tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59592452008-07-25T11:56:14.461-04:00Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comBlogger937125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-19719647938218023772008-07-24T09:32:00.004-04:002008-07-24T10:09:05.864-04:00

I hate talking about this subject, because no matter what I say and no matter how honest I am I still come across as a jerk. So, there was a post and ensuing discussion on another blog about "picking a good church." One of the commenters listed ten questions that we ought to ask ourselves as laid out in Josh Harris' book, "Stop Dating the Church:" Is this a church where God’s Word is faithfully

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-12165214160843147412008-07-24T09:08:00.002-04:002008-07-24T09:22:49.393-04:00

I have noticed in conversations about Eastern spirituality, that many people perceive that Easterners are inherently more spiritual than Westerners and therefore Eastern religions are more spiritual. I am not exactly sure how to measure this, but people commonly don't perceive Christians as "spiritual." Does practicing Eastern meditation make one more spiritual than meditating on the Psalms? Do

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-524367781226686442008-07-22T11:20:00.001-04:002008-07-22T11:22:33.039-04:00

You can find more kitchen misadventures on the Eating in Season, a blog for Eat Local Frederick! Last night I made risotto.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-7944797220244814192008-07-21T14:14:00.002-04:002008-07-21T14:23:05.906-04:00

Erik and I like to have balance in our universe. Yin and yang, tall and short, serious and silly. This week we rocked out at two concerts, and still maintained balance in the universe. On Thursday we went to Wolf Trap to see the Indigo Girls. A friend of a friend had won tickets on the radio and couldn't go or didn't get into their music. Erik didn't know anything about them, but I've always

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-62463130184830507282008-07-21T09:14:00.002-04:002008-07-21T09:16:38.421-04:00

I made fish stock last night. You can follow the story on the Eating in Season blog!

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-51416771573083071812008-07-20T11:37:00.004-04:002008-07-20T12:08:06.465-04:00

Many people tell me that they'd love to have original art, but cannot afford it. There is a lot of money in this country and we afford things like iphones, laptop computers, and other electronics. We all make priorities in our lives. This Sony Vios laptop is on sale at Best Buy for $2,000. For $2,000 you could purchase a small bronze. This Dynex® - 42" 1080p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV is on sale for

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-61657380111339179632008-07-20T10:47:00.003-04:002008-07-20T11:01:44.146-04:00

Yesterday's Washington Post had an article about the downward turn of riding mower sales that had me in out-loud fits of laughter. It starts out, The riding lawn mower has long been a barometer of the American dream, been a symbol of having arrived in the suburban middle class. It says, "I have so much lawn to mow, I need to sit down." It says, I've made it, I've escaped that funky old

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-36373346191795039752008-07-19T17:08:00.002-04:002008-07-19T17:10:26.797-04:00

I've had the pleasure to meet Alec Waller while he was a student at Covenant College. One of his professors is a dear friend of mine. She has a beautiful job mentoring these talented young people. Watch out for Alec, he is a major young talent! He has a blog: http://alecwaller.blogspot.com/ .

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-11159142753998645002008-07-18T11:00:00.004-04:002008-07-18T12:56:58.154-04:00

I like to read the advice columns in the Washington Post. They usually begin with "I have been with this guy for five years and he [insert terrible behavior here], but I love him..." It is amazing what women put up with. Anyhow, I've always dreamed of having my own advice column. "Dear Sarah, What should I do with my slug of a boyfriend of five years? "Dump his sorry ass and get some

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-75804717682201916432008-07-17T11:34:00.004-04:002008-07-17T11:37:00.807-04:00

Wow, I've been at the studio Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and I'm heading in today to teach a class. I can feel the momentum building! When you are the boss and you call the shots, it is a lot harder to show up than you'd think. People tell me that I am lucky to have so much freedom, but with freedom comes responsibility and with responsibility, stress. Enormous amounts of stress.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-76616081935914826042008-07-16T12:42:00.002-04:002008-07-16T12:43:22.770-04:00

An image of my sculpture of the Virgin Annunciate is featured in the current issue of Dappled Things.* *Dappled Things is a new literary magazine dedicated to providing a space for young writers to engage the literary world from a Catholic perspective. The magazine is committed to quality writing that takes advantage of the religious, theological, philosophical, artistic, cultural, and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-18858818642535183552008-07-16T10:00:00.002-04:002008-07-16T10:04:07.603-04:00

We live a pretty crunchy lifestyle and try to do things are are considered good stewardship of the earth. Two of our favorite things involve composting and rainwater collection. We have the neighborhood's largest compost heap and TWO rain barrels. *hippy alert* *hippy alert* Problem: bugs. The compost and all that water are attracting all manner of insects. Solution? We've already put mosquito

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-70700644425299305892008-07-16T09:50:00.001-04:002008-07-16T09:51:31.655-04:00

Yesterday's poem actually relates to a new piece that I am working on. Check out the studio blog to see pictures of the work in progress! I've also posted new drawings. www.hempelstudios.blogspot.com

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-50574606627853670262008-07-15T18:38:00.002-04:002008-07-15T18:42:29.206-04:00

My soul has awakened from its dark night only to find two notes in my inbox with news of sculpture jobs! Praise to God, who is not Superman, but loves our souls more than we know. I also wrote a love poem today, but to spare the stomaches of my dear readers it will remain a private poem. Enjoy this one by W.B. Yeats instead; I could only wish to have written it: Leda and the Swan A sudden blow

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-1218039334696920952008-07-13T22:40:00.002-04:002008-07-13T22:41:32.562-04:00

I biked into town today and went to the studio. Keep working, I guess. I also went out for pie with a beloved co-artist friend. I'll look for a job tomorrow.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-39676190346259950102008-07-13T15:04:00.003-04:002008-07-13T15:24:11.062-04:00

I have been going through a bit of a crisis regarding the trajectory of my career. I ran out of money in the studio account about four months ago. I took out a loan and have been operating in the red for some time now. It is time to repay my debt, but every time I cast my line I reel in a shoe or an old tire instead of the big fish. The truth of the matter is that we live in a culture that does

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-29449046547595773112008-07-11T22:38:00.002-04:002008-07-11T22:46:46.829-04:00

I have to rant and have no one to talk to about it at this hour… Our city did this stupid city project where people paint fiberglass thingies. Well, I have been one to criticize the project for not being original, creative, or interesting. It was novel with Chicago did it with the bulls or cows or whatever- what?- ten years ago. Now it is cliché. Anyhow, when I criticize this sort of project, I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-26158787973832619322008-07-11T17:08:00.000-04:002008-07-11T17:09:28.318-04:00

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-42585559225111908892008-07-10T12:16:00.003-04:002008-07-10T12:26:21.812-04:00

[RANT] I know I've posted about this several times, but it needs to be said again. If you hear of a couple who is adopting, please, for the Love of All that is Good and Beautiful, DO NOT EVER tell them that as soon as they adopt they'll get pregant. And don't bring up that friend of yours who adopted and got pregnant. Just say, "That's great! I have a friend who has adopted and it has been so

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-5489636607009215312008-07-10T12:13:00.003-04:002008-07-10T12:16:47.585-04:00

I saw a sign posted somewhere recently that said: You can have things good, fast and cheap, but not all at the same time. If it is good and fast, it won't be cheap. If it is fast and cheap, it won't be good. If it is good and cheap, it won't be fast. I wish that clients understood this better. The arts council is always putting out calls to artists for art that is fast and cheap,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-4699775795016038692008-07-08T23:24:00.003-04:002008-07-08T23:25:42.973-04:00

Remember Arrivals? Well, we're up and running again. I wrote about this strange new piece of art that I made this weekend. It's called "Matchbox God:"

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-23584744730549952602008-07-06T23:13:00.002-04:002008-07-06T23:18:55.577-04:00

I feel really lost right now. Things at the studio are not good. Every Sunday at church people ask what I am working on these days. I am sick and tired of saying, "Nothing new." or "Looking for work." I feign a smile. Today I didn't. I don't know where I am going. I want to just get a job, but we're going to Michigan for two weeks in August and who knows when we're going to India. I don't want to

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-12138393910028296512008-07-02T14:04:00.001-04:002008-07-02T14:05:58.741-04:00

Every Tuesday night I get together with some friends and we draw. I've posted last night's drawing on my Hempel Studio News blog. Go check it out!

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-40010330386025920752008-07-02T14:02:00.002-04:002008-07-02T14:04:30.989-04:00

Emma is shedding her winter coat right now. We've bathed her and brushed her, but every time we touch her a tuft of fur comes flying out. The teeniest members of our neighborhood are gathering fur for nests. Here you can see (barely) a little bird picking up Emma's fur as she stares on. What a cute moment!

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959245.post-85051518083194282902008-07-02T13:29:00.003-04:002008-07-02T15:51:09.025-04:00

Erik and I sponsor a child from India through Commpassion International. We spend as much on one Sunday Brunch as we send to her per month. It is astonishing how even the most moderate of American lifestyles is exceedingly weathly to most of the world. We write her letters and she writes to us, often with little drawings of flowers or fruit. She is a sweet little girl about seven years old who

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18122162947646462967noreply@blogger.com