Choose one: The choice of courage and joy

You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you can't choose both. - Brene Brown

My loving father did something silly this year. He gave me a Disney greeting card for my birthday. Not only was it Disney, it played music. A Celtic reel blared at me, as Merida from the animated film "Brave" stared at me, spirited with flaming red hair. "You can't get that for her," my mom told him. "Yes, I can! This is just like Keturah, except her hair is brown not red."

After the music wore off, and more accurately, after the shock that my dad purchased a birthday card featuring a children's movie heroine for my 30th birthday, I read the inscription. Oh. So that's why you chose it. It was actually one of the best (non cheesy) Hallmark tomes I've ever read. I still have the card, music and all.

The lines read about being brave, spirited, and joyful just being myself. Me? This terribly insecure girl who is trying to fit into 30? Who recently cried to her spiritual mentor about how she felt 15-years-old sometimes?

Sometimes I get weary of all the saccharine, almost ingratiating "feel good" quotes out there, at which time I want to retaliate with "Do you really live in this world or are you from some world that believes in unicorns and world peace?"

Then I see things like this Brown's bracing words, and all I can think is, we don't need more Winston Churchills, King George the VIs, Corrie ten Booms, or Dietrich Bonhoeffers, although that would certainly be beneficial. We need more regular everyday people choosing courage over comfort.

To quote Schaeffer: " History indicates that at a certain point of economic breakdown people cease being concerned with individual liberties and are ready to accept regimentation. The danger is obviously even greater when the two main values so many people have are personal peace and affluence."

I don't know why I am writing this around the winter holiday season. But it somehow seems fitting in many ways. Perhaps it is the bracing fact that 2014 faces us in a first world culture full of extravagancies and selfishness, but holds the potential to be a year full of brave and courageous moments. Perhaps this is the year you can and will live true to yourself. Perhaps your bravery is facing the pain of old memories or recent hurts. Maybe it is to forgive. Maybe it is to hope again. Maybe it is simply looking at who you really are in Christ and believing it is true, no matter how many years you've believed your identity was in your marriage, divorce, or singleness; your family, friends, and neighbors; the six-figure paycheck that pays for the designer label clothes and chic flat; the three-figure paycheck that barely buys groceries and pays rent; the ugliness of regrets; the pain of rejection; not fitting, not caring, not knowing. It is not hiding your loneliness, or stuffing your pain into the deepest recesses of your life-roughened heart.

Courage isn't a bucket list filled with nouns. It is lowering your shoulders, a daily act to be your real self, love Christ and people. It's discovering what real love is. In its simplest it is stepping out of the valley that has defined you and discovering who you really are in Christ. You realize that these things are all gifts and lessons, not identities. And as you do that, you begin to walk through your pain. For, you cannot reach the top of the mountain if you never step into the fog and make your way up. And in this courage, healing will come, and joy will flood your heart. Hope will sing. Love will dance. Life will matter.

This isn't some positivity quote. This is truth, this is life, and this has been my journey up the mountain this past year: newness of life. Because the only thing stronger than fear is hope, and the only thing stronger than pain is love.

Hope again, and don't let it die.  Trust. He will come for you and set you free.

Brooklyn Tweed Hugo - Progress: a back and a sleeve.

Progress continues with Brooklyn Tweed's delightful Hugo!

The back is now knit and ready for blocking. 

 I could write a thousand words saying how much I love knitting this sweater.

Moss stitch. Double seed stitch. I don't care what they call you. You're purdy!

(Oh, and the sun was truly perfect for photographing this woolen jumper.)

And now the first sleeve.

I had help, of course.

 My friend C is all finished with her Hugo. She is a fast knitter.

All photos taken and edited with VSCO and posted to instagram. Have you found me yet on instagram? You may follow me here:

http://instagram.com/keturahsyoung

Brooklyn Tweed Hugo: a knitalong

I am hopelessly smitten with this sweater! I mean, I did blow this photo up to full, original size for my blog.

the boy: my oh-so-sweet golden brother, who happens to enjoy wool sweaters and stylish togs. I'm the oldest sibling, he's the youngest. Yeah, I kind of like this kid. 

the pattern: Hugo by Veronik Avery, from BT: Men

the wool: I chose Mountain Meadow Wool's Laramie in Dark Gray. It's a lovely substitute for Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter. You really can't get a closer match for color! Dark Gray is nearly identical to Stormcloud. The big differences are

-Shelter has tiny tweed flecks of steel blue and cream; Laramie has no flecks.

-Laramie has no dye lot; Shelter has a dye lot.

Another difference is how the yarns react after knitting. My unblocked swatch of Laramie measured 4.5" w by 4.75" tall. After resting a few days, it had reduced to 4" w. This tells me Laramie has a lot of elasticity and energy. Most importantly, the stitch count was spot on after resting. My friend is using the suggested Shelter in Stormcloud. Her yarn did not shrink after it rested, nor did it have quite the same elasticity or plushness Laramie. SO...as always, swatch it, baby.

With that said, I probably should have blocked my swatch to see what it did to the yarn. I decided to be risky and just knit the thing! Knowing the yarn is so give-and-take, I felt good about my decision to use all three needle sizes as directed.

the needles: Dreamz and Symfonie Rose. They're basically the same thing, just a different cable and needle color.

This design has you use 3 sequential needle sizes, US 5, US 6, and US 7. Size 5 is for the twisted rib, 6 for the low back/waist portions, and 7 for the rest. The instructions are to use the size 6 if chest and waist measurements are several inches apart, thus reducing bagginess and excess material in the waist/high hip area. I think it's brilliant, since guys don't need waist shaping, but inevitably get the baggy sweater effect with fabric pooling around their stomachs.. Even though my brother's waist is only 3" smaller than his chest, I know he prefers a more fitted sweater. so I chose to use all needle sizes are originally directed.

the modifications: It may not be massively apparent, but I have quite the independent streak. Instructions for Tubular Cast-On read to use a lighter weight yarn for the waste yarn. I didn't. I used Laramie in Light Gray. AND I'm going to repeat it for Tubular Cast-On, as well as using it for the garter stitch placket on the turtleneck. Here's why.

My brother has a strong sense of American Boy-Next-Door, very Matt Damon-Joseph Gordon Levitt. Someone with that aesthetic style needs garments with graphic pop, whether that's strong color contrasts, bold graphic tees, or fun and unusual patterns. By using a high contrast monochromatic yarn for the cast-on, I'll achieve the necessary graphic edge (no pun intended) I'm looking for.

the progress: as of publication, I'm nearly finished with the back. I shall post photos as I finish each piece, and most definitely a full spread of photos after I seam and block this beautiful piece of cabled woolen eye candy.

Life is like bread.

This is not a post detailing my adventures in bread baking. I have baked a lot of bread but I suppose that post is for another day.

Still, this post is about bread. Another kind of bread. Ironically, I had been wondering about when I would post about something other than my adventures in sugar, butter, and eggs. And so here it is.

I emailed a friend recently. It was during a time when I was ambivalent about some situations and decisions. And God being gracious, and my friend being so awesome (and she is awesome, no superfluous statement here), gave me this truth to ponder:

"Don't live for the expectations of others, but rather for the Lord. ... I got a vision just now of rising bread dough - as it expands it will fill every bit of space it can find, whether or not its supposed to. I feel like that is you. You're trying to expand into the spaces people want you to fill in their lives, reaching to be nourishment at the expense of its own stability. Does that make sense? You're nourishing and filling, but just fill the pan you were made for."

Bread bakers have a lot of terms. Bread that rises too much is called over proofed. It makes for a loaf  that collapses when it bakes and is full of holes when it's sliced. (I told you I really had baked bread before, hehe.) It's not that it doesn't taste good. It's still bread. But its holes and small shape make it hard for it to hold anything put on it. The butter and jam seep through every cavernous hole, and its small size means you end up using four slices of bread for that lunchtime sandwich. It takes a lot more over proofed bread to feed someone.

I pondered this for only two seconds when the light fell on my iPhone calendar: I've been running non stop, stretched thin because I haven't had a free day in 7 weeks. I keep giving, saying yes, slipping in one more person or event and...I don't even know what to do with myself any longer. Because that's the other thing: I easily live for others' expectations. Maybe it's an oldest child thing. Maybe it's a sin thing. Maybe it's a Keturah-coping-with-life-in-her-own-strength-and-wisdom thing (which is a sin thing, by the way). Perhaps it's the result of years spent honing over-achieving perfectionist survival skills. I have no idea at present. What I do know is that the weight of others' needs, obligations and expectations, both conscious and unconscious, press on my heart and mind until I am choking with it. It's difficult to see what I should be doing because I can't see my bread pan for all the other pans stacked on the counter. Half the reason I don't know to do is because I'm always doing for others and never taking time to discover and develop the kingdom dreams he has for me. Some would say that is hardly a fault in our self-centered society.

But is it really? If I'm living life and meetings others' needs in my own strength isn't it just a slice of over proofed bread? Jesus said He is the Bread of Life. He came to give us life. Daily. Nothing in this world can give us life apart from him, not even the good Christian things we're all supposed to do to keep the plates spinning and people happy and the world going. Know that if it's not giving life than it is absolutely taking life away.

I'm excited to dream his kingdom dreams and see all he has in store for me. But I won't be able to do that until I clear out some bread pans and start filling the spaces he has called me to. 

What are your spaces to fill and what are his expectations for you? Do you see a lot of holes, are you feeling pressed down and overrun with obligations and "yes" moments?

Love and joy,

Keturah

Summer is for simplicity. And chocolate.

Summer is about celebrating simplicity, family, friends, the outdoors, floaty dresses and sunglasses, endless afternoons of loafing... Since I haven't had a free day in 6 weeks, my summer isn't exactly going swimmingly.

Still, I had a stolen Sunday afternoon to myself (translation: 2 hours) in which time I baked up one of my favorite quick chocolate desserts: flourless brownies. 

It's nothing super special as far as the more elaborate and extravagant desserts go. But for small summer gatherings or solitary Sundays, it suits me well.

And now the special part. 

I was out of ice cream and I knew my solitary moment of bliss deserved dairy. And so, I pulled out my latest favorite thing ever: Noosa Aussie style yoghurt.

{the question is, will this last me more than a week?}

Everyone compares tasty binge-worthy food to the street name for cocaine, "crack." After trying a few of these "crack" recipes and foods, I usually get annoyed. It's good but not so great I would binge or require it for a daily fix. So any recipe with "crack" in it's title is probably hyperbole.

But I have found my crack and it's not an exaggeration. It's name is Noosa Yoghurt. I eat it for breakfast and before bed. Some days I eat it at lunch and in the afternoon too. It's unlike any commercial or homemade yogurt I have ever consumed.

So back to the brownie with yogurt. I took a risk and experimented. The result? Each bite was was sublime, soft, melting, not too heavy - just like a summer evening. Cheesy summer simile aside, I honestly would choose this over ice cream on my brownie any day.

Flourless Brownies

2 ounces (1/2 stick) butter, melted and slightly cooled

12 ounces bittersweet chocolate,  ~60-62% cocoa (I often cheat and use Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate chips, 2 cups)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease 4 ramekins. Pour boiling water into a shallow baking dish.

Melt the chocolate and combine with the melted butter. Stir in the sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time.

Divide the liquid chocolate batter evenly between the ramekins. Place the ramekins in the baking dish with hot water. Place the whole thing on a cookie sheet for ease and slip into the oven. Bake for 35-45 min; don't over bake. A toothpick should still come out wet, but the brownies should be set.

Remove from oven and cool slightly, then remove the ramekins from the water. Serve while warm. I loved these with bourbon pecan praline ice cream. But my new favorite way to eat them is with that Aussie indulgence known as Noosa Yoghurt.

To serve as photographed, top each brownie with a small dollop of sweetened condensed milk, about one tablespoon or less, then smooth on a nice amount of Noosa Yoghurt. I used raspberry flavor.

Eat immediately while lounging in your most comfy summer clothes. Sharing is optional, although highly recommended since eating more than one by yourself may result in sugar coma. You have been warned.

Summer Sewing

Summer sewing is kinda like summer lovin', because I love dresses and summer blouses. But really, I suppose, it's more about neo-sewing. I'm not much of a seamstress. My first blouse was mostly sewn, pinned, tailored, and in all regards, made by my lovely friend Laura. (She also fashioned it into the most luxurious sapphire blue charmeuse silk dress. If you have never worn a real silk charmeuse blouse or dress, you are missing the thrill of your life.) It was a bit ambitious for my first sewing project.

I've knitted, baked, moved to a new dwelling twice, and many other things. Amidst all of that, I haven't really sewn, which is sad considering I own a sewing machine.  I hope to change that for many reasons.

{my Pinterest sewing board}

Cost
It's true that sewing can sometimes be more expensive when you compare it to a cheap Old Navy t-shirt. When you compare it to a Jason Wu Spring 2011 runway skirt or Luisa Beccaria ready-to-wear dress, the game changes.  

Style
It's everything.I have observed many women who fall prey to the clothes or style wearing them, when it should always be the other way around. The lines, colors, detailing -- those are hallmarks of great taste and style. Sewing something yourself gives you more control of these factors. I have found many great dresses in the wrong color, and just as many dresses in the right color only to have it look like a shapeless sack when worn. There is only so much saving grace offered by belting the waistline.

Creativity
I don't know if I am a designer. I don't feel I conceptualize things in my mind that way. But do I ever like to create things. I see some marvelous color, resplendent ruching, or a great nipped-in waist and I dream about recreating it in silk and jersey all day long. Sewing is just one more way to satisfy this deep urge.

Presence
Being present and connected is really lovely, and it's really what life is about. We live vicariously through television and movies. While this can spark and inspire us, I also believe this has potential to create apathy and boredom, and wastes time given to us for greater things.



Here's my list of "must sews." They are mostly suitable or adaptable for seamstress neophytes. Bingo. Some of these are lovely re-fashion tutorials that involve sewing some fabric to a t-shirt. I consider this nothing short of brilliant. I am not above instant gratification sewing.

The sunny resort blouse {The Sew Convert}
The super easy square top {Cotton & Curls}
Stand and deliver skirt {Cotton & Curls}
DIY turbans {Cotton & Curls}
The peplum top {Cotton & Curls}
Ruched sleeves {Cotton & Curls}
Scoop neck maxi dress {Cotton & Curls}
Grecian sundress {Tanit-Isis}