I'm back! It was time for a vacation, both a literal one, and one from blogging. Even though I have more time during the summer, it seemed that this summer has been filled with activities, and planning for upcoming activities. So a break was in order, while we took our vacation and got some needed things done. But now I'm back, and ready to blog about "like totally a gazillion images" that I've taken. :)
Here are a few images of a hairstyle I found on Pinterest. Actually, what I did (and still do) is find the image of the hairstyle, click on over to the website with the instructions, try to do what it says, and if it turns out decent, get Danny to take a picture or two. The style hardly ever looks like the picture they've posted, but my hair is what it is, and if I can get it to look semi-decent, then I'm going to blog about it!
Here it is:
(I'm smiling right now because I know you can see those few strands of gray. Wait until you scroll down just a bit and see the other side of my head!)
How I did it
First, I gathered my hair up into a ponytail and secured it as usual with a thick coated rubber band. But, instead of pulling my hair completely through that last time, I let a little loop stick out. I took the rest of the dangling hair and circled it around the rubber band, and secured it with several bobby pins. Oh, and half a can of hairspray. Of course I exaggerate. Just a little.
Oh, yeah, you can see that tuft of gray on the left side. Does that scare me? Nooo. Here's an even better picture:
A real hairstyle. For a real woman. Gray and all.
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
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Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Herbs and Vases
The oregano and sage in my June garden recently looked like this:
They were seriously overgrown, and were taking over my poor parsley plants you probably can't see in the above image. That was a good thing for a while, since the birds were sharpening their beaks on the parsley, and the oregano and sage hid them for a while so they could get established. But I really needed to cut them back. Problem--I don't use a lot of sage and already have some from last year, and I wasn't ready yet to dry another bunch of oregano. My friend Lori gave me a suggestion--herbs as centerpieces!
Now, I'm not a natural flower arranger. I got some Mason jars--also Lori's suggestion--and stuffed some sage and oregano in them. One jar ended up on our fireplace mantel:
And the other jar ended up on our spacious kitchen/breakfast counter:
They're free, and I don't have to store them when I'm done--just throw them away when they wilt. And I can simply go pick some more. And they're pretty to boot! I'll take that any time. :)
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
They were seriously overgrown, and were taking over my poor parsley plants you probably can't see in the above image. That was a good thing for a while, since the birds were sharpening their beaks on the parsley, and the oregano and sage hid them for a while so they could get established. But I really needed to cut them back. Problem--I don't use a lot of sage and already have some from last year, and I wasn't ready yet to dry another bunch of oregano. My friend Lori gave me a suggestion--herbs as centerpieces!
Now, I'm not a natural flower arranger. I got some Mason jars--also Lori's suggestion--and stuffed some sage and oregano in them. One jar ended up on our fireplace mantel:
And the other jar ended up on our spacious kitchen/breakfast counter:
They're free, and I don't have to store them when I'm done--just throw them away when they wilt. And I can simply go pick some more. And they're pretty to boot! I'll take that any time. :)
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
Labels:
arrangements,
beauty,
decorating,
flowers,
herbs,
His Castle,
home
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Drudgery or Dominion?
Daily chores. My days are sometimes seemingly consumed with maintenance, keeping the house clean and things running smoothly. One day I was frustrated with how messy things had become after just a few days, so halfway through cleaning the kitchen, I started taking before-and-after pictures. That always helps. :)
Oh, the kitchen! That's the never-ending cleaning chore, isn't it? It looked like the above for about ten minutes--then the guys came in and decided they were really hungry. I remind myself that this house, this home, is my domain, over which I am to take dominion! The Lord has given this realm to me, and I am to subdue it. Who says housewives--or whatever you want to call us--are weak? Or empty-headed? Or mindless slaves?
This is not merely cleaning. Oh, no. This is about creating beauty. (Even if I'm not very good at it!) I know that the Lord is the only One who truly can create beauty. But I'm responsible for ordering, organizing, and arranging my environment so that it is a place of beauty. First and foremost, I do this for the Lord. The side benefit is that my environment is beautiful to me. That makes me happy. But the other reason I do it is for my family, for them to have a beautiful place in which to live, to relax, to interact. Even if my men don't notice their beautiful environment, I believe it affects their sense of comfort and safety.
Taking dominion over this little realm isn't simply about cleaning; nor is it about creating beauty for the Lord, myself, and those around me. I can arrange beautiful physical surroundings, and yet still be ugly in my heart--whether it is in my attitude, thoughts, actions, or words. Just as it is a surrendering of my own selfish desires to perform these daily chores, I must surrender my heart to the Lord to work His beauty in me. Arranging my home to be beautiful reminds me of this.
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
Oh, the kitchen! That's the never-ending cleaning chore, isn't it? It looked like the above for about ten minutes--then the guys came in and decided they were really hungry. I remind myself that this house, this home, is my domain, over which I am to take dominion! The Lord has given this realm to me, and I am to subdue it. Who says housewives--or whatever you want to call us--are weak? Or empty-headed? Or mindless slaves?
This is not merely cleaning. Oh, no. This is about creating beauty. (Even if I'm not very good at it!) I know that the Lord is the only One who truly can create beauty. But I'm responsible for ordering, organizing, and arranging my environment so that it is a place of beauty. First and foremost, I do this for the Lord. The side benefit is that my environment is beautiful to me. That makes me happy. But the other reason I do it is for my family, for them to have a beautiful place in which to live, to relax, to interact. Even if my men don't notice their beautiful environment, I believe it affects their sense of comfort and safety.
Taking dominion over this little realm isn't simply about cleaning; nor is it about creating beauty for the Lord, myself, and those around me. I can arrange beautiful physical surroundings, and yet still be ugly in my heart--whether it is in my attitude, thoughts, actions, or words. Just as it is a surrendering of my own selfish desires to perform these daily chores, I must surrender my heart to the Lord to work His beauty in me. Arranging my home to be beautiful reminds me of this.
Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
Psalm 96:6 NASB
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Gray as a Fashion Statement?
I recently came across an article from USA Today, quoted in part here:
I have never colored my hair. Truth is, I really don't have to. I've had a hidden streak of gray behind my left ear for at least ten years, and even now, at 45--almost--there are just a few noticeable silver strands gracing my head. A dear friend once told me that that streak of gray was my wisdom, and I have fondly called it my "hidden wisdom" since then.
My conviction is to never color my hair. Just read those verses again!! God says that my gray head will be a crown of glory, a testament of my walk in His way of righteousness. My gray head will be a sign of honor. Remember your folks telling you to respect your elders? I do not come from generations of Christians; however, I held my grandparents in high honor. They had lived through the Great Depression, been touched by war, and counted every penny to make a life for their families. We were to honor them.
Read David's cry to the Lord regarding his old age:
My children and I have sat at the feet of the gray-haired, listening to their stories, many of which shine with the faithfulness of God.
Along with gray hair, I am going to inherit other things--creaky joints, wrinkles, sagging skin. But that USA Today article didn't mention those things. The article merely reflects the world's thinking. The young can tint their hair, and the older can let their gray grow, but only because its uniqueness makes you look great--oh, but of course, you may need a tummy tuck, or a collagen treatment, or a little Botox under those sagging eyes. And there are products you can use to keep that tinted color from turning flat and dull. The world would rather have gray mean beauty, and fashion, not old age, not righteousness, not honor. It just wants to make a fashion statement.
Back to life,
Christine
visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne
Since I'm to filter all things through the Word of God, does the Bible speak to this? Yep.As more women over 40 let their gray grow, those who have none — including model Kate Moss, singers Pink and Lady Gaga and reality star Kelly Osbourne — streak or strip their tresses to become silver foxes. “The younger you are, the more interesting it is,” says Pantene colorist Danilo. “Your head becomes a jewel — metallic, reflective and eccentric.
”Today's fashion-forward coifs echo those of '60s mavericks Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick and The Graduate's skunk-striped Anne Bancroft. The hues match fall's dominant pearl and pewter palette, but “it's women, not designers, who make this style statement: They're unafraid of gray,” says Michael Shaun Corby, Alterna Professional Haircare creative director.
A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:31 nasb
The glory of young men is their strength,
And the honor of old men is their gray hair.
Proverbs 20:29 nasb
My conviction is to never color my hair. Just read those verses again!! God says that my gray head will be a crown of glory, a testament of my walk in His way of righteousness. My gray head will be a sign of honor. Remember your folks telling you to respect your elders? I do not come from generations of Christians; however, I held my grandparents in high honor. They had lived through the Great Depression, been touched by war, and counted every penny to make a life for their families. We were to honor them.
Read David's cry to the Lord regarding his old age:
O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:17-18 nasb (emphasis mine)
My children and I have sat at the feet of the gray-haired, listening to their stories, many of which shine with the faithfulness of God.
| Goofy photo of Dad and me sharing stories on a couch on our front lawn. |
Along with gray hair, I am going to inherit other things--creaky joints, wrinkles, sagging skin. But that USA Today article didn't mention those things. The article merely reflects the world's thinking. The young can tint their hair, and the older can let their gray grow, but only because its uniqueness makes you look great--oh, but of course, you may need a tummy tuck, or a collagen treatment, or a little Botox under those sagging eyes. And there are products you can use to keep that tinted color from turning flat and dull. The world would rather have gray mean beauty, and fashion, not old age, not righteousness, not honor. It just wants to make a fashion statement.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 nasb (emphasis mine)
Back to life,
Christine
visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne
Monday, June 7, 2010
Grounds of Naper Settlement
I've attended church on these grounds for the past five years, but never really noticed our surroundings. Well, until now, when we've reached the probability that we will be moving to a larger location--a government school building. The building really doesn't matter. But, it made me realize how blessed I've been to be surrounded by beauty each Sunday morning.
Bleeding heart
Pink rose
Buttercup (just guessing)
What is this one? :)
Bug on rose
Side view of leaf
Surely God's beauty surrounds me each week, if I just stop and look. What an amazing Creator I serve!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Faces of Innocence, Clothing of Beauty
We shake hands, and smile, and I think, "What a beautiful young lady, in face and spirit! This pre-teen is going to become a beautiful woman of God..."
I remembered later that Karen told me her daughter is 18.
I already know how old this next young lady is. Our families lived near each other for several years, and our children grew up together. It's still hard to believe I have older sons, and it's harder to believe that this once-little girl has matured to become a young woman of God. Rephrase--not hard to believe she's a mature Godly young woman. Just hard to believe she's not 9, or 10, or 11, any more! :)
I speak as a mom without daughters, so bear with me. One comment made by Fernando when we left our former church was, "I just can't see our sons marrying any of the girls in that high school youth group." Our impression of the young ladies was one of seduction, however innocent they meant it: lots of make-up (I'm not opposed to using make-up; how it is used is important), tops that were low on top and high on bottom (not to mention tight), jeans that left little to the imagination.
Don't get me wrong--this is not a post on modesty. Or is it? Modesty is not only clothing that brings honor to the Lord. It includes speech, attitude, and actions that bring honor to the Lord. Modesty is an attitude of the heart. We as women and girls should not be flirting with knowledge of worldly culture; we should be striving for wisdom in God's Word, and innocence when it comes to the world.
"...but I want you to be wise in what is good
and innocent in what is evil."
Romans 16:19b (nasb)
Innocent--unmixed, pure, without admixture of evil, free from guile, simple. When we focus on His Word, and when we allow the Spirit to do His work in our lives and hearts, He is teaching us in wisdom from His goodness. Our eyes are upon Him, not on the world. We are fixed on God's culture, language, and attitudes, not the world's.
My husband says: "If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, and swims like a duck, then by golly--it must be a duck!!"
The faces above (and several others that come to mind) reflect an innocence that comes from focusing on Him. And if we are focused on Him, we decrease, and He increases. People no longer see us, but something wonderful, peaceful, and innocent--it is the Lord Jesus. How are we clothing ourselves? Is Jesus shining through? I leave you with this commentary on Romans 12:2 by Matthew Wuest:
and innocent in what is evil."
Romans 16:19b (nasb)
Innocent--unmixed, pure, without admixture of evil, free from guile, simple. When we focus on His Word, and when we allow the Spirit to do His work in our lives and hearts, He is teaching us in wisdom from His goodness. Our eyes are upon Him, not on the world. We are fixed on God's culture, language, and attitudes, not the world's.
My husband says: "If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, and swims like a duck, then by golly--it must be a duck!!"
The faces above (and several others that come to mind) reflect an innocence that comes from focusing on Him. And if we are focused on Him, we decrease, and He increases. People no longer see us, but something wonderful, peaceful, and innocent--it is the Lord Jesus. How are we clothing ourselves? Is Jesus shining through? I leave you with this commentary on Romans 12:2 by Matthew Wuest:
Stop masquerading in the habiliments of the world,
its mannerisms, speech expressions, styles, habits...
This masquerade costume which saints sometimes
put on, hides the Lord Jesus living in the heart
of the Christian, and is an opaque covering
through which the Holy Spirit
cannot radiate the beauty of the Lord Jesus.
The world says to that kind of a saint,
"The modernism of your appearance
nullifies the fundamentalism of your doctrine."
its mannerisms, speech expressions, styles, habits...
This masquerade costume which saints sometimes
put on, hides the Lord Jesus living in the heart
of the Christian, and is an opaque covering
through which the Holy Spirit
cannot radiate the beauty of the Lord Jesus.
The world says to that kind of a saint,
"The modernism of your appearance
nullifies the fundamentalism of your doctrine."
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