Someone is really really into the new Barbie Fashionista dolls. She says she's "Sassy".

at my workspace: the unknown girl

I drew her after seeing her ambrotype in an antique shop. I think she must have just been a teenager, but she had the most intense, solemn expression. It makes me wonder who she was, what she was like, what she did with her days. I so regret not buying her photograph after all. If the person who has it now sees this, please get in touch with me!

it's pronounced leff-anew

OK, fine. I see now why Dracula is the book he's known for. The first half had been so promising! but midway through it was like even he was getting uninspired. So, on to something new, by someone who's always proved interesting, and brilliant with the language too (I think Mr Stoker's favourite word is "heartily"). I haven't gotten much into it yet, but isn't the cover art great?

words of wisdom

Gotta love those Japanese crackers.

hair

B has decided she wants to cut her hair. When it's loose, she can almost sit on it. So I'm taking pictures of it every now and then before we go to the hairdresser (maybe, perhaps) this weekend.

not just dracula

What I'm reading now: The Jewel of Seven Stars by Bram Stoker. Yep, Bram Stoker. The book was published in 1903, some six years after Dracula. It's an absorbing read, intriguing in part because of the way it captures Edwardian England's fascination with ancient Egypt (plus, it's cool to get a little shiver from a good old-fashioned supernatural thriller).

bear on skates

B is a bona fide Build-A-Bear collector. We're running out of space for them, so rather than get her yet another BAB bear for her birthday (yep -- "BAB" -- that's what we people in the know call it), I agreed to let her get skates for one of her bears. She chose Bruin, her BAB pug. I have to say he looks kinda neat and is pretty fun to pull around. The cat doesn't look too impressed though.

today at church

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:2-6).

Well-timed message to me again: Press on.

the night is serene

I'd been going through the past week with this cloud over my head, but now! thank the Lord! it's been lifted. The night is serene, and so am I, as Jane Eyre said. I praise God for this deliverance! It's truly been a lesson in patience, pressing on, and the knowledge that someone up there does indeed care for me.

favours

Shopping for party favours for a large bunch of kids is an annual exercise in bargain-hunting. I got these fellows for 50 cents apiece and feel inordinately pleased with myself.

setting up shop

Hm. Setting up an online shop is a little intimidating. For a technophobe like me anyway. And every time I'm about ready to settle down and do some reading up on how Etsy works, something will come up. Like an order from a physical shop or a friend's friend. Or the kiddos' stomach flu. Or my own "stuff".

hello!