Winter Garden

A couple of days ago, I was standing in front of my bookshelf trying to decide what to read next. I reached for Kristin Hannah's new book, merely to check it out. I know this sounds a bit silly, but for a split second this feeling came over me and I knew this was the book I was to read right now.

I couldn't put it down until I finished it yesterday afternoon. Tears poured down my face in the final pages. I have read every one of Hannah's books and enjoyed them. Winter Garden is, without a doubt, my favorite. What a beautifully crafted story that takes the reader on a journey with unexpected twists and turns and deep emotion. I have always believed the mother/daughter connection has a powerful impact on a woman's life. Oh, here it is. I loved this book.   On a personal note: when you read Winter Garden, my sweet daughter- and I know you will- know, too, that I love you more than words can say.

What is Going On?

There are seasons of ease and seasons when everything seems to be a fight. I know several friends of mine that are living in the latter. It's a time when that shield of faith is feeling mighty heavy. A few years ago I went to a women's conference where this banner was displayed. Hope it encourages someone today.
I spent the night coughing non-stop. It's been a challenging week.

7 Things Pick-Me-Up

This was the scene in my bedroom one afternoon last week as I tried to pass the time and get well. Now it's getting old and I must say  after several days of this and sleeping part-time in our uncomfortable recliner last night to stop coughing, I am discouraged.
I thought the award challenge on Sherry's Blog Might pick me up a bit.
 http://everydaypossibilities.blogspot.com/2010/02/thisis-me.html
 The challenge is to tell 7 things about myself.  Here goes:

1. I dream of being healthy, feeling good every day.
2. I like to organize and change things around.
3. I question at times if blogging is a waste of time.
4. Unlike Sherry, I am a fan of the Olympics :)
5. The first book I cried in was "Exodus" by Leon Uris. I read it as a girl.
6. I miss my horseback riding lessons.
7. Love color!
8. One morning a week, I work in the office for my husband.
9. I constantly struggle with guilt over eating chocolate for fear of how it affects my body.
10. I'm coughing right now.

There you have it, but remember today isn't one of my best days. Maybe I'll revise later.

Blogging for Bliss

I love this book. This morning as I was thumbing through it, I came upon a site from which I could download templates EASILY to my blog. Thus the new template today. Yay!
I'm happy now:) and that is saying something amidst the coughing and blowing my nose.
 Do you have any blogging tips you would like to share? Feel free.

To Be Continued...

I had such a good start on my baby quilt Tuesday. I bought the material nearly a year ago and determined that I would work on it this week. As I sewed, my chest became more and more congested. I fianlly succumbed to the cold my husband has had for several days. I've been sick ever since. Today I thought I would change my blog, but I ran out of steam before I could get it the way I wanted it. So for now, forgive the work in progress. I'll be back when feeling better.

Crowns and Coffee

Thanks for the comments on my crown, gals.  I forgot to take my camera with me, but the craft was a big hit. We spent an entire hour on their crowns and each one was unique. Lots of fun.

I saw this sign in the little restaurant that I blogged about a couple of days ago. Sorry I cut a bit off but you get the message. Dedicated to you, daughter :)

Valentine's Day Crown

I struggled all week to come up with a craft for the kids tonight at church. I kept thinking collage but that's as far as I could get. Saturday morning my prayer group met and I bounced it off them. Finally I came up with making a crown. Of course, I needed to do a test run so I made myself one. Once I got started I had a ball. Hope the kids have as much fun as I did ! Happy Valentine's Day.

A Blessing Day

"Hey, I want to do something! What do you say?" This was my hello to Barb today. We haven't spent a day together for as long as I can remember. She was free, so we headed to Houlton. There's not a lot to do here in northern Maine in the winter if you are not an outdoor sports person, but we had a plan. We would visit the second-hand bookstore, check out the health food store and visit a little restaurant where I had never had the pleasure to eat . It was delightful! The carrot-ginger soup was definitely on the spicy side, but the salad was delicious. More than that I loved the atmosphere. I always feel a bit deprived because we don't have any unique little places to eat. The Shamrock was a treat. Later, armed with a chocolate almond candy bar and a bag of books from our daytrip, I made a cup of candy cane tea and nestled into my cozy home. Today was one of those Blessing days.

There Are Days...

There are days when it seems like a chore to put one foot in front of the other and other days that just seem to flow. I would call this an in-between day. I didn't sleep well last night so I woke up tired. With every intention of hitting the gym after errands I popped my bag in the car and headed for town. The roads were a bit testy, the errands took a bit longer and lunchtime was fast appraoching by the time I left the grocery store. I knew I'd be pushing past wisdom to take the extra time at the gym, so I came home.

Angel of Healing

A bowl of hot soup and two episodes of Gilmore Girls later, I tackled some computer work and landed here. Now what to have for supper? Other than the load of towels in the dryer and food in the refigerator, not much was accomplished today. So glad that life isn't one continuous day aren't you? I pray the angel of healing visits me tonight with fresh strength for tomorrow.

Morning Ritual

Saturday morning, light snow falling, cozy fire burning, cup of honey-vanilla camomille tea. Mmm, it doesn't get any better than this.
I seem to be reading a lot of posts about morning rituals so here is mine:

Wake up and pray over my family before my feet hit the floor.
Out of bed, drink lukewarm water with a vitamin, start the fire in the kitchen, make my bed, open the curtains, head for my chair. Another bottle of water or a cup of tea in hand, I write in my journal and open my Bible to hear what God is saying over my life that day.

Lately I have been pondering one word from Hebrews 13:21. "Equip"
Beth Moore shared that it is the same Greek word found in Matthew 4:21 for "mend" their nets. It means to prepare or repair. It's the repair that got me, the picture of mending by stitching.

I've often wondered over the years why God has taken such a long time to heal my body, soul, and spirit. When I came to Him many years ago I was a broken wounded young woman. He could have miraculously transformed me, as He's done for others. But for some reason, He chose to take the long way around- stitch by stitch.

I must say throughout this process there have been many good qualities added to my life. But I made so many mistakes along the way. Most of the time, I see the underside of the embroidered masterpiece He is creating- a mess of knots and loose ends and seemingly mismatched threads. Once in a while, I get a glimpse of the picture and it has a word written etched within.
Grace.

Catching Up with Old Friends

I'm glad I left you smilin' since I've taken so long to return!

I've been catching up with old friends of many kinds.

Last week I dug out my guitar which hasn't seen the light of day for a year or is it years? Played a little worship tune and had to cut my nails. Bummer.

On Sunday, my hubby and I went through the bag of Christmas cards. I usually save them and we read the notes and look at the pics in January. I put the photo cards on my refrigerator. Then I got so inspired that I grabbed the phone and called two old friends. One is expecting her first grandchild, who may be entering the world as I type. The other was my childhood chum. We only connect through cards at holiday time but this year I asked for her phone # and she included it in her Christmas card. What a great time we had catching up!

On Monday I went back to the gym. Hooray for me! I am going to take it slowly so as not to burn out. I went again today, even though I wasn't feeling the best and the temp outside was barely above zero. I actually love it once I'm there.

Now I'm going to visit a few of your blogs to catch up with new friends :)