Adventure

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable."
--Helen Keller

Things I am thankful for today:

1. Reading in bed this morning.
2. First day of school for my youth group kids, their parents, my teacher friends, and my youngest sister!
3. Youth group kids getting into their first-pick colleges! Go Clayton!
4. A hot day! Unusual this summer...
5. The hubby brought me a favorite beer - Magners Cider. Mmm. Thanks babe.
6. The dog playing ball and using the sunspot as her "home base." Ha ha ha.
7. Planning to make a dream happen... even if it might take 10 years!
8. Leftovers. All delish.
9. 25 free itunes - love it!
10. A good marriage. (Can you tell I'm watching the Jon Gosselin interview right now? Yikes.)

A Simple Woman's Daybook - September 7th Edition

For Today...

Outside my window... sunshine, birdies, blue sky, and an irrigation system that just won't stop! My poor dog can't play frisbee, because the grass is always soaked!

I am thankful... for one more day to this splendid weekend! And that I get to share it with the hubby!

From the kitchen... coconut french toast for breakfast and a yummy, light, summer pasta for dinner!

I am wearing... a light blue tank top and my light, comfy hiker pants. (Guess what the hubby is wearing? His "My wife rocks" shirt! Ha ha ha... I didn't think he'd actually wear it...)

I am creating... hmmm... nothing new this week.

I am going... to the Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival at Minnehaha Falls Park! So fun!

I am reading... "So You Want to be a Innkeeper" and a Dean Koontz book in those rare moments when I can read for fun - still.

I am hoping... for some scallop tacos at Sea Salt Eatery this afternoon!

I am hearing... kids playing outside - their high-pitched giggles and screams.

One of my favorite things... a hubby that would wear this shirt in public!

Things I am thankful for today:

1. A long weekend.

2. Sleeping in. (The hubby's home, so he put out the dog and fed her!)

3. Coconut French Toast - yum-a-roo!

4. Lounging around for the morning!

5. Bluegrass music.

6. Minnehaha Falls - what a nice place to hang out and people (and dog) watch!

7. Running into friends.

8. Sharing scallop tacos and a beer.

9. Ice cream cones on a hot day.

10. Making an excellent dinner and sharing some wine by candlelight!

11. A perfect day.

Communion Bloopers

Ahhh... The sacred act of partaking in communion... Sometimes, even that can make you giggle.

First, our pastor didn't give instructions on HOW we do communion at our church (the pastor hands you a chunk of bread, then you dip it in the chalice and eat it - intinction); then... just a series of bloopers. First, our substitute pianist/organist (who is a lovely lady), tried to take the chalice from me to drink from it - when I realized what she was about to do, and that she had already eaten her bread, I guided her to the communion rail which was supplied with individual cups of juice. Embarrassment averted.

Then, the sister and guest of one of our members tried to do the same thing - hands already on the chalice before I realized what was happening! I calmly pulled the chalice toward me and guided her to the communion rail as well. Goodness! I felt like the guard of the juice!

Then, the best part... One of our members brought his little grandson to church (maybe 5 years old?). His grandson decided he wanted to take communion for the first time (and yes, in the Methodist church we believe you can take communion at any age). So, the grandfather took his piece of bread, and the grandson too. Then the grandfather came to me, dipped his bread, and ate it. I bent down to the little boy's level expecting him to do the same... instead, he THREW his bread into the chalice! Ha ha ha. Drops splattered, the grandpa jumped, and I laughed. Before I knew what was happening, the grandpa and grandson were fishing with their hands in the cup looking for the piece of bread!

Ohmygoodness. I didn't even know what to say or do - other than laugh. And everyone sitting in the first few pews were laughing, too!

So yes. Even in the midst of sacraments and remembering Jesus' sacrifice for us all - there can be laughter and joy!

Things I am thankful for today:

1. Janet sharing a piece of her faith journey with the congregation.
2. Sandy playing the harp during communion - beautiful!
3. Sacred laughter.
4. Children's innocence.
5. The ways we protect each other from embarrassment.
6. All our congregation members supporting Neighbor's Inc by buying ducks for the Duck Race! 29 sold today!
7. A gift of fresh tomatoes from a garden - Delish!
8. The hubby getting home safe and sound!
9. White Chocolate Trifle for dessert - I've never seen the hubby scarf dessert like this! It's a winner! 10. It's nice to have the hubby home....

Saturday Thanks

A great day! Slept in. Played with the dog. Had lunch with Em. Took a nap. Read a book. A restful, relaxing day... Love it.

Things I am thankful for today:

1. No alarms.
2. House finches at my bird feeder.
3. The dog's cold, wet nose against my neck - that's what I woke up to.
4. Brunch with Em - Mmmm.... Banana pancakes at Jensen's Cafe in Burnsville.
5. Em not laughing at my B&B dream.
6. Ficus and Fig gift shop in Burnsville. I love their stuff!
7. The author Dean Koontz - fun, thriller-type books. (Although, also scary! I really shouldn't read them late at night when I'm by myself for the weekend!)
8. Mom calling me late at night to ask who my chemistry teacher is... Oops. She meant to call my sister, who was DOWNSTAIRS from my mom! Goodness. They make me laugh.
9. Doing absolutely no work today!
10. My sister's husband was ordained today! Hello, Reverand Karlin! Ha ha ha.

Friday Fave Five - September 4th

It's that time again! Here are my Friday Fave Fives - a time when we think about a few of the blessings of our past week. If you'd like to join in, link up at Living to Tell the Story!

1. Saturday, we spent the day with my husband's sister's family. We picnic-ed and played with Lauren and Evan (our niece and nephew) ALL DAY! Their energy, excitement, and creativity were so much fun to watch. I don't get to see them very often - but so fun when I do!

2. Sunday was a powerful worship service at church. We wove our Open Sanctuary experience into the worship service - dimmed the lights, experienced silence, and allowed people to get out of their seats and light candles during their prayers. It was beautiful and powerful all at once. I'm so proud of our congregation and their willingness to experience new things.

3. Monday came with a visit from my friend Em, and her daughter, Elly. We shared lunch, and played and played and played! Elly is starting to walk and get a little more adventurous - she went up and down the stairs over and over and over, and would explore new rooms, and even let the dog come near! Such fun!

4. I managed to get to the State Fair for a few hours on Monday night. We walked around, explored the Eco-experience, saw the baby animals (some of which were JUST born!), and of course, ate some fried food on a stick! I think the mini-donuts were my favorite this year (I hadn't had those since I was in high school!).

5. I haven't been feeling well - and have been EXTREMELY tired! (No, that's not a fave.) But I went to the doctor yesterday and tested negative for mono, thank goodness! So, most likely it's a virus and should be going away any day now... And the hubby's out of town, I have very little planned - so sleep and rest are first priority! So the fave is, I should be feeling better any time! :)

Things I am thankful for today:

1. 12 hours of sleep. Awesome.
2. A leisurely morning.
3. Cleaning the WHOLE house (except the bathrooms... those will wait for the hubby. Ha!)
4. Laundry is DONE.
5. Did more research for the B&B. Uff-da. Getting overwhelmed.
6. Went for a lovely drive in the country - the sun was golden on the farm fields and prairies - GORGEOUS! (Oh! And I saw the funniest dog - a big 'ol boxer sitting at the end of his driveway with a soccer ball in his mouth! No one was around. He was just begging any person that happened to be driving by to stop and play... I really wanted to!)
7. Chocolate covered sunflower seeds.
8. Crickets chirping on a perfect summer evening.
9. A good hair day - even though no one saw it. Ha ha ha.
10. A nice chat with Mom on the phone.

Rest

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

"This invitation seems an entirely appropriate way to end the day. As we let go of the busy-ness, the fragmented-ness, the weariness, we pause to ask ourselves how far we have lived out of that gentle humility that Christ displayed and that we too will know as we are “yoked” to him.

"Echoing the words of Jesus, Benedict said that he wanted to offer “nothing harsh, nothing burdensome” to his monks. Jesus struggled to take time out from his ministry to replenish his tired spirit, to continue the dialogue with his Father. Our choosing to follow Jesus means we accept the discipline of doing the same. The discipline feels like a burden that requires some effort, but it also enables us to receive the gift and so becomes lighter as we shoulder it. God graces us with rest; and, as we respond with our gratitude and receive the gift, we begin to enter that balanced life that is our destiny as the people of a loving creator."
--"Heart Whispers" by Elizabeth J. Canham

“Thank you, God,
For those moments in my life
When You opened a window
And offered a word
That nourished the hunger in my soul.
Give me the grace to realize
That these are the words I live by,
Not by bread alone,
Whatever form that bread may take
However satisfying it may seem at the time.
Give me the grace to live not just reflectively but receptively,
That I may not only notice when a window is opened
But also receive what is offered,
Understanding that what is offered
Is my soul’s daily bread…”
--A Prayer for Grace,
from the book Windows of the Soul, by Ken Gire

Ahhhh... rest. That's what I need. Doctor's orders. This weekend, the hubby is gone on a fishing trip. I'm mostly caught up on work. I have one lunch date planned, and have stocked up on goodies in the kitchen. I'm ready to hibernate. To sleep. Read. Craft. Listen to music - or enjoy the silence. Go for walks. I even have a little adventure planned for myself. Hopefully, by Tuesday, I will feel like myself again!

Things I am thankful for today:

1. Not having mono or strep. Woo-hoo!
2. I'm so brave when I get my blood drawn these days... Ha ha ha.
3. Ben got his driver's license!
4. Jason brought me oatmeal raisin cookies - that HE baked! (He's one of my senior high kids!)
5. A quick nap - it got me through the day.
6. Talking to the hubby on the phone.
7. Enjoying a little solitude.
8. Bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon.
9. The friendly people at Trader Joe's.
10. Cuddles from the dog. So cute.

Yummy Wednesday - Funky Spaghetti

Mmmm... I was given a bag full of fresh, ripe, beautiful tomatoes of varying sizes and colors - and found the perfect pasta to use them in (on the Oprah show, of all places!)! Give this Jamie Oliver recipe a try - you won't be disappointed!Funky Spaghetti

1 pound spaghetti or linguine
11 to 14 ounces cherry tomatoes , red and yellow
2 handfuls of fresh marjoram and basil , leaves picked
6 to 8 glugs extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove of garlic (peeled and finely chopped)
Splash of red wine vinegar
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional)

Put pasta in large pot of boiling water and cook until al dente.

Halve tomatoes, put in bowl and add herbs, olive oil, garlic and vinegar.

Season to taste, then scrunch tomatoes until slightly mushed.

Drain pasta, and while still steaming, mix with tomatoes.

Separate onto plates and serve (with Parmesan, if you like!).

Makes 3-4 servings.

Enjoy!