Rob Ryan

more of his work, because it's incredible. . .

Pretty Paper Please

I am fascinated by all forms of paper- stationary, books, journals, construction paper, photographs, notebook paper, any paper. Last year when I visited New York I was able to go to one of my very favorite stores, anthropologie. What did I buy? a children's book.

But it's not exactly a children's book. (Although, as previously mentioned, I do have a personal collection of children's books) It is more of an illustrated adult picture book by the extremely talented artist, Rob Ryan.

All of the illustrations and words are cut out of paper in an incredibly intricate and beautiful way. I cannot begin to imagine how long these detailed pictures must take to create. 

The story is written from a guys perspective and tells of him discovering his loneliness. He wants someone to share life with but has no one. Then his mother tells his that one day he will meet a girl and fall in love and then he will have someone whom he can tell all his stories. So he begins writing about his loneliness and about this new hope inside of him and he says, "Even though you may feel empty inside can it make you feel better by writing words? what kind of magic is this? and you look up at the stars and wonder, is this how God felt when he created the universe?" I understand what he means, I journal and write and my thoughts come together. I feel heard even though no one is listening because I'm listening to myself and acknowledging thoughts and feelings that would otherwise be contained. Also, journaling is a form of prayer for me. Not only am I hearing myself but God is hearing me and is interested in what I have to say. But the guy's thoughts in that part of the book are unique to me. When God spoke the world into existence was it his form of journaling? Of creating a space to be heard? Of finding joy and releasing otherwise contained thoughts and emotions? I know that although God came to us in the form of a man He is much more intricate and big than we could ever comprehend but this still makes sense to me. Perhaps it's one of the ways I understand God in our relationship. 

Anyways, I was reminded of my lovely little book after seeing these incredible pictures.

These were made by a British illustrator and paper cutter, Julene Harrison. Her's are more exact and defined but I love both artists.

I'm inspired to try my own! I don't expect to create sometime remotely near these. She truly is remarkable! She does some of these on commission for weddings. 

But this one is probably my favorite because of the poem to which it refrenc

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart) 

-e.e. cummings

Goodbye Autumn, you will be missed.

Thanksgiving Day brought beautiful warm weather but Friday was quite the opposite. After hours upon hours of rain the cold weather seems to have settled in. It came quite uninvited by this little girl but I suppose I may as well get accustomed to it and become best friends with a few warm sweatshirts.

 It always is this way though. During the summer I beg for cold weather, it finally arrives and I complain. In a few weeks I'll be anxiously awaiting summer just to begin the cycle once again. I think God created seasons because he knew just how fickle human beings are. I can just imagine Him thinking, "alright, Little Katie, since you can't seem to be pleased for more than a week I'll just create crazy weather patterns to satisfy you." The truth is, I do love every season and the joys that each bring. I suppose it's time I embrace the holiday season. I've already begun preparing for it! Perhaps I will show you the newest addition to my Christmas decor made by yours truly! 

Done and Done!

2 Pecan Pies, 2 Banana Puddings, 48 Deviled Eggs, and 1 Squash Casserole later. . .I'm finally done with my Thanksgiving Day cooking duties! Let the eating begin!

Happy Thanksgiving to All! 

I judge a book by it's cover.

But who would't after seeing these precious books? 

I have a small collection of these myself. The problem is, they make them faster than I can buy them!  I'm secretly thankful for this because I always have something to look forward to purchasing. I buy them one at a time whenever I get a coupon from Borders. So imagine my excitement when I found out they have a new line of children's classics! 

Aren't they just lovely?

Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie is one of my very favorite fall desserts! I make it every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. Here is the recipe I used today:

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups pecans
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place pie shell in a 9 inch pie pan.
2. In a medium bowl, gently beat eggs. Stir in sugar and flour, then the syrup, butter and vanilla. Fold in pecans. Pour mixture into pie shell. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes; knife inserted in center of pie should come out clean.

One of these is for my brother-in-law for his birthday and the other is for our Thanksgiving Leadership at YoungLife. Thanksgiving Leadership is also probably my favorite for a number of reasons. I really enjoy the family style dinner, which we always have for leadership, but this one is special because we are contribute. Rather than one person making the meal for every, it's fun to see everyone walking in carrying a dish that they put so much energy and love into. I also enjoy Thanksgiving Leadership the most because my first experience at Thanksgiving Leadership 2 years ago is what made me feel like I was part of the YoungLife family for the first time. We "passed the thanks" and I was passed it twice. I wasn't even on a team yet but it made me feel extremely loved and valued. I've been a fan of YL ever since.

I am thankful for. . .DINO SUNDAES!

That is right, yummy delicious Dino Sundaes from Brusters. Last night, my roommates and I were laughing about how un-great boys can be and saying, "everything would just be perfect if he. . ." and I filled in this statement by saying, "if he would show up with a dino sundae and say I love you!" (really, I just wanted a dino sundae) Anyways, I get home today to a sweet note from one of my roommates and a dino sundae in the freezer! There was also a second note in the freezer that say "ROAARR! Hurry up & eat me before I'm extinct! uhhh. . .I mean expired!" sweet friends. So really I'm thankful for fun and funny roommates. But Dino Sundaes are also great because they've created a little tradition between myself and the dino. Sometimes I just need some time to myself to sit and think so that's when I go find the dino. I'll go adopt a dino, sit in an empty parking lot then eat and think. It's a delicious way to unwind  and simply be with myself. And the best part is, it only cost $2.13 to adopt! 

In other news, I've had a surprisingly great last few days. After a series of unfortunate events last week I finally got out of a rut. It all started with my best friend from high school coming home for break. We don't get to see each other often and we are terrible about calling but that never changes our friendship.  I saw her Saturday night and we picked up right where we left off- giggles and all. I also had a lovely coffee date with her today. Then I finished a particularly good book that I'll write about later and was able to purchase another! Or should I say 3 more? (I buy books faster than I can read them, it's bad.) Then we had zero high school friends show up for a movie night but the other leaders and I still had a great time! We talked and laughed for a full two hours before heading to dinner sans high schoolers. THEN! I find out today that I won a scholarship that I applied for two whole months ago! I was sure I hadn't won it because I never heard back from them but I did! Talk about exciting! Boy, am I thankful thankful thankful for all my many blessings! 

Germany

When I was little I would begin packing my bags for trips literally two weeks in advance. It never made sense because then I wouldn't have anything to wear but I didn't care, I simply too excited. I almost always forgot something and would end up having to buy a bathing suit or socks once I arrived. Hopefully this has changed. . .I would put all my favorite journals, stickers, and markers in their own bag and have a smaller bag for clothes. I'm pretty sure this hasn't changed. I don't necessarily travel with stickers and markers but I always have at least one journal in my bag and two books. (Not to mention my camera, pens, bible, and other completely necessary items.)

Well, I'm not packing my bags yet but I will be come March. Yours truly is headed to Berlin to study abroad! I'll be there for one week over spring break fulfilling my Communications requirement. I haven't done much research on what all I'll be able to see but I'm sufficiently stoked either way.

And maybe if you're lucky, I'll send you a postcard. =) 

I'm thankful for. . .UGA FOOTBALL!

In celebration of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday I have decided to post things as regularly as possible that I am thankful for. What's the first thing that comes to mind? Georgia football. 

My family starting getting season tickets when I was about 11 years old and so began the tradition. My mom graduated from UGA in 1980, the year they won the National Championship! When we started getting the tickets, it became a family affair including my aunt, uncle and cousins who live in Athens. Watching football quickly became one of my favorite past times because it involved so much more than football. 

My mom, sister, and I would spend 3 hours driving to Athens every Saturday which was probably the most time we spent during the week together in one place. It gave us time to talk and sing and argue over who gets shot-gun. I would also credit UGA football for the closeness of my cousin, Parker, and me. He is a year younger than me but we shared summers together in Mississippi with our other cousins, Jeni and Dylan. We all were and still are best friends. We don't see each other much (with the exception of Jeni who now LIVES with me!) but when we're together we have 100 things to talk about. But Parker and I also had every Saturday together.

So it's not just football, it's a reason for closeness, a family tradition. I look forward to football season every year not only because I have grown to love it but because I know I'll grow closer to my sister and especially my mom as a result of it.