Thank You, LORD . . .

Love this shot of Laffy (or is it Taffy?) -

4217.) for the anticipation of a picnic with friends tonight
4218.) for the idea to make homemade ice cream together for dessert!
4219.) for the cool breeze coming in the window this morning
4220.) for their new gloves at the dentist's office - purple, grape-smelling ones for him; pink, bubble gum-smelling ones for the hygienist!
4221.) for the beauty of 8 sparkling jars of Concord grape jelly lined up on the counter
4222.) for the sound of the insects outside my open window singing their morning praises to You
4223.) for the big chunks of watermelon in the frig, fresh from the garden
4224.) that the pumpkin patch is growing well
4225.) that You are loving and able to save (Psalm 130:7)
4226.) that in Christ we can come before You with freedom and without fear (Ephesians 3:12)
4227.) that with Your power working in us, You can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)
4228.) that You do wonders that cannot be understood and so many miracles that they cannot be counted (Job 5:9)

(Photo credit to Eli Druck Photography)

Sound Advice

One day over a cup of tea, my good friend Betty, who's older and much wiser than I am, gave me some insightful thoughts about caring.  She told me that when she was younger, she made a calculated decision not to be someone who constantly took on more than she could handle.  She said that busyness sends out a message to people that you don't have time for them.  The state of being frantic, overextended, and distracted drives people away rather than drawing them in and inviting them to the refuge of your company.  No one is comfortable coming to someone when they feel like an interruption.  This fear of interrupting feeds into the isolating trends of our culture where no one wants to be a bother to anyone else.

In a world that so often values speed, efficiency, and change over continuity and relationship, we are challenged on a daily basis to consider what matters most.  God invites us to resist the tangled webs of busyness that imprison us and make it impossible to respond in love to the people around us.  If we want our lives to reflect the truth that people matter, we must live intentionally toward that end.  If we really believe that people are important and that caring for each other is at the heart of our call to follow Jesus, we must thoughtfully and intentionally offer people something more.

-- Andi Ashworth, Real Love for Real Life: The Art and Work of Caring

Apple Pie Display

I took this inspiring photo at a local fair - doesn't it make you want to start baking apple pies?!

Jemima

Jemima is a Chocolate Muscovy Duck that found her way to our farm several years ago.  She's always kept to herself and loves to sit on her favorite perch, a post that overlooks the pond.  But as of late, she's begun to hang around us.  She started slowly waddling after whomever happened to be out and about, always cautious but gradually working her way into our acquaintance.  As I was throwing scraps to the goats one morning, she ventured within a few feet of me.  Deciding that she might take a piece of bread from me, I got a slice from the house and threw bits to her.  She loved it and has now progressed to waddling up to the porch each morning to receive her daily allotment.  We've taken to tearing off small bits and throwing them above her head - she's darn good at catching them mid-air!  And so, in addition to a goat that thinks she's a human and a chicken that once hatched a turkey egg, we have a duck who acts like a trained seal.  What a mixed-up barnyard we have . . .

(Photo credit to Eli Druck Photography)

98 and Still Counting . . .

I did something last week that I've never done before . . .  attended a 98-year-old's birthday party.

My dad's mother turned 98 last Saturday, and my dad threw a small party for her at the nursing home where she lives.  So, my sister and I bought flowers and tied a ribbon around a box of Oreo cookies and went together.


Our grandmother has dementia, and her remembrance of us is next to nil.  Of the small group that attended her party, she really only knows my dad and step-mom consistently.  Even her sweet little roommate is a stranger to her at times.

But it's hard not to have fun at a birthday party, even if you're a stranger.  We enjoyed watching our  grandmother enthusiastically tuck into her big piece of birthday cake, giggle over the jokes her friend Richard cracked, and delight in her birthday gifts.  And what does one give a 98-year-old, you ask?  Well, besides the flowers and Oreos, she got a singing card, a pin she wore that said Queen for a Day, and four 12-packs of Hershey bars.






Our evaluation of the afternoon?  A little surreal, but fun.  I just hope that if I live to be 98, I'll get as much joy out of chocolate bars and Oreos as she does.  Simple pleasures know no age.  

A Book Review of Loving Your Mother Without Losing Your Mind

I have to admit that the quirky title of the book, Loving Your Mother Without Losing Your Mind, by H. Norman Wright is what made me pull it off the church library shelf.  This helpful book is a compact resource in building relationship with your mother.  Nothing in the book is rocket-science - but it contains truth, wisdom and practical insights thrown in with simple, thought-provoking exercises that encourage the reader to look at your relationship from new angles and perspectives.  I especially appreciated the exercises - they helped me to come to some insightful conclusions about my own relationship with my mom.

This book would be beneficial for those with difficult mother/daughter relationships, as well as be a source of appreciation to those who've had a terrific relationship with their mom.  It's also for those who've lost their mothers to death or separation of other kinds - helps in learning to work through possible grief, forgiveness and anger issues as well.  Personally, it also shed some light on my own mothering style and habits.  Insightful . . .

Tomato Scramble

I clipped this recipe from a farming newspaper, adapted it a bit, and made it for myself for lunch one afternoon.  Of course, if you want more servings, just double or triple everything.

Tomato Scramble

2 eggs
1 tabl. milk
1/8 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper
2 tabl. finely chopped onion
1/2 tabl. butter
1/2 of a small tomato, seeded and diced

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and seasonings; set aside.  In a skillet, saute onion in the butter until tender.  Add the egg mixture.  Cook and stir over medium heat until eggs are set.  Stir in tomato.  Serve.

Inspiration for Homemaking Arts

At a recent country fair we attended, one of the exhibit classes involved creating a display under the theme of "Homemaker of the Year."  There were four entries, and this one, by far, was my absolute favorite (though it didn't place.)  I love the inspiration it provides in the various homemaking arts and the verse that the creator chose as part of her display.  Love it!

A Lesson in Obedience

Yesterday afternoon Eli asked me to run down to the kennel where he works so that he could introduce me to a dog.  Cooper is a beautiful brown and white, four year-old Border Collie with incredible manners, and E.'s in love with him.  After meeting him, I see why. 

Upon entering the run, Cooper affectionately greeted Eli and was ready to play.  E. had told me at home about this dog's amazing obedience and was eager to demonstrate.  He began to give the dog some simple commands, such as sit, stay, lay, etc.  The rapidity and complete humility with which Cooper executed the directives really was astounding - and there was no treat waiting for him anywhere in sight!  Eli played catch with Cooper using a tennis ball.  The dog would immediately retrieve the ball, run to him, drop it gently in the palm of Eli's hand, run back and turn around to wait for the next throw.  If E. would drop the ball by accident (or on purpose), Cooper would pick it up and tenderly lay it in his hand once again.  He also knew the difference between his ball and his frisbee - E. would command him to pick up one or the other, and he would do it perfectly every time. 

Upon watching this demonstration for awhile, I was struck with the way Cooper never took his eyes off Eli.  He was constantly looking into E.'s eyes and "reading" his body language.  It was incredible to watch the beautiful intensity and desire that the dog had to obey and please the one directing him. 

And as I thought again this morning about Cooper, I realized that he is a powerful picture of obedience.  For that dog, in his simple desire to trust and obey, is an insightful reminder to me to trust and obey my Master as well.  To quickly listen to His commands and live out His desires.  To hunger to delight Him with my trust and obedience.  To never take my eyes off the One who rules my heart. 

Thank You, Abba, for yet again using Your marvelous creation to teach me.

Audio Books and DVDs

A few resources that M. and I listened to and watched on vacation . . .

Thank You, LORD . . .

(This list is from a day last week when M. and I were at the cabin.)

4113.) for the smell of fried potatoes and onions coming from the kitchen when I wake up
4114.) for the amazing speed and beauty of the hummingbirds that come to the cabin's feeders
4115.) for the big, beautiful 8 point buck I spotted on our ride Sunday evening
4116.) for the Monday lunch special at Cohick's Trading Post - a bowl of homemade chicken pot pie and a grilled cheese sandwich - D. E. L. I. C. I. O. U. S.
4117.) for the harmony and beauty of the "homemade" songs sung by a missionary family to Ireland that were visiting our little mountain church
4118.) for ice cream every night with an old Mason episode or a board game
4119.) for the memory of playing Sequence on the porch with the sun filtering through the leaves and falling on the game board
4120.) for hours of reading on the porch
4121.) for the sound of this morning's rain on the cabin roof
4122.) for a relaxing afternoon of watching the lumberjack competition at a local fair (and the exhibit of elephants behind us, too - love all those grey wrinkles and the amazing way they use their trunk as a hand)
4123.) for the huge, round, blue eyes of the tiny girl that sat next to us at the fair
4124.) that there's an Aldi up here for supplies!

A Book Review of The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

A small pet is often an excellent companion. -– Florence Nightinggale

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey is an intriguing little book.  I found it hiding amidst many a bigger volume in the non-fiction science section and was immediately drawn to its cover.  With a dark-lettered title against a pale blue background, a quaint painted snail climbing over the words, and a reviewer’s quote of “Beautiful” at the top, the little book jumped in my bag.  And I’m glad it did.

It’s the tale of a woman and a snail.  How a tiny creature gave a bedridden patient company, focus and gratitude throughout a long, debilitating illness.  The book is a combination of the author’s observations of a snail that lived beside her bed, and the insights and lessons that came forth from her experience.  Also woven throughout are quotes from 19^th century naturalists, as well as fascinating research that the author learned about her mollusk companion.  And though the author’s references to the evolution of snails are frequent, I chuckle over them and, instead, praise our Amazing Creator for the incredibly intricate traits He lovingly and thoughtfully designed in the little creatures we call snails.

My Aunt

Last week one day, I stopped by Marty's aunt's house to drop something off.  She and her husband were sitting out under the porch enjoying the coolness of the morning.  Aunt Helen asked me to join them, mentioned that she was just about to make herself a cup of tea, and bustled off to the kitchen to fix me a cup, too. 

That's always the first order of a visit to her home.  Refreshment.  Usually in the form of a hot cup of tea or a cold soda.  And sometimes a piece of flavored angel food cake that she bought at market or homemade oatmeal-raisin cookies in which she threw a handful of cranberries for good measure. 

After settling in, the conversation turned to her flowers and the birds at her feeder.  Aunt Helen is like a walking nature guide.  If I can't find a bird in one of my resource books, I take the description to her and she pulls out her old bird book to double-check her identification.  Sometimes, she comes to the farm for afternoon tea and looks at my garden and tells me the names of the flowers I don't know.  On this recent visit, she took me up the hill in her yard and told me about the types of trees she has.  When I commented that I found the seed pods of her Golden Chain Tree lovely, she tore off several small branches for me to take home and tuck in a vase to enjoy. 

That's the other thing that Aunt Helen's known for.  You don't leave her house without something in your hands.  Whether it's some vegetables from the garden or a few bags of the latest tea she bought or a catalog of interest, there's always a take-home treat.  And it's a little dangerous to mention that you like something of her's, you just might go home with it.

She's become very precious to me.  Because she always acts like you're doing her the favor.  Because she'd literally give you the shirt off her back.  Because she would read this post and wonder what all the fuss is about.

And, because I get way more refreshment from her than just a cup of tea.

A Birthday Collage

So . . . have you noticed a birthday theme running through the last several posts?  I can't help myself.  I've always loved celebrating my birthday.  M. teases that my birthday includes the entire week before the actual day, as well as the entire week after!  I really can't argue - he's right.  So many lovely cards and gifts and phone calls and surprises from family and friends to enjoy.

And speaking of cards, I wanted to include a post of a little tradition I've been doing the last couple of years with my birthday cards.  Instead of securing each whole card in my scrapbook, I've been simply cutting out a prominent part of each and making a sort-of collage.  Making a little note of who they're from allows me to remember the giver.  It's a fun little project that only takes a few minutes but gives much pleasure.

P.S. Notice the homemade card in the upper left-hand corner?  My mom made that one for me - she takes old vintage cards and cuts them up to create new ones.  If you can't quite see it right, it's the image of a homemaker in her apron and heels putting a flower pot on the windowsill.  Love it!

The New Pink Azalea Cake

As all my children are of the male variety, there has never been a pink cake in our house . . . until now.

A few months ago, when looking through the Cakes section of Mom's 1950's Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book, I spied a Pink Azalea Cake.  At that moment the idea for a pink cake for my birthday was born.  A few weeks later, when stocking up on cake mixes that were on sale, I saw that they had Cherry Chip cake mix.  Perfect as the foundation for a New Pink Azalea Cake.

Adapting a White Butter Icing recipe, also from Mom's cookbook, I tinted it with a bit of red food gel and out came a lovely pink cake.  Rainbow-colored sprinkles and candles put it over the top.  And with the deliciously light cherry flavor, I just might have to make a pink cake every year. . .






White Butter Icing

4 C. 10x sugar
6 tabl. of butter-flavored Crisco
5 tabl. milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Blend well in a mixer; add a drop or two of food gel for desired hue.

A Birthday Luncheon & Field Trip

Early last spring, when Mom and I were knee-deep in her surgery recovery and apartment moving, I told her what I wanted for my summer birthday.  When her restored knees were serving her well and she was all situated into her new home, I wanted her to make fried squash sandwiches as her birthday present to me. 

Fried squash sandwiches were a mainstay at our childhood home in the summertime.  Mom would pull a pattypan squash from our tiny backyard garden, slice it up, dip it in an egg-and-milk mixture, coat it with bread crumbs and fry it in a little oil.  With ketchup slathered on, these sandwiches spoke summer to me.  But I don't get squash sandwiches anymore - none of my guys care for them.  Hence, the reason for my strange birthday request.

Last week, Mom granted my wish (and, of course, above and beyond it).  Not only did she make thick squash sandwiches on potato bread, but she put together a whole summer meal.  With corn on the cob, baked beans, and my grandmother's recipe of potato salad (the only one I'll eat), she created an indoor summertime picnic.  Complete with her assorted mixture of beautiful pieces of china and tea cups and the Celtic Woman DVD playing in the background, we dined in elegance.


Mom's no stranger to fine dining.  She comes from a heritage of entertaining, and she knows how to set an inviting table.  As a child, I can remember card parties, hen parties, Christmas parties, and the like.  Being a single woman didn't stop Mom from giving us memories of a full house, fine dishes and a gracious hostess.  So it's no wonder that she can make even fried squash sandwiches look elegant!










The finale to our luncheon/picnic/tea party was a pot of Indian Spice Chai with warm milk and sugar which tasted like dessert itself.  My "birthday cake" was an assortment of tiny cupcakes that she picked up at cupcake bakery.  Red velvet with cream cheese frosting, chocolate with peanut butter icing, chocolate on chocolate.  Oh, my.  It's a good thing she said I didn't have to eat them all in one sitting.

And last but not least, she announced that we were going on a surprise field trip.  As we drove through town, I kept asking questions and making guesses until we pulled up to the city's historical society.  She explained that they were showing a special exhibit of how our county was specifically affected by the Civil War and thought I might enjoy it.  We spent two lovely hours wandering through the society together - oohing and aahing over this and that. 

And, to think, all I asked for was a fried squash sandwich. 

Nuggets From A Year in the Village of Eternity

My purpose in reading a book is, quite simply, to see more of Him.  I have discovered that if I but look hard enough, there is a glimmer or aspect or hint or picture of God that's never been experienced before.  And so, every book I read is a sort of treasure hunt - a look-out for at least one nugget of Truth that broadens my view of Him.  And those nuggets come in all shapes and sizes.

Typically, I write book reviews of only the most excellent books I've read.  But that's not to say there's nothing to learn from the other ones.  His shadows are everywhere.  So, from time to time, you'll see some Nugget Posts - a sharing of the odds and ends of "take-aways" that strengthen my view of Him and His ways.

Nuggets from A Year in the Village of Eternity: The Lifestyle of Longevity in Campodimele, Italy by Tracey Lawson:

* I came to Campodimele hoping I might learn how to live longer, but discovered something much more important - how to live well.

* As the apricot sky fades to a soft purple, the truth about Italian food sagre (local festivals, often held in honour of a particular food, just as the harvest is gathered in) is clearer than ever.  Yes, they are about food; yes, they are about giving thanks for the new harvest; but just as much - perhaps even more - these sagre are about the fact that Italians love stare in compagnia, to enjoy company and commune with their fellow man.

* And I remembered that even today, the simplest slice of bread only makes it to our table by the grace of the forces that we can't control.

* But here there is a different sense, one of certainty.  Because the pattern of the year to come is already known.  It's set by the seasons and the sun and the phases of the moon.  By the farming calendar and the festivals of the Church.  These form the irresistible rhythm to which life is lived.  Woven in between will be melodies yet unknown - new lives and joy; death and pain.  And the understanding that each has its place, that everything will pass, that the heartbeat of Nature will again make itself felt - uncontrollable and reliable, both at once.

Our Blackberries Are In

It was not a long climb to where the blackberries grew, and she was soon at work, the great luscious berries dropping into her pail almost with a touch.  But while she worked the vision of the hills, the sheep meadow below, the river winding between the neighboring farms, melted away, and she did not even see the ripe fruit before her, because she was planning the new frock she was to buy with these berries she had come to pick.

Pink and white it was to be; she had seen it in the store the last time she went for sugar and spice.  There were dainty springs of pink over the white ground, and every berry that dropped into her bright pail was no longer a berry but a sprig of pink chintz. 

-- Grace Livingston Hill, excerpt from Marcia Schuyler

Thank You, LORD . . .

4051.) for the delight of coming home to find a sunflower and birthday basket from a friend
4052.) for the super fun time Mom and I had at a giant library yesterday and for all the great new books we discovered!
4053.) for the yummy lunch we enjoyed together at a favorite childhood haunt - complete with a scoop of their homemade Peanut Butter Swirl ice cream
4054.) for a sweet evening together with M. - playing $1 mini-golf and then visiting relatives
4055.) for a birthday card in the mail from C. - though I know she's not even in town
4056.) for the gorgeous, bright blue Indigo Bunting in the corn last night
4057.) for the sound of a gentle rain this morning - perfect for a hot cup of tea
4058.) that I need not fear but can trust You with a steady heart (Psalm 112:7)
4059.) for opening my eyes to see the Light of the Gospel (II Corinthians 4:4)
4060.) that the small troubles Here will in no way compare with the glory to be found There (II Corinthians 4:17)
4061.) for the reminder that wisdom and humility go hand-in-hand (Proverbs 11:2)
4062.) that You have power and strength and none can stand against You (II Chronicles 20:6)
4063.) that Your love continues forever! (II Chronicles 20:21)