is now Mrs. Karly Barksdale (i.e. married lady).
Congratulations sister. I love you.
She
5
Monthly Archives: July 2009
Atlantic Sunrise
I am at a loss for words.
The beauty of this place, my home, leaves me spellbound, intoxicated with happiness.
And I must share this morning’s sunrise.
It’s too lovely to keep to myself.
2 Bridesmaid Dresses? Check.
40 hours
3 sleepless nights
2 pin-pricked fingers (luckily no blood on fabric)
750 yards of thread
15 seconds of crying
1 minute of thinking I might not be able to do it
3 heaven-sent pleas for help
1 conversation with my (dead) great-great-grandfather who was a tailor
2 finished dresses
Infinite amounts of pride and happiness
At 10:30 p.m. Saturday night I sewed the final stitch in my dress. At 10:31 I jumped in the shower. At 10:45 I was fully clothed and racing around my room throwing all my clothes (thanks Frit for doing my laundry) into a suitcase. At 11:30 I was on my way to the airport to catch my red-eye to Atlanta. Speaking of…I can say that a red-eye flight, especially one that is completely full, is the most uncomfortable, make-me-want-to-kill-myself way to spend 4 hours.
At 8:30 a.m. (EST) I arrived in Savannah. At 9:30 I arrived at Church, wheeled my suitcase to the bathroom (got a lot of weird looks) and changed out of my pajamas, into a dress, pulled my hair in a pony and threw on some make-up. At 9:50 I walked into the chapel and up to the stand, kissed my sisters (who were asked to speak in the meeting), hugged my dad (who was conducting the congregational hymns) and sat next to my mother. None of them knew I would make it in time for Church, so it was quite the reunion.
At 1 p.m. Church was over. I went home, ate a banana, put on my swimsuit and went to the beach where I promptly fell asleep surrounded by sand dunes, seagulls, and my lazy Atlantic waves.
I am happy.
1/4 of the Way There
Well. Not really. The bodice is half of one dress but it’s definitely the most intricate piece. And it still needs sleeves, and I still have to start mine (this is the baby sister’s), but that’s beside the point. The POINT here is that this much of one bodice is done and is fully lined. Did you hear me?! I said, “FULLY LINED!” This is by far the most intricate sewing project I’ve ever undertaken and while there were some tricky spots, I only used the seem ripper three times AND I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. All I need for contentment and joy is the gentle hum of my sewing machine, a little Miles Davis (or Doris Day. Either is acceptable.), and the stillness of a house at 1:00 a.m. But be forewarned … clear vision at 6:00 a.m. the next day is impossible so it’s best to stay in bed until 8:30, maybe 9:00.
Tonight? I tackle the skirt, sleeves, and sash!
Yip! Yip!
Up to my Eyeballs in Fabric
Well I’m back from Girls Camp and it was a Mary Poppins week!
The girls had a fabulous time, case in point:
In a gorgeous location:
Between crafts, painting nails, night hikes, 1000 rounds of Scategories, learning how to start fires and tie knots, and eating their weight in s’mores, mint oreos, roasted starbursts, and cheetos, it was a total success.
Now that I’m back, I’ve got to finish sewing bridesmaid’s dresses for the baby sister and I to wear at our middle sister’s wedding in T-minus 8 days. Bottom line: I eat, breathe, and dream taffeta and satin. I’ve also still got to make a practice round of the wedding cake (she wants strawberry shortcake). And in any spare time, I’m unravelling.
Needless to say, it’s crazy right now … but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Talk Amongst Yourselves
I am at Girls Camp this week with 250 (amazing) 12 to 18-year-old lovelies, 25 of whom I know personally and adore more than my Michael Jackson poster from 2nd grade. In my absence, I thought I would post a fabulous article written by a woman I do not know but agree with on every level.
I hope you enjoy.
I hope it makes you think.
I hope it makes you pick up the phone.
I hope it makes you out to lunch.
I hope it makes you talk. Really.
From My Kitchen to Yours
Happy 4th of July!
Hope your day is filled with parties, parades, and popsicles!
I’m off to a picnic (cupcakes in hand).
Hope your day is filled with parties, parades, and popsicles!I’m off to a picnic (cupcakes in hand).
Dear July
Allow me to extend my warmest welcome. You seem the type to bask in such salutations. Isn’t it you who always says, “The warmer the better”? Well, I couldn’t agree more and I’m delighted you’re here. Thank you for bringing the parades and fireworks with you! How did you know they were my favorites? Oh, and let’s not forget the flip flops and fishing trips. My my, you are thoughtful. I’m beside myself with anticipation for all the other surprises you have hiding in that suitcase of yours. So please, cozy in and make yourself at home. The refrigerator is stocked with lemonade and popsicles, the pantry with graham crackers and marshmallows–the fire pit can be set ablaze at your beckon call. We can indulge in s’mores til the moon sets. Oh I really am so happy you came for a visit. Now I’ll let you settle in. But don’t hesitate to ask should you need anything. I’ll just be in the backyard, running through the sprinkler.
With sincerest adoration,
Krista
p.s. and may I just say … you’ve never looked better! So full of sunlight! You’re glistening! (are you seeing someone? Did November finally glance your way? Ahem, pardon my prying. We can talk later.)
Wishin’, and Hopin’, and Thinkin’, and Prayin’
A couple weeks ago, Frit and I took a tour through the new Oquirrh Mountain LDS (Mormon) Temple. I’ve never been in a temple that wasn’t spectacularly awe-inspiring and this one was no different in its own special, unique ways (I loved the bright pink poppies splashed in with all the whites and creams!). And I’ve never left a temple without being moved to personal spiritual heights.
This visit, along with other recent events, has me thinking about some things, which I’ll hopefully process enough to share here soon. But while these streams are simmering, allow me to share a journal entry from 2005 that came to mind amid the stirring.
November 25: I need to share some things as I work through my thoughts and seek for strength of faith, and patience in God’s time.
My friend Alicia and I went to an early temple session today at the Jordan River Temple before going into work. We talked and laughed (quietly of course) about how we often vacillate between discouragement and hope as we watch all the couples coming and going, at the temple.
Well. This morning, like I said, it was kind of an emotional session, especially towards the end as I thought about how badly I wanted to enter into the presence of the Lord, in so many figurative and literal ways, but knowing that I don’t have all the answers to do so on my own. But there comes a point where I can’t go any further without the hand of the Lord resting upon me and prompting me beyond my own abilities and knowledge … But also knowing that that is the whole purpose for going to the Lord … to momentarily breach the line between heaven and earth and receive the answers I need.
As I walked into the celestial room for quiet contemplation, and as we sat down, I looked to my left and there, in the chairs beside me, was this dear old couple … somewhere in their 70s … wrinkled … age-spotted … rounder I’m sure than when they first met … shoulders hunched under years of life … and their hands … their hands quietly intertwined on the chair arm in between them … eyes closed … each praying … his thumb rested on top of her hand with a visible sense of tenderness coupled with fierce protection. And I watched them pray. I watched for a long time. And then I watched them leave. And today … there was no vacillation. Today, there was no discouragement. Today, an aged couple represented nothing feeble. Today, hope was personified in its strongest and most fundamental form. Today, hope lives and its life is light.
Hope your day is filled with just that … hope.
[photos taken by moi]