Gratitude

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. I am reminded how giving thanks, or gratitude, is a discipline. I need to practice it more. Today I had one of my pity parties so I decided that I would blog what I'm thankful for to pull myself back to reality.

I am thankful for. . . .

• my loyal companion, my daschie, Mazy
• my beautiful home
• the changing of seasons
• the messy garden
• beautiful music to listen to and be inspired by on my ipod
• the closeness of my family
• being employed in a tough economy
• a week of rest
• some connection to love ones far away through facebook
• the advent season reminding me to remember God

What are you thankful for today?

10 of my favorite things

(left to right, top to bottom)

1. My buddy, Mazy

2. the ocean

3. yoga

4. Trader Joe's pumpkin pancakes and coffee

5. Disneyland during the holidays

6. Cooking (hate the cleaning up though!)

7. kitchen stuff from Anthropologie

8. Sirius XM in my car

9. cupcakes

10. Sex and the City, the series, is good entertainment.

Maybe the Amish are Right

The lazy days of summer are long gone. Lately, my days feel like they are filled with work. The other day I realized that by the time I leave my house in the morning and return it has been 10 to 12 hours. Most of the time this is simply just getting home from work. Sometimes it is longer if I've had some sort of appointment after work. I have begun to think...maybe the Amish have something right?! I find myself longing to live a simple life full of family, friends, home grown, home cooked meals, and tending to those in my care. Sure, I love my electricity and computers but it seems that the American way of life, the pursuit of career, is exhausting these days. I am trying to make the best of it and do what I can. After all, isn't that all the God expects? Do the best I can with what I've been given? Right now, this involves trying to be content that my life is not full of simple things and learning to take advantage of the moments I do have to dedicate myself to the practices of silence, stillness, a meditative heart, and tending to those in front of me. Maybe one day soon I will find my simplicity despite the busyness? In the mean time, I ask God for His grace to make it through without complaining the WHOLE time.

Breakfast is the best!

I think that breakfast is my favorite meal. Well, it is my favorite meal when I don't have to get up and go to work. When I'm on vacation or the weekend, I love all the foods that can be made for breakfast. When I'm working, I have to say my breakfast time isn't that exciting because it usually requires I eat something fast and on the go. Usually those boring breakfasts consist of things like Luna bars, fruit, string cheese, or yogurt. When I'm not working, I have the joy of cooking breakfast. Also, since I'm always on the quest to find the balance of enjoying yummy food and healthy food I thought I'd try a new recipe. This recipe comes from the reality star, health chef, Bethenny Frankel. It is a simple recipe for multi grain french toast. I have to admit I deviated a tad bit and make some variations. I used whole grain bread from La Brea bakery, purchased at Whole Foods (yummy!). Also, I added a dash of milk in the recipe. For my toppings, I used homegrown strawberries, a dab of whipped butter, and real maple syrup (lightly drizzled). You can get the recipe for yourself here.

A few of my favorite things

Mazy enjoying the warmth of the sun.

Some freshly cut hydrangea blooms from my sister's garden

(mine haven't started blooming yet)

Some beautiful foxgloves growing in my garden

My recent acquisitions on a trip to Anthropologie

Saturday Morning Gardening

All these photos display some of the beauty and work the goes into my little backyard garden.

Easter Pictures

So, I'm a bit late on posting pictures from Easter but I thought I'd share anyways. These are pictures from Easter brunch. I had my family over and tried to do a spring look on the table (on a budget).

Invasion of the Aphids!

Well, that time of year has come. My roses are swamped with aphids!!!! They are worse than I've ever seen them! I got some organic spray to help but I'm not convinced I'll be able to avoid using chemicals!!! Help!

Saving the World

I hold a strong belief in respecting all of life. One reason I care about respecting all of life is because it is strongly rooted in Christian belief. True Christian belief holds value to all of God's creation: humans, animals, the land, the sea, and all within. This is why I believe in supporting local farmers, buying organic food (when possible), and respectful treatment of all animals and humans involved. This is not a "kick" I'm on, as some may think. It is not simply a trendy thing to do. It is rooted in a theology. For saving the world, is not simply about getting as many souls to heaven (while this is important). It is much more. It is about restoration. It is about being an agent of healing in the world, as opposed to destroying it.

Patriarch Bartholomew speaks of environmentalism being a theological issue below.

Easter

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

Translation of song below:

People rejoice, nations hear:
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!
Stars dance, mountains sing:
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!
Forests murmur, winds hum:
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!
Seas bow*, animals roar:
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!
Bees swarm, and the birds sing:
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!

Angels stand, triple the song:
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!
Sky humble yourself, and elevate the earth:
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!
Bells chime, and tell to all:
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!
Glory to You God, everything is possible to You,
Christ is risen, and brings the joy!

Holy Saturday

Yesterday I Was Crucified With Him

Yesterday I was crucified with Him; today I am glorified with Him.

Yesterday I died with Him; today I am made alive in Him.

Yesterday, I was buried with Him, today I am raised up with Him.

Let us offer ourselves to Him who suffered and rose again for us.

Let us become divine for His sake, since for us He became human.

He assumed the worse that He might give us the better.

He became poor that by His poverty we might become rich.

He accepted the form of a servant that we might win back our freedom.

He came down that we might be lifted up.

He was tempted that through Him we might conquer.

He was dishonored that He might glorify us.

He died that He might save us.

He ascended that He might draw to Himself us, who were thrown down through the fall of sin.

Let us give all, offer all, to Him

Who gave Himself a ransom and reconciliation for us.

We needed an incarnate God, a God put to death, that we might live.

We were put to death together with Him.

We were glorified with Him because we rose again with Him.

A few drops of blood recreate the whole creation!

-Easter Oration, St. Gregory the Theologian, 4th Century (emphasis mine)

Good Friday

"Today He is suspended on a tree who suspended the earth over the waters"

Thoughts for Maundy Thursday

Instructing Thy disciples in the mystery, O Lord,

Thou didst say to them:

My beloved, see that no fear separates you from me.

Though I suffer, it is for the sake of the world.

Let me not be a cause of scandal to you.

I came, not to be served, but to serve,

to give myself for the redemption of the world.

If you are my friends, then imitate me.

Let the first among you be last.

Let the master be like the servant.

Abide in me and bear fruit, for I am the vine of life.

-From the Matins of Great and Holy Thursday

The Lord, who alone loves mankind,

who created the lakes, the rivers, and the seas,

gave us a special commandment of love

when he wrapped a towel around His waist

and washed the feet of His disciples;

He humbled Himself in the greatness of His goodness,

raising us from the depths of evil.

- Kathisma Hymn from the Matins of Great and Holy Thursday

Outside my window

A baby hummingbird! He stays for hours on a little branch waiting for his mother. The only bad thing is his somewhat annoying, high pitched chirp. He can fly though. For some reason, he just loves this tree outside my window.

fresno in spring

A Song

There's a song I've been listening to that expresses my heart for many occasions. It is by The Matt Grungor band.

The lyrics are:

"I’ve tried to stand my ground
I’ve tried to understand
but I can’t seem to find my way

like water on the sand
or grasping at the wind
I keep on falling short

please be my strength
please be my strenth
I don’t have anymore
I don’t have anymore

I’m looking for a place
that I can plant my faith
one thing I know for sure

I cannot create it
I cannot sustain it
It’s Your love that’s keeping (captured) me

Please be my strength…

at my final breath
I hope that I can say
I’ve fought the good fight of faith

I pray your glory shines
through this doubting heart of mine
so my world would know that You

You are my strength
You and You alone
You and You alone
Keep bringin me back home- on the tag"

You can listen to the song here.

gratitude

Today, at this moment, I am feeling thankful. I don't know if you're like me, but I don't think about gratitude enough. I just finished planting some lovely flowers and seeds that I cannot wait to see blossom into flowers. I am feeling thankful I have a place to plant and experience beauty. Over the last few days, I have been blessed to be able to purchase good food, good for me, good for the earth. I have an extra day off which I am thankful for too. I have good books on my shelf. Right now, I am listening to the sound of my fountain in my backyard and feel a sense of peace. For that, I have gratitude. Today I bought some bird seed and filled up my bird feeder, outside my window. Today I am giving to the birds and it gives me a sense of satisfaction. While I am thankful for so much, I am also feeling a sense of anticipation. I have been busy pruning back my roses and planting bulbs (for spring/summer). Looking at the new sprouts and the bareness causes me to anticipate spring, which is around the corner. For me, spring signifies new life and resurrection. Right now, bareness and barely sprouting bulbs remind that lent is almost here. Next week is forgiveness Sunday. I can't say I've been all that faithful in attending church as of late but I am going to try to make it more during lent. Anyhow, the season of anticipation, lent, is about to begin, and I am thankful for what is to come, new life, resurrection. Today I am grateful.

a page in my daybook

Outside my window ~ rain is watering the earth.

I am thinking ~ about work tomorrow.

I am thankful for… my home, my puppy, having a job, my family, a new day.

I am wearing… black pj pants, long sleeved, comfy white pj shirt, and no shoes.=)

I am remembering… to breathe and try to relax instead of stress.

I am going… nowhere but bed tonight.

I am currently reading… my textbook and two books, Eat, Pray, Love and Lucky.

I am hoping… I can learn to deal with stress better and eat better.

On my mind… how dirty my kitchen is and upcoming school work.

Noticing that… when I take the time to go to church I see why I love it.

Pondering these words… "O LIVING always, always dying! O the burials of me past and present, O me while I stride ahead, material, visible, imperious as ever;O me, what I was for years, now dead, (I lament not, I am content;)O to disengage myself from those corpses of me, which I turn and look at where I cast them, To pass on, (O living! always living!) and leave the corpses behind." - Walt Whitman

From the kitchen… nothing but a mess today.

Around the house… messes, messes, and more messes. Can you tell I don’t like messes?

One of my favorite things~ lazy days, sleeping in, English breakfast tea or coffee and sticky buns.

A photo to share~ A photo of the lone Cyprus in Caramel, CA that I took last spring.