album of the year!

so this is what the photo shoot was all about : josh's album was named ALBUM OF THE YEAR by christianity today!  we've known for a month or two, but had to keep it a secret ;)

here's a link to the full online article.  it tells quite a bit of our story, but i think mark did a really nice job with it.  the print edition comes out this week.  & here's a link to the list of other excellent winning artists!  this is SUCH an honor for josh, & i am so happy for him!

also, this week josh's love & war & the sea in between was listed among 2011's top ten non-ccm/christian albums by andy whitman in image journal.  (technically, "the top ten albums for christians who hate christian music", though i wasn't particularly fond of the title even though i get it)  his words about josh + the album made me teary.  he's a gifted & eloquent music critic (often writes for paste magazine, & was on the panel that chose love & war for CT's number one spot), & josh always feels really honored by his words & recognition.  i'll include his description of love & war here, but you should read the full introduction + list over at image journal.

If St. Francis of Assisi was a hip-hop/soul musician, he would be Josh Garrels. Shunning record labels and uninterested in the trappings of celebrity, Garrels simply releases his music on his own terms. He remains the best musical celebrant of the natural world, reveling in the beauty he finds. Mixing lovely acoustic folk music with strident beats and a rapper’s gift of rhythm and rhyme, Garrels continues to be an outspoken, poetic prophet of anti-consumerism, decrying our disposable culture and calling for renewed commitment to living out the implications of the gospel. This is his best album yet. Fittingly, he released it for free on his website.

heron wakes at night with leg cramps.  growing pains, we think.  we hear her crying in the middle of the night & we soak her feet in warm water & massage her legs.  the other morning i was up before everyone, having some quiet time by the christmas tree lights, & in walked heron with her aching legs.  so we set up a little soaking station by the heater with snacks before dawn.    

heron's first photos

yesterday on our walk to the park i was taking pictures of heron in the golden, late afternoon, almost-setting sun. then she asked if she could try taking pictures.  hesitant, i said yes, but felt better after putting the camera strap around her neck.  she loved taking pictures, & captured the above shots.  rather lovely for a 3 1/2 year old!  

after the privilege of taking pictures, & enjoying it so, she was much more apt to allow me to take her picture.  (though she is anything but shy, she doesn't presently like to get her picture taken)  

(i'm catching up a bit, & just posted pictures from our belated anniversary trip here)

heh.

i find some funny things when i google my husband's name.  above is a downloadable wallpaper that someone created.  (i guess i can see why people think he's so serious.  but he makes me laugh harder than anyone!  anyway, it's a cute little caricature of him.)  

& the title of this review made us laugh out loud!  i can't find the actual review anywhere, but you get the idea...

josh garrels new album sounds native american, lushly layered melting pot hit!

advent, day 1

it's not really the first day of advent, but today, december 1st, started the countdown to christmas on our advent calendar.  i made this little pocket calendar last year, & i'll be filling each date with an activity or gift (for the kids) to celebrate the season.  today they each received a little gift--a little fridge magnet for sheppy & a pair of little red rose earrings for heron.

now that heron is a little older, i really want to be more intentional about bringing the story of jesus' birth into our days of activities & gifts, in a meaningful, natural, engaging way.  ideas for 3-year-olds, anyone?

mae day

had the pleasure of hanging out with this sweet young thing yesterday.  & her amazing mama, too.  sheppy has a crush.

p.s. just posted a few thanksgiving pictures here.