Book Lovers

"But I do go in for books. I love to own books. Though I read few books twice, I have filled every shelf in my house with books, have had more shelves made and filled those too. My books surround me like a cocoon. When I run my finger along the backs of my books they feel like the ribcage of an old familiar lover. Visit my shelves and you will learn much about me."

 — Joe Bennett, Beside Lovers

I love Butterflies.

Buckeye Butterfly (c) heh

One of the many great things about working at a nursery: butterflies.
I literally see hundreds within a month!
(or maybe the same regulars, over & again...?)

So, while pruning the flowering bushes at work, I've often seen buckeyes, black swallowtails, tiger swallowtails, monarchs, viceroys, cabbage whites (white & yellow), brown skippers, commas, questions marks (and yes those are butterflies!), as well as painted ladies, and admirals!

 This is to say nothing of all the millions of little bees, bugs, flies, and moths hovering about too!

But butterflies really do make me smile. :)
They remind me that God cares about even the smallest,
most vulnerable things, like butterflies, you and me.

{These are Blessings Indeed!}

I must say, I've been blessed. Truly, truly blessed. You all have blessed me! God has smiled on me.
And I don't say that in a cliche "ohymgoodness" sort of way....I really mean it.

The fact that I'm even alive today is a miracle.
The fact that I have a supporting circle of loving people is a true, real gift.
That fact that I have a loving family, and a beautiful, safe home to live in is worth celebrating too!

But today, what I'm thinking of the most is the hearts of the those.....my friends and family....who decided that the dream God gave me of going to Romania, and loving on those lovely, needy people was worth sponsoring.
Worth praying for.
Worth believing in me for.

It's amazing to me!
Because, really, even if I told everything I know and feel about Romania, and what God has said so far to me about it....and even if I admitted that I don't know exactly why I'm going or what will come of it.....it doesn't seem matter to you all!

I'm not talking just about monetary giving for my trip here. (No, but in that respect, I've been extremely blessed as well! Everything has been provided for! Many, many thanks...) I'm thinking of the love, the kind words, the prayers that these folks have given me....each was special!

And I think I'm just standing in awe of God right now.
How He works things out and, how he worked this out for me.
I feel so special! and yet so little, and unworthy of this trip, at the same time!
I promise I will try not to worry about my abilities because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and I promise to carry myself well in Romania, and serve with all my heart, soul, mind & strength! As would befit someone who has been so, so blessed....

I must thank you, my friends, my family & my church.
Love in Jesus,
~Hannah

Restless

"Green Fall", World's End State Park, Pennsylvania. (c) Hannah Hottenstein.

Silently,
the drops curve down,
trailing quickly,
and the leaves
quiver in their wake
(as the rain restlessly
seeks the ground.)

Thyme.

{Or, Time}

There's just never enough of it, is there?

;)

P.S. ~ Just finished a great book, A Jane Austen Education. 

You should read it too!

I am Very Grateful for...

the bonds of family

photographic inspiration

excellent books of poetry to devour late at night

  

the bright sunshine warming my back

new films to look forward to

the miniature spring flowers coming up everywhere!

quotes that tickle my brain

tiny, adorable animals

...and last but not least:
new Scripture to keep close & write down.

In that day you will sing:
      “I will praise you, O Lord!
   You were angry with me, but not any more.
      Now you comfort me.
 See, God has come to save me.
      I will trust in him and not be afraid.
   The Lord God is my strength and my song;
      he has given me victory.”

 With joy you will drink deeply
      from the fountain of salvation! *

What are you Very Grateful for?

a Little Update (Books, Violets & such things)

......the violets have absolutely come out this week!....they are just so pretty.....
and I finished three books yesterday......

The Children of Hurin By J.R.R. Tolkien &  

Lies Young Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free & 

Home: A Memoir of My Early Years.

.......good books all of them!....
Well, I'm off to try and get more things done today yet.

Enjoy the beautiful spring day everybody!

{Just a Few Little Things}

Our crocuses are blooming now...

..and we found quite a few pretty seashells while in Florida...

...all  the while Mom's paper whites were blooming back home inside!

 

Love is not blind - it sees more, not less. 

But because it sees more, it is willing to see less. 

~Julins Gordon

Yes, I Bought A Twilight Hoodie...

BB Dakota Bella Twilight Hoodie Jacket (Medium)

Apparently, this is the same jacket worn by Kristen Stewart in the first Twilight movie (except I picked forest color, and hers was blue or gray or something).

Not that I care, and not that I think that adds credibility via celebrity endorsement, but...

... it is the best jacket I have ever owned!

I love it so much, I've worn it almost everyday since I got it in the mail from Amazon on the 4th. No lie. :)

Finally, A Chance to Breathe...

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),
It's always our self we find in the sea.
~e.e. cummings

Summer 'Kisses'

I miss the warm, bright days of the year
when it seemed like God reached down from the sky
and kissed the earth...
Summer, come soon please!

Yellow Sulpher Butterfly, Hannah Hottenstein. 2009

"And the Results are Pouring in now..."

(c) heh

*There is something to be said for spell checking and looking over a post before posting it as final! If you saw this post before 6:00pm today (1/15/11) I deeply apologize for all the spelling errors!

I am really enjoying watching the results coming in on the polls on the side!
It looks like (so far) this is the consensus:

• I should either name my Etsy shop Ruffle Stuff(s) or Wren Row, to match this blog.

These two are good ideas actually! I liked Ruffle Stuffs and Wren Row the best too. Although I did wonder that no one cared for the other sweet name concoctions, i.e. 'Lovetopia' or 'Curioso' ? lol :)
Also, it was neat to finally get feedback on what exactly people would buy from me (or from Etsy sellers in general.) These were tops:

• sewn items (bags, pillows, purses, jackets, clothes, dresses, satchels, knitted/crocheted things, etc.
• paper "stuffs" as they call them: books, journals, organizational stuff, stationary, etc.

Those are my favorite things to make, so that's real handy. :) However, I did actually forget to put my *favorite* thing to make in that poll: miniatures. Yes, I love miniatures! specifically the 1/12 scale. I can't get enough of them, or making them. :)

Also, it looks like the most commonly agreed upon amount of money someone would be willing to spend at my shop/ on Etsy in general is:

• $15-$20

Hm, interesting! That's actually heartening, really. And it's a fair price for most of the wonderful things sold on Etsy, too! So, dear friends & readers, I would like to say thank you for voting! The feedback helps a bunch. :)

Here's to new starts in the new Year!
~Hannah
- - - - - - - - - - - - - *Isn't God great?*

We had our first snow today!

 

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Mr. Junco stepped out to inspect the snow...

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...whilst I caught some of the 'white stuff' on my sleeve.

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(So pretty)  

Evergreens look a billion times better with snow, don't ya think? 

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 The snow-boots were dug out from the closets' recesses...

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 ...and I discovered there is a great snowy view from mi ventana!

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 I think we like it!

And I think it should be here & stay a while!

Okay, for winter at least. ;)
{Isn't it just fantastical?}
- - - - - - - - - - - - - * Merry Christmas! *