Blue Like That

May 21 2013

Book Review: Perfecting Kate

by hollycombs

Perfecting Kate by Tamara Leigh is a humorous, self-deprecating novel about a 30-something artist navigating her way through sticky roommate situations and even stickier romantic situations.

While trying to build bridges with her difficult roommate, Kate meets Michael, a famous make-up artist who seems to miraculously set his sights on her rather than her flawless roommate. But Michael has a penchant for pointing out her physical flaws, and requesting that she get them surgically fixed. And although he seems to have a fascination with her roommate, Kate comforts herself that at least he’s a Christian and he says he loves her. Dr. Clive Alexander, on the other hand, does nothing to flatter her and even manages to antagonize her at every turn–especially when it comes to her faith–yet whenever he’s around, her heart rate increases. Kate begins to wonder just what God is doing in her life.

It wasn’t difficult to get caught up in Kate’s ever-humorous inner-dialogue, in fact, it was my favorite part. Although a little over-the-top (she is an artist after all), Kate is accessible and relatable to women in a variety of stages and situations–she’s fairly realistic, far from perfect, always trying to take her faith a step further, and never really sure what to do next.

In her search for love, Kate learns that faith isn’t just a box to be ticked off the list and people are sometimes more complicated than they first appear. Kate also struggles with deeper issues than her love life–throughout the book, she mourns the loss of her ability to have children and learns to embrace herself just the way she is.

I did find Leigh’s treatment of “singledom” troubling. Kate has a pattern of swearing off men and putting forth an effort to embrace singledom, only to be derailed by yet another man. Instead of trusting God to bring the right man into her life at the right time, and meanwhile pursuing what God has for her life today, Kate does things her own way. In the end, her approach pans out as she stumbles over the “right” one. In my observation, this kind of approach does more harm to young woman than anything. And Leigh’s brush-off of singledom doesn’t do anything to encourage single women or change cultural perceptions.

Although it has a few flaws, this is definitely a fun, quick summer read. You can read Chapter 1 here to get a taste!

I received a complimentary copy of Perfecting Kate from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group, but I was not otherwise compensated for this review. All writing, thoughts, and opinions are solely mine.

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May 20 2013

Hospitality

by hollycombs

I believe my mother truly has a gift for hospitality. For offering up her house as a sacrifice of love for others. For making people feel at home. For serving sugar cubes.

Sugar cubes are probably my most vivid memory of her hospitality. I come from a tea-loving family, so every guest was offered a cup of tea, and the sugar bowl–filled to the brim with sugar cubes. I think the real reason behind the cubes was because Maryland humidity made granulated sugar clump until it was rock hard. But the people she served them to? They had no idea. They felt like queens, being offered the very best. So many people remarked on those little cubes, utterly delighted with them.

I’m an introvert, so hospitality isn’t my natural inclination (that would be something more akin to hibernation). But I learned well from my mama, and it comes in handy because I ended up marrying a professional chef. Yep, a chef. And a social one at that.

Which means that we do a lot of entertaining. We make a lot of dinners. We invite a lot of guests into our home.

Sure, I don’t do much in the way of food prep, but I know from experience that hospitality is more than just food. It is a feeling, a welcoming, an opening of heart and home.

So we try to create an environment suitable to hospitality. A lot of comfortable seating and plenty of coasters to go around. Movies that are group favorites, drinks we don’t usually indulge in, easy access to extra throws and floor pillows. It’s a lifestyle.

When we married, Husband and I didn’t want to move into a one-bedroom apartment, we wanted a place where we could host people. We were blessed with a five-bedroom beach house that was miraculously in our budget (thanks to off-season pricing). It was large enough to host my entire family (including all those nieces and nephews) for our wedding. When we had to leave that house (it was just a winter rental after all), we prayed for another home that we could open to others, to bless others.

God provided once more, another five-bedroom house, this time in the country. We didn’t know how He would use it, but we prayed that He would. That He would use the house and us to bless others abundantly, and in turn we would be blessed.

A lot of people have come through this house over the past two years. Family, friends. Some for big events, some for little vacations. One night, two, ten. Husband’s friends, mine. One even lived with us for a while until he could find his own place. We have loved opening the extra bedrooms, setting them up with extra toiletries, bottles of water, fresh linens. We loved inviting our loved ones to make themselves at home. And we were blessed by the company, the friendships that were born and fostered.

Yet, we still didn’t really know what our Lord had in mind.

Then we were hit with tragedy. My brother-in-law, Michael passed away unexpectedly. That night, our home held six very broken people. Before long more arrived, we were soon hosting up to 13 every night. A hurricane raged around us, but we were safe and dry and at home in this house. We poured ourselves out for those we love, all of us hurting. And this house–this house brought solace. It brought comfort. This bit of hospitality blessed our most dear ones.

I will be ever grateful for this place, these walls. And I will be sad to leave them when the time comes. But I am thankful that the Lord has heard our prayers and, through us, has blessed so many.

I can only pray that our next home, wherever it may be, will hold the same potential. That we will continue to offer our home as a sacrifice of hospitality to those around us. That we will share our blessings to our utmost ability.

And now, I think I might go buy some sugar cubes.

Categories: Faith, Family, Life | No Comments »

May 17 2013

{Moments of Inspiration}

by hollycombs

“Our moments of inspiration are not lost though we have no particular poem to show for them;
for those experiences have left an indelible impression,
and we are ever and anon reminded of them.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

Categories: Life, Moments of Inspiration | No Comments »

May 16 2013

Happiness, comfort and healing

by hollycombs

It’s been some time since I’ve felt completely, totally, irrefutably happy.

Just over six months ago, we lost my brother-in-law far before his time, and it hurts. It still hurts. Our loss, our grief has overshadowed every moment since that awful day. We loved much, so we grieve much.

Here in Virginia, fall is the perfect time to ride. The weather is lovely, the mosquitoes not so bad, and fall lasts through December. But we lost Michael in October, and while I went through the motions, most of last fall is a blur of heartache. I didn’t ride. Not once.

I didn’t ride all winter. It was cold, dark, rainy.

I didn’t ride in March or April, it was an unusually cool Spring, and wet as usual. I clean stalls, I feed, I groom, I arrange vet and farrier care, but I didn’t ride.

Then, I did it. I dusted off my saddle, pulled out the bridle and actually rode. For the first time in six months.

And it was great. Perfect. Beautiful.

I watched the sunset from horseback, and I loved on my baby girl.

Eventually I dismounted and put her away, gave her some grain and stored all that tack once more. But this time it won’t collect dust–it won’t stay hidden for long. Because this was life-giving. This small act of riding brought a real smile to my face, one I couldn’t deny if I tried.

I felt euphoric, alive, joyful…happy.

I know that riding horses isn’t the source of my joy. The Lord is the source of all joy. But He has given me a special heart for these majestic creatures of His, and through them, He comforts and heals my heart.

The happiness didn’t last forever, and the next day my muscles were pretty sore (I forget just how much muscle it really takes to ride well!). But I have been reminded just how therapeutic a ride can be, and I plan on partaking again pretty soon.

Happy trails!

Categories: Life | 1 Comment »

May 15 2013

Yarn Along

by hollycombs

What I’m knitting, and what I’m reading…

I’m getting to the final stages of this bag! All the pieces are complete and it’s been whip-stitched together. Now I get to try felting for the first time! And, I’m reading Perfecting Kate by Tamara Leigh, definitely a winner in the “fun summer read” category. Check back next week for a full review!

P.S. Check out my review of The Messenger that I mentioned last week!

Joining Ginny at Small Things.

Categories: DIY, Essentially Eclectic | 3 Comments »

May 14 2013

Weekending

by hollycombs

We had a full weekend–full of productivity and rest, good and hard, family and solitary, beach and rain, a mish-mash of many things, doings, feelings.

I spent Saturday trying to get control of things around home…this time of year, when so much of life is lived outside–in the garden, at the barn–home falls a bit by the wayside. Jackets don’t get hung up; dog hair gets, well, everywhere; and there are always dishes to do. The bills need to get paid eventually, and the dog bathed, and the plants watered. Much to be done.

Husband often works on Saturdays, catering weddings mostly. So I squeeze every minute of solitary time to complete the tasks at hand. (I even managed to watch my brother graduate with his master’s degree via live webcast while I folded laundry!)

I carved out a bit of time to ride in the evening, but the weather had other plans. Before I knew that rain was coming it was thundering and lighting, big drops began falling, then driving from the sky. I made a run for it and got home before getting too wet. Life is like that sometimes–we make our plans but things change all of a sudden and we have to learn to change with it. And sometimes, when it takes a turn for the worse, we get a bit wet.

For three hours it poured and the wind tore through our little “valley” with a vengeance. Rain managed to come in every cracked window in our home, and I alternated my time between sipping a cup of tea, calming the nervous pup, and running around the house with towels to sop it up. Before long, our mudroom was a rushing river–water coming in the front door and heading straight out the back, probably three or four inches. The garage, too, flooded–water came up through the cracks in the concrete. Husband and I scurried around trying to salvage what we could in the garage–wooden furniture waiting to be redone, cardboard boxes waiting for the next move, etc. But sometimes, you just have to let things take their course. So we just sat down in the dry, cozy living room and let the worst of it pass.

Then loaded up the truck, nervous pup and all, and headed to the beach. At 10:00 at night. Husband’s family had rented the beach house. “Our” beach house, or so we like to call it. And we were meeting them for the final night and day of the little “vacation”.

It was fun to be back there, where we lived for the first 7 months of our marriage. To remark on the changes, the updates, the memories. We spent time with family, and watched the little kids squeal with delight over our pup.

Sunday morning was cool, overcast and windy, but we managed a walk on the beach. And really, I think those cool windy days are my favorites, because the beach is deserted, it is ours to explore and love and experience. Come July, we’ll be sharing this beach with thousands of tourists. We don’t usually come in July.

They were dredging, bringing sand back up onto the beach that had washed out to sea over the course of the storms and hurricanes of the past year. The dredging meant there was a plethora of seashells to be examined and the perfect ones searched out. We found sand dollars too, six of them.

Ginger loves the beach, and thoroughly enjoyed her walk. I forget sometimes how much we loved those daily walks on the beach when we lived here. I miss them.

Back “home” we washed off our sandy feet and settled in to breakfast, celebrating a few birthdays and Mother’s Day all in one. Together. It’s a good feeling, to be doing life together–celebrating the milestones and mourning the losses. Together. Because, really, you never know what’s coming–some days are a walk on the beach, others a torrential downpour.

Linking up with Annapolis & Company

Categories: Family, Life | 1 Comment »

May 13 2013

Book Review: The Messenger

by hollycombs

The Messenger by Siri Mitchell As I explained before, I am a huge fan of some of Siri Mitchell‘s contemporary fiction, but I have my reservations when it comes to her historical fiction.

A friend purchased The Messenger for me and it took me a while to get around to reading it, but I have to say, I was impressed. Perhaps it was the setting, my setting that is. I read this Revolutionary War era novel while sitting in a rocking chair in front of a great stone fireplace in a rustic cabin over the course of two days. You might say my own setting prepared me to connect with such a book.

The novel follows the story of Hannah Sunderland, a young Quaker girl trying to live a life of peace amid patriots and loyalists in Philadelphia during the heart of the Revolutionary War. When her twin brother is jailed as a rebel, Hannah must choose between the faith of her people and love for her brother. Meanwhile, local tavern owner Jeremiah Jones finds himself unexpectedly organizing a jail break for imprisoned patriots, but he can’t do it alone–in fact, he can’t do it without the help of young Hannah Sunderland herself.

Honestly, not much really happens in this book–the plot isn’t exactly riveting and there is little action. The pace is slow and steady, but it is the characters and the setting itself that carry this novel through. And it was just that that kept me coming back to read a little more and a little more.

Hannah is far from just a Quaker–she is a young woman finding her way in the world, exploring her own independence, realizing that she must form and hold onto her own beliefs about God. She must begin to make her own judgements about her actions and her acquaintances rather than relying on her church to make them. I loved that this novel neither demonized nor glorified the Quaker religion, instead, through Hannah, Mitchell explores both the positives and negatives of such a faith. I loved Hannah’s complex character.

Even as I finished the novel, I was left with a distinct desire for more of the Colonial/Revolutionary War period. So I was inspired to finally pick up a book that had been on my to-read list since high school–Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography–and I dove right in. I think that any historical fiction novel that inspires the reader to learn more about history is a success.

In the acknowledgments at the end of The Messenger, Mitchell writes that “it is a commonly held belief in the publishing industry that Revolutionary War-era novels don’t sell”. I, for one, am glad that this book was published and would certainly recommend it to any history-loving fiction fans.

I received no compensation for this review. All writing, thoughts, and opinions are solely mine.

Categories: Books | 1 Comment »

May 10 2013

{Moments of Inspiration}

by hollycombs

Categories: Life, Moments of Inspiration | 1 Comment »

May 8 2013

Yarn Along

by hollycombs

What I’m knitting, and what I’m reading…

I took a few weeks off from knitting as other things required my attention…the house, the horse, the garden. Outdoor things. Spring things. But I’m determined to finish this felted bag, so I’m back at it making the strap this week. Also, lately I’ve been reading The Messenger, by Siri Mitchell, and Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography. I’m enjoying both of these historical books. Check back on Monday for a full review of The Messenger!

Joining Ginny at Small Things.

Categories: Books, DIY, Essentially Eclectic | 2 Comments »

May 7 2013

Sweet Tea

by hollycombs

As you all should know by now, I’m a complete Northerner, which means I don’t understand the love of sweet tea here in the South…

But, there is one Sweet Tea that I’m loving–the jewelry line.

A few months ago, I purchased a daily deal coupon from Recoup (which also means my purchase helped a special charity, Ronald McDonald House this time) to use at Sweet Tea, where I immediately began perusing their earrings. I’m sorely lacking in adult, not-too-formal jewelry. I just haven’t had the funds to spend on it in recent years, and while things are still tight I’m realizing that I spend 9 hours every day at work, in an office. So the clothes/shoes/jewelry that I purchase for that purpose will get plenty of use. Therefore, it might be time to make a few well-placed investments.

And Sweet Tea’s wooden earrings are just my thing.

It took a while to sort out which were my favorites. I knew I needed something chunky and brown because at least twice a week I would search my jewelry collection for chunky/brown and come up empty. So the first pair I settled on were the small Heartstone earrings made from mahogany.

From there, I knew that the other colors I wear a lot are gray at work and blue jeans at home/on weekends. So I thought the Fusion earrings in ocean blue would go really well with both of those.

A short time later, my earrings arrived and I tried them on–totally in love! I began wearing the Heartstone earrings a lot (I told you, I needed them at least twice a week). Unfortunately, on the third or fourth time that I wore the Fusion earrings, the wood split at the metal ring and the wooden part broke off completely. As you can imagine, I was rather disappointed in the quality since I was only able to wear them a handful of times. So I wrote to Sweet Tea and explained the situation, inquiring about the possibility of getting a replacement pair.

Within a few hours a received this response:

Good Morning Holly,

We apologize for this. Sweet Tea will gladly send you a replacement pair as well as a complimentary pair for your inconvenience. Thank you for contacting us. Feel free to email us should you have anymore questions. Thank you for shopping with us. We truly appreciate your business.

Best,

Kemi
Sweet Tea

I have to say, their response blew me away! I was so pleased with their customer service. Before long, I received another package from Sweet Tea and an email explaining that the small Fusion earrings in ocean blue were out of stock, but they sent me the Fusion earrings in mahogany, and the Fishbone earrings in sky blue (so funny, because I was so tempted to get these the first time around), and just for kicks, they sent me the Heartstone earrings in lavender, which I was able to gift to a dear friend.

I have not had anymore quality issues with these earrings and I wear them all the time. I would highly recommend this company for both their customer service and their product! Learn more about Sweet Tea.

I received no compensation for this review. All writing, thoughts, and opinions are solely mine.

Categories: Essentially Eclectic, Life | 1 Comment »