A Thing of Celebration

Celebration Boots

"Livin' off the fatta the land."  Ms. Masdon's voice read this line over and over  in a thick southern drawl and asked us what we thought it meant.

I remember the first time I had that yearning in my soul to garden, keep a few chickens; and essentially, to eat what I grow and grow what I eat.  

I wasn't too keen on the book "Of Mice and Men" in the 11th grade.  I was much more excited about the upcoming Friday night football game with friends in the crisp Georgia air or the dinner theater our drama club was working on putting together.

However, that one line, "living off the fatta the land" stirred something in me each time I heard it.  It reminded me of being a young girl in the Upper Michigan woods, roaming the trails all the day long, pausing to eat wild blueberries and sugarplums or apples.  

Years passed and I no longer sit in those hard chairs in Ms. Masdon's class, but that desire to eat as close to the source as possible remains.  

Five years ago I began researching backyard hens.  I read all the books our library had to offer on the subject, scoured blogs and devoured every piece of literature I could find.  And then I found out these sweet little pets were banned in our city. 

Heartbroken, I went to City Hall to inquire further and find out if there were any hidden loopholes.  Each time I went (yes, there were multiple occasions), the employees would simply give a firm shake of their heads and a confident, "No."  

"Ma'am, you're just not zoned for that.  Really, you just need to move out to the country if you want chickens."

Last week this all turned upside down.  In my continued quest for fresh nutrient-dense eggs from our own backyard, I did a quick search on Facebook for any group that may have formed in my city.  Lo and behold, not only was there a group formed, but they were active, moving and preparing for a vote from the Council!

Last night, up to six laying hens enclosed in a pen became legal in our City of Chesapeake.  The Facebook group, 4 Chesapeake Hens, has worked long and hard to make this happen.

Our children have been cheering, celebrating and already naming their not-yet-ordered chickens. 

Apparently, the yearning to "live off the fatta the land" runs so deep, even our young children understand it.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  ~ James 1:17

Enjoy today,

P.S.  You are welcome here!  Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.

No, no, this is not a stock photo.  This is an actual pic my little sis took of her toddler's new reading nook.

Isn't it the coolest?!

I almost wish I had such a nook.

When interrogated as to how she built such a beautiful area, she said the shelves are simply spice racks from Ikea.  

What?!  Amazing.

Megin also humbly stated that she absolutely stole the idea from countless others on the Internet, but that it was easy-peasy.  Spray paint a few letters from your local big box store, and you're good to go!

We love reading in our family and do it every chance we get. 

I remember holding a squalling 12-pound, 3-week old Caleb years ago in the wee hours of the morning, bouncing him about and trying to read Curious George to him to soothe his tears.  Didn't work.  Maybe it was George, maybe it was me or the rhythm of the bounce; nevertheless, on he cried.

I kept at it.  We read and read all through his infancy and early childhood.  And now?  He reads all the day long, as do each of my children.  I love it.






Currently we are reading aloud, "Island of the Blue Dolphins".  We still make time in our days to read aloud all together and enjoy the rise and fall of our voices as we take turns with the pages.

This weekend, why not find a quiet space, your own cozy nook, and read a chapter or two of a good book?  

Enjoy today,

 P.S.  You are welcome here!  Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.

Abandon All Reason

A huge {minor} victory this morning!  

My husband and I have been running and cross-training for the past couple of months in order to keep our bodies in tip-top condition as we go about our service to the Lord.  This morning I finally hit 3.5 miles in an average pace under 10 minutes.  This is a big deal for a girl who used to hate running!

After finishing my run for today, I left the dripping humidity of the outside air and walked in the front door.  Setting my coffee mug on the table across from Josh, I smiled.  He stared long at me.  "What's your inspiration?"

Good question. 

I find inspiration in so many different things.  Here is a short list:

1.  God.  He created our bodies to work marvelously and fluidly.  As long as we are able, we should get the very best use out of them for His glory alone.

2.  My family.  As far as it depends on me and I am able, I want to be a blessing to them with abundant energy!

3.  10-year-old Wendy.  When I was 10 years old, I used to roam through the woods of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for hours on end, picking wildflowers and dreaming.  I don't want to let that little girl down by dreaming smaller dreams now that I am grown.

4.  My friend, Ben.  Ben is in a wheelchair and for two years now has surfed at the oceanfront with a group of  volunteers in place to assist him in conquering all fear and going for the gusto.  That he would trust God and his friends and get out there with full courage?  Amazing.  If Ben can do that; I can surely run around the block one more time.

5.  The sheer joy of it.  I listen to uplifting, masterfully played melodies while I exercise.  As the musician works their instrument to the best of their ability; I pace my footsteps to the rhythm, telling myself I am also an artist and this is my craft.

There are many, many more reasons why I run.  But these are the beginnings.  These are the ones that keep me lacing up my shoes just one more day. 

And how to get started if you want to exercise but just have no motivation?   

Abandon all reason. 

That's right.  I read a running article the other day that said the best way to start is to drop all of the excuses you can think of not to start:  not enough time, too tired, no workout clothes, no will, etc.  The fact is, we will always find a million reasons not to do something new or hard. 

Drop them.  Abandon all of those reasons, lace up your shoes and start. 

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."  ~Ecclesiates 9:10

Enjoy today,

 P.S.  You are welcome here!  Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.

Progress in Preparation

Do you take the time to prepare?

Last night I cleaned out my coffeepot, ground some fresh beans and set all systems to go for this morning.  When I stumbled out of my bedroom at 5:30 this a.m., the only thing left to do was push "on".

Once the coffeepot was readied, I turned my attention to pouring my bread ingredients into my bread maker.  I ground the wheat berries in my grinder to produce a freshly ground whole wheat flour.  After about five minutes of effort, I awakened this morning to this completed loaf.

Paired with a bowl of steel cut oats topped with pecans, honey, banana slices, butter and milk, this hearty bread packed with protein and vitamins makes a great start to our day!

Why would I go to this trouble the night before, when it seems so much more appealing to just rest and then work it all out the next morning?

For this sacred space of time:

I've found that the more I prepare in advance for the things which must be done, the more smoothly a morning will run.  

There is nothing like waking up in the pre-dawn quiet hours to an open Bible and listening for the voice of God.  My spirit is stilled in His presence, and there is nothing else to distract from His words. 

After reading a chapter or so, I leave my Bible open on a counter, a table or another place where I can re-read the words again and again throughout the day.  I pray about a verse or two from the reading that the Lord placed upon my heart for that moment, and I may write it on our dining chalkboard as well. 

This evening, before going to bed at a decent hour, try doing a bit of prep work for the next morning.  

I like to think of my time with the Lord as I would a date with my husband.  I prepare my schedule by clearing it,  ready my heart and create a calm environment.  And then I listen as He speaks.  I wouldn't trade these times for anything.

Here is a nugget from 1 Corinthians 4:1 God showed me this morning in our time together:  "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."  

Enjoy today,

 P.S.  You are welcome here!  Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.

Savoring

This early morning we sat snuggling under layers of cozy quilts on the porch.  Morning coffee steaming in our mugs, we breathed the crisp new fall air. 

Knee-high socks have made their reappearance after a summer slumber in my bureau. 

Autumn is here, friends.  We're bringing out our quilts and brewing hot pots of coffee.  We're looking forward to snuggling in front of the crackling fireplace; and yes, every now and then even breaking out in a Christmas carol or two.  Pumpkins adorn our mantel and a cute chubby glass owl rests among the gourds there.

It's a fresh season; a fresh day.  Get out there and embrace it!  Or rest quietly wrapped in a faded quilt.  Either way; savor this day.

"I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing the praises of Your name, O Most High."  ~Psalm 9:2

Enjoy today,

 P.S.  You are welcome here!  Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.

Catching the Drips

"Pling.  Pling.  Pling."

You know the sound.  A faucet that is turned on and just won't turn off.

"Pling.  Pling."

This is what hit my ears when my feet hit the ground Sunday morning. 

I grasped the cold metal handle and raised it.  Lowered it.  Shifted it to the right; then left. 

Pushed it all the way down.  Eased it up ever so slowly.

"Pling."

There's no escaping it.  My faucet needs repair.

I stared at it.  Prayed over it.  I let my husband know we would need to fix it.

What else to do?

Gathering up my houseplants in my arms, I brought them in, one by one, and allowed them to sit under the slow and continuous drip.  

This drip that annoys me; it provides a nice long soaking bath for my dry plants.  They loved it.  Sat there for hours and just drank it in. 

Look around with open eyes.  Are there any drips you can catch today?  

Enjoy today,

 P.S.  You are welcome here!  Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.

Unleashing Joy

"Don't put the kids to bed yet.  We're waiting on a phone call."

"Dad!  What is it?  What are we waiting for?"  Our three children clamor around Josh, tripping over each other's sentences.

"Guys.  It's mom's birthday weekend..  No questions."

Approximately 17 minutes later (no, really, I wasn't counting) the phone rang.

"All right, gang.  Hop in the van!" 

We parked in the darkened drive of a house a few miles down the road.  Mac greeted us with outstretched hand, wide smile.  "Here it is, buddy.  What do you think?  Is it what you were looking for?"

My heart leapt into my throat even as I kept my well-trained Craig's List poker face on.  I turned and gazed big-eyed at Josh.

Mac was running his hand over the smooth finish of a well-worn piano nestled in his garage.  Nothing fancy;  no bells or whistles.  Just a simple instrument that has been cared for and loved.

"We've built a new house down in Carolina; and well, there's just no place for it anymore." 

Transaction complete, we settled on a pick-up day this weekend. 

Now let's go ahead and lay something on the table.  I am no prodigy.  Far from it.  I took lessons for maybe three years or so back in elementary and middle school from a music professor at a local college. 

I practiced my thirty minutes a day and plunked out Christmas carols for passersby in a shopping mall.  I dressed fancy for recitals and critiques.  I experimented with all the different sounds on my mom's synthesizer when they first came out in the 80's. 

And I remember the day my parents were out and I was angry with my brother.  Tears streaming down my purple face, I rushed pell-mell to the piano bench.  I threw myself down hard with the strength that only an offended middle school girl can possess. 
 I whipped open my music book to Beethoven's "Ode To Joy" and pounded hard the keys.  Each note crashed a forceful staccato; I am sure in no way like the great master intended for it to be played.  But I think he would understand nonetheless.

Beethoven

I sat there long, the same notes over and over again pouring out.  As my tears slowly began to dry, the music beneath my fingers gradually found a smoother rhythm.  After about 45 minutes of  the same song, the storm had subsided into a beautiful melody flowing through my fingertips. 

There is something special that happens in a soul when music is created.  It's far more powerful than simply listening to music.  Something is unlocked that perhaps at other times is closed.  Music has a way of revealing the mysterious and unleashing joy.  

And so, I await the delivery of my new-old piece of beauty.  And I hug my husband, the man who understands my yearnings and desires.  

Enjoy today,

P.S.  You are welcome here!  Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.