My Songwriting Debut - Grey Haven 18 at Matthew's Bar

A couple month's ago a friend of mine from church, who is also the creator of Grey Haven, told me I should play at the next show. My response was a heart felt, "I'd love to." But I've always hesitated because I don't write my own songs. Back in highschool I wrote a couple songs, which I now HATE, and therefore haven't really felt much like trying even since. When I have attempted to write, I've gotten quickly frustrated and eventually gave up. Both aspects of songwriting are completely daunting to me: coming up with chords and a melody, and pairing it with lyrics that convey what I want them to. Anyway, Caleb gave me this sound advice: "Sign up for the next Grey Haven. Then you have to write two songs." So I did.

That week the first song, "While You're Sleeping" actually came pretty easily. It was in response to an experience at school that stuck with me (which I explain more in the video), and I was encouraged. Ok, maybe I can do this. Then writer's block hit. By the time we left for North Carolina last week, I had only a vague idea of what I wanted to write about and not even a hint of a melody. Finally inspiration came while we were watching O Brother Where Art Thou, and Keith and our other friends who were up in the mountains with us helped me put it all together. It was the perfect place to have to write a song.

Last night was really encouraging. Grey Haven is such a good example of what I love about Birmingham. Everyone is so open and mutually encouraging, creative, and it's contagious rather than being intimidating or competitive. LOTS of sweet friends came out to support us and it was so nice to look out in the crowd and see their faces. Hopefully it was a positive enough of an experience that I'll keep at it!


Elaine Davis - Grey Haven: While You're Sleeping from elaine on Vimeo.


Elaine Davis - Grey Haven Walk With Me from elaine on Vimeo.

Rosedale Garden Update: In Pictures . . .

Things are looking quite a bit greener!

Peas, which Keith trellised yesterday.

The farmer watering his crops

Mustard greens and arugula. Already full of flavor.

Sweet spring baby lettuces.

These were taken with my new camera! Thanks so much for the support! My new camera, a Canon Rebel 2Ti (an update from my Rebel Xti), is getting a workout this week with an engagement shoot, and big school events like the a pep rally and 8th grade field trip to Jekyll Island, GA to be captured for the Year book. I'm loving it! More about the field trip coming soon.

Verses for Meditation in the Garden

Last week I got to share about gardening with some women from my church. Along with as much practical advice as I, in my second season as a gardener, could muster, I also complied a list of verses for meditation in the garden to share. I find the garden an ideal spot for meditation. Even if I don't go there intentionally to open my heart to be searched, there is always something so innately familiar to the process--whispers of ancient truth well up to the surface. Here is one that I really loved from Hosea.

Sow for yourselves righteousness;

reap steadfast love;

break up your fallow ground,

for it is the time to seek the Lord,

that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Hosea 10:12

The call to break up the fallow ground of our hearts and seek the Lord, and the truth that though we are called to sow righteousness, the Lord, the One who rains down righteousness, is the only one who can put it in us and make love bear fruit. I think about how the ground, freshly tilled and sown, thirsts for rain. How crucial that rain is to the growth of the crops. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness . . . that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

We're off to the North Carolina for Spring Break!

Creative Financing

Dear Blogosphere,

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm having some serious malfunctions with my digital SLR. Namely, that it won't turn on. If you haven't caught on to my photographic habits, this lack of camera is a serious cramp in my lifestyle. I have been thinking for a little while about a camera upgrade, but figured I could wait another year or so. Now I'm thinking maybe not.

Purchases this extreme aren't a usual occurring in the Davis household. The Lord has called us to put a concerted effort to be wise and generous stewards of our finances, and my husband rocks the household budget. I'm so thankful for him! All that to say, I'm hesitant to drop $800 on something that essentially seems like a toy.

But then, it is more than a toy. In addition to documenting our life, I use my digital SLR for the school yearbook, blogging, and from time to time, for helping friends out with family, engagement, and wedding shoots. I feel a little bit paralyzed in so many areas without it. A couple friends have talked to me recently about helping them out with some photo shoots, and that got the wheels in my head turning. I've come up with a little creative financing plan.

The goal:

Book enough small "gigs" to cover the cost of the camera before I even purchase it.

Where you come in:

If you or someone you know are interested in getting some photos done, for any occasion or non occasion; family, couple, engagement, etc., I'd like to work with you. I'd be willing to negotiate prices, but here is what I'm basically thinking. Keep in mind that I'm not a professional. I just love taking pictures, and I try to take them well. All of these would include me taking the photos, editing them, and sending you the full size files to make prints on your own.

$50 for a 30 minute, 1 basic shoot
$100 for a 1 hour more in-depth shoot (such as several set ups in an explorable location like a park)
$100 for a documentation of a child's birthday party or other comparable event
$250 to work basically as a second shooter, taking candid shots at a wedding (I know a lot of photographers have their own second shooters, but people have asked me to do this when their photographer doesn't)

If you're interested, you can reply to this post or email me at elaine.faith.davis@gmail.com!

Here are some example of things like this I've done in the past.