Splendid Ideas

Paper and pen must always be at hand when one loves to write. I believe you can never have enough journals. I have one for books I read (comments and quotes), one for quotes in general, one about my dad's last days, one about stories my mother tells me of her childhood, one about life in general and what God is teaching me, one about household things, one about Little One's sayings, and one in my purse for those thoughts that come and should not be forgotten (at least from my perspective.)

And yesterday, a friend who I had not seen in awhile brought me another one. It might be the most beautiful yet. A Jane A*sten journal! Plenty of space to write, but also dotted with Jane's own quotes on life! Such fun this will be, and such a thing of beauty. Every part (cover, inside cover, pages, illustrations, quotes) is exquisite. This young friend knows me well. Thank you!

And a quote from the journal: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a person in possession of many splendid ideas must be in want of the perfect place to write."

What is it?

What is it about the little ordinary eating places that draw in our hearts and make us memories?

We often just happen upon them. Their charm entices us; their quirkiness enthralls us, and a window seat is just "icing on the cake."

These are the places where we best celebrate and the moments we most remember.

The Really True Jewels

Think about it: there are things in life that are the same whether we are rich or poor. No matter our "status" in life, we see the same moon in the sky, we can cool our toes in the same oceans and lakes, we go to the same parks and picnic at the same beaches ... smell the same flowers, gaze at the same trees, skies, stars, clouds ... and I could go on. I heard someone say this recently and it caused me to pause and think.

These gifts that we live with each day are the true diamond-studded jewels in our lives. They are the real riches––there for us all to gaze at, wonder at ... and worship the One who created them all.

Repost from July 1, 2008. Connecting again with Happy To Design Sunday Favorites!

Peter arrived

"The Question" always comes up this time of year, and at Christmas, being we are such a practical family. "What's on your birthday list?" This year, only four things (and usually I can't come up with that many) and Peter Rabbit was at the top (check).

I've been looking for Peter Rabbit to join our garden for a long time. Aha, we thought when we were in the mountains, let's see if we can find him (since we have looked and looked in our fair city). This would be the Gardener's gift ... and sure enough, high on a mountain road we came upon a yard full of such things, and a little shop run by two old sisters with identical voices crackling with a strong southern twang. Maybe they were twins. They helped me make the best choice of the rabbits waiting there. While I was looking around I saw more reading boys...maybe this is the same place I found my little guy on the occasion of our own boys graduating from high school. We put him in our garden to remind us of all the books we read together and our years of homeschooling. He's been there, quietly reading, ever since.

So, little Peter Rabbit is now home with us, and looks fine anywhere we place him. He'll season with age, as we all do, and, like most things around here, he'll bring forth memories every time we glance his way.

from porch to porch

"On warm evenings we would sit out on the front porch from supper to bedtime. There was no TV then, of course, and on weeknights little traffic on the road. It would be so quiet that you could hear other people talking on their front porches or a bunch of children playing elsewhere. Besides the night sounds of birds and insects, there would be just the human voices. Sometimes there would be conversation from porch to porch and back and forth across the road."

from Wendell Berry's Hannah Coulter. Looking forward to our next book club!

almost sweater weather

It hardly seems possible that we are having the weather that we are here in the south. Cool, dry air is something to take note of. I don't remember such a treat in previous, blistering hot summers. So refreshing to open up in the morning and let cool air in.

And in the evenings to read on the porch, listening to the night sounds of crickets, bats, and neighbors softly talking. I almost reached for a sweater last night. The weather won't last, but we surely celebrate this gift from God while we have it!

A change for the better

When we moved into our home 10 years ago, I painted every room in the house. Of course our bedroom, tucked away in a corner of the house, was the last to consider. I absolutely hated it and would lie in bed at night looking around, trying to figure out how I could transform it. Painting is best done as a "project" when the Gardener is "off site" (as in another part of the world). So such a time arrived and after great thought I figured out how I could do this. I would do one small part at a time. Completely, and then move on. I could move the furniture a few feet on my own. So, I started in one corner (and it's a large room including a large bookcase!) I removed everything in that area, shifting only a few feet which was mostly manageable. I removed the border, patched walls and holes, primed, and painted two coats including the woodwork. When that area was done, I went on to the next. I even packed away the books in boxes! It took me three full days and I felt like I had the flu when I was done. Muscles I didn't know I had, aching like crazy. Then I proceeded to hang up curtain rods and curtains, etc. I'm not sure I'll ever tackle such a tall order on my own again, but this was well worth it! Now when I lie in bed and look around, I feel peace, not angst! For other fun changes, click here.

Rocking Chair Grace Again

We roll down the windows and let a fresh breeze spill in as our car chugs up the winding roads into the mountains. The crisp clear air begs for us to breathe deeply as if to cleanse away the city pollution from our lungs. It’s time for lunch but we have yet to find a nook alongside the road to eat our sandwiches. I breathe a prayer, “Lord, help us to find a really special spot for our lunch.” After all, we had opted to go the cheap route, and not look for a cute little teashop along the road. Don’t we deserve a picnic to remember?

In less than a minute a road sign announces a rest/visitor center just up ahead. Wow, a quick answer. As we drive into a pristine park-like setting, we notice that all the shady picnic tables are of course occupied. We ride around the mountain-style building, boasting a porch on all sides. There on the back porch are two rocking chairs, quietly waiting for us, as if we’d booked ahead with reservations! We park nearby and sit down to rock our way through a simple lunch. Much too simple for the beauty we look out on. We are completely alone with a sea of day lilies, backed by a lawn as green as grass can be. One majestic mountain after another rises in the distance like waves billowing on the sea. A soft breeze blows as we rock and munch sandwiches and carrot sticks. And I ponder the quick answer to my silent prayer. Several people interrupt the quiet as they come out of a nearby door and with an “I-wish-I-had-thought-to-eat-lunch-here” inflection to their voices, congratulate us on our creative use of the rockers.

I wonder about this dining spot prepared for us. If I hadn’t prayed, would we still have seen the road sign and found the rockers? Was it a “God-thing” or just a coincidence? As I thank Him profusely from my heart, I assume it is of God, but why?

The answer comes from history. From experience I know God ordains my days, and has as long as I’ve known Him. Recorded history tells the rest of the story. Everything in life––even “coincidences”––works because of Him. And if that wasn’t true, and there was such a thing as “just happened,” I would still delight to give Him the glory for it. For us this day––amazing rocking chair grace!

Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindness of God in your daily life. A. Maclaren

First published in July 06. Please see Happy to Design for other repeat goodies.

a better place

Four years ago today my dad left this earth for a better place. I often think about what the transition must have been like. My guess is it was pretty quick, and pretty spectacular. I'll know myself someday, but in the meantime, it's pleasant to think on. I love this photo of 5/6 of our family (baby brother yet to appear). I can see the house my dad so lovingly built for us, and his favored cello in the corner. It now sits in the corner of my mother's bedroom. The dining room chair is at my sister's house, and the candlesticks on the mantle are at mine. A dvd arrived in the mail this week with some vintage film on it. As I watch I see glimpses of my parents, and one scene in particular took my breath away. I was a toddler, probably just starting to walk, and my dad grabbed me up to give me a hug and a kiss. Film never before seen by us, so almost like a little surprise visit with him. Something for me to tuck away into my heart. How I miss him.

A Ride in the Mountains

Time in the mountains can be so refreshing! We took a little drive last week--through forests that American Indians long ago called "the land of the noonday sun." Only at high noon do you see much sunlight. Then the open country roads with gorgeous mountain views ... and the the gushing streams along side the road just begged us to pull over and stop, to listen to their music and feel their rush of cool air.

For more out door images :

sweetness and spice

We giggled like young girls as we aimed the camera for a self-timed photo of the four of us. We kept trying to get it right--so we all had our eyelids up high enough and our smiles right, lined up just like a picture of us years ago. In our silliness it came to me that there is great comfort in old friends. We go back years to when our children were small and we met to study the Bible. We've continued to stay in touch, meeting at least once a year at Christmas. Such sweetness to come together again for lunch with our favorite chef, B, who makes such delectable food. The spices are blended to perfection, and it all looks so beautiful. We sit and savor, taking it all in slowly, feeling a bit like royalty as we eat at her table.

minute vacation

Come along for a little mental vacation. In the middle of the dusty, dry game park we visited last March, we came upon this little guest house alongside a man-made oasis. For just 200 American dollars a night, along with our own food, we could relive the movie "Out of A*rica." Spectacular. We were delighted the caretaker invited us in for a tour. More than we can afford, but fun to dream about for a few minutes!

Imagine coffee on the veranda each morning while we watch the animals come for water.

Sweet naps here with curtains blowing in the afternoon breeze.

View out the bedroom window.

And a nosey neighbor.

66

I'm thinking of my mom today, and how she is remembering that summer day, 66 years ago, on the front lawn of her childhood home ... The story is that later that day they went on their honeymoon by train down to the Jersey shore. The train was full, or they had cheap tickets ... but for some reason they sat on their suitcase in the vestibule between the cars. Someone came along and asked if they were brother and sister. Of course my dad answered, "Oh yes, brother and sister in Christ." Their last anniversary together, #62, was celebrated in my dad's hospice room with huge windows looking out at the clouds that seemed particularly beautiful that day as heaven beckoned him. We bought them a big bouquet of flowers. Six days later he made his way to heaven's gates. Love overflowed and peace reigned in our hearts.

Mountain Time

Something about time in the cool (usually), refreshing mountain air does a soul good.

Our time in the mountains last week brought family together to make memories. A good time was had by all.

Top photo by lulu.

learning to pray

The Gardener (a.k.a. "Grandpa") asked God's blessing on our breakfast the other morning when Youngest and Family joined us to eat. No more than five words into the prayer, a little voice clearly said, "Ah-men!" Three more words prayed and another "Ah-men!" sounded, followed by another. Before long, sweet speaking Little One tried another of her words, "All done!" And the Gardener got the message.

Independence

Something we should not take for granted. Happy celebration of our freedom!

beans and rice

I figured our beans and rice dinner last night cost us about a dollar each. Not bad. When we were discussing earlier this week further ways to cut our budget, the Gardener suggested more beans and rice meals. The one we had last night was so delicious I thought I'd write it down. So often when I "throw something together" and it's really good, I forget about it, or forget how I did it. We'd like to repeat this one often.

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil

Add one can of drained black beans

Add one can of minced/chopped tomatoes with juice

I added some scant salt and a small bit of chicken bouillon powder

Shake about a Tb of flour across the top, let it start to absorb and then stir in to thicken

Add dollops of frozen chopped spinach (best from a bag, not a "block")

Let cook awhile and then serve over brown rice.

Note to Youngest: This reminded us a lot of Kontomery Stew, your favorite food growing up. It just was missing palm oil and the mackerel. Photo: Youngest about age one thoroughly enjoying this stew. And he probably had rosy cheeks for awhile, as palm oil, used so much in West Africa, does stain!

Wheat Thicks

You so don't know what influence you have on people, do you? Good or bad. Or how those from the past remember you. For instance, just learned a little boy used to use my crocheted blanket (that I made for his sister when she arrived), to sleep with every night (big impact there, "tongue-in-cheek," but, you know, lots of comfort for sure.) Then I got an email or FB note from a very old friend (not in age but in years of friendship) asking me for the recipe for "wheat thicks." Wow, that goes back a long way. Her kids (now the age we were when we lived near each other) "love them." Did I know she ever even made the recipe? Another great influence, (tongue-in-cheek.) But it does go to show that you never know who you are influencing, and in what way!

Back then I was "o-natur-ale"--anything that could be made from scratch, I made it. Granola, bread, cottage cheese, mushrooms (well, not really, but a look alike out of eggplant), potato chips, clothes, gifts, and yes, crackers--I seemed to get a kick out of it (and it was thrifty). Of course some of this earthy stuff I had no choice about when we lived in Africa.

I was all excited about making "wheat thins," a favorite cracker of mine. But I never could get them quite evenly thin enough to bake evenly, some parts getting darker than others. But they were just fine "thick." So, for those who also may be interested, I now present to Linda and her girls:

Wheat Thicks

Blend 2 Cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 Cup sesame seeds or whatever you like

1/4 Cup wheat germ

1/4 Cup veg oil

3/4 Cup cold water

Spread dough on two cookie sheets using rolling pins or fists, keeping even thickness (there's the rub!). Mark into squares and prick with fork. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and store in airtight containers. Good with cheese and if you love salt, I suppose you could salt with some kosher salt just as it comes out of oven. Store in airtight container. I do not think you grease the cookie sheet. But I'm not totally sure!