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by Andrew Peterson on January 1, 2010 
And so, 2010 fades into history and 2011 draws its first cold breath.
I’m sitting in a little log cabin on top of the hill at the Warren on an unseasonably warm New Year’s Eve. My amazing neighbors rent a corner of the place to me, and in the afternoons I climb the hill with my satchel, turn on the lamps, and get busy. I plan to spend a lot of time here in the coming months. I’m looking forward to the good, hard work of turning the stories and lyrics and pictures that fill my head like bees in a hive into books and poems and songs. Hopefully they’ll be more like honey than bee stings.
(Speaking of honey, I borrowed my dad’s bee boxes and plan to colonize them this spring. You may soon find for sale in the Rabbit Room little jars of organic honey bundled with the CDs. You may also see me in concert with weird little welts on my face.)
In some ways it’s been one of the best years I can remember, so packed with great memories, big events, bright little moments, long afternoons working the garden, touring with my best friends, watching my kids turn into who they are–and in other ways I can’t really tell the world about it’s been one of the hardest years of my life. I’ve felt blessed beyond measure and then felt kicked in the teeth. I suppose that’s how every year is in some measure, but this time the pendulum swung wider somehow. I thought it would be good to take stock, think long about what I’ve learned, and stride into 2011 with a steady eye on what matters. I just spent about two hours formatting the blog on my main website, so I hope you’ll forgive me just linking to that.
The proprietor of the Rabbit Room, Andrew Peterson, is the singer-songwriter behind more than ten albums and is the author of the Christy award-winning Wingfeather Saga.
16 Comments
901 days ago
Wow. I’m exhausted from reading that and can hardly believe that it was all just one year! My life is nothing so adventurous. Perhaps it’s time for a change of pace…
being ware of the toothy cows, of course.
901 days ago
“I’ve felt blessed beyond measure and then felt kicked in the teeth”
Oh, what a description, but it’s very accurate. I personally didn’t have anything devastating happen last year and certainly no floods. But perhaps the wrestlings of my heart have been more intense and with deeper repercussions. I appreciate the Rabbit Room very much and am grateful for the time and effort put in by everyone. Many of my hearts wrestlings have grown from here and borne much good fruit. Not to mention the amount of books, CDs, DVDs I’ve purchased thanks to my fellow ‘Rabbits’ recommendations.
I did however notice that you failed to add that you were planning Hutchmoot 2011 in England!
(Worth a try)
Susan
901 days ago
No no no don’t do Hutchmoot in England until I can fly over to enjoy it. As in, wait like four years. Not trying to be mean, Susan, but a Hutchmoot in England would be heartbreaking to miss!
900 days ago
Ah, yes I think it would be a lot easier if my husband and I flew to Hutchmoot, rather than bringing it to us!! But, imagine the rolling green hills, the clatter of mugs in an Oxford ‘pub’, eating late night fish and chips by moonlight. Alas, our good Esquire has already informed me with grief in his heart that it shan’t happen in the near future. But as Aragorn said, “There is always hope”.
Susan
900 days ago
man. i can’t wait to glean from the wisdom AP reaps while learning from the gospel according to bees. not kidding on that.
‘so sorry things have been hard for you. of course they are, considering what you’re being used to give to the rest of us.
our family is praying for yours. please thank them all for us down to the littlest. we are indebted.
900 days ago
Andrew,
I feel blessed to have stumbled upon The Rabbit Room during the early days of December. I’ve had some wonderful conversations, and have felt inspired to let loose some stories within me thanks to the various artists on the site. On the Dark Sea of Darkness just arrived at my house yesterday. Looking forward to delving in.
See you at next year’s Hutchmoot, perhaps…
900 days ago
It’s really a shame you aren’t very industrious. Thank goodness the rest of us are allowed to benefit so mightily from your creative ADHD> Looking forward….
900 days ago
Hey Andrew, have you ever read “A Place of My Own” by Michael Pollan? I just stumbled across it last week, and the picture of your little nook there reminded me of it.
900 days ago
Counting Stars was your best record yet, and “World Traveler” inspired me to make my best music video yet… you’re an inspiration! Thanks for the great music and Happy New Year.
900 days ago
Andrew, I see the picture of your desk/work area and a question comes to my mind. I know when I am trying to concentrate, music with lyrics clash with my train of thought so i usually listen to instrumental music like Jazz, solo piano or classical music. I would like to think it has an effect on what I am working on.
What, if anything, do you listen to when writing?
900 days ago
lovely creative space
899 days ago
I so want to be at Hutchmoot 2011…in fact, I’m going to make that my New Year’s Resolution.
899 days ago
Congrats on getting the bee project going soon. Next…. CHICKENS! Well if you can convince Jamie.
899 days ago
Another example why “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times” may be the most brilliant opening line ever.
Thanks for sharing your crazy blessed ride with us, Andrew. The words you write, songs you sing, grace you exhibit and Hero you champion give me hope in my own desperate mix of joy and fulfillment, health crisis and loss.
“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Keep on.
899 days ago
I love bees!!! I’m writing a tv show about two super heros and one of the Hero names is Bumble bee. He’s kinda insecure and trying to find out who he is.
898 days ago
I need help/clarification on one of our favorite songs from “Behold the Lamb of God” (actually all of the songs are our favorites). My husband and I saw you guys perform at the show in Charlotte this year and were blown away. We were playing the CDs for our 4 kids and were listening to “Matthew’s Begats” on the live album. The kids and I are all convinced that you say “husband of Larry” at the end. My husband disagrees but he’s a drummer and I am sure has lost some hearing so, of course, the kids and I think he’s wrong. Plus, we did see a lot of playful fun going on onstage at the show, so I wouldn’t put it past you guys to have a little fun with your audience too. Please clear this up for us so we can put this to bed and actually listen to the entire song again instead of rewinding over and over to that part so we might hear it better!
Also, how can we get Greenville, SC on the Behold tour next year. We know our town would love you guys! Let us know how we can help you make that work! Thanks for sharing your gifts.
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