Fresh, Hot Rolls

My birthday is tomorrow, but we wanted to go to the Barnes & Noble in Chesapeake, and a restaurant in Virginia Beach, so we decided to go today so it would be a little less crowded.  Jeff had researched and found a restaurant with a gluten-free menu as a surprise for me.  So after browsing the bookstore, we headed to the restaurant for lunch.  He had told me at this point where we were going, and I knew to expect a gluten-free menu, but there was one thing I still did not expect - rolls!  Oh my goodness!  The waitress brought regular rolls to the table for Jeff and Marlayna, and then said the gluten-free rolls were in the oven and would be out soon.  I almost fell on the floor.  I've gotten so used to watching everyone else at the table enjoy bread that I really don't think about it anymore.  A few minutes later she brought out piping hot rolls and they were really good!  I doubt they compared with the regular ones at the table, but I don't care.  Just being offered them made me feel special and normal at the same time.  She even brought olive oil for dipping since I can't have the butter.  We had an awesome day - fun at the bookstore, good conversation on the drive, lots of joking around, and good food at lunch.  But the highlight for me was my excitement over those fresh, hot rolls.  Today, I found God in the simple joy of eating bread in a restaurant just like everyone else.

Green Light From God

We said goodbye to Jeff's cat Calvin today.  He had been sick for quite a while, but took a sudden turn for the worse in the past couple of days.  Needless to say, it was very difficult; sad and emotional.  Even though we knew it was coming, the end was hard.  So as I drove to the vet, I was wondering where I would find God in this day.  We strongly suspected but didn't know for sure till we got there if this would be the end.  I was going over this in my mind as I drove, wondering if we were making the right decision to put him down.  I had just finished a prayer and was approaching a stoplight that in my memory has always been straightforward red or green.  I had to make a right turn and when I looked up, there was a green arrow pointing to the right.  Obviously, that green arrow has always been there, but I can honestly say I've never seen it before, and the timing...  I believe it was God giving me the go-ahead.  Saying, "Yes, you're making the right decision; it's going to be okay.  Calvin is in My hands now."  It may seem like a strange sign, but it was very comforting to me.  There were still many tears shed as we said goodbye, and I know there are many more to come, but there's also a peace.  A peace that I found in a green light from God, and that is where I found Him today.

Emails from Barbara

I got an email from Barbara T. today, and it made me so happy.  We don't communicate often, but from time to time she'll send an email about something she thinks I would like or be interested in.  It warms my heart to know she's thought of me and taken the time to write to me.  In her email today, one of the things she mentioned was being inspired by my blog, but I'm inspired by her.  Her warmth just spills out of her and onto those around her.  You can't help but feel it, and I'm blessed to be touched by it.  We sent a few emails back and forth this morning, and they were the highlight of my day.  Today, I found God in the thoughtfulness and warmth so evident in the messages my dear friend, Barbara sent to me.

Regular Life

We always take down our Christmas decorations on New Year's Day.  While it's a little sad to see them put away for another year, it's nice to get the house - and our lives - back to normal.  I really enjoy the holidays with all of the special events, the get-togethers, and especially the food!  But once January 1st hits, I relish getting back to my routine.  It's comforting, and feels quiet compared to the "loudness" of the holiday whirlwind.  So today, once everything was put away, we sat and relaxed with a cup of tea and watched the rain fall.  I felt the comfort of our "regular" life settle around me like a cozy blanket.  I snuggled into it, and found God there wrapped in the blanket with me.

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!!

"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.

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.