like winter

My heart is like winter.

Not in the way you’d think, at first. It isn’t frozen or stone-cold against emotion It isn’t shut out from the warmth of friendship or the joy of just sitting in the grass and feeling alive.

It is warm. It is bundled in sweaters and mittens, steaming from hot cider and black coffee. It is strong like the ice that forms on the farm not far from where I grew up. It has marks, like that pond, as well. Tracks left on it from visits from those I love, stamped in the thin layer of dusty snow that fell overnight. It is vulnerable, like the trees stripped bare and naked against the frigid wind. It is quiet, like the peace that envelops my street when the snow is falling and the world is shut out against the cold. It is hopeful, like the brown grass that knows, despite its current frozen state, that spring will come and clothe the world in green again.

 My heart is like winter. It will always be winter.

 


xo,
katherine

that time i had an art show

 

As a young girl, I never even thought to dream that one day I would host an art show. Sure, I loved art. When I wasn't pestering my father with ridiculous questions or writing, I was drawing. My mother was an artist, and taught me the fundamentals of sketching at a young age. I fell in love with art. It has always been, and will always be, an integral part of who I am.

Of course, I'm no Picasso. I never dreamed anyone would want to look at my art, let alone pay for it. Back over the summer, the art director at Rocketown asked me if I'd be interested in hosting an art show. (She heard about me from a friend and took a peek at my work on Facebook.) I was ecstatic! We tried booking the show on multiple occasions, with each one falling through. I eventually forgot about the opportunity, and hoped that some day I might find some other form of exposure for my art.

In December, I got a message from Kayla, the director. They wanted to book me again! This time, things fell into place. I was able to get six pieces together before my opening date. I was nervous: so much so that I dropped every single piece of artwork into a puddle on the way into the building. (A near meltdown ensued.) I was sure no one was going to show up, and no one was going to like my art. It was going to be like that episode of The Office where Pam hosts an art show. (You know the one. I know you do.)

To my relief, over twenty of my closest friends and family stopped by. Many of them stayed for the entirety of the two hour reception. I sold two pieces (which, apparently, set a record for an opening night!). I have never felt so loved and blessed as I did that night. The outpouring of love and support I was given astounded me. My face hurt from smiling. I am so blessed to have been given this opportunity. God knew I needed it. He always provides.

If you're interested in visiting, my art is up until January 27th. All of the proceeds will go toward the mission trip I'm taking to Spain and Morocco in a month and a half. Believe me, I need all the funds I can get for that! :) If you don't live in the Nashville area, take a look at my online store. All of the money I'm making from it will go toward my trip as well.

xo,
Katy

twenty-one before twenty-two

1. Hold an art show.

2. Visit every (good) coffee shop in Nashville.

3. Learn to knit.

4. Learn "Montagues and Capulets" by Prokofiev.

5. Visit a new country. (x2)

6. Go to the farmer's market downtown.

7. Attend a show at the Ryman.

8. Write something once a week.

9. Read through the entire Bible.

10. Watch all seven Harry Potter movies in a row.

11. Make a new friend.

12. Begin learning Spanish.

13. Get organized. 

14. Grow my hair out.

15. Make a stop-motion film. 

16. Become confident enough to share my songs.

17. Host a party.

18. Re-brand my photography business. 

19. Read Flannery O'Connor's anthology.

20. Visit the Grand Canyon. 

21. Go on a fancy date. (Read: find a boyfriend.) (Read: just kidding.) (Read: kind of.)

This list is one-part new years resolutions, one part birthday goals, and one part insane. I didn't get anywhere near to finishing last year's list, but I don't see why I can't at least attempt it again. And these goals are somewhat more manageable, as many of them are already in the works. Maybe it's cheating, but since this is my birthday list, I suppose I can make the rules. :)




Me and my sassy self are off to watch Nashville and try not to get sick.

xo,
Katy

surprisingly, i lived to be twenty-one

 

I am now twenty-one years old. I have been for a few days now, though I feel no older. I am not the same person I was last year, but that is for reasons other than adding a one to the end of twenty. 

I spent my actual birthday day in Atlanta at Passion 2013. That, in itself, was a life altering experience and another blog post all together. I'm still processing everything I learned and the ways my heart has changed. There honestly wasn't a better way to spend the day than worshiping with my friends and getting to hear Francis Chan speak. I also got to act like a total idiot and say afterwards "it's okay cuz it's my birthday!" My favorite moment of the day? When my friends started singing Happy Birthday and I joined in singing before I realized what was going on. It's okay, it was my birthday.

 

On saturday night, I finally got to celebrate Christmas and my birthday with my family. We ate at my favorite restaurant, Rosepepper, and opened presents and ate cake. I received The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe, a collector's edition of The Hobbit, a box set of the Little House series, as well as lots of fun candy (including bacon candy canes and a Christmas ornament shaped like grilled cheese.) I appreciate my family recognizing just how quirky I am. ;)

 

I can honestly say that the older I get, the younger I feel. And with that, I leave you a playlist, cuz it's my birthday!

 
xo, Katy

P.S. Look for a 21 before 22 list coming very soon. :)