Monday, December 31, 2012

Steamed Shrimp

Several years ago, my dad started getting shrimp for New Year's and steaming them.  We had never done it before then, but now it's become a tradition.  My sister is in town with her boys, so she steamed the shrimp for today, and it was amazing!!  I love the Outer Banks, and I would never want to move back to Maryland, but no one can do seafood like Marylanders - at least, not in my opinion.  Maybe it's just because that's what I grew up on, but nothing is better than crabs or shrimp steamed with Old Bay seasoning.  Not just spread on top afterwards, actually steamed with it.  It makes all the difference in the world.  So now that I've gone on and on about Maryland steamed shrimp, can you guess where I found God today?  Yep, it was in that amazing shrimp steamed Maryland style by my sister.  Yummy!!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

"Come To Me"

Father Tom gave a very moving sermon today.  It was perfect for the end of the year.  As much as I'd like to look forward to the new year as fresh and unencumbered, it's rarely so.  Especially with holiday debt tagging along and tax season looming ahead.  Instead of "Yay!  A new start!", many times I'm thinking, "Here we go again..."  Here I am struggling forward step by step; trying to improve, trying to leave negative stuff behind and move forward in a positive way.  And so often it's just overwhelming.  In his sermon, Father Tom said "... once upon a time in the person of Jesus, the divine invites each of us to come and cross the divide..."  Those words spoke to me.  I have crossed the divide... and then I slip back.  I start to try to do things on my own again, and I have to remember to re-cross that divide.  I have to remember that Jesus is there waiting.  In his sermon, he also quoted Matthew 11:28 (The Message Translation) "Are you tired? Worn out?... Come to me..."  Come to Him.  That's all I have to do, and yet I need constant reminding of it.  Today's sermon was just what I needed to hear at this time of year.  I'm not in this alone.  I have all the strength and hope I need if I just remember to ask for it.  I left church feeling uplifted and closer to God, and today, I found Him in Father Tom's inspiring words.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Faux "Feta"

Being Greek, I grew up with feta.  We had other Greek cheeses, too, but feta is the one we use the most in cooking in addition to eating it plain with Greek olives.  It's now the cheese I miss the most since I can't eat dairy anymore.  Recently, I found a recipe to make faux "feta" from tofu.  Needless to say, I was very skeptical.  But I gave it a try, and guess what?  It's pretty good!  I'm not going to claim it's an exact replacement for feta, but in salads, it comes pretty darn close.  In fact, Jeff liked it so much that he ate more of it than I did!  I'm going to try it in some recipes next and hope for good results.  In the meantime, my Greek salad finally tastes like it should.  Yay!!  Today, I found God in my faux feta cheese.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Early Light of Day

We left Maryland early this morning.  There are some beautiful places in Maryland, but I really dislike driving there because of all the traffic and big highways.  I lived there for most of my life and never really thought about it.  But since moving here and getting used to the slower pace, the difference is glaring.  So I wasn't looking forward to the start of the drive, but when we got on the highway, an absolutely gorgeous sky grabbed my attention.  The sun was mostly obscured by the clouds, but it was casting a glow that seemed to emanate from the clouds themselves.  As it rose higher, you could look straight at it as it was diffused by a gauzy layer of clouds.  There were muted rosy pinks, greys, pale blues, and golds all in layers around the sun.  And I thought even in the middle of all this traffic, highways, on and off ramps, buildings, etc., God's beautiful world cannot be dimmed.  You just need to look up and take notice.  Today, I found God on a Maryland highway in the early light of day.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

"Went With The Wind"

We spent the day with Jeff's family, and we always have a good time together. But the best times are when the whole group of us get to laughing about something. Tonight, it was the old Carol Burnett show, and the Scarlett O'Hara skit called "Went With The Wind" in particular. Carol Burnett wearing the drapes with the curtain rod still attached is a classic! We bantered about different lines from the skit till we were all laughing almost as if watching it for the first time. Shared humor is a wonderful thing, and I found God today laughing with family over that hilarious old skit.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Greek Chicken

My mom was an amazing cook before she got dementia. She was from South Carolina so she made awesome southern food, but when she met my Greek dad she learned how to cook Greek food as good if not better than the Greek side of my family. But it's been many years since she's cooked anything so I mostly only get Greek food when I cook it myself. Well, the last time my mother-in-law visited I made Greek chicken with potatoes and lima beans. She loved it and asked for the recipe. So after a long, wet drive today, we arrived at my in-laws and a dinner of that Greek chicken. It was amazing!! It wasn't just that it tasted so good, it was having homemade Greek food again made by someone other than me. My mother-in-law is a great cook, too, so I'm blessed that I have her to cook for me sometimes when my own mom can't. Today, I found God in that awesome homemade Greek chicken dinner.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Peace In My Blanket

It's Christmas Day and I feel like I'm getting sick.  Ugh.  After opening gifts and breakfast, I went into my room for a nap.  I didn't really sleep much, mostly just dozed a little, but lying there I was thinking about the morning.  The thoughtful gifts from my family, the time we've spent together... and curled up in my blanket, I felt such peace.  It lifted my spirits up even as my body was slowly spiraling down into the drudgery of a cold.  That quiet nap was just what I needed after all of the busyness of late.  Peace on earth may still be wishful thinking, but peace in my blanket was definitely happening today.  I found God there in my late morning nap.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Beautiful Day

We had our Christmas Eve get-together with my family today.  My mom always made Christmas Eve the big "food" day, and I've continued in that tradition.  I make a ton of food, and my sister brings a ton of food.  We always overdo it, but that's part of what makes it fun.  Treating ourselves special with all of these extravagant goodies is a gift to ourselves and our family.   Jeff and I started the day with a walk in the early morning.  It was quiet, cool, and beautiful.  Then we finished up the food preparations, my family came over, and we talked, laughed, and ate a lot of that wonderful food.  Now it's quiet again.  The clean-up is done, the Christmas lights are twinkling, and I'm basking in the glow of an awesome Christmas Eve.  I found God in this whole beautiful day.






Sunday, December 23, 2012

Stress Tears

There are tears of sadness, there are tears of joy, and then there are the tears that spilled from my eyes today.  I call them stress tears.  Take all the work I've been doing for our Christmas festivities, add in all that I had yet to do, and then throw in a dash of the usual family stress.  Mix it all up, and you've got me feeling overwhelmed.  So when Jeff and I decided to take some time for ourselves and go get tea this morning, I could feel the tears pressing behind my eyes.  All it took was a few kind words from him, and they broke loose.  He worried that I was upset, but I really wasn't.  As I explained to him, it was like opening a pressure valve and letting off steam.  There was no sadness involved, but just having those tears spill down my cheeks relieved so much stress.  It only lasted a few seconds, and then I felt so much better.  I was ready to face the rest of my tasks.  I'm always in awe of how God created us, and I believe the ability to cry is a great gift.  I found Him today in the gift of those stress-relieving tears.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

The Christmas Project

We did our Christmas project today.  We've done one every year since the kids were little so it's going on twenty years of projects now.  It gets harder and harder for me to think of new ideas for the project, so when Marlayna suggested clay that could be oven-baked, I was all for it.  Plus, it was a nod to the pottery class she and I took in the fall so that was nice, too.  I had no idea what to expect going in, but our pieces turned out surprisingly well.  Marlayna's are usually the best (she's the artist in the family), and Morgan's are usually the most unique (that pretty much sums up Morgan!), but we all have a blast doing it.  There's lots of joking, laughter, and memories going around the table.  My favorite part, without a doubt, is just having my family together.  It's more and more difficult as they have their own lives now, but we all make the effort to come together for this, and I love them for it.  I found God today in the blessing of being able to do another Christmas project with my precious loved ones.

Our Masterpieces!!



Friday, December 21, 2012

Unexpectedly Fun Times

Out of all of my busy days leading up to Christmas, this one was going to be the worst.  I do most of my household stuff like banking, grocery shopping, and laundry on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Obviously, that wasn't going to happen next week.  So I wanted to take care of those things today.  Along with that, I had to go to five different stores for various things.  As much as I tried to consolidate, what I needed just couldn't be found in one place.  Needless to say, I wasn't looking forward to any of it.  But then Jeff decided to go with me.  He said he could take a little time off of work to help me with the running around.  Just like that, it turned into an adventure.  We hadn't taken time to walk this morning because we wanted to get an early start, but as we raced from one place to another, I mentioned that we were getting in our exercise after all!  Parking, hurrying through the wind and cold, maneuvering through the stores - it was actually fun because he was with me.  And things went so smoothly!  There were no lines, we found what we needed, and we were home in record time.  I can't help but think it was the positive attitude brought on by enjoying our time together that resulted in such a successful morning.  Today, I found God in my husband and best friend, Jeff, who turned a dreaded morning into such a fun experience.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Sunrise Cross

I'm lucky to be within walking distance of my church, and I pass it every morning on my walk.  Today,  as I approached it the sky behind it stopped me in my tracks.  It highlighted the cross on the roof so beautifully that I had to photograph it.  I took some pictures and then just stood there taking it in for a moment.  The place where my faith has grown so much was inspiring me once again just by being there at that moment.  I found God today in my beloved church's cross at sunrise.





Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Winter Beauty

I shuffled through a pile of leaves on my walk today, enjoying the fact that they were still around.  But as I was walking past the big, beautiful tree I wrote about a few weeks, ago, I realized the sidewalk was clear of it's leaves.  I don't know if they blew away or someone swept them away, but it made me a little sad that they were gone.  I looked up at it's bare branches silhouetted against the sky and caught my breath at it's awesome beauty even in winter.  All the bright, showy leaves are gone but what's left is a different kind of beauty.  Both grace and mystery have been revealed in the lines and twists of it's branches.  God made it to be beautiful in all seasons - just like us.  We age and we change, but there is a beauty revealed in the lines on our faces, the wisdom in our eyes, and, hopefully, a peace that shines through from our hearts as we go through the winter of our lives.  Today, I found God - again - in the awesome winter beauty of that glorious tree.


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

She Meets No Strangers

I had just started checking out at Harris Teeter today with a huge pile of groceries for our Christmas festivities when a woman got into line behind me with just a small basket of stuff.  I smiled at her a couple of times trying to silently apologize for her having to wait so long behind me, but she didn't seem the least bit perturbed.  When I was finally almost done, she said, "You look like you're going to be making some good food!".  I said that I hoped to because I had family coming in for Christmas.  She proceeded to carry on a conversation about family, food, and the holidays while my stuff was being bagged, and I had such a good time talking with her.  When I was just about ready to walk away, she said, "Make sure you take time for yourself, you know how it can get this time of year."  I thanked her and wished her the same.  I walked to my car feeling really good, and it was all because of her friendly conversation.  I was driving away before I realized I hadn't gotten her name, and I'm regretful of that.  She was one of those people that my mom used to say "doesn't meet any strangers".  I'd like to be more like that.  I always try to be friendly to anyone I meet, but I rarely go beyond the usual niceties.  She took the time to have a real conversation, and it brightened my day.  I wish I could tell her what a positive effect she had on me.  I found God today in one of those amazing people that meets no strangers.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Early Christmas Gift

It's officially holiday crunch time for me.  This last week before Christmas is when I do the bulk of the baking, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc., along with all of my normal day-to-day chores.  I was running around non-stop today, checking items off my list and continually adding new ones; my mind always on the next thing to do.  Then the doorbell rang, and all I could think was, "What now?".  I went to the door and saw a couple of packages.  My first thought was that it was gifts that I had ordered that would need to be wrapped.  But no... it was a gift for me and Jeff from his aunt.  Wow, what perfect timing.  I'm always spouting off about how Christmas is about more than gifts, and I truly believe that.  I try to put more focus on family time than presents.  But getting that gift at just that time today made me realize that we were thought of.  That's really the best part of getting a gift or a card - realizing that someone took some time out of their day and thought of you.  I needed that little nudge to remind me why I do all of this.  Today, I found God in an early Christmas gift that showed up at just the right time.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Vulnerable

I've been pondering the past couple of days about how people move on.  How do you start doing routine things again?  And when?  Whether it's moving past a horrific tragedy like the people of Newtown, or moving past any of the losses and letdowns that we all suffer at different times.  Father Tom gave a very inspiring sermon today, and one of the things he said was, "It is only when you allow yourself to be vulnerable that you have the option of feeling anything besides fear."  For some reason the word "vulnerable" jumped out at me.  Literally, I saw the word in giant letters in front of my eyes, and I think it was God telling me something.  In dealing with hurt both big and small, the only way to move on is to be vulnerable.  You want to protect yourself and your loved ones both physically and emotionally; you want to lock your heart away so you'll never be hurt.  But then how do you live, and how do you love?  The only way to move on is to put yourself out there - to be vulnerable.  When you fling open the door, yes, there is the chance that hurt and pain will come in.  But if you don't open the door, how will good come in?  How will God come in?  And happiness, love, joy....  Do you let them stay locked out because of your fear?  So the answer for me to the question "How do I move on?" past any of life's stumbling blocks literally jumped out at me from Father Tom's sermon - be vulnerable.  I found God today in that one word "vulnerable" when He flashed it in giant letters before my eyes.  Kinda hard to miss that one :) .

Saturday, December 15, 2012

God's Light

It's the day after and I feel I should be doing something, but I don't know what to do.  Does anyone?  On my walk this morning, I prayed.  I prayed fervently for all who were lost, and all who were suffering.  I willed my heart to go out and find them, and let them know how I hurt for them.  How so many of us hurt for them and are grieving with them and praying for them.  There was a light fog hanging about and it seemed to match the pall hanging over the day.  But there was also a brief colorful sunrise shooting bright pink and orange streaks across the sky.  There were some Christmas lights shining, and candles glowing in windows.  And I thought how the light always comes through.  People have always lit candles for the lost.  I saw where someone suggested turning on porch lights to show their sorrow and offer support.  We turn to the light in our darkest hours, and surely yesterday was one of our darkest hours.  God is in that light.  God is the light.  And all we can do is try to reflect it in an effort to light up the dark.  I found Him today in the light all around me from sunrise to candles, from porch lights to Christmas lights, and I pray for His help to reflect it.



Friday, December 14, 2012

Love

Where do you find God on a day like today?  Where do you find Him in the midst of such horror and senseless death?  I can't begin to imagine what the victims went through, or what their families are going through now.  I have no words, and anything I write seems so trivial.  But as I read through some of the accounts of the incident, and then through postings and comments that people were making, I realized that God was there.  He was there in every bowed head, in every prayer said, in every thought sent.  He was there in every tear shed.  He was there in the massive outpouring of love sent to the victims and their families.  I found Him today not in the horror, but in the heartfelt response to that horror which comes from the love we have for each other.  That's all I can say.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Run, Run, Rudolph

We had some family issues to deal with today, and they were causing a fair amount of stress.  We got everything sorted out, but I was left feeling pretty drained.  I wanted to de-stress so I decided to bake cookies and listen to Christmas music.  I had downloaded some new songs just last night but hadn't had a chance to listen to them.  I started up the new playlist, and the first song to play was "Run, Run, Rudolph" by Dwight Yoakam.  What a fun song!  It lifted my spirits immensely, and the lively beat even had me dancing around the kitchen while I was pulling out ingredients for the cookies.  I can't understand half the words, but I don't care - it made me happy.  It's amazing how music can affect our mood.  That upbeat Christmas song turned my frown upside-down, and today I found God in it's lively, mood-changing melody.

(This live version is the only one I could find to link to.  It's not as good as the original, but you'll get the idea if you care to listen to it.)

Run, Run, Rudolph by Dwight Yoakam

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Contentment

It was raining this morning so I couldn't go for my walk.  I was planning to do Christmas baking today, but since I had a little extra time, I decided to sit with a cup of tea before I started.  The Christmas tree was lit up, the rain was pouring down, and I was lucky enough to be cozy inside with my hot tea.  You know those moments when you feel totally centered and content?  It almost feels like time stands still for a few minutes, and in that stillness, you're just completely aware.  Aware of your blessings, aware of God, and just totally "there" in the moment.  I was blessed to experience that today watching the rain fall outside the window behind our beautiful, glowing Christmas tree.  God found me there in that moment today.


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Shortbread

I'm behind on my baking for Christmas this year.  I've been busier than normal and just haven't had time.  But today I really wanted to try a new shortbread recipe I found.  Shortbread type cookies are really difficult to do gluten and dairy free. My usual flour blend doesn't work well with them.  So after running around this morning, I whipped up the new recipe, baked them, and set them out to cool.  I wasn't holding out much hope for them because they didn't look quite right when I took them out of the oven.  But while I was waiting, I decided to wrap a few gifts.  A few turned into all of them.  Wrapping gifts is one of my least favorite Christmas chores (along with licking envelopes!), so while I was at it, I figured I might as well finish.  I sit on the floor to wrap, and when I got up my back and neck were aching.  I stretched, groaned, and headed into the kitchen where I found the shortbread that I had completely forgotten about.  I looked at it skeptically, broke off a piece, and put it in my mouth... yummy!!  Oh my, it was so good!  I won't say the texture is exactly like regular shortbread, but it's pretty darn close, and the flavor was perfect.  What a treat after all that wrapping!  I found God today in my new tasty gluten and dairy free shortbread recipe.  Yay!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Leaf Attack

I've written about how much I love to watch falling leaves, and I still do.  But today they were attacking me!  Monday mornings are always hectic for Jeff and I (along with most of the world!) because he has to leave for Maryland.  So we were each doing our various chores to start the day, caught up in our own worlds.  Then it was time for him to go.  I always walk out to the car with him unless the weather is really bad.  Today, there was a light rain and some wind, but nothing major.  We said our goodbyes, I gave him a hug, and turned to go inside when the wind blew a bunch of leaves down over me.  They were wet with rain so they were heavier than normal.  I had fought a few of them off and turned around when Jeff called out that one was still stuck in my hair.  Just as I pulled it out, another bunch flew down  - it was like they were after me!  I waved my arms around trying to fend them off, and we both started laughing.  It was a comical scene, and the shared laughter over such an oddball event connected us in a way our usual routine goodbyes hadn't.  It's so easy to fall into a rut no matter how much you love someone, and sometimes a little laughter is all it takes to shake things up.  I found God today in those clingy wet leaves that turned a routine goodbye into something more special.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Glorious Beauty

There are days when I have to search for God in my day... and then there are days like today.  The days when He smacks you in the face with something so obvious it can't be denied.  Jeff and I went out to the ocean, and it was very calm with big, long swells breaking close to shore.  We had been watching for just a minute when we spotted dolphins - lots of them.  At least three pods, and they were all so active!  We saw one leap completely out of the water, and several more frolicking just a few yards from the shoreline.  It was breathtaking!  While the dolphins were skirting the shoreline and putting on their show, a flock of brown pelicans came flying by, skimming along the surface of the water, just feet from the dolphins.  And last, but not least, there was a loon or cormorant, swimming and diving in the midst of it all.  The sun was shining brightly to the south, and dark, dramatic clouds filled the sky to the north, so the ocean sparkled on one end and shimmered on the other.  I exclaimed to Jeff, "We live in paradise!!"  I was totally filled with the glorious beauty of God's natural world, and yes, without a doubt, that is where I found Him today.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Faux Rainfall

Jeff and I saw a dense fog when we stepped out the front door for our walk this morning, and I thought I heard rain.  We stopped but didn't feel any raindrops so we headed on out.  It had obviously been raining earlier because there were large puddles in the road.  A little farther along we passed between two empty wooded lots and the sound of rain falling was very strong.  It was just leftover drops falling from the leaves but it sounded like it was raining from the sky.  This wasn't just a little pitter-patter here and there, this was a steady rainfall sound!  I've never experienced anything like it.  It was so odd to be walking outside and hearing rain but not feeling it - like there was an invisible umbrella over my head.  That coupled with the dense fog made for a super-cool walk this morning.  I found God in the faux rainfall on our walk today.


Friday, December 7, 2012

Self-Stick Envelopes

I decided to do my Christmas cards today, and I've streamlined the process pretty well over the years.  I keep my addresses updated and print them out on labels; I also print out our return labels.  I sign them all by hand, but I don't mind that part - it makes me feel more connected to whoever I'm sending to.  But the part I hate is sealing the envelopes!  I don't want to lick them - yuck!  I've tried using a sponge, and that works okay, but it can be messy.  So today I opened my new pack of Christmas cards, signed them, put the first label on, turned it over to seal it and... Woohoo!!  They were self-stick!  I had no idea when I bought them.  You would think more Christmas card manufacturers would have caught on to this newfangled trend by now, but this is the first time I've ever seen a self-adhesive Christmas card envelope.  It just totally made my day to be able to rip off that little strip of paper and stick those babies closed.  It really is the little things.  Today I found God in those amazingly convenient self-stick envelopes.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Jammie Time

I just couldn't get warm today, and it wasn't that cold outside.  It was only in the forties so I don't know why I couldn't warm up.  But I also was very tired, and not feeling so great, so I decided to do one of my all-time favorite things - get in my jammies!!  For me, jammie time comes fairly early anyway, but today it came at about 3:00.  Oh, it was heavenly.  I instantly felt better... and warmer, both inside and out.  My pajamas aren't really much warmer than the clothes I had on so I think it must be psychological - or magic. :)  Whatever the reason, jammie time is the best time of day.  Today, I found God in the comfort of an extra early jammie time.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Chattering Leaves

It was slightly cloudy on my walk this morning, but as I neared the tree with the bright orange leaves I wrote about a while ago, I noticed it was still fairly full and glowing.  The sidewalk across the street from it is literally filled with leaves several inches deep.  It took a second to dawn on me that most all of them had come from that tree.  As I was kicking through them (one of my favorite things to do!) I thought "You're still going strong, beautiful tree."  I had just cleared the leaf pile when I heard what sounded like rain behind me.  I turned and saw a torrent of leaves come fluttering down.  There must have been a gust of wind up high that set them off because I couldn't feel it from the ground.  But I had to laugh.  It was almost as if the tree had answered me with it's chattering tumble of leaves.  I know winter is almost here, but I'm still enjoying every minute of this lovely autumn - without a doubt my favorite time of year.  Today, I found God listening to the voice of a tree as it's leaves chattered down behind me.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Dollar Store Decor

My beautiful impatiens that I posted pictures of over the summer died a few weeks ago because of the cold.  Jeff pulled the dead plants out, but the empty planters were a little depressing.  So I decided to spruce them up for Christmas.  I didn't want to spend much money because whatever I used probably would get ruined in the outdoor weather, plus... I just didn't want to spend much money!  I checked Walmart and Kmart and couldn't find anything cheap enough, but while I was in Kmart, I heard someone mention The Dollar Store.  Why hadn't I thought of that!  I found just what I needed there, and it all cost me a total of $6.00.  I was very happy.  I was even more happy when I got home and set everything up in my planters.  It's not the amazing glory of my beautiful flowers, but it's a pretty little scene that makes me smile.  I found God today in brightening up my empty planters with inexpensive Dollar Store decor.




Monday, December 3, 2012

Calvin

When Jeff moved in thirteen years ago he brought two cats with him.  I'm allergic to cats (and dogs, and pretty much everything I touch!).  They make me itch.  But the problem didn't develop until a few years after I had lived with the cats, so we went about minimizing my contact with them as much as possible.  Rikki, who passed away a few years ago, was sweet, gentle, and well-behaved;  Calvin - let's just say Calvin was not.  But Calvin has mellowed in his old age, and as much as it seems that one of his life's goals is to do the opposite of what I want, the two of us have come to an understanding.  I take care of him while Jeff is in Maryland, and he actually listens to me now - most of the time.  He's always been quite the character with a mind of his own, and though age has slowed him down, he still has those qualities.  He's pretty frail now, and each visit to the vet we worry will be his last.  Today was one of those days.  Jeff had to take him in, and he had prepared himself for the worst.  But Calvin is like Timex - he takes a licking and keeps on ticking.  And fortunately, he got to come home again.  Some things will be easier when Calvin's gone - like me trying to avoid his cat hair.  But the house will definitely feel more empty without His Ornery Highness prowling around.  For now, though, he's home, happy, and sleeping in his favorite chair.  I found God today in my arch-nemesis Calvin beating the odds once again.


Sunday, December 2, 2012

"Just For Today"

In Father Tom's sermon today, he talked about the times when it seems that everything is going wrong. I know about those times.  I think we all do.  The times when you just have to throw up your hands and laugh, because otherwise you may crumple to the floor and cry.  Although, there are times when crumpling and crying is just what you need to get it all out and move on.  The thing that really resonated with me in his sermon is the prayer he said he uses at these times - "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Just for today."  Just for today - those three words change so much.  I love the Serenity Prayer; it's simple and to the point, but it's also broad in it's scope.  Saying "just for today" brings it down to a manageable size and makes it seem doable.  I used to worry a lot more about the future than I do now.  I think the experience of age teaches you that very few things in life are as catastrophic as they seem to be when you're young.  But I still have to work at it;  I still have to remind myself that God is with me no matter what happens in my life.  And one of the ways I will remind myself from now on is to add those three words to my prayers.  Today, I found God in the words Father Tom so wisely added to a wonderful prayer, "Just for today."

Saturday, December 1, 2012

The Bonsai Tree

Marlayna learned how to grow and trim bonsai trees a few years ago, and every now and then she'll start a new one.  She babies them as if they were pets, and they seem to respond accordingly.  She certainly didn't get her green thumb from me.  Most likely, it was from my dad who always has a huge vegetable garden and lots of fruit trees.  Anyway, last week she brought home this little tree (cedar, cypress? I don't remember) that she was beginning to nurture.  It weathers well so she left it on our front steps, and when Jeff and I left for our walk this morning we saw that she had hung a little red christmas ball from it.  It was adorable!  Though it's truly not scraggly, it reminded of the Charlie Brown tree.  We got such a kick out of seeing that little guy decorated for Christmas; it was a great way to start the day.  Sometimes simple is best, and today I found God in a single shiny, red ball on a tiny green tree.



Friday, November 30, 2012

Tiny Lights

It's been quite a day.  We got a new tivo and had to get it connected to cable, and things are not going well.  I've been on the phone back and forth between the two companies all day and just can't seem to get this problem resolved.  When the room started to darken, I realized I needed to write my blog, but how could I do that when the day consisted mostly of frustration?  I laid my head back, closed my eyes, and started praying.  When I opened them the room was darker still, and what stood out like little bits of hope were the tiny colored lights on our Christmas tree.  Just looking at them glowing made me happy, and I calmed down enough to realize this wasn't the end of the world.  I managed a work-around for the time being, and the big issue will get resolved eventually.  I never look forward to the task of Christmas decorating, but I do so enjoy the end result - this evening even more than usual.  Today, I found God in the colorful, little lights on our Christmas tree glowing in the gathering dusk.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Brilliant Moon

I woke up about 4:30 in the morning, stumbled into our bathroom, glanced up, and was almost blinded by the brightness of the moon!  We have a very high window in our bathroom, and the moon was perfectly centered in it just blazing it's light for all it was worth.  I had to squint my sleep-dilated eyes to be able to look at it.  It was a glorious sight, but I was sleepy, so I could only appreciate it for a few seconds before heading back to bed.  A couple hours later, I stepped out of the house for my walk, and there it was still shining brightly.  The sky had lightened, and the moon had moved a little farther along it's path so it wasn't quite as brilliant, but it was gorgeous all the same.  I found God today in the incredibly bright, white moon that practically lit up a whole room.  (This picture doesn't do it justice, but you can see how bright it is even in the early morning.)


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Soup and Crackers

It was my day to help out in the church office, and when I arrived there this afternoon,  I was a little tired but otherwise feeling okay.  By the time I left, it was a different story.  My stomach was queasy, I was exhausted, and generally just not feeling well.  The dinner I had prepared earlier that day just didn't appeal to me at all.  So I turned to that age old classic - soup and crackers.  I can't eat most store-bought soup because of the gluten and dairy, so I had to make my own.  I kept it simple, basically just chicken broth and rice, but oh my, it felt so good going down.  And I just found a good gluten-free cracker that's almost just like a saltine - bland, light, and crunchy.  Perfect with the soup.  It was a comforting meal that warmed me body and soul.  I found God today in that most reliable of remedies for just about anything that ails you - soup and crackers.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Cottony Clouds

The sky was gorgeous this morning.  The clouds were so thick and cottony that they looked like a comforter in the sky.  I was running errands so the only picture I got was from the Walmart parking lot, but the great thing about a beautiful sky is you get to appreciate no matter where you are.  Just look up! I found God today in the gorgeous cottony clouds that filled the sky like a warm blanket.



Monday, November 26, 2012

Glowing Leaves

It was a glorious morning - bright, clear, cold.  The air smelled so fresh.  We were in Maryland just a few days ago, and most of their fall color is gone.  We still have a few bright spots, however, and one of them stopped me in my tracks this morning.  It wasn't so much the color of the leaves - though they were a beautiful orange - as the way the sunlight was filtering through the trees, highlighting some parts while keeping others in shadow.  This one section of leaves just glowed with the light.  It's funny how God's light touches different parts of our lives at different times.  You never know when He will set something aglow in your life, but when it happens you just have to stop what you're doing and drink it in.  Today, God stopped me with those gorgeous orange leaves glowing in the morning light.  


Sunday, November 25, 2012

Homemade Decorations

We put up our Christmas decorations today.  Every year I plan to scale back, and this year I did... a little.  But the majority of our ornaments and decorations have sentimental value so it's hard to leave them in the box.  I've done a Christmas project with my kids every year since they were about five, so that means 20 years of homemade decorations.  How could I not put them up?  Once finished, our home is about as far from a "Better Homes and Gardens" designer holiday look as you can get.  But we all love it.  We laugh at some of the less successful projects and beam with pride over the ones that turned out well.  But invariably, they bring about great memories.  I had thought when my kids got older they would want to abandon the annual Christmas project, but they're more adamant than I am at this point that we do it - and they're 23 and 25!  The extensive decorating can be exhausting, but I wouldn't trade the memories wrapped up in our homemade projects for anything.  Today, I found God in every funny, beautiful, flawed decoration made by tiny hands now grown up.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

My Own Bed

Is there anything better than waking up in your own bed?  Whenever we're away, I'm reminded by the "not so comfortable" hotel bed just how special my own bed is.  It's just the right softness, just the right sheets, just the right pillow - I feel like Goldilocks!  It's soothing both physically and mentally to wake up at home.  When morning comes and it's time to face the day, it's always better when I start in my own bed.  Although, I always snuggle in for a few more minutes because it's just so hard to bring myself to climb out of it!  Today, I found God when I woke up in my own supremely comfortable bed.

Friday, November 23, 2012

"The First Noel"

We drove home from Maryland today, and our tradition is to start listening to Christmas music after Thanksgiving.  I have a huge playlist of Christmas music, and one of my all-time favorites played on the way home.  It's "The First Noel" done by Sarah McLachlan, and it's soul-stirring.  It's so different from any other version I've ever heard, and it just carries me away every time I listen to it.  I've been late getting into the Christmas spirit this year (I'm usually done my shopping by Thanksgiving, and I haven't even started!), but this song definitely got me on my way.  I found God today in this amazing version of "The First Noel".

The First Noel by Sarah McLachlan

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. There are no presents, not much in the way of decorating, no cards; it's just about food and family. At our table today we had vegans, vegetarians, me with my gluten and dairy free diet, and of course all the "normal" people. We have differing views on some things, and we think alike on others. But we all come together on this day for no other reason than to be together and to eat good food. It warms my heart. Sitting back at the table filled to bursting, I think how truly blessed we are to have such abundance, and not just of food but of family and love. Today, I found God in the obvious - a Thanksgiving filled with so much that I'm thankful for.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The Hamburger

Eating gluten and dairy free at home really isn't too difficult. Eating out is another story. I have to bring a lot of food with me because there just aren't that many options. So for our trip up to Maryland today I had lots of food packed to eat on the way. It's a good thing too because the drive was horrendous! There was just so much traffic on the road. We had decided to try and eat dinner out so my mother-in-law didn't have to cook because she's cooking the big meal tomorrow. After some internet searching we discovered that Red Robin was fairly allergen friendly so that's where we decided to go. Well guess what? I had a hamburger on a bun for the first time in about four years! I was so excited! After such a long day, it was a special treat to be able to eat like everybody else. I came away very full and happy. Today, I found God in my gluten free hamburger at Red Robin.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Stillness

It was another crazy day.  We're going to Maryland for Thanksgiving, so I'm packing, making food to take up, and just doing the usual running around.  Jeff had an appointment this afternoon, Marlayna is at work, and I finally quit moving and sat down to write my blog.  I took a deep breath to calm down and that's when I noticed it.  The stillness was palpable.  It was quiet, and the room was darkening so all the sharp edges were blurred in the greying light.  The whole atmosphere in the room felt soft and peaceful.  It only takes a moment.  When you stop, and breathe, and let God in, peace will fill you if you let it.  What a blessing.  Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God." Oh, yes. I found Him today in that stillness that I could almost touch.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Successful Search

What a hectic day!  Jeff and I both hit the ground running and haven't stopped.  One of the many chores I had to do today was to run down to the Charter office in Nags Head and switch out our cable box.  I had called ahead to make sure the new box would be compatible with everything we had and they assured me it would.  Well it was compatible with our tv, but not with our tivo.  We needed one more cable.  We've had this tivo box for about seven years now so we were trying to hook up old stuff with new stuff - you know how it is.  So I dug out the tivo instructions, figured out that the cable we needed had been included with everything else seven years ago, and the hunt was on.  I don't know about you, but I save almost all the various cables that come with stuff because you never know when you're going to need them.  I went digging through a huge tangle of cables that I've saved but to no avail.  I looked everywhere I might have put it and nothing.  Finally I noticed something way back on a shelf in the laundry room - I don't know why I would have put it there - and lo and behold, there it was!  Woohoo!!  We hooked it up and everything worked perfectly!  Out of all the craziness today, finding that cable was a huge bright spot.  Things stayed hectic for a while after that, but the elation I felt from finding something I was searching for stayed with me.  It's the little things that carry us through, and I found God today in my successful search for that cable.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Pumpkin Pie

I love pumpkin pie.  But traditional pumpkin pie has gluten in the crust and dairy in the pie filling so I can't eat it anymore.  Last year, I got the filling right but the crust wasn't too good.  Earlier this year, I figured out how to make a good crust.  Today, I put them together for the first time in an awesome gluten and dairy free pumpkin pie.  Yummm!!!  It smelled amazing while it was baking - the scent of pumpkin and spices filling the house.  I could hardly wait for it to cool enough to be able to eat it.  I took my first bite, and oh yeah, that's the stuff I was missing.  I found God today in my delectable gluten and dairy free pumpkin pie.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

All The Good People

Jeff and I helped out at the bake table at Holly Days today, and I was reminded again of the goodness in people.  So many people today told us to keep the change when purchasing their goodies.  So many people volunteered their time, effort, and talents to make our Christmas Bazaar a success.  It felt so good to be a part of it.  I know there's a lot of bad stuff going on in the world, and it's easy to succumb to those negative forces and start to look at the world as mostly bad.  But days like today serve as a reminder that the world is mostly good - people are mostly good.  It's all a matter of where you put your focus.  You can focus on "all the bad", or on the little bits of good.  I like to think of those bits of good like grains of sand.  Tiny little things that altogether can sometimes hold back an ocean.  And even when they're overcome, they're not lost - just spread out and waiting to re-group.  (Or in our case here on the Outer Banks, to "re-dune"!)  Well, today I put my focus on Holly Days - a giant sand dune of goodness - and I found God in all the good people there.

Friday, November 16, 2012

The White Feather

Today was the first day of "Holly Days" - a two day Christmas bazaar that our church does every year. Jeff and I are helping out tomorrow, but he had to work today so I walked up to look around for a while.  (Our church is right up the street so it's not a very long walk.)  I talked to a lot of people (very talented people!), saw a lot of really cool stuff, and then headed home.  As I was walking down the street, I noticed something small and white circling in the road up ahead.  I didn't have my glasses on so I had to get right up on it to see what it was.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  It was a small white feather skating across the surface of a puddle of water in the road.  It was tilted up on its side and somehow the wind was causing it to circle around and around.  It didn't blow away, it didn't tip over, and it didn't sink.  It looked like a magic trick!  Actually, it looked like one of those children's novelty toys where the little magnetized people skate around on a mirror meant to look like a pond.  But there were no magnets, no mirrors, nothing up any sleeves - just another of God's little wonders.  I stood there watching it for a few minutes, entranced and delighted.  I seem to have a trend going with feathers lately, because I found God in that pure white feather performing magic on a puddle of water in the road.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Colorful Grey Day

It's been overcast a lot lately, but on my walk today, I saw so many beautiful fall colors that couldn't be dimmed by the grey skies.  I know we don't get the broad sweeps of autumn color that they do up north, but it's definitely all around us in small doses - you just have to look for it.  And it seemed that the more I looked, the more I saw.  I took so many pictures of brilliantly colored leaves that I hadn't noticed before.  Granted, a lot of them are vines and weeds, but hey, so what?  God granted them beauty, too, in vibrant gold, purple, and red.  We can't all be gorgeous sugar maples, but we each have our own kind of beauty - our own vibrant color.  And isn't that the coolest thing?  That we can bring our own color to the world?  Altogether, the weeds, trees, grasses, etc. made for a very colorful grey day, and that is where I found God today.









Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Purple Feather

Last Sunday at church, I saw that Pat had two little pink feathers in her hair.  I loved it and told her so.  It was like the pink, fuzzy hat I wrote about a little while ago - just something fun.  Well, guess what?  She so inspired me that at my hair appointment today I got a long, purple feather attached to my hair!  I've never done anything like this before, and it's made me so happy!  There's definitely something to be said for getting older.  I've always been more practical than carefree, but as I've aged, I've decided that needs to change.  I want to loosen up, and my purple feather is just a start.  I walked out of that salon today with a big smile on my face and a bounce in my step.  Today, I found God in a fun and fanciful purple feather.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Playful Moment

It was fairly warm when I left for the grocery store early this morning, but it was definitely cooling off by the time I headed home.  The sky had clouded over, the wind was picking up, and just as I rounded a bend in the road, a shower of autumn leaves came raining down over my car.  It startled me because it was so unexpected, and I laughed at myself over the surprise it gave me.  It was beautiful, but more than that, it was playful and fun.  God can instill those qualities in even the most mundane task.  If He has a sense of humor, (and I believe He does) then He probably got quite a chuckle at the start He gave me over those tumbling, swirling leaves.  I found God today in the playful moment He threw into my ordinary morning routine.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Foggy Morning

There was a low-lying fog hanging about early this morning, and it provided for some beautiful pictures.  The golden light of the early morning sunrise combined with the fog created a magical scene.  Every time I took a picture, I'd walk a few more steps and see another one I just had to take.  Today, I found God in these beautiful foggy images.









Sunday, November 11, 2012

Golden Archway

What a glorious day!  We took a walk on the beach and decided to come back through Chicahauk.  As we drove through the neighborhood, I was captured by the beauty of the sunlight glowing through the leaves in the tall trees.  They created a golden archway almost the entire length of the road.  Between the amazing colors of the ocean (which was almost exactly like the color of the sound which I described yesterday), the mild temperature which was so nice we had our windows rolled down, and that amazing golden glow overhead, I had to exclaim again how thankful I am to live in such a beautiful place.  I found God today in that glorious golden archway on this gorgeous autumn day.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Liquid Satin

Jeff and I drove up to Chesapeake today, and as we crossed the bridge over the sound, we were both taken in by the incredible beauty of the water.  It had a pale, icy blue color that was almost opalescent. The surface was so smooth and had such a sheen to it that it looked like liquid satin.  Add in the tinge of pink that was still lingering on the horizon, and the whole effect was breathtaking.  It was disappointing to reach the end of the bridge and not be able to physically see it anymore.  I could have watched it all day.  And yet it had such an effect on me that I can still see it clearly in my mind.  Today, I found God in the smooth, satiny waters of the Albemarle Sound.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Wordless Prayer

I read a devotional by Rick Warren on a regular basis, and today he was talking about slowing down our busy lives enough to hear God.  Obviously, we all want to hear God, but in Mr. Warren's words, "We say, 'Lord, speak to me but do it quickly.'"  I know I do that quite often, especially here lately when it seems I've been busier than ever.  So today I was determined to slow down.  I decided to do some yoga.  I don't do it nearly enough which is a shame because you have to slow down to do yoga.  I thought I'd go through my moves, and then be relaxed enough to sit and meditate and listen for God.  But what I found was that the moves themselves were like a prayer.  I have a regular routine that I go through, and the slow, steady moves, the stretches, the breathing - it all became a prayer to God.  My body was saying what my mind so often can't find the words for.  Using the temple of my body, I prayed wordlessly, and that is where I found God today.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Scent of Cold

It was a chilly morning with a strong, cold wind.  It's not winter yet, but there was the smell of winter cold in the air.  It's so hard to describe the scent of "cold" - clean, pure, crisp, fresh.  It's one of the things I love most about this time of year.  And on my walk this morning, I was breathing it in so deeply - filling my lungs with that amazing scent.  I spent the rest of the day working indoors, but when I went to stand at our storm door this afternoon that wonderful scent was working it's way through the cracks.  I opened the door and let it wash over me.  Ahhhh......  Yet another of God's many wonders - giving such a wonderful smell to cold air.  I found Him today in the scent of cold.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Needle and Thread

I bought a pair of pants recently that I love, but they were just too long.  (I never used to have that problem - either they're making pants longer or I'm shrinking!)  I have a sewing machine and I used to sew from time to time, but I haven't gotten it out in years.  So I went about hemming my pants the old-fashioned way - with a needle and thread.  It took me about an hour so I had a lot of time to think.  And I thought about how back in the old days women used to have to sew everything this way.  I just can't imagine the time and the work involved in that.  Needless to say, we've got it easier these days, but it felt good to know I could still sew by hand when I need to.  Okay, maybe "sewing" is stretching it; but I can at least hem pants!  Anyway, I was very happy when I was done - both with myself and with the pants.  I found God today in the good old-fashioned needle and thread.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Angel Face

I know  a lot of people actually enjoy yardwork, but I doubt there are many adults that enjoy it as much as children do.  I was on my way back from voting and drove past a mom and her young daughter working in the yard.  The little girl - who couldn't have been more than three or four years old - had a small rake in her hand, and just as I went past, she turned to run toward her mom.  I can still clearly see her adorable little face lit up with pure joy.  I guess she had just finished whatever task she'd been given, because she had a look of accomplishment about her.  One of those "Look what I did!" expressions that lights up a kid's face with such pride.  It was a cloudy day, but that child's face beamed straight at me like a ray of sunshine; it filled me up so that I actually caught my breath and laughed out loud.  I found God today in the sweet angel face of a child beaming from a job well done.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Morning Chat

Marlayna is living in the apartment over our garage temporarily.  She's only been there a few months, but I've gotten quite used to having her around - especially in the mornings.  Every now and then, she has a little extra time before work, and she'll come down and have a cup of tea and chat for a bit.  Nothing major, but it's nice to hear her talk about what's going on in her life, and it emphasizes our friendship.  Friendship is something I've strived for with both of my children, and I'm happy to say I've succeeded.  I still need to be in my parental role now and again (mainly for advice), but more and more, we just get to be great friends.  I know I'll  still talk with Marlayna on the phone when she moves on, just like I do with my son, but I'll miss the face-to-face talks... and the hugs before she heads out the door.  I thank God for the special relationship I have with my kids, and I found Him today in my morning chat with Marlayna.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Psalm 121

One of my devotionals today referred to Psalm 121.  I've read it many times before, but for some reason today it really struck me.  Maybe because I've been feeling both overwhelmed, and "under-energized". (I know that's not a real word, but it fits how I feel!)   These lines specifically, "I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth... he who keeps you will not slumber."  How those words lift my spirits!  To know that my "help" is always there when I need it.  A little while after I read the psalm, Jeff and I drove out to look at the ocean. It had just barely started to sprinkle rain, and the words, "...the Lord, who made heaven and earth...he who keeps you will not slumber" seemed particularly appropriate for the scene in front of us.  I found God today in Psalm 121 - in both the spiritual and physical sense.







Saturday, November 3, 2012

The Little Frog

I was about to head out our front door today when I saw what I thought was a bright green leaf.  Looking closer, I saw it was a little frog.  I ran to get my camera, snuck back quietly, and took a picture.  Then I moved in a little closer for a better picture, and he remained perfectly still.  I got right up close to him, and he still didn't move.  I realized there was something wrong with him.  I called Jeff because I'm allergic to anything outdoors - plants, trees, wildlife... you name it.  We decided that maybe he was too cold to move.  Our front porch is very shaded, and it was a cold morning.  Jeff scooped him up and took him to the back deck where the sun was shining brightly.  Within a few minutes, little froggy had hopped onto the wall of the house.  About half an hour later, Marlayna came down, and I told her to go out and look at him.  He was gone.  I was sorry he didn't hang around a little longer because he was so darn cute!  But I was happy that he had found the strength to hop away.  All it took was some sunshine, warmth, and a little TLC - a good prescription for whatever ails you.  I found God today in bringing some warmth to our little froggy friend and getting him hopping again.


Friday, November 2, 2012

Contrasts

Jeff and I went to the "tea park" this morning.  Once or twice a week, we'll get hot tea from Starbucks, then drive to the park and just sit in the car and drink our tea and talk.  There was a cold breeze this morning, but the sun was shining brightly so it started to get a little warm in the car.  I opened the windows part-way and the cold wind felt wonderful.  It was such an enjoyable contrast - the warm sun and hot tea contrasted against the cold breeze.  I realized it's the contrast that makes so many things enjoyable.  A rainy day after a long stretch of sunny days or vice versa.  Spring after winter, and fall after summer.  Having everything the same all the time would just get boring, don't you think?  I found God today in the refreshing contrasts of warm sun and cold wind at our tea park outing.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

The Pink Fuzzy Hat

I had to stop by Betsy's house this morning, and there was a couple getting ready to leave just as I was coming in.  The woman (I can't remember her name - I'm so bad with names!) had on the cutest bright pink, fuzzy hat.  And I mean fuzzy - almost to the point of furry.  I just loved it!  I wanted to tell her but we had some confusion as I was parked behind them, and they were leaving, and I was rushing...  So I never got to say anything.  It's the type of thing I would have never worn a few years ago, but as I've gotten older, I've decided to loosen up and have a little more fun with clothing, accessories, hairstyles and whatnot.  I never really cared about fitting in, but I also didn't want to stand out in any particular way - or especially in an unusual way.  But now, I just don't care.  If I like something, I'm going for it.  Like the pink, fuzzy hat.  Maybe since I've learned to crochet, I can make myself one!  Today, I found God in that fun little hat that stood out like an exclamation point on an ordinary day.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Walking After Sandy

We finally were able to take a walk again this morning.  Walking after Sandy was an adventure of dodging piles of pine needles, debris, and sticks, though not nearly to the extent that we had to after Irene last year.  Oh, but it was also so very delightful!  I usually walk every day so missing four days left me quite antsy.  I breathed in the strong, cold wind and was so grateful to be back outdoors.  It makes you feel so alive after being cooped up for so long.  Cold wind, fresh air, bright sun, and exercise - I found God today out walking after Sandy.  (By the way, I kept hearing the melody to "Walking After Midnight" as I was writing this.  Just sayin'...)

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Weathering the Storm

The wind was still blowing like crazy this morning.  At one point, I looked out back, and there was a squirrel sitting on the deck railing.  I guess he had paused in his running back and forth.  For some reason, the squirrels seem to find a need to run from one end of our deck to the other; sometimes with nuts, sometimes I think they're just having fun.  But what amazed me about this little guy was that he was calmly sitting there in such strong winds like it was a calm, pleasant day.  As we've seen in the past couple of days, nature is very powerful and sometimes destructive, but also incredibly resilient.  That little squirrel weathered the storm, and then went about his day today running nuts (or whatever) from one end of our deck to the other.  And ultimately, that's what we do, too - weather the storms.  That's how God made us.  I found Him today in that resilient little squirrel calmly braving the winds.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Avgolemono Soup

It was definitely a soup day today, and lucky for me, I had made a batch of avgolemono soup a couple of days ago.  It's a greek soup that we used to eat a lot growing up, and I found a super-easy recipe for it several years ago.  It translates literally to egg-lemon soup, and it has chicken broth, rice, and a little dill along with the requisite egg and lemon.  It's so good, and perfect for a cold, blustery day like today. I sat down with my steaming bowl of soup and was warmed from the inside out.  Ahhhh... pure comfort.  I found God today in my yummy, satisfying bowl of avgolemono.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

"Composing" a Storm

I sat down to write my blog and was looking out the window at the storm, praying and thinking on where I found God today.  We had had music playing for quite a while - a playlist of about 45 songs.  I was getting into my zone - watching the trees bend and sway in the strong winds with the rain pouring down, when I realized the piece that was playing was a perfect soundtrack for the storm.  It was right about the 2 minute mark, and the strings were as dramatic as the frantically waving trees.  It filled me with wonder that someone could "compose" a storm.  The piece ends as subtly as it begins, the storm has passed, and all is calm.  It was a dramatic moment, watching the storm outside coincide with the music inside where I was safe and warm, and it was in that moment that I found God today.

This is a link to the piece if you'd like to listen to it.

Primavera by Ludovico Einaudi


Saturday, October 27, 2012

Crocheting Again

Today I learned to crochet again.  My aunt first taught me when I was a teenager, and I crocheted several afghans up through my early twenties.  I only knew how to do one type of stitch at a time - nothing fancy - so I always did various types of afghans.  When I was expecting my first child - my son, Morgan - I started an afghan for him.  He was born before I completed it, and to this day (25 years later) it remains unfinished.  I had this lovely notion of crocheting while my babies slept and/or played alongside me.  I quickly found out motherhood is nothing like that. :)  I remained busy from then till now with a few breaks along the way, but for some reason I never got back to my crocheting.  Until now.  I happened to come across a video online and thought I'd try it out again.  I bought yarn and a crochet hook, and guess what?  It's like riding a bike!  I can do it!  I was so pleased with how easily I fell back into the rhythm of this wonderful craft.  I still have a few bugs to work out, but I love it.  It was so comforting working the yarn and watching my crochet fabric grow.  Re-learning an old craft that brought me so much enjoyment - that is where I found God today.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Cozy Day at Home

I love a vacation, but it's always so nice to come home.  And even though we had a lot to catch up on today, at least we had the perfect weather to do it.  It was overcast, with a cool, autumn breeze blowing through the windows, and occasionally we would get a rain shower - a perfect day to enjoy the comfort of being home.  It seemed like anytime I was getting bogged down in my to-do list, a little breeze would refresh me, or I'd get distracted by the lovely sound of rain falling.  Is there any sound more soothing than rainfall?  It was awesome weather for a cozy day at home, and that is where I found God today.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Great In-Laws

We're home from our three day trip to the Williamsburg area with my in-laws.  Jeff and I were staying at an inn in Yorktown, and his parents joined us there for breakfast this morning.  After the meal, it was time to head home, but Dad wanted to take a quick look at a house just a little way down the street that had a cannonball still stuck in the side of it.  I decided to join him while Jeff and his mom did some last-minute transfers between their vehicle and ours.  It was a cool, misty morning - great for our quick walk.  We got to the house, Dad took some pictures, and we headed back, chatting along the way.  He and I were laughing about some joke that I don't even remember when it struck me again how blessed I am to have such a great relationship with them.  They truly feel like "Mom and Dad" as much as my own parents do.  As I sat here thinking on where I found God today, I saw the scene from this morning -  Dad's face laughing along with me, and Mom up ahead waiting for us in the cool, soft grey light.  The blessing of great in-laws, great family... yes, that is where I found Him today.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Mango "Ice Cream"

Yesterday, Jeff and his parents got ice cream at Dairy Queen, and I just had to sit and watch since I can't eat dairy foods. But this morning at breakfast, one of the other guests mentioned that there was a Ben & Jerry's close by, and guess what? Ben & Jerry's has the best dairy free sorbet! I discovered it on a trip to Maine a few years ago, and I've only had it one time since then. I couldn't wait for us to go. Finally, after lunch we drove down into town for ice cream/sorbet. I got the mango sorbet, and my mouth was watering before I ever took my first bite. Oh my goodness!! It's so creamy you'd swear there was actual cream in it. It was amazing, and best of all I got to eat "ice cream" right along with everyone else. :) Yay! I found God today in Ben & Jerry's creamy, dreamy mango "ice cream"!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

York River Sunrise

We had a wonderful time touring Jamestown today. The weather was gorgeous, the crowds minimal, and time spent with my in-laws is always a lot of fun. But first thing this morning, Jeff called me to come see the sunrise over the river. We're on the third floor of the inn, and he had opened the window to get a clear view. The cold, fresh air was the perfect accent to the pinks and golds filling the sky and the water. Standing there with the chill air and the colors washing over me I knew that would be my God moment of the day. Today, I found Him in the amazing sunrise over the York River.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Yellow Leaves

We're visiting Williamsburg for a few days with my in-laws. I had parked our car at their campground and was waiting for them to maneuver into their space. My window was open, and I had my arm resting on the sill, and my chin resting on my arm as I watched Jeff help direct the camper into its spot. I was feeling very relaxed and almost sleepy as I watched these goings-on when suddenly a whirl of bright yellow leaves cascaded down all around us. It was enchanting! It definitely woke me from my stupor and I lifted my head and looked all around trying to take it all in. The cool breeze, the sun shining, the leaves falling - it was like an autumn wonderland. Though It was over in seconds, I found God in that brief moment of beauty when the yellow leaves rained from the sky.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Ocean's Gift

The madness never stops.  It seems like we just run, run, run all the time.  But wait, no, that's not exactly true.  Today, Jeff and I took a few minutes to walk out to the ocean.  And as I stood there, the blessedly cool wind blowing my hair straight back from my face, I closed my eyes and was at peace.  I felt a light spray of the salty ocean on my skin... it was a gift.  It was a short respite, but it renewed me, and I thanked God for it.  The ocean is one of God's greatest gifts to us; I was blessed by it and found Him there today in it's magnificent, calming presence.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Electric Jack

I mentioned my electric jack-o-lantern in my blog last week when I was writing about candy corn, but for some reason I just kept forgetting to put it out.  Jeff, however, was right on top of things,  and when we went out for tea he mentioned that he had set it up for me.  I was very glad he took care of it, but then it went right out of my mind, so later when we were pulling into the driveway, it was a nice surprise for me to see it's little plastic smiling face. (It doesn't take much, I know.)  It always makes me smile when I look at it.  Maybe it's just because you can't help but smile at something (or someone) who's smiling at you, but that big, toothy, orange grin makes me happy whenever I see it.  I'm glad someone around here finally remembered to get Jack out of the closet because that is where I found God today.


Friday, October 19, 2012

Renewed Appreciation

We were all bemoaning the fact that it's in the 70's today.  We're so ready for some cooler temperatures, but except for a day here and there, it seems fall weather is taking it's own sweet time.  The funny thing is, I used to dream of this kind of weather.  I hated being cold.  If I'm truly objective, I have to admit our temperatures here are pretty good.  Not too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter.  But somehow that doesn't keep me from griping.  Then Marlayna mentioned that it was only 16 degrees in Fairbanks, AK where her boyfriend is stationed.  Well now, doesn't that just put things in perspective!!  So I changed my outlook.  I decided today's weather wasn't so bad after all, and when the cooler days come, I'll just appreciate them that much more.  I found God today in my renewed appreciation of our beautiful weather here on the Outer Banks.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Licking the Frosting

I've been feeling overwhelmed lately.  It seems as if the to-do list is never ending.  Today, one of the things on my list was to bake a cake.  I got it in the oven, did some stuff while it was baking, and then took it out to cool.  Finally, it was time to frost the cake.  I usually drop the frosting on in dots, and then smooth it around to connect them - it keeps the cake from crumbling on top.  I smoothed the frosting around, evened it out till I was satisfied, then almost without thinking I licked the spatula.  Yummm!!!  It's almost like I woke from a trance.  I went at that spatula like nobody's business - licked it totally clean.  Happy, happy, happy!  That's all I was thinking.  What's a to-do list when you've got frosting waiting to be licked?  It's absolutely one of life's little pleasures, and that's where I found God today.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Mackerel Sky

The sunrise this morning was stunning.  I learned from Jeff a long time ago that this type of cloud formation is called a "mackerel sky", supposedly because the clouds resemble mackerel scales.  I have no idea what mackerel scales look like, but I do know the sky this morning took my breath away.  I have no other words.  Here are the pictures.  This is where I found God today.

(The pictures were all taken within a few minutes of each other and are in sequence.  You can see the deepening colors as the sun rises, and then the slight lightening as it gets higher in the sky.)