a spirit of simplicity

t We all make mistakes. We all stumble in many ways. James 3:2 Earlier in the text, James reassures us that mercy triumphs over judgement.  I thank God for that. I have made my share of mistakes. ~ I've been organizing a bit around the house these past few weeks. My pantry is practically perfect in every way. I noticed last night when I got home from work that there were a few bags of half eaten chips stuffed into the corner on the bottom shelf. That's how things get started...things that aren't so pretty... stuffed into the darker corners like that. It's easy to forget they are there. In reading from a James bible study this morning the text says to be thankful to God for all things at all times. I think the only way to do that is to bring my heart out into the bright open spaces. It's in my nature to hide the ugly things, the mistakes,  the things I'm not so thankful for

the good I found something called carob molasses in the market last week. I made a cake called sfouf, which was terrible! But, I have been using the carob molasses in my morning coffee and it's delicious!! It's molasses but it's made from carob beans. So yummy! the fun My daughter, Hannah, and her beau, Michael, came over for dinner. I made a big salad and a wonderful cheese fondue and we all sat around the table dipping... I meant to get a great picture of us all but I forgot. So, here is a photo of them at my mum's house on Thanksgiving. the random    Two things I've noticed: *I don't have nearly as much fun as I used to...I need to remedy that. *Blogging makes me more mindful.

t James 2:12-13 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged  under the law of liberty. For judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy, Mercy triumphs over judgement. Mercy triumphs over judgement. Every. Single. Time, ~ Even when I judge myself...and I think we are all our own worst critics. God shows me mercy and shows me the way to grow. Because, without mercy, there can be no growth. Judgement is final. God doesn't want us to stop growing and learning and so he gives us mercy when we mess things up. And he asks that we give mercy to our brothers and sisters as well. and to ourselves.

* Sunday the weather was unseasonably warm.  Joe and I went for a walk on the beach.  We scrambled through the dune grass and shrubbery. It was so much fun to be out of doors with him.  We explored places for picnics and found a few hidden away tucked away down into the grasses and surrounded by scrub pines  and wild rose bushes.  Perfect for a summer afternoon picnic when everything's in bloom. We look like a couple of old folk out to pasture... Our house is the big green one in the center of the picture. * I made baked egg cups...sausage, peppers, and onions, topped with eggs, that I baked in a muffin tin. I froze them and Joe was able to have a nice fresh breakfast when he got to work.  I think I overcooked them a little bit as they were a bit rubbery. Next time I think I'll bake it all in a baking dish so it turns out flat. * I drive Joe to the bus stop early...his bus leaves at 5:20

"Go outside and play." Those were my mum's words to us almost every day. And we did. These days I find it harder to get myself outside. It's cold, it's raining, it's hot, I'm busy, and the ever popular, I'll do it later. So...I've put aside Wednesdays for walking wild. Whether  your wild is the beach, the mountains, the desert, or even a sidewalk on the way to work...which mine often is. Join me on Wednesdays to post your wild outside. Let's encourage one another to look up and see some beauty in the world... even if it's only a bird you noticed at the train station, or a piece of mail on your own doorstep. An InLinkz Link-up

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, Slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life. Thich Nhat Hanh

the good  The window to the left looks out over a small Memorial park  and just beyond that is the Atlantic ocean and Short beach. The window in the front of my desk looks out over  the lowlands gravel parking lot and the town ball fields. In summer, we see families walking across the park to and fro from short beach. We see the set up for  the Memorial day parade and we see them all marching up  the hill and into town. We see them march back and after stopping at the cemetery at the top of the hill, we see them have another little  ceremony at Memorial park.  We can see both the men's and the woman's softball games  at night, after dinner in the park across the way.  We see folks bringing their dogs to Doggy beach,  which is just behind my desk. We see the waves splashing against the cliffs  on this rather tiny island.  In the morning I watch the sun coming up and in the evening I watch it goi

t James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. ~ ~ ~ Websters 1828 definition of religion James is not suggesting that we say nothing... he mentions our hearts, and that they must be worthy. He doesn't say we must stop our tongues. He says we must bridle them, and a bridle controls, or steers...directs. And, in order to direct our tongues, we must engage our thoughts, and in order to engage our thoughts, we must understand where our hearts are.  Let's face it, we are crafty individuals, and are able to deceive our hearts into believing a great many things that are not religious...that are worthless.  I know there are days I try and I try to justify or excuse my words  or my thoughts, or even my own heart on a subject. I spin things every which way but loose trying to make things work my way... But, in

The scents of fresh blueberry muffins filled the kitchen... and we had muffins for breakfast all week! Quick and easy to grab on the go...and delicious.  Joe and I have noticed that the sun is setting just a little bit later. We caught a glimpse of it on our way home from work one day last week! ~ Saturday I went up to visit with Verne and his parents. We did some shopping at Wal-Mart and a few other places. I wanted to check out an Aldi's market that is up their way. But the best part was that I got to play with Verne. Joe and I met my mum for dinner in town the other night. She took the train from Connecticut where she was visiting my sister. We met her after work, grabbed a bite to eat, and then drove her home. The food was great at Kinsale, which is just next door to my work. ~ Monday was a holiday from work! So we stayed home and relaxed.

I've been spending some time in the kitchen on the weekends of late. I baked apples with raisins, pepitas, cinnamon, nutmeg and a few drops of maple syrup. They were delicious and I had enough for a few breakfasts  during the week. 

t Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it's fruit. Proverbs 18:21 Peace begins in the kitchens and pantries, gardens and backyards, where our food is grown and prepared. The energies of nature and the infinite universe are absorbed through the foods we eat and are transmuted into our thoughts and actions.  Michio Kushi ~ ~ ~ There is no spectacle on earth more appealing than that of a beautiful woman in the act of cooking dinner for someone she loves. Tom Wolfe ~ ~ ~ I have been participating in A Bowl Full of Lemons 2018 Organized home challenge. Last week I cleaned and organized my pantry. When we first moved into our second floor flat on this rather tiny island, the pantry was an old closet in the kitchen. It hadn't been touched in about 40 years and it was disgusting! I stripped the old linoleum off of the little floor to find beautiful old pine boards h