Thank you Girlfriends

You know who you are. 

I lost my rhythm and a bit of my heart. 
My laugh is quieted.
My anger turned in.
I have not, will not, lose faith.
You, my girlfriends, have been His light.
I lean but will not fall.
I stumble but it is all part of the dance. 
You are my lanterns.

White Marriage Day

Select a handy partner with a desire to surprise.
And tripod.
It doesn't do to have a partner that is handy but
doesn't have the desire to do anything.  It simply
makes matters worse. 
Scrub concrete.
Seal concrete.
Paint concrete grey.
Free hand bricks.
Add a little moss.
Seal and admire.

Family Heirloom

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.
Laura Ingalls Wilder

Before

This hen lived in my mother's kitchen now she lives
in mine.
My mother's mortar and pestle. So special because I remember
my mother pressing flat leaf parsley, garlic and onion to make
molhu cru (raw sauce) for most family meals.
During this time of healing, I try to complete one simple task each day.
To recondition the wood,
I scrubbed the wood with coarse salt, washed with warm soapy water and
then rubbed mineral oil. Rub plenty of mineral oil and allow it
to dry.  The mineral oil will all be absorbed.

After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This proud rooster is at least 50 years old.  He
sat on the top on my mother's cousin's refrigerator before
occupying the same place of honor in my mother's kitchen.
Now he is entrusted to my kitchen. 

Breaking through Winter

The Lenten season started yesterday.
It is one of my favorite times of the year.  Time to pray, reflect and recommit. 
 "Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return."

There is no character, howsoever good and fine,
but it can be destroyed by ridicule, howsoever poor and witless.

Mark Twain

Happy Birthday Holly

We found these letters at Hobby Lobby then dipped them is silver
glitter.  Such a cute banner.

Sugar, spice and every thing nice.
Make Someone Happy, Jimmy Duarte

It is raining

If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet her with , "Who could have done this?
We have no enemies." Phyllis Diller

To get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.  Mark Twain

Even when circumstances seem the darkest these little
guys make it bright again. 

Dark Hours

It is during my darkest hours that I miss my mother the most.
A word of encouragement:
a pearl of wisdom gained through suffering.

Camellia japonica

My mother referred to them as japons.  I have not had
success with the lovely bushes but always feel  a deep
longing it is much the same with hortensias.

Mediating on her favorite flowers pansies, geraniums,
roses and daisies.

Putting First Things First

One of my favorite shops in Old Town Tustin burned to the ground in December.  The Vintage Lady was simply grand with a fairy garden in the back.  When I visited it always felt like I belonged.
Grander still is Cathy, the owner, who has moved to Country Roads in Orange.

There in a lesson on having the spirit and going on. 

Courage isn't having the strength to go on it's going on when you don't have the strength.
Gal 6:9
 
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 
Matthew 6:33

If I have achieved anything in my life it is because I have not been embarrassed to talk 

about God.
Dorothy Day

Inflammation is a Very Dirty Word

My new rheumatologist said I presented with the severest
case of ankylosing spondylitis he has seen in a woman.
Inflammation keeps me from doing so many things.
Luckily, Daddy brings proof.

White Marriage Wednesday

All the best transformations are accompanied by pain.
Fay Weldon

Seek a partner that will not disregard your growth
but will travel the path with you.
For a marriage to be successful
both partners must seek the same horizon.

Successful marriages are not made of carbon copies (Google it) 
but of a melding of strengths.
Couples should be clear on ultimate goals.
Not holding secret hopes of change.
Don't sabotage your partner with lofty unobtainable
expectations.

Waiting for Dawn

The more stressed I become the more the inflammation screams.
Trying to focus on what cheers me.

Learn to pause or nothing worthwhile will catch up with you.
On a forced pause.

Being Surrounded by Angels

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.  Mother Teresa

In the end,  all I will recall is the light of God and
the intervention of friends.

Welcome February

Dreaming of a green spring.  Planting seeds, watching sprouts grow.
Is it really February already?

White Wednesday on Marriage

There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion,
or company than a good marriage.

                                                                                 -Martin Luther


Married in haste to repent at leisure.  These High, Green Hills by Jan Karon

It's not only in the way you treat each other but in the way you conduct
yourselves in the trying times that will determine your fate. 
It is during the times of trial that you will see the true character of your
partner.
 
Some the darkest days of our marriage involved the care of my aging mother.
Even as we traveled through uncertain terrain, we knew that we would look
back with wonder and gratefulness.  My heart swells with admiration.

My mother taught us so much.
On marriage she would say that jealously is the worse trait.
Never marry a man who puts his hands in his pockets.  It is a sign of laziness.
She'd say that the bad ones don't wear bells to identify themselves.
 
Her generation didn't get divorced.  Not all married couples were happy but
couples stayed together.  Pick your mate very carefully with a plan of no way out.

Keep in mind, it is more important to make a home then own a house.