Books

Dear Friends,

I am looking for titles of books that have meant a lot to you in your life, specifically those that may have helped you in your walk with Christ. Maybe it is a devotional, or a biography, or just a book someone further along on the journey has written. More than just a light reading that makes one feel good, I am looking for something that has spurred you on to grow closer to, and more like Him. Please share!

With kindest regards,

Kimberly

There's something almost magical

about a Colorado sky in Autumn. Don't you think?

Special Tea Times

“Taste and see that the LORD is good,” the Psalmist says. Stop for a moment and think about this statement. We eat and drink in our society almost without thinking. Whether we are indifferent to the food in our mouths, and eating not because we are hungry but simply bored, or consuming everything so quickly that we need not notice it, we are constantly filling our mouths usually without thought. We may race through the drive-thru and eat as we drive. We may gulp down our drinks to quench our thirst without tasting them.

But taking tea is different, or should be different. We can’t rush the process. Yes, we can grab a teabag and nuke our water in a mug. That’s not what I am talking about. I am talking about planning a menu, baking special treats like scones, whipping the cream, slicing the crusts off the sandwiches, and putting on the kettle to boil. Taking the extra moment to pick some flowers, to light a candle, select the music, to place out the linen napkins, these are the things that make tea not just any meal.

Our approach to God can be like that. Do we rush through our devotions only taking the time to pray as we are racing around in the car? Can we really devote our thoughts to Him as we drive? Would you, like me, end up merely praying that the car in front of you would get out of your way? Are we just flipping through our Bibles reading whatever verses or chapters happen to be on the page as it falls open? Do we read so fast so that we simply get through the number of verses or pages we think is the bare minimum we can get a way with and not feel guilty about?

Or could we stop a moment. Plan our time, both when and how we will spend time with Him. Set aside a time a place to focus on the LORD. Clear our minds as we calm our hearts to spend some focused time steeping ourselves in his word. Oh, that our tea for two may be a special time with Him each day! Maybe we could approach our devotional as though He is our special guest for tea.

We could find a peaceful corner where we keep our Bible and any devotional material we wish to use. Maybe we light a candle, turn on some music. As we put the kettle on we may sing our praise to Him as the kettle sings. While we wait for the tea to steep we can be clearly our minds of the distractions we face. Maybe during that three to five minutes you could find yourself praying for forgiveness. You may pray for God to speak to you in this time with Him.

As you pour your tea into the cup, ask God to pour out His love on you that you in turn may pour out love and blessings on the people He will bring your way. As you hold the cup in your hand, pause and breathe in the scent of the tea you have chosen. Thank Him for choosing you to be His child. Pray that your words and thoughts would be a pleasing aroma to Him.

Then, take a drink. Drink deeply. Let the tea fill your mouth as thoughts of Him fill your mind. Read His word and let it steep in your heart and mind. Taste and see that He is indeed good. By slowing down and focusing, your will find the memories of your times with Him to be pleasant as taking tea with your best friend.

A Quiet Day At Home

We've had a busy little week here. I've had a new friend in on Monday for lunch, another friend here Wednesday for tea, and will have another friend come over on Friday for lunch. Tuesday we did grocery shopping and Bunco that evening, plus we tucked in a quick trip to the farm yesterday morning. Each thing has been wonderful, but I confess to being glad to not have to go anywhere today.

I've got some "stocking up" baking to do of bagels and tortillas and maybe some more bread. Having guests over means a lot of bread has been enjoyed. I baked two loaves of sandwich bread on Monday and a loaf of braided rosemary and thyme french bread. We had our bread, salad and chicken salad for our lunch.

Yesterday my friends Terri brought over her two youngest for tea. We had Cucumber Radish Sandwiches, Tomato Sandwiches and Chicken Salad Sandwiches. I sliced up some Zucchini Bread, and served Orange Cranberry Spice Scones with Devon Cream and Spiced Peach Butter. We enjoyed our Earl Grey Tea and the kids had iced tea with the soft music in the background and the light of autumn candles and oil lamps.

Tomorrow's guest has a gluten allergy, so no bread will be needed. I'm thinking of making Tasha Tudor's Egg Souffle and a nice big salad for lunch. She's planning on bringing a dessert that she can have.

It's been so nice to have friends come over. It's so nice to have friends after being so lonely for so long. God has really blessed me with some truly delightful ladies. Not all are kindred spirits, of course, but it is good to have companions for the journey of life, is it not?

I've been enjoying reading Persuasion again. Though not as well known as some of Jane's other novels, I find that it is one of my favorites. It's a quiet story with wonderful characters and a sense of hope. A book, a pot of Earl Grey, my boys playing, doughs rising, all make for a wonderful day! Hope yours is as lovely. I think we'll plan for a late afternoon stroll through the neighborhood as well to enjoy this wonderful weather. Wouldn't that make it all complete?

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Here are some verses that I am praying for my friends, both on-line and in-life. Hope it blesses you today!

Colossians 3:9-12

For this reason,

since the day we heard about you,

we have not stopped praying for you.

We continually ask God

to fill you with the knowledge of his will

through all the wisdom

and understanding that the Spirit gives,

so that you may live a life

worthy of the Lord

and please him in every way:

bearing fruit in every good work,

growing in the knowledge of God,

being strengthened with all power

according to his glorious might

so that you may have

great endurance and patience,

and giving joyful thanks

to the Father,

who has qualified you

to share in the inheritance

of his people

in the kingdom of light.

"So, are you over it?"

Let's add this one to the list of things not to ask a woman after a miscarriage. This question came courtesy of my next door neighbor. I simply replied, "No." And, by the grace of God alone didn't mouth off.

She stuttered along for a moment. When she finished, I said, "I think there are just some things in life you don't ever get over. Life goes on though."

*Sigh.* It wasn't a toothache.

**********************

So, I gave up on potty training. It was a long week without much accomplishment. I do not think Pumpkin has figured out physically when he needs to "go". We'll just revisit the whole thing in a few months. Winnie-the-Pooh did great though.

**********************

Life's moving quietly along--except the boys, who are only quiet when sleeping. I had the most wonderful weekend, courtesy of Janna. I was so excited to be invited to her Fall Fest. It was such a delightful day of relaxing and visiting with the sweetest ladies and delicious food. I even got my haircut! (I've trimmed my hair for the last year and a half, so I was way past due for one.)

It was so wonderful. Really. I wish we could do it again this weekend. I'm looking forward to making her Chicken Curry Recipe for my Bunco group next month. Everything was so nice.

********************

I've been doing a little decorating for Autumn here. I bought a lovely garland of leaves and berries. I promptly cut it up and tucked bits all around the house with streamers of an exquisite ribbon. I don't do a lot of things as we already have so many treasures out, but I do like adding special touches here and there and changing out the tea set on the tea cart. It's just a bit of fun.

Speaking of treasures, this silver set was a gift from Sweetheart for our tenth anniversary this summer. The traditional gift is tin he said, but he thought I'd prefer silver. I do.

*******************************

Well, it's time to get back to prepping out all the meat and vegetables from grocery shopping today. And to figure out where all the water in the refrigerator came from...

Hope you have a wonderful day, wherever you are.

"Autumn is a

second spring

when every leaf

is a flower."

~A. Camus

Live Blogging--The Toilet Training Edition

No, not really. But this is a big week for us.


Big Boy Underwear? Check!


Helper Bear? Check!

Is Bear dry?

Good Job, Bear!


Special Snacks & Treats?
Check!

We are ready!!!

Pray for this Mama. I'll be needing it!

Isn't This Adorable?

Ok, so there are times that I wish we had a little girl in addition to our wonderful boys.

I would so buy this. That Little Jenny Wren is so talented.

I'd even consider trying to make one myself, but for whom?

I'd be the only one who'd want it...

Remembering September 11th

Still praying for those left behind.

You haven't been forgotten.

The Difference One Year Can Make

Happy Birthday, Dumpling!

Delicious Autumn!

My very soul is wedded to it,

and if I were a bird

I would fly about the earth

seeking

the successive autumns.

~George Eliot

Autumn's Arrival

It's not be heralded yet by the changing of the leaves, but by the changing of the sun's light. A more golden hue is evident and the cooler temperatures this week most welcome. We spent awhile at the Farm this morning to pick up eggs and let the boys play with the "baby piggy". It's closer than the grocery stores around here, plus it has the added attraction of Bacon Bits, the pig.

The drive home was filled with lots of fun as we stopped the van for quite awhile so the boys could watch a loader and excavator move dirt. Lots of free fun for little boys! When we arrived home we played in the front yard for awhile. Pumpkin kept sharing his rocks with Dumpling who thinks he should chew on them. Ah, brothers!

We then had our lunch and the boys laid down for naps. I baked four loaves of zucchini bread and one loaf of banana bread. One zucchini grated made all four loaves while three bananas just made one loaf. Of course, it was a big zucchini from the garden.

The math though, reminds me of canning: how x numbers of pounds=a totally different # of quarts/pints than the recipe says. In fact, I canned green beans last night and thought I'd have 55 pints based on the weights given in the recipe, but ended up with 9.5 pints in the end.

All in all, it's been a wonderful day. Except for right now. I'm taking a break from dealing with paperwork I've been working on for an hour only to realize that I do not, of course, have all the papers I need. Grumble. Adding to the lists of calls to make tomorrow...

****

The cooler weather inspired a change of menu for the luncheon I had with a friend yesterday. I'd thought I'd do a summery tomato/basil dish, but the clouds and cool changed the plan. I put out some Autumn decorations and changed the tea set on the tea cart to my Autumn Lusterware Set. I baked a few loaves of french bread, made a big salad and a pot of Carrot Ginger Soup. It was so yummy and perfect for the season! I love to cook according to the seasons with Autumn being my very favorite. I seem to have a thing for orange food--pumpkins, squashes, carrots, etc. and cook as much of them as I can.

What's your favorite season for cooking/baking?