I have a friend who always told me, “Plan Your Work; Work Your Plan. Easy for her. I am not disciplined. A “fly by the seat of your pants” kind of person. I feed on the spontaneity of the moment. Then crash when I’m crunched up against a deadline. Everyone around the house scurries to help me make my deadline when we have company coming. And because of their generosity and love, company arrives with smiles on OUR faces! … Continue reading →
Requests for my Mom’s melt-in-your-mouth orange loaf recipe and her moist, rich chocolate cake have been pulsing to me through the electronic chat waves. Just writing these down transported me to my childhood days, rich aromas from the kitchen, family gatherings, basking in the love of those held dear, and learning to cook from one of the best–my Mom. So these are a tribute to you Mom, with thanks and fond memories. Orange Loaf Cakea recipe from Betty Crocker … Continue reading →
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem,so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.”Psalm 125: 2 NIV Strong. Majestic. Protecting. The mountains enfold me. They encircle me with peace and comfort. I look up in awe beholding this creation that speaks God’s glory to me. Sturdy. Unmovable. Like a sentinel they guard the city. A reflection of their Creator. This psalm, engraved in concrete, above the doors of the church I attended as a young girl. I never … Continue reading →
“O Lord my God, I will give You thanks, forever!” Psalm 30 ends with this proclamation from the depths of the writer’s heart. What gives rise to such overwhelming thanksgiving to the Lord? Does it come from a life where every circumstance and event has turned out as we hoped or expected? This kind of thanksgiving only comes after a period of trial. After the Lord has pulled His child from the pit. After one’s life has been … Continue reading →
Running errands yesterday, my eyes took note of the many places waving the “high flying flag”. That would be the one George M Cohan wrote about. The one that symbolizes this great free country of ours–the Grand Ole USA. Flapping in the mild desert wind, the flag flew high on many posts. Singing patriotism in front of a gas station. Pointing the way home at the entrance of an apartment complex. Declaring freedom at a medical facility. Proudly … Continue reading →
On Day Three of the workshop, we are to promote a post on our blog. I will be attempting to do this through Facebook and through our Email contacts. There are few times where my husband has imposed his will upon mine, but they stand out in our marriage as times where the mighty hand of God was moving. One such instance occurred on a cozy winter evening while I was cuddled up with my plans for … Continue reading →
Blustery, cool May days blew across this desert yesterday. Unseasonal for this time of year when temperatures hover in the high 90s. How refreshing for us desert dwellers. A few more days before the 6-month summer highs hit. Still time to enjoy lavish flowers, spin around on the freshly mowed lawn, bake one more sweet cake, and cuddle on the sofa. Wrapped in spring’s sweet memories, I give thanks today on Multitude Monday: 11. for cool days … Continue reading →
Life is not perfect. Only God is perfect! But that is not the way I have lived. I have looked at every circumstance, every event, every decision I make, and every one of my actions as necessitating perfection. Or it couldn’t possibly be the right one~or the one from God. My way of thinking has bound me up in knots, stifled my ability to make decisions, helped me procrastinate, and attempted to put me in control instead of … Continue reading →
Refreshing rains fall from the heavens above and wet this desert land. A late spring rain gives the earth its last free drink of water until the summer monsoons sizzle on the hot dirt. The chilly air blows in and I wrap myself in the warmth of a fuzzy sweatshirt. Probably my last chance until temperatures drop again next fall. The air smells clean and free. My heart dances as the rain washes away the dirt-clogs of my … Continue reading →
Like three giddy girls, we begin our day of exploring Arizona’s Sabino Canyon. We long to hike beside the stream that hopefully still holds water from winter snow and heavy rains. Unlike most years, this spring the desert is ablaze with flowers–blue lupines, desert marigolds, purple-pink penstemon. I hold a map of the canyon’s hiking trails and attempt to lead our trio on an unforgettable hike. Two steps and one of us stops to snap a picture. … Continue reading →
