prayer journals

prayer journals, originally uploaded by AnnieLaurel.

a collection of some of the prayer journals made by a group of remarkable women while on a retreat in montreat this past weekend, a time for 23 mothers to reflect and connect. it was a gift to have the opportunity to sit and talk and be crafty, while setting intentions for more dedicated prayer time in our own lives.

creation and connection: opening a new door

for years I have been wishing to open the door into the world of clay. during each studio stroll in the river arts district I admire the potters in their creative spaces and long to get my hands dirty. I finally began my first pottery class last week with Angelique Tassistro of Fly Coop Studios and I am happy to say that the process has enveloped me just as I imagined it would. and yet I find myself so distracted by all of the charming, personal touches in her studio calling to be photographed that I easily lose track of my task at hand. more will hopefully come about Angelique and her own journey in a future post-though I think her chalkboard just about says it all- this is a woman who leaps, loves, creates, and inspires, and keeps turning good thoughts into good things ....stay tuned.

creation: the art of an album

It has been awhile since I have come across an album that has the ability to take me places from start to finish, and invites me deeper into its folds each time I listen to it. these days it appears to be all about singles, and the art of crafting an album experience seems to be dying out a bit. i love how the journey of listening to a complete album can take you down the meandering roads of restoration and reflection and can connect us to the kindred spirits of music lovers that we miss in our day-to-day lives.

a few of the albums that quickly pop into mind when thinking about these types of albums are: Joni Mitchell's Blue, Bob Dylan's Blood On the Tracks, Paul Simon's Graceland, Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, Gillian Welch's Soul Journey, Avett Brothers' Emotionalism. and my husband may argue The Best of Bread. :) This year, for me, it is Mumford and Sons Sigh No More. they maybe aren't of the same caliber as some of the albums I mentioned but their album is solid- all the way through.

Here is a link to a video from a couple of years ago of lead singer Marcus Mumford playing "Roll Away Stone" solo in Amsterdam, I think it is a good introduction to what is behind this quickly rising British group.


"and there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears. and love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears. get over your hill and see what you find there, with grace in your heart and flowers in your hair. "

- after the storm by mumford and sons





what albums have you been journeying with lately?