my friend, Ruth, gets it too {isn't she beautiful?}
it's worth the virtual trip to go visit and read about how her change in attitude brought gratitude and joy...go ahead just click below...you'll thank me, i promise
It's our lives that are little and we have falsely inflated self, and in thanks we decrease and the world returns right. I say thanks and I swell with Him, and I swell the world and He stirs me, joy all afoot. ann voskamp
i did the big haul this morning at all my usual haunts (save Target)...while i was waiting for Penny to slice my turkey breast (low sodium Sara Lee, chipped) i pulled out my grocery list and smiled BIG when i noticed our son had added a request at the end...he even drew me a picture
i tossed this beauty into the cart at walmart (of all places)...i've eyed them for years at summer parties but couldn't justify the expense. but for 6 bucks, i splurged...hurry up summer! (it is in the 40s here this week)
i have let my blog slip...hopefully i won't let it slip-slide away
March brought lots of stuff with her...another summons for jury duty (argh! i loved doing my civic duty 5 years ago...so proud, i was! but then i got summoned again 2 years later and again this past month. random-schmandom, i say) luckily, each saturday morning, bright and early, a recorded lady told me i was not needed that week. i love that recorded lady.
the kids had spring break...my husband is on sabbatical...my routine, my computer time...it's all out the window (but that's okay)
still helping my neighbor...other friends are struggling (so much pain just in my little circle)...started a new Bible study i love...trying to keep the house clean...teaching my class...expecting an overnight guest next week...needing to exercise (my husband blinked and lost 20 pounds...i wish his willpower would rub off on me)...need to call lots of far away friends (i really procrastinate making phone calls)...set our graduation party date and need to begin plans...trying to make LENT meaningful...beginning ALASKA plans and meetings
i finally told our son to quit asking me what time his practice is every day and to check my calendar...i'm getting a stomach ache with all the sports practices and games this spring (and those coaches change the schedule mid-stream all the time!)
so when i need a breather from my good, busy life (i really am so grateful for the time He's given me...the people...the activities) i've been cranking j lo. you'll see...she does a heart good--gets the body moving, motivates a person to clean...and exercise (ye gads, she looks great)
alright...so that's my catch up post
time to go pop some tater tots in the oven, throw a salad together...cut up that good rotisserie chicken i picked up today (gourmet meal, i tell ya)
oh, what a glorious sight you are, my little buds! you spell H O P E just by being your beautiful little selves.
i raked lots of leaves yesterday afternoon...just decided to get out there and scoop up the dreary remnants of a looooooonnnnnnnng winter.
and under all that brown leafy death...behold!
burgundy and green LIFE
i smiled right out loud at the surprise
it's spring break here this week {although i'm still working}
baseball and softball season stepping up to bat
dentist appointments and hair cuts and a new grand niece to visit
and then the normal...grocery shopping, helping my neighbor, laundry, cooking, grading papers, keeping up with Bible study lessons (oh, it's a good one...the Psalms of Ascent -- i do love teacher Beth Moore), working out, driving kids to practice...
even with a long to-do list i have a get-up-and-go feeling this morning...
our daughter saying goodbye (and being lifted up) to a family friend, AK 2010
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.-galations 5:22-24
i actually hired harold and the purple crayon to do the painting
{what a luxury...i'm usually the painter...his name is not really harold and the purple crayon, but i think it should be since he's a painter and his name is harold...even though i always call him howard by mistake}
benjamin moore "white cloud"...it's F R E S H & C L E A N
and so B R I G H T that i told our son to shut the front door...i thought the bright light was the sun shining in
spring is right around the corner...and it feels so good to do some
SPRING! fixing up...it's doing my soul good
the bread truck picture, you ask?
i just love it...i could eat french or italian bread every day...all day...i once ate a dozen hard rolls in about 30 minutes...i was 12 but i could {easily} still do it
alrighty...got some more cleaning to do...playing "Stacey Kent" radio on pandora...my good candles burning...hot cup of coffee in hand
have a fresh and bright weekend
may you eat all the hot, crusty bread your heart desires
"...we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God."
-- Oswald Chambers
Alaska
We lived in the Alaskan bush during the summer of 2005 and return each summer. God Rocks.
