Market Love!

If you haven't yet been to the Clarksville Downtown Market, you are sorely missing out!  I went there yesterday and must say I do love being a customer as well as a vendor!   I purchased this beautiful ceramic mug to have enjoy my coffee in!  I LOVE it!  Isn't it so beautiful?  They had so many more that I loved, it was so hard to choose.  I called it my "early" birthday gift.  Personally, I would like to buy something unique like this from every vendor EACH Saturday!  Remember, the Market is located around the City Hall building Downtown Clarksville and operates every Saturday from 8am-1pm (unless extreme heat, then 7a-11p).

My mom gave me my gift a few days early this year: a beautiful Indian wrap skirt (picture coming) from my favorite Arkansas hippie shop: For Mother Earth.  That store has taken some of my inventory and begun selling it there.  I'm so excited!!!!   That is also where I purchased my Utopian Rope Sandals which a lot of people ask me about.

Also, I've developed an absolute LOVE for Peppers this year!  They are plentiful at the Market and I'm not sure if my love extends from that or if it's the other way around.  My favorite thing to do with them?  Grilled cheese!  The sourdough bread from Evawood Bakery (sold at the Market- but must come early) or Silke's Bakery (sliced Italian) works best! Butter each side, lay down 1/2 slice of provolone cheese, slice up the peppers (be sure to remove seeds inside first) lay down the other 1/2 slice cheese.  SOOOO YUM!  *if I have a fresh tomato I'll usually add a slice or two after grilling is completed.  I also add the peppers to my eggs, kielbasa, spaghetti.....anything goes.  They are in season now so enjoy while you can!  
I like to be up on the hill at the Market and two times I've been near Pappas Peppers Pizza Oil (Mr. Pappas owns).  He sells peppers and makes great pizza oil (Josh is hooked) plus he's a super nice guy.  He'll give you free sample if you stop by!

More to come on my Birthday plans for tomorrow!!!  Stay tuned.

Why do what we do?

So okay, awhile back we were hanging out with friends and a question addressed to me was, "so I've seen people raising their hands when singing those songs in church and I'm wondering what is the point of that? Why do that?"
Hmmmmm.....Good question!
Well, why to do people clap or cheer? Why do they pump their fists at rock concerts? Shout for joy when they hear exciting news? Whoop & holler or jump up and down when they are excited? Bow their heads or kneel down during a prayer?
My answer was... "it's an expression? An act of worship."
Truth is: I used to wonder the same thing! I grew up in a very conservative church that sang straight from the hymnal- sans instruments. There was no act of expression, unless you count standing, sitting, or bowing your head (and we were instructed when to do so).
The first time I physically knelt while singing a song I felt a very humble way rush over me. I couldn't explain it, but there was a connection with singing a praise to my King while bowing before Him.
Imagine my surprise when I was attending church with a friend and full out dances evoked (involving long colorful ribbons), and people were raising their hands and shouting, "Hallelujah!!"  At the time I felt mildly uncomfortable, but intrigued.

Then, one day I was standing in my kitchen listening to a David Crowder Band cd I felt it. So, I thought, why not?  Singing this song, I raised my hand, and with my heart worshipped my King. I cried. I felt free. In public gatherings I have felt it since, this strong urge to raise my hands in praise to God the Father and our King. Initially, I suppressed it. Several times actually. I had never openly worshipped in a physical way like that publicly, and it went against what I'd been accustomed to.  I mean, we were made to run, jump, clap, sing, yell, play, and dance! Why? -no When did praising God and worshipping Him become limited to just singing to Him? How did that happen? Who exampled to us that that made the only sense ?  Time and time again, year after generations of Christians - sing together, pray together, and learn a spiritual message together. That has been the routine.  And that's fine if simpling singing is a person's way of worshipping.  I'm not saying it isn't!  It's fine. There is something very powerful about hundreds, even thousands, of people coming together and singing praises to the One King, Almighty God. I'm way for that!  But I can't believe that God, in His infinite CREATIVE wisdom, designing us all uniquely, created us to worship Him in only "certain" ways. 

My friend asked a good question.
Why DO people do what they DO?

I have never seen spontaneous African dance in person, but have you ever seen the videos? They are so expressive! They sing, they feel, they express it in dance. It's amazing. There are a lot more expressive ones that this: http://youtu.be/9Mm9YaoQdww but I just tried to imagine a dance such as this within the confines of a "typical" American worship service.
Well, today I freely raise my hands to praise God publicly, privately, whenever I feel compelled (or moved) to do so. I sit too and bow my head somtimes. When I am home I dance. Yes, I do. I sing, I write, I run, I pray, I ask, I listen, I smell, I see, I serve, I create, I love....all of these an act of worship. An expression. A response. Of the heart. Of the body. 
I even imagine a day when no one is questioned for using their art or expressions, in whatever form (morally conceived, naturally) to worship God --and when they truly feel free to do so. Because we all are. Free to worship Him. However we may choose.

To Market! To Market!

Tomorrow is Market day!  I'm super excited, despite that I was just there last Saturday!  The hours are  7am-11am, just like last Saturday, due the the triple-digit heat.

 
 My friend, Tiffany, was kind enough to take these market photos from a few weeks ago.  Most of you know that I sell Homemade Laundry Soap, Handcrafted Play Dough, and Hand Rolled beads that I string into various forms of jewelry.  I also roll coasters as seen below.  They take about two hours to roll & seal...whew!  But they are fun!  I wish I could produce more, more, more (of everything) but alas....

I have a family.  That means my full time job is with them.  Wife.  Mom.  It's the best job EVER, but to actually do well at it requires focus and attention...  to the people dwelling and coming and going around these walls...to the dishes and the bank account and the sounds.  The sounds are important.  So are the silences.  Because life with each other, while sometimes so full of joy and love, can also be messy.  I'm not saying it is my full time job to "work things out."  It's not.  But it is my goal to help guide and direct these not-so-little people in my life.  Thank God I have His help!  I'd screw it up on my own...and I know that from experience! 
Now, why am I talking about my real job?  I suppose because it is my most important! Another important job of mine is loving on a special certain five month old baby on weekday afternoons! 
But, I've also been working on restocking my inventory for the Downtown Market and that has been fun & challenging.  I have made so many new friends.  I have been amazed at the people God brings to my booth on Saturday Market mornings.  People are so supportive and appreciative of the work I do.  Some people have returned to find me!  It's so COOL!  My friends here in Clarksville find me and hang out chatting and I love it!
 I love creating something with my hands and seeing it move into the hands of its new owner and the admiration on their face--then I know it was worth the time and effort I put into upcycling that old calendar into something wearable!

The Market has been going so well that I haven't even touched my Etsy shop, despite that I've been giving out the web address to everyone.  I am going to try and blog weekly (I know I've made this effort before in the past and failed).  But I am really going to TRY!!!

Summer here in Tennessee is HOT.  I don't mind heat much.  I was born mid-July and had most every birthday party in my backyard (thanks Mom!) and in the pictures we were all sweaty. smiley happy little kids.  Today's kids are spoiled rotten with air conditioning.  I know, I know, mine too.  Me too.  But sometimes mine get out there, you know.  Like last night.  They have a new program here in Clarksville called "Summer Night Lights" and I encouraged them to ride their bikes down to it last night and they loved it.  Came back drenched.  Also, I am playing (and co-coaching with my brave husband) womens' softball.  It's far more fun playing that I thought, after playing four seasons of co-ed softball. 
As for the rest of our summer it has looked like this:  shuttling teens to church camps, preschooler to swim lessons, library programs, swimming, teen to kayaking, teen to basketball camp in Nashville, preschooler to tumbling camp, teen to football camp, swimming...  And of course the tragedy of loosing my mother-in-law of 17 years unexpectedly (she was 60).  She was my husband's mom who lived here locally the past few years with his dad (married 38 years?), who was close to her grandchildren, three of them being ours...it has been a shift in life for us all.
Then the truck quit Tuesday.  We are hoping it is fixable, and my ever-capable husband is attacking it in all his spare time.  I am confident that he will do everything in his power to restore it, as time is sensitive...
I have been trying to find reasons to pick up "Catching Fire" then reasons to put it down, and have taken to eating peppers from the market.  I have some made some Amazing Lunches!  More on that later.....  see you at the Market!

Fan Like This

I'm procrastinating.  My mother-in-law, Sharon, has probably read every blog I have ever posted (some twice).  From Blue Moments to Unearthed Roots, she has followed me.  She always encouraged me to write.  She would tell me, "Jenna, never stop writing." And if I went a long time without blogging, she would say, "I know your busy, but I haven't seen you blog in awhile."  Because I procrastinate.  I know I have things to say.  She knew I had things to say.  Sure, she wanted to read them, but I think she knew more that I needed to write to express what I think, how I feel.  She liked my pictures and my musings...she was one of my biggest fans.
And now, everyone is asleep still.  My house, full of eleven, 8:41am is quiet.  We are all tired from the last three days.  The thoughts, the going on ourselves.  The realization of life and immortality.  The uncertainty of what is to come.  We laugh and eat and hang out and then it is quiet and we remember why we have come together.  All nineteen of us.  It can get loud, but her voice above all others would have rang louder.  We all know that.  And while we can hear it, we can't, and it feels strange - to me it does at least.  She was so loud.  Who thinks they are going to miss the loud?  It caught me off guard.  
Procrastinating, I was wandering through my Facebook page, just seeing what she "Liked" in the last week or so...and the picture of me selling for the first time at the Downtown Market.    She commented, "So Blessed to have this wonderful creative woman as part of my family!"  
I will miss her encouraging words. About my blog. About my recycled creative art pieces. But fortunately (ha!), she was loud enough that I should be able to hear her encouraging words long into the years to come.

She loved God and all of her family and friends very much.  She enjoyed reading and perusing the www, especially inhabiting FB and online games.  I know many will miss her because of continued involvement in their lives, whether it was in person, via phone, or online.  She was especially proud of her grandchildren: Josh, Tyler, Austin, Archer, JonPaul, & Brielle.  Especially proud.  I know they will miss her encouragement & "Grandma" privileges.  

I know she is in amazing place right now, so I am happy for her honestly.  She talked so much that if I listen, I can almost hear her telling me about it!  "Oh Jenna, it's so beautiful, if you could just see this and that and on.....and on......and on....."  That's the way she was. 

How went the Market:

I had a few people tell me they looked for me at the Market this past Saturday, and unfortunately I was not there.  I only have certain dates I am permitted to sell, so to make it easier I'll keep them posted at the top of this blog throughout the summer, but they are:  May 26th, June 9th, June 30th, July 7th, July 28th, August 4th, August 18th, August 25th, September 1st, September 15th, September 29th, October 13th, October 20th
My first time selling there was wonderful!  I really loved the customers and I guess that I hadn't considered that part much.  But being out there, hearing them talk, seeing their interest in my hand crafted goods...it was so inspiring and encouraging!  They also had great tips and advice and they really helped me know what styles, colors, and designs to create more of as far as the jewelry was concerned.  
A few people asked if the play-dough was scented and I was listening!  I have made four varieties of scented play-dough that I am excited to share this upcoming Saturday!  
The laundry soap was a big hit too.  I brought 10 and came home with 3.  I believe in it and feel that when customers try it they will like it as much as we do, and come back for more (hopefully bringing the container to recycle and save .50!).  
Also, the other vendors were wonderful!  They were so supportive and friendly, it was a very vibrant atmosphere.  I really enjoyed myself.  If you haven't been to the market yet, you should really check it out, there are some great booths full of neat and useful items!  And of course, I personally hope to see you there!!! 

Downtown Market!

I woke up at 5:32am.  Believe it or not it is already Light out at the time of day!  I'm so excited about selling at the Downtown Market this morning!  I'm a LOT nervous about setting up, but I know once I get past that I'm really going to enjoy myself.  I'm selling 13 dates this summer, which are spaced out and random, but I'm just super glad I get a vendor table at all!!  I'm so thankful that Clarksville provides a venue like this for the people here, Vendors and Customers!

So, I've been thinking about how this all got started with me....this "creating things."

And I've realized that it all began in my veins.  Which goes quite well with the name of my little work here "Unearthed Roots."  Discovering, Living who I am.  God created me.  He created this entire world.  He creates every day.  He is a Creator.  I believe He loves it.  He must.  I think I get it most from Him. 

My gramma is a crafter.  She loves to create with her hands.  When I was eleven and flew on a plane to visit her in Michigan by myself for the first time, I was able to sleep in her craft room.  I will never forget what I observed and how inspired I was.  There was a Feeling of creative flow there.  I think I get some of mine from her.

As for the practical creations (laundry soap?  play-dough?) well that very well may come from the other side of my family which in my opinion is mixed with Settlers and possible Indian heritage?  I'd LOVE to research that.  The more I create, the more I discover.  My roots are in the Ozark Mountains, Twin Lakes, and from their flowing Rivers.  My roots are in Germany and in Michigan.   My roots are in the creative possibilities! Yet I am not rooted in this world.  My roots are in Him, my Creator.  He is the Source from which I truly grow from.

Completely amazes me.

So....here's to creating and roots!

Come visit me at the Downtown Market!

Updates

Rivers & Spires.  Yes, it was chilly! :)

Always excited to spend our afternoons with Miles!

I have been trying to get Brielle to write her name how I taught her too
(with lowercase e's) and she usually doesn't.  She surprised me with
this Stick-It note.  Upside-Down. 

All Smiles

Planting Seeds

Community Garden Planting

This sling continues just to get use! 

 These are just just a few Highlights from our lives over the past month.  Life is busier now that Miles comes in the afternoons.  The end of the school year snuck up on me, and now there are only 2 days left of school!   Soon, summer will be engulfing us and I hope, hope, hope to blog more.  The Downtown Market opens Saturday and I couldn't be more excited!  I will love to update & share my experiences there.  As well as my thoughts on life, which I believe are good now and possibly worth sharing :)  Thanks for reading.

First Trip to the ZOO!

Brielle & the Giraffes

Last bus trip downtown to MOPS :(