The Golden Road

Today was an absolutely beautiful, sublimely perfect day.

I officially have my own wheels as of this week, which meant I could finally car pool down with my friends (Tasha and Alex) to visit their church, which I've been wanting to do for a long while.  

It was so good to fellowship and meet some new faces.  It was so sweet to stand with a congregation and sing - those precious, familiar words I've loved all my life.  My family has been home churching for a few years, and while it's been an incredible blessing, I have missed those things.

The three of us spent the afternoon lazing around, soaking in sunshine and doing cool stuff like nothing in particular.  It's amazing what rest and revival doing nothing in particular can be.

As I drove home over the country back roads, the late sun slanting over the stands of trees and brilliant sun flares hiding in every corner, my heart was so full of joy.  

It was one of those moments you never forget.

One of my favorite verses came to mind, especially pertinent for me this week because of the even more than usual amount of stress and craziness.

The imagery here is so beautiful.  To gird about is reminiscent of putting on armor, preparing for battle.  Girded with gladness?  May we always be.

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent . O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."

--Psalms 30:11-12 

My artistic third-littlest sister hand tooled my keyring fob.  It's so incredibly beautiful.

Now Algy and I can go Bunburying all over the place (an Importance of Being Earnest reference, for the uninitiated!), and I'm completely stoked to discover new locations for photo shoots!  

My tripod now lives in the car, so be on the lookout for my newest discoveries in Geographical Oddities.  

Coming up next - the day I gadded off to a Glamping campground and met up with the sweetest Farmgirls ever!

cardigan

ruffle cami

lace insert skirt

scarf

sunnies

} thrifted

Hawaiian sandals // gift

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A spot of millinery

Late last year, I received a custom commission for a very special project - a reproduction 18th century lady's hat for a guest at the Williamsburg Christmas Ball.  The gown on the left, below, was my colorway inspiration.  This was such a fun project!

My lovely customer was unfortunately not able to attend the Christmas Ball, but she did wear her custom gown and hat to Williamsburg during Christmastide.

Then, to my utter delight, she asked me to match another dress!  Below right is the colorway this time, and the the remnant from my TARDIS skirt material was the perfect match.  

 

I enjoyed creating these hats so much - it was an enormous amount of work, but so much fun.

Doesn't Joan look wonderful?

      

Posies to work.

 The weather couldn't quite make up it's mind to shine brightly or blur dismally into chill clouds.

I couldn't quite make up my mind to feel like a hermit all day and retreat, hermit-like, into my rainy-day-but-non-Scottish Mood where style, productivity, and inspiration go out the window - or, alternatively, put a little extra something into my outfit, sit down in the studio, and knock off some of my best work.  Sometimes, it can only be one or the other.

As I was lethargically wavering with as little thought process involved as possible (if I was going to fall into the slough of rainy day laziness, it would be a shame to waste any brain power!), I saw my precious Rifle Paper Co. journal on the table, and something clicked.  

I love it when that happens.  Turquoise and peach posies, pretty paper, a few little accessories... my outfit and my day suddenly became much brighter.

And then I saw a five leaf clover.  

To me, the thrill and delight had nothing to do with legend - rather, I was so completely enthralled with my God, who has filled this world with so much spectacular beauty and unimaginable wonder.  Then, right there in the middle is something so ordinary and humble - yet so special and unique - as my little five leaf clover.

Every day is so full of potential.  So full of beauty.  Don't ever give up fighting to keep that beauty alive, to keep your heart soft, even when you're just so very weary of fighting.

Especially then.

Denim skirt // made by me

cardigan & tee // thrifted

Moccasin slippers // Kohl's

Headband // Kellie Falconer Design  -  scarf // Fabric.com

Rifle Paper journal // ModCloth

lovely visitor.

A rare and beautiful visitor to our yard, this Cecropia moth landed just long enough for a chat about sundry niceties before soaring away to the cool cedar woods again.

Wild rose of June

   
The first wild rose in wayside hedge,
This year I wandering see,
I pluck, and send it as a pledge,

My own Wild Rose, to Thee.

For when my gaze first met thy gaze,

We were knee-deep in June:

The nights were only dreamier days,

And all the hours in tune.

I found thee, like the eglantine,

Sweet, simple, and apart;

And, from that hour, your smile has been

The flower that scents my heart.

And, ever since, when tendrils grace

Young copse or weathered bole;

With rosebuds, straight I see thy face,

And gaze into thine soul.

Go, wild rose, to my Wild Rose dear;

Bid her come swift and soon.

O would that She were always here!

It then were always June. 

--Alfred Austin

I've never been one for much poetry.  Which seems strange, knowing how I love classic literature and historical epics and beautifully crafted words.  But somehow, when language leaves the realm of solid, grounded prose and starts ending each phrase in a rhyme, it always strikes me as just a little bit comical.  Alright, nearly always.  There are those poems that strike fire into my heart, and I love them.  

But for the most part, when you take something as romantic and sweet as a wild rose and start monologuing on about it in rhyming couplets, you're guaranteed to end up with a large pail of sap.

However, when the wild roses are blooming and life is so promising and June is young, perhaps it's just the right time for some of that.

Besides, I've taken on a thousand pounds of untamed bucking chestnut horseflesh in those boots, so I can probably handle a little sap.

I may even find myself enjoying it.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Raspberry Gingham skirt // Kellie Falconer Design

boots // corral west

scarf // Fabric.com

tee // thrifted - belt // f21

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