritual growth.
Brad says striving in his own strength failed miserably and he feels like God's knocked him down again by getting him to a place of truly living in the moment. Not looking at the past or worrying about the future. He's been taken to a place of realizing that he was looking to man for his needs to be met but now knows he needs to be ONLY pursuing the Lord...who will meet all needs.
Jemima says she feels like we had a pretty darn good life in Arizona but that God will take you places out of your comfort zone. Even though it's been hard without friends & family..."that crutch"...you just have to trust in Him. "I didn't really think that I had to trust in Him because I had everything and then He took me 180 degrees." (She hardly ever cries...but this little exercise triggered tears.)
Zion says that she needs to trust in God but she's having a struggle doing that. Because she doesn't like living in L.A.
Galilee says #1 Where your family is at...is where your heart will be. #2 Idolizing Arizona is not an option whatsoever.... and.... #3 She needs to move on and trust in Him.....and....#4 it's okay to move from one place to another place...and...#4 she's learned to not take things for granted. She thought everything was under control and then He spun it...and #5 He grants us new things. He says..."Let go of that...here's something new."...and...#6 He's changing us.
And I say...the Lord has a way with exposing what's just below the surface and digging up deep buried roots which you thought were dealt with a long time ago. And He is so trustworthy. And HEiscloserthancloseHEisrightHereRightNOWrightBymySIDEeverystepoftheWAY.
Films
Paranoid Park
good for character artsey love the lead actor
dialogue delivery a bit awkward at times cuz the actors are intentionally inexperienced....but it works out ultimately
hand held Super 8 footage lengthy shots (which I love)
Mrs. Brown
well played all the way around
a wonderful glimpse into a lovely relationship and history
To the Wonder
didn't get it
could care less
so tired of pretty girls twirling in pretty settings
yawn
Terrence Malick past post.
Jun 10, 2013
Summer
I know it's not officially here...but I'm from back east originally...and the time period that comes after Memorial Day and up until the first day of school in September...is considered Summer.
My father is an intuitive photographer. I know...in part...I get my love of images from him.
This shot...taken on Sanibel Island, FLA. is one of my all time favorites. We would drive down from Staten Island each summer for a week long vacation.
snow white sand
seashells in peaches and corals and lavenders with shades of gray and streaks of plum and tangerine
sunburned noses peeling and cracked
sunfish sailboats
grits w/ butter
cotton in the breeze
There comes a deep deep deep sense of security when you are truly loved by your family of origin. I was gifted with an amazing childhood. Living my days alongside my brother...who was my best friend in the world.
If only our kids were half as blessed. It would make me smile.
Jun 9, 2013
Sparrow Bean
We have a new addition to the family. Sparrow Bean. He's a Lop Eared cutie pie. One ear is actually longer than the other and he's super snuggly.
Zion's the only one holding him right now. In fact, she's not allowing anyone else to.
It's really cuz she wants him all to herself but she's claiming that he has RAD and that they need attaching time.
LOL! Life is so funny sometimes. I love the Lord's weavings.
I'm busy making artichokes and grilled veggies after church when Brad and Zion arrive home with their little surprise in a box.
I told him he was the biggest sucker going...but then he whispered...all stealth-like....that the Pet Store had a bunny SALE going on.
$29.99 and we have a super happy Birthday Girl!
I married a very loving man. He's a good steward too.
Zion Evangeline / Double Digits!!!!!!!
I thank God every day for this child. She brings such joy in to my life.
It's so overwhelming at times...that I cry. Out of the blue. I look at her or I snuggle her and I cry.
Big 10!!!!!!!!!
Masha is a designer who sells her one-of-a-kind clothing items at a little Flea Market on Abbot Kinney. Zion found a lovely pair of Birthday gauchos.
Chin Chins is her favorite restaurant. Celebrating her is so very easy to do.
Jun 8, 2013
Wish List
I wouldn't mind a pretty cake plate in my life. And succulents. Lots of them.
I also want white wood w/ dark scars/knots.... somewhere near me. Aspen or birch? Not sure which it is...but I know I want some of it. And good coffee. More good coffee.
I'm also on a serious hunt for vintage gauze/cotton Indian dresses.
And, Pendleton Beach towels are to die for.
They aren't needs. These things.
Simply lovely little things on my Wish List.
Jun 7, 2013
A Perfect Week
First of all....Brad's been home.
Second of all...each kid is doing their own thing at their own pace.
Third of all...Braverijah and Mcabe...although officially not "home-educating" live in the mindset.
For a long time Galilee and Jemima were "twinned" academically. Not anymore. Jemima is busy busy busy finishing up a Worldview/History of Western Civilization course & Algebra 2. She's teaching herself Sign Language and Piano. She's also really into Mythology right now...and American History/Gvt. She's always reading some classic or another as well.
Zion enjoys Vocabulary (a list of my own making from the Dictionary... 3words/day.) She's a late reader (much like Mcabe) ...but is steadily coming along.
Core Curriculum is busy work. I find myself skipping lots of pages...cuz some of it is pure fluff. But...it's not bad for Test Prep and such.
We are using Miquon and Saxon Math w/ her. I like them each for different reasons.
Galilee is stepping up to the plate. I think she finally realizes that she needs to participate in the process if she wants any sort of credit for any sort of positive results. She's reading... reading... reading (The Diary of Anne Frank / 1984 / and Kira- Kira in the last few weeks) ...and writing. Finally, she's WRITING! And that's really a God thing and good news...cuz she's a good writer. 
Mcabe finished a commissioned art piece. It's the first in a series entitled Hollywood Zombies. One-of-a-kind/signed/numbered.
And prepping for a summer tour...Braverijah threw together a demo reel for (PAUSE my Music Player first) Dead Rabbit's website and ordered some business cards to give out on the road.
Well, I did cheer them along :)
Crisis Pregnancy
Jemima was asked to be in a Mission Preborn project.
PAUSE my Music Player first....
Galilee got to help behind the scenes.
Jun 3, 2013
Jun 2, 2013
Cherry Pickin'
Julie's parents were dear friends of Brad's parents. When Brad's family broke up...they stuck with Maureen and the boys. Bradley hasn't seen Julie in a really long time.
Today we went cherry picking with her and her beautiful family. Added bonus...they had some friends with them who were also very nice. What a great way to spend a morning.
We spotted yet another fire as we headed back into town.
Freshly churned Cherry Vanilla Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream is in the freezer.
5 ingredients: Heavy Cream
Organic Sugar
Good Vanilla (that we bought @ a roadside stand on our trip to Grenada)
Cherries
GF Trader Joe's Choc Chips
We are busting at the seams with cherries over here...even after gifting three neighbor families. Gotta go on a search for some recipes.
Ronald Reagan Library
There are few things I enjoy more than tying history to current events...using things like politics as jumping boards for worldview discussions and making educational activities FUN!
Funny how things like museum visits can be triggers.
We were privileged to experience the opening day of the Lincoln Exhibit. At moments it felt as if we were treading on holy ground. Standout memories....his top hat ^...and his blood stained deathbed pillow. I had to inhale deeply and exhale slowly a few times.
Jun 1, 2013
What a Day!
He seemed genuinely interested in our NRA History Lesson and didn't flinch when we addressed the current scandals rocking his administration. I noticed a bit of a bristling though ...especially coming from Michelle....when Jemima brought up Gosnell. We were reassured upon our departure by TPOTUS himself that our tax returns would not be audited. btw....Ivy Blue is adorable.
P.S. When we were asked where we thought his presidential library (which is in the planning stages) should be located ...Papa suggested downtown Detroit.
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