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Beyond Compare

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts

Isaiah 55:8-9

This verse always makes me think of the back of a tapestry. From the backside, all that can be seen are knots and threads that are barely recognizable as a picture of anything. But from the front of the tapestry, the picture is clear. In the same way, our limited perspective often prevents us from seeing the full picture of what God is doing, but God sees it all. God’s ways are best even if it is not obvious from my present circumstances. God showed us his thoughts and ways in His Word; He is holy, faithful, merciful, and just. We can trust Him because His ways are perfect and nothing can stand in the way of God accomplishing his perfect plan.

Studio Update:

I’ve gotten to add several new pictures to my ‘plein air’ sketchbook. It only has like six pictures in it so far, but I’m super excited to see what adventures will come next! Still working through calendar pictures for next year, and couldn’t resist sharing this one! The reds and burgundies are not normally my go-to colors, but they’re so rich and deep in this picture that I’m thinking this color palette will be one to revisit.

Early Summer Pie

For the crust:

  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 cup cold butter
  • 6-8 Tbsp ice water

For the filling:

  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
  • 2 cups fresh peaches
  • 1/2 cup sugar (can use more if desired)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature

For the crust, in a large bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Cut cold butter into flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Lightly mix in cold water 1 Tbsp at a time until dough begins to stick together. Wrap in plastic and chill for 1h (or longer).

For the filling, in a small bowl whisk together the sugar and cornstarch and set aside. In a large skillet, cook the fruit on medium low heat until it has released its juices. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and cook over low heat until mixture has thickened. Add the butter and stir until it has melted into the filling.

To assemble the pie, divide the crust into two portions and roll to approximately 1/4″ thickness. I usually allow a slightly larger portion for the bottom crust, and roll it until it fits my pie plate with a tiny bit of extra around the edges. For the pie as pictured, I cut summertime shapes with cookie cutters and laid them over the filling, but a traditional top crust would work just as well.

Bake at 375°F for 40-50 minutes or until crust is golden.

Hope you enjoyed this month’s post. Thanks for stopping by!

Blair

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The Lord our Help

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2


I think it is fitting that this was a song Israelites would sing as they journeyed toward Jerusalem to worship, lifting their eyes up toward the hill of Jerusalem and seeing behind it the skies and clouds above. When I look over rolling hills and into the skies and see God’s creation laid out in front of me and the grandeur of it all, it fills me with wonder. But, even more so when I remember that the God who made all this cares for me. The Maker of the heavens and the earth is my Helper, who meets my every need, rescued me from my sin, and made a place for me. Look across the hills, and up into the skies, and let your heart be filled with wonder and worship of the God who is our Help.

Studio Update:

We put a lot of work into the garden because we enjoy it, but it is so rewarding when those years of work transform into something so beautiful. We’ve been enjoying all the spring perennials and re-seeders. We’ve put out almost all the plants for the summer season (or at least those for the first wave), and the weeds are not in full force yet. One Saturday afternoon this month, I sat down in our “four boxes” and tried to quickly capture what I saw… but even a photograph can’t fully capture it…

Sourdough Rolls

  • 300g milk
  • 1/4-1/2 cup sourdough starter
  • 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 egg
  • 20g honey
  • 200g soft white wheat flour (whole wheat pastry flour)
  • 300g bread flour
  • 1-2 tsp salt (to taste)

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, starter, butter, egg, and honey. Add the flours and salt and stir until combined. Cover with a damp tea towel and let rise overnight at room temperature. After overnight rise, shape into 12-16 rolls. Sixteen rolls makes a small slider sized bun, 12 is more of a full-sized sandwich bun. If making for sandwiches, don’t forget to squash the tops down to make them flatter (else they will be almost spherical rolls). Let rise 30 minutes to an hour. Bake at 375 F for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature of the rolls are 190 F. Great as simple dinner rolls, sandwich buns, or for hamburgers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blair

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Every Promise

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

Every promise God has made finds its fulfillment in Christ. Because Jesus died and rose again, we know that God keeps every promise. No promise is too big; everything God has promised will be done exactly as He said. We can read the Bible and see God’s promise-keeping through the ages, and know that God has not changed – He is still faithful to every promise.

Studio Update

Just a few snippets of my in-progress pieces. Some clematis, snapdragons and larkspur in a very purple bouquet. A summer tree landscape and my “plein air” painting supplies… of course, the weather was cold and damp the day I had planned to go out painting so I painted the geraniums in the shelter of the greenhouse instead.

Mini Raspberry Tarts

For the crust:

  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 cup cold butter
  • 6-8 Tbsp ice water

For the filling:

  • 4 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar, divided (can use less if raspberries are sweeter)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch

For the crust, in a large bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Cut cold butter into flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Lightly mix in cold water 1 Tbsp at a time until dough begins to stick together. Wrap in plastic and chill for 1h (or longer).

For the filling, in a small bowl whisk together part of the sugar and cornstarch and set aside. In a large skillet, mix raspberries and remaining sugar. Cook on medium low heat until raspberries have released their juices. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and cook over low heat until mixture has thickened.

To assemble the tarts, divide the crust into 48 one-inch balls. Use a floured wooden tart tamper to squish the dough up the edges of each mini muffin cup. Spoon a small amount of filling into each muffin cup. There should be barely enough filling to fill each shell.

Bake at 400°F for 30-35 minutes or until crust is golden.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed this month’s post!

Blair

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Nothing Is Too Hard

‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:17


God is so much greater than we are. I often forget that God can do above and beyond what we ask for. We have only to look up at the sky and look around at God’s creation to know that He is greater. He created it all with a word, and upholds it day in and day out by His power. What is outside of His control? Is there anything that comes apart from His sovereign hand? Our circumstances don’t change who God is. Nothing is too hard for him.

Studio Update:

My favorite project from the past month… coral peonies and yellow tulips with dogwood blossoms! Then, played around with a random assortment of flowers onto a page. Mom and I started up a ‘tiny painting challenge’ together, so we’ve been creating some tiny art (for fun).

Almond Scones

  • 9 oz all purpose flour
  • 2 oz sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/3 cup cold butter
  • 2 oz finely chopped almonds
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract

Whisk the flour, sugar, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add almonds. In a separate bowl, whisk together cream, egg, vanilla, and almond extract until well blended. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until combined. Bake at 425° F for 10-12 minutes, or until golden.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blair

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Not One Is Missing

To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.

Isaiah 40:25-26

Sometimes when I look at the stars, I think of God’s promise to Abraham, that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Through Christ, Abraham’s family has grown to include many Christians from so many generations, languages, and nations. The God who created and knows the stars is the One who keeps promises from generation to generation; the One who calls and saves His people. Because of His power, not one is missing. Because of the greatness of His might, multitudes of people will stand before His throne crying out “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Studio Update:

I finally finished carving my sketchbook cover… I think… sometimes it’s hard for me to tell when I’m done with a project. I also got to spend a little bit of time creating paint from my “backyard chemistry lab” pigments. It’s pretty fun to combine the pigments with the binder and mull it until it is smooth enough to paint with. It’s not the best paint ever, but it’s more about the process and playing with color than creating a perfect paint.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • 6 oz butter (1 1/2 sticks)
  • 8 oz brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 9 1/2 oz flour
  • Pinch of salt
  • Chocolate chips to taste

With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg, baking soda, and vanilla and mix until combined. Add the cocoa, flour, and salt and mix until a stiff dough forms. Mix in some chocolate chips and spoon into a parchment covered baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 mins until golden on the edges and set in the middle. My family’s opinion is that cookies tend to keep better when slightly under-baked. This is not a license for raw cookies, but a warning to watch them carefully and to not bake them too long. When they come out of the oven, they may need to cool on the pan to finish baking/cool enough to get them off the pan. Makes 2 1/2-3 dozen small cookies.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by!

Blair

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Naming the Stars

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Psalm 147:4-5

When I look at the night sky and realize that God knows every single star, it fills my heart with awe and wonder. I think of astronomers throughout the ages who have studied, discovered, and named so many stars, and yet have so many more to discover and name! It seems that there is an infinite number of stars from our small vantage, but God knows them all by name. Our God is very great, bigger than the expanse of the universe, creating, knowing, and orchestrating every star in it’s proper place and time.

Studio Update:

Artsy things continue. I’ve been enjoying the pen-and-ink style lately for florals and landscapes. And I started doodling some little critters… are those hamsters or cats? The differences between the two seemed ironically small to me when I tried to draw them.

Basic Sourdough Loaf

  • 140-150g sourdough starter
  • 300g water
  • 120g spelt flour
  • 380g bread flour
  • Salt to taste

In a large bowl, whisk starter and water until combined. Add flour and salt and mix until dough sticks to itself more than the bowl. Cover with a damp tea towel and let rise overnight.

In the morning, shape the dough into a loaf and let rise in the fridge for 1-2 hours. Slash the top of the loaf. Place the dough in a cold dutch oven and place into a cold oven. Turn the oven on to 450°F and bake for 50-55 minutes, until the internal temperature of the bread is 190°F. Enjoy!

That’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Blair

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All Things Hold Together

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

Colossians 1:16-17


When things are not how I want them to be, whether those things are world events or minute circumstances of my life, this verse has been an excellent reminder to me of how God is in control of them all. Thrones, dominions, rulers or authorities are all created by God and cannot rule without God’s sovereign hand allowing it. And, even the tiny things are not outside His control, even the very nucleus of an atom is held together by God’s sovereign hand. All things were created for Him, and he holds everything together. Knowing that God is greater than my circumstances and is in control of everything gives peace and comfort in the midst of things I cannot control.

Studio Update:

Some unusual projects in the studio for the month of December. A mushroom tray, leather carving a sketchbook cover, and a random highland cow (because highland cows are cute…)

And, for fun, I thought I’d try to share a recipe a month this year. Here’s the first recipe:

Chocolate Almond Muffins

  • 3 oz soft white wheat flour
  • 4 oz all purpose flour
  • 1 oz cocoa
  • 4 oz brown sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 4 oz (1 stick) melted butter
  • 4 oz melted chocolate
  • 8 oz milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • Almond slivers and chocolate chips (mostly just enough to mix in, but save some almonds to sprinkle on top)

In a large bowl, blend flours, cocoa, sugar, and baking powder. Add melted butter, melted chocolate, milk, vanilla and eggs to flour mixture and mix until just combined. Add almond slivers and chocolate chips. Spoon into 12 greased or lined muffin cups, and sprinkle with a few almonds to get toasty on top. Bake at 400F for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean.

That’s all for this month! Thanks for stopping by!

Blair

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Return Wholeheartedly

I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.

Jeremiah 24:7

Throughout Israel’s history, they had a habit of “returning” to God half-heartedly. In the book of Judges, every time Israel was oppressed by their enemies, they’d put away their idols for a few years, maybe even a generation or two. When they repented, God delivered them, but the Israelites quickly forgot God’s deliverance and would bring out their idols again. This happened up until the time of the exile, when this promise was given to Jeremiah. God promises to give them a new heart, a heart that knows and honors Him.

God fulfilled His promise through Jesus. God has made himself known to us by sending His Son Jesus, fully God and fully man. When Jesus was born, they called His name Emmanuel, God with us. It is only through Him, and because of His death and resurrection that we can be given new hearts – hearts that know Him. Hearts that know God’s word. Hearts that stand in awe of who God is, recognizing God’s worthiness. Hearts that have relationship with Him.

What does it look like to return with our whole heart? As I was thinking about Christmas, I considered how we prepare to have family or friends come over for various activities throughout the season. Whether that’s preparing food, cleaning house, or wrapping up gifts, we put time and effort into preparing a space for our family and friends to enjoy. What if we did the same for our hearts? Instead of half-heartedly acknowledging Jesus’s birth as the reason for Christmas, what if we specifically set aside time to open our hearts to Him? To reset our priorities from the things we exalt over God, whether it be ourselves, our families, our traditions, or anything else, and give our hearts wholly to Him.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation!

References: Judges 2:11-23, John 1:14-17, Matthew 1:23

Studio Update:

Not much has happened in the studio this month, since we were busy with the open house and Thanksgiving preparations. Speaking of the open house, thanks to everyone who stopped by, it was lots of fun!

In place of my normal collage of pictures from the month, I have a time lapse I took a little bit ago. This peach rose is featured on the “Language of Flowers Thank You Cards”, as peach roses have been used as symbols of gratitude.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blair

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He Is Faithful

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Sanctification can seem rather daunting at times. Often when we take a close look at our daily lives, ‘blameless’ is not the word that best describes our conduct. But, we don’t sanctify ourselves. Sanctification is God’s work in our lives, and He is faithful to accomplish everything He sets out to do.

Look at Abraham. God called him out of the Chaldeans and promised to bless the world through Abraham’s offspring, though Abraham had no children. Abraham tried to fulfill God’s promise on his own through his wife’s servant, Hagar. Despite Abraham’s disobedience, God was faithful to fulfill His promise through Abraham’s wife, Sarah, and Isaac was born. Eventually, Abraham obeyed God when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham was willing because he believed that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead. God was faithful to complete the work He started in Abraham.

Peter is another example. He followed Jesus throughout His earthy ministry and professed Jesus to be the Christ. But, when Jesus predicted His death, Peter would not accept it and tried to discourage Jesus from this path. Even in the early morning hours before Jesus was crucified, Peter would deny he even knew Jesus. After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus makes a point to take Peter aside and strengthen Peter’s faith. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter went on to speak boldly for Jesus, suffering gladly for His Name. God was faithful to complete the work He started in Peter.

God is faithful to complete the work He began in us, too. That doesn’t mean we throw up our hands and do nothing, that would be disobedience. God has commanded us to walk like Christ, to be in His Word, and to love Him with our whole heart. It is by His grace that small choices of obedience bring about change in our lives, even if we cannot always see it. God is able to bring about our sanctification and to make us blameless at the coming of Jesus. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation!

References: Genesis 12:1-9, Genesis 16, Genesis 21:1-7, Genesis 22:1-18, Matthew 16:13-23, Matthew 26:69-75, John 21:15-19, Acts 5:17-42

Studio Update:

Getting ready for an open house on November 16! Bring a friend, join us for a cup of tea, and enjoy browsing my “Blairfully Made Shop” in person. Email me to ask for the details (blair@blairfullymade.com), if you are interested in coming.

I’ve been making up some cards, recipe cards, potholders and towels… and we’ll have printed copies of next year’s calendar! Most of the new stuff is live (except the calendar download, which will be available soon). So if you can’t join us November 16, feel free to shop around here.

four cards with different pen and ink and watercolor floral bouquets
pot holder with watercolor pears on it
four recipe cards with vegetables on them
tea towel with jar of zinnia flowers
pot holder with woodland fairies on it

Anyway, that’s all for now. Hope to see you November 16!

Thanks,

Blair

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The Armor of Light

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Romans 13:12

We’re in a war. Sin wages war on us. The war goes so much deeper than we often realize, and we don’t always take seriously the enemy we face. The enemy is strong, stronger than we are. The enemy held us captive in sin apart from Christ. Satan wants nothing more than for us to give in to our sinful desires and fall back into habits of darkness.

But, King Jesus, the Light of the world, has conquered the darkness. By His power, we can stand against Satan’s schemes. It is Jesus, the Word of God, who created all things. It is by His power that the universe holds together. Jesus was tempted in every way, but overcame every temptation by the power of His Word. His death and resurrection conquered Satan and released us from the captivity of sin. Moreover, Jesus will come again, and His Word will vanquish Satan in finality at the end of time.

So, we must put on Christ. It is His righteousness that protects us against Satan’s accusations. His salvation guards our minds. Most importantly, we have God’s written Word, the revelation of who He is. The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword… (Hebrews 4:12). We have been called out of darkness and given His armor to stand against sin and walk in His light.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation!

References: 1 Peter 2:11, Romans 7:23, John 8:12, John 1:1-14, Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 4:1-11, Revelation 19:11-21, Romans 13:14, Ephesians 6, 1 Peter 2:9, Colossians 1:13

Studio Update:

Some fun little projects for this month (and a lot of “refining”). I’ve scanned and photographed a bunch of art, and it’s time to clean it up and lay it out for printing purposes! And… we’re planning an open house in November, so stay tuned for all the details!

Thanks for stopping by!

Blair