The Cherry Blossoms Are In Bloom

This morning we left early and made a quick trip downtown to see the cherry blossoms. We have been to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D. C. a few times now, but it's just so busy. And while our small town can't compete, in many ways I think I much prefer this setting, smaller, quieter, these are things I am seeking more and more in my life these days.

Spring is in the air, and after a legendary winter, at least in my lifetime, I am ready. I worked outdoors for awhile for the first time this season, clearing the patio of all the leaves that have piled up. Over the winter my husband and I decided that we built our raised beds on the wrong side of the yard and with the location of our water sources, it would make more since if they were on the opposite side. The materials we used are also not holding up that well, but thankfully can all be repurposed. So we've decided to downsize our gardening goals this year, anything we grow will be mostly in pots, maybe a few small beds if we're able to manage it, but we are going to use a different design. The space where we feel the garden needs to be is currently where we have our fire pit, but thankfully that's portable and easy to move. Anyway, it's all going to be a rather huge project and most likely will take at least two seasons to see it through. I do like the idea of a smaller garden this season, and growing things in pots will help to determine if there are enough hours of sun in the area where we want to move it for it to be successful.

Spring cleaning is next week. I had planned to begin this week but a few appointments came up, and I prefer, when possible, to undertake such things when I have a string of uninterrupted days, and as of today next week is wide open. So today I'm looking over my lists and finalizing my plans and come Monday morning I'll set to the task. There are a few jobs that will most likely bleed over into the following week, and that's fine. I'm not holding myself to any time frame here, other than I do hope to get the bulk of it done in a weeks time. 

Another type of cleaning on my agenda is digital downsizing. I simply have too much saved in far too many places and it's overwhelming. There are so many good ideas out there, and it's so easy to bookmark, pin or like things. But the truth is there is no way one person could accomplish it all, and honestly, who would want to? With that, I'm going to try to be more mindful of the things I pin/bookmark going forward, and only save things that I honestly think I might want to try. But first, I need to weed through and delete a lot of content I have already saved, as well as find a way to mainstream it all so that it's in one place. I'm not sure what that might look like just yet, but between Pinterest, Instragram, Facebook and my web browser, well, let's just say I've got my work cut out for me.

And speaking of pins, I came across this lovely thought on one my boards today and wanted to share.

"Experience one beautiful thing a day. However small. However trivial. Read a poem. Play a favorite song. Laugh with a friend. Gaze at the sky just before the sun's final tumble toward night. Watch a classic movie. Eat a slice of lemon drizzle cake. Whatever. Just give yourself one simple reminder that the world is full of wonders. It always helps to remember that there are things in this world to enjoy."

- AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Here are some beautiful things I experienced this week;

- To my delight, I discovered little buds on both of my lilac plants that we planted in autumn. I was worried, with winter being so cold this year, that they might not make it, but they both appear to be fine.

- While helping my husband haul off some limbs to the outer skirts of our property, I came upon a natural path leading into a field. The field belongs to the county, but unless they are working on the electrical lines they are never there. It is surrounded on each side by tall, majestic pine trees, and the entire setting reminded me somewhat of a cathedral, and thus it is now named. We hope at some point to clear out more underbrush and add some decorative elements, perhaps, to add to the loveliness, but it is beautiful even now, just as it is. I plan to visit it frequently.

What about you? What are some beautiful things you've experienced lately? I'd love to hear.

Until then . . .

❊

 

On Earth As It In Heaven- Making Our Homes A Haven

Good Monday morning, my friends! How are you? Did you survive the time change and losing that extra hour of sleep yesterday? To be honest it's the change in autumn that typically messes with my rhythm more than the spring, which you might think would be just the opposite. But for whatever reason, it's gaining an hour that takes me a couple of weeks to recover from. In some ways I wish they would just do away with this nonsense altogether and leave time be, but, I must admit, I didn't mind that extra hour of sunshine last night one little bit. Still, left to its Creator, this would all happen naturally anyway, so why not let it? But now I'm getting sidetracked so let's move on.

I'm currently participating in a lovely Lenten reading of This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson (you can learn more about that here) and I wanted to share a short passage from my reading with you this morning.

"Where my parent's dwelt, home was rich and heaven was close. Even as a child disturbed by change, my childhood was largely secure. For the moving van would barely have lumbered away when my mom would locate the kettle and unwrap the cups for tea. In every home we lived in there was art on the walls and music in the air. There were family dinners eaten by candlelight, stacks of books in baskets, our bedrooms made colorful, our beds soft. My mother set to the work of beauty. Where she lived, the rooms were lovely, the meals delicious and the space claimed for love. 

But the older I've gotten, the more I realize that she did not act alone. My mother was dependent upon God's life creating within her the vision she could not sustain alone. The Spirit who brooded over the vast and formless void at the dawn of time is the same one who broods within our hearts, and the words he speaks within us are the ones by which we act with and in him, calling light out of darkness and form out of the shaplessness of our fallen lives. 

All that's required of us is a willingness to come home. To be made welcome by God and to let our belonging transform not only the inward rooms of our hearts but the outward rooms of our lives, so that where we are we dwell in heaven, though we yet live in the broken earth."

- SARAH CLARKSON

This Beautiful Truth

The reason I wanted to share this passage is because if there's one thing I've come to realize more and more as the years pass, it is that I can do relatively little about the changes that are happening in the world outside my door. But, there is one domain, one atmosphere, that with the Lord's help I can influence and that is in my home. This is where, in partnership with the Spirit, I can strive for just a bit of "On earth as it is in heaven." I just found this so inspirational and uplifting, and couldn't we all do with a bit of that in today's restless world?

10 Ideas For Making Your Home A Haven

And while we're on the subject of ushering a little heaven into our homes, here's an article that speaks a bit to that. What other ideas do you have, or things that you do that make your home a haven?

And now I'm off my friends, to tend to my own home! The temperatures are warming up nicely this week and that's re-energizing me, which is a good thing because spring cleaning is on the horizon!

Until then. . . .

❊ 

The Betsy Tacy Book ClubBook 2 - Betsy, Tacy and Tib

Good Friday morning, my friends! As I promised earlier this week, I am back today to highlight and discuss the second book in our 2025 read-along, Betsy Tacy and Tib, so let's jump right in, shall we?

The first thing I want to highlight is that from the beginning the people in the town who knew the girls didn't think adding a third person to the mix would work.  They felt that Betsy and Tacy had such a lovely friendship, and that adding Tib to the mix would disrupt the harmony. I found this interesting because when I was growing up my mother often said something similar, in fact, she discouraged me from inviting over more than one friend at a time to play. "Two's company, three's a crowd" is an oft used phrase I've heard over the course of my lifetime, and I suppose there's some truth to it. So often when three children play together two will bond and one will be left out, but not always, which was the case with Betsy, Tacy and Tib. 

In this book all three of the girls are 8 years old, which having been a mother, I recall as being a lovely age. No longer a toddler, but still a child. It was a magical age. The fact that the girls got along so well could be due to what is revealed in this sentence, "Betsy planned things up and Tacy and Tib loved to do them." It does appear that Betsy has the stronger, take charge personality of the trio, and as we've already discovered, she loves to make up stories. Appearing to be more docile in nature, Tacy and Tib seem to be content to follow their fearless leader, even if it often leads them into trouble.

One thing that is revealed about Tib is that she often "points things out", as was the case when Betsy and Tacy commented that "they wouldn't like to practice piano", to which Tib agreed but then added, "We don't know how to play the piano". Ever the one to point out the obvious, it seems. The author is quick to point out that "Tib was always pointing things out, but they liked her just the same." A minor annoyance, it seems, but easily overlooked.

I really enjoyed Chapter 4, The House In Tib's Basement. It evoked memories of a small area of our garage where I once set up a play house. I had a small cupboard and a little wooden table and chairs (which I could kick myself over and over again for every getting rid of!), and as I recall, I used an old screen door to create two spaces, and used some old pillows and blankets to make a couch that could also be used as a bed. I'm sure there were other things as well, and I recall that in the light of day I thought it a fun idea to actually spend the night there, but it seems that by the time evening fell, it was never quite as inviting. Reading about the little log house the children worked together to build took me on a fun little trip down memory lane, which I always enjoy.

But it was Chapter 5, Everything Pudding, that was by far my favorite. One thing that I noticed right off, and found interesting, was that the children went to school in the morning, left at mid-day and walked home for "dinner", which we call lunch here at our house, and then returned to school and walked home a second time in the afternoon. In other books I've read over the years the children often took their lunch in pails and ate at school. I'm not sure if walking home for lunch was a common thing during this time which would have been around 1900?

But I think the thing I loved the most about this chapter was when the girls were left to "keep house", and the fact that it was snowing, "It was snowing which made keeping house all the nicer", which set such a cozy setting.  That combined with hot cocoa and cupcakes, makes me want to make up a batch of cupcakes myself, although I think most of our chances for snow are growing less here, but cupcakes are always a good idea!

Another setting that was easy to step right into was in Chapter 9, The Secret Lane, when the girls discovered the tree lined lane and at the same time, the secret meeting place of Julia and Katie's "stuck up" club. The boiled eggs, sandwiches and cake spread out on a blue and white gingham table cloth, now that's a scene I could more easily replicate soon, and maybe I will. I already know a lovely spot right at the edge of the woods that would make the perfect setting.

And finally, in the the final chapter, Aunt Dolly, there was this line,

"I wonder what it will be like to be grown up? I don't think it will be as nice as being children. You have two numbers in your age when are ten, it's the beginning of growing up"

This took me back again to, as I mentioned earlier, to that magical time between the ages of 6-8 that I so cherished when my daughter was little. I do recall that her turning 10 was mixed with just a little twinge of sadness. For the rest of our lives, with the exception of those who live to be 100, our age is defined by two numbers and so I suppose it really is the beginning of growing up. Though I deeply enjoy the relationship I have with my daughter who is now 25, I can't help every now and then to long for the days when she was little. As children we can't wait to grow up, and once we do we realize how wonderful and carefree childhood truly was and we want to recapture it. You get a little of those carefree days again as you age, but not with the same innocence or energy you once enjoyed. Still, even at my age I  like to entertain childhood pleasures now and then. The thing no one ever tells you is that deep down it's your body that ages, but I think there's a part of your soul that might just linger between the ages of 6-8, I like to think so, anyway.

So now it's your turn! What were some of your thoughts, favorite chapters, passages as you read through this second book in the series?   I'd love to hear from you! Just leave your entry in the comments, and then join me here again next month as we discuss the third book, Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill.

 ❊

The Betsy Tacy Book Club- Book 1 - Betsy Tacy

Good morning, friends! I am back again today after taking a week to focus on preprations for Lent, which begins this Wednesday! I completely changed up my Lenten table display this year so it took me several days to shop for and put together the display. Having visuals in my home during this season helps me to remain consistent in my focus and makes it so much more meaningful. I do realize that because of that I was absent from this space last week, so I appreciate your patience.

With that,  as promised today we will begin discussing the first two books in our 2025 read-along of the Betsy Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace. As we begin I did want to let you know that I've decided to change things up a bit. I was originally going to share my thoughts regarding the first two books in one post, but I quickly decided that was too much.  So, I've decided to split them into two separate posts, sharing my thoughts on Betsy Tacy today and then in a second post on Betsy, Tacy and Tib on Friday, so if you're reading along be looking for both of them this week. Going forward the schedule will remain the same, which you can find in the original post linked above.

If this is your first time reading this delightful series, I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Betsy Ray and Tacy Kelly! In reading this series again for the first time in many years, I was reminded of the first time I was introduced to it and how much I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am happy to report that my enthusiasm has not waned in the least! This series remains one of my all time favorites!

For the sake of turning this post into a short story of its own, I thought I would just highlight a few of the happenings in the first book that I particularly loved.

First off, I just loved Betsy and Tacy's first meeting, and in many ways I so relate to Tacy, especially, who darted at the sight of Betsy running towards her, and then in her own way, trying to push past her shy fears and shouting out her name just as she closed herself safe behind the door.  But of course, Betsy didn't know at the time that Tacy was terribly shy, and not understanding what she said, she mistook it for name calling. My heart always breaks for Betsy in that moment, too, as she was so excited to potentially have a friend just her age, only to be disappointed when their first meeting didn't turn out as she had planned. Of course eventually they make things right and all is forgiven.  Being an introvert, I've been misunderstood a time or too, myself, so I'm so glad that Betsy was able to reach a place of understanding, and all the more so as she came to know Tacy better.

There are two other passages in this book that I always find especially sweet and endearing and the first is in Chapter 8 - Easter Eggs. Tacy's little sister, Bee, has just passed away and the two girls have not played together for awhile and Betsy has grown especially lonely for Tacy's company.  In the story Betsy dresses without disturbing anyone and walks over and stands outside Tacy's house.  Eventually Tacy comes out and the two walk together up to their little bench at the top of the hill where they decide to climb a tree. After awhile Tacy begins to open up about Bee's death and funeral. How pretty she looks surrounded by candles, and how sad her mama was, and at some point Tacy started to become emotional. That was when Betsy did what she often does, and tells Tacy a story of how beautiful heaven is, and when Tacy questions whether Bee can see them, Betsy assures her that she can. Eventually they climb up a little higher in the tree and place a lovely purple egg for the birds to take to Bee in heaven. 

The thing I find particularly lovely about this part of the story is how Betsy, even at her tender age, didn't push Tacy for information.  She simply wanted to be with her friend doing the the things they had always done together, and that created a safe place for Tacy to open up. When Tacy became emotional, the author says that it made Betsy "feel queer", but rather than asking Tacy not to cry or completely changing the subject, Betsy begins to speak of all of the positive things that Bee is now experiencing in heaven, and assuring her friend that Bee is safe and well.

I think so often in life, especially during seasons of grief, even well meaning people can bombard others with the inquistions and their odd way of wanting to know all the details. If you've experienced the death of a loved one, you probably know that after awhile you really do become weary of answering all the questions and rehashing it all. It is good to have a friend who is comfortable enough to sit with you in silence, or even just invite you to lunch and not even bring up the heartache you are experiencing, but at the same time, remains open should you feel the need to discuss it. That kind of friend can be hard to find.

And then later in Chapter 12, Tacy has an opportunity to return the favor.  Betsy has just come home from spending the summer away to find that she has a new baby sister. With the time frame of the first book being roughly 1898 or 1899, I assume that in those days families did not discuss such things as pregnancy, and with Betsy being away most of the summer I suppose it woud have been easy for to have no clue that her mother was expecting. Still, I remember when I read this the first time thinking it was a little odd that Betsy had no idea her mother was pregnant. Regardless, what we do know is that Betsy did not warm to the idea at first, in fact she became quiet upset about it. As was the case when Betsy went and stood outside Tacy's window after Bee's death, Tacy instinctively knew where to find her friend, and, as Betsy had done for her, she did not make Betsy feel she was wrong for being upset. Instead she comforted Betsy, recounting her own experiences having younger siblings; "You can't keep on being the baby forever," Tacy said. That statement alone assured Betsy. To know that Tacy had once been the baby herself and she seemed ok. Tacy also assured her that even though the baby was funny looking now, it would get prettier, and after awhile Betsy was feeling much better about her new baby sister.

I love that in this part of the story it is Tacy who is the comforter, which is very different than the shy, reserved little girl who often has nothing to say. The author even points this out; "All of the sudden she thought how odd it was that Tacy should be talking like this. Usually she herself did most of the talking.  But now Tacy was doing the talking. She was trying to comfort Betsy. And she had comforted her. All the sore hurt feelings were gone."

I am in season, even this late in my life, in which God is growing me. He has placed me in situations recently where I mayself have been called on to comfort and encourage others, which is as odd a thing for me as I'm sure it was for Tacy. And isn't it lovely how often in life love compels us step out of our comfort zone to be there for another?  I also relate very much to Betsy in this chapter, as well. I was almost seven when my brother was born, and while I had known for awhile that my mother was expecting, I really had my heart set on a sister and recall being visiblly upset when my father came home from the hospital with the news that I had a baby brother. But like Betsy, it didn't take long for me to push past my disappointments. Almost seven years separated us, so we never had a lot in common, but I have many wonderful memories of the things we shared together as children.

So now it's your turn! What were some of your thoughts, favorite chapters, passages as you read through this first book in the series?  Are you enjoing it so far, looking forward to move on to the next book, Betsy Tacy and Tib (who we were introduced at the end). I'd love to hear from you! Just leave your entry in the comments, and then join me here again later this week as we continue the discussion of Betsy, Tacy and Tib!

❊

Small Things - Last Saturday of February 2025

"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

It's hard for me to believe that we are in the final week of February, and that next Wednesday we enter into the holy and somber season of Lent. And while the calendar says it is true, my mind begs to differ. In some ways it feels like we have been on an extended Christmas holiday and that Winter will last forever. We had another round of snow this week with everyone home together again for several days, which I love, but I have to say, it does make for keeping up with routines and rhythms a bit challenging. If there is such a thing as too many pajama days, I think I may be reaching it. With that, I'm **hoping** that with Lent, spring cleaning and de-cluttering, I can regain whatever sense of order and control I naively believe I have, but then again, it's early March, we're still not out of the winter woods in this area for probably six weeks yet. With that, my inspiration this week deeply reflects where my heart is these day, our home. 

Here, in particular order, are six small things that inspired me this week.

1. This Mama's Faith

I first came across Tabitha's Instragram account, which led me to her website, and finally to her You Tube channel, which is probably my favorite of the three! I especially enjoyed Keeper At Home: A Practical Guide to Christian Homemaking as well as Homemaking Is A High Calling. She also has a Proverbs 31 Studay that I'm excited to dive into, probably after Lent.

2. The Legacy of Home

I came across this blog as I was going through some of my bookmarks I have saved on my computer this week. I had saved a post from many years ago (almost 13 years ago, in fact), and was happy to see that in that time Mrs. White has continued to update her blog with more posts! I spent quite a bit of time there one snowy afternoon this week, and enjoyed my time there. I found her most recent post, Lessons on Thrift, inspiring.

3. Joyfully Domestic

Another lovely blog. I particularly enjoyed her Liturgical Living archives.

4. Inspired You: Letting God Breathe New Life Into Your Heart and Home

by Marian Parsons

Free to borrow from the archives. Might try to work this one in prior to beginning my Lenten reading.

5. The Seasonal Reset

I've long been inspired by This Pilgrim Life, and this post in particular is a good one to revisit.

6. Cooking With Karli

One of my favorite places to meet a friend for lunch is a little sandwich shop in our area, Blue Ridge Bagels. My favorite sandwich is The Bully, but they make a pretty good chicken salad, as well. But the thing I probably like best is taking home a bag of my favorite bagels to enjoy another day, my absolute favorites being Asiago Cheese and Jalapeno. I've thought often of trying my hand at making them myself, but as with so many other things in life, just never got around to it. However . . .

This week a recipe for an Asiago Cheese bagel just happened to pop up in my Pinterest feed which swept me away to the world of Cooking With Karli and OH MY! Not only is there a recipe for an asiago cheese bagel, but just about every bagel you could hope for! I even found a recipe for a jalapeno bagel! Not only that, but this Crumbl Sugar Cookie copycat recipe looks divine, and since my daughter LOVES Crumbl, I might have to give this one a try! 

❊

The Dust of the Rabbi:A Journey With Jesus Through Lent

Today I want to direct you to a resource that I've compiled to aide me in my journey through the Lenten Season;

THE DUST OF THE RABBI

A Journey With Jesus Through Lent

Over the years I've used a number of resources to guide me through the 40 days of this season, but in the end what I found what was most meaningful was the simple daily reading of scripture itself, the lectionary readings traditionally used by the church for decades. These are easy enough to find and follow online, but as I didn't want to employ my devices for doing so, I decided to compile a booklet and gather the readings all in one place.

It has also been my practice for several years now to employ the practice of Lectio Divina, which is the practice of reading, meditating upon and praying over the scriptures, when reading the scriptures during Lent.

With that, in this resource you will find pages dedicated to a brief introduction and history of Lent, as well as instructions on how to engage in the practice of Lectio Divina. This, of course, is a completely optional approach, your journey through this season should be personal and to your preference. There is a journal page for each day, providing the daily scriptures as well as space for reflection and response, and to make notes regarding  fasting, prayer and giving, should you choose to engage in those practices.

I've also included pages that further explain the history and meaning of some of the more siginificant days in this season, including Ash Wednesday, as well as Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter. 

Additionally, I've provided a worksheet to help to guide you in deciding what you will be fasting or "giving up", as a sacrifice during this season. Again, this is completely optional, and if you are new to observing this season I would encourage you to start small. In years past I've given up things such as sugar, soda and social media, and I find that this yearly practice greatly enhances my spiritual journey.

And finally, I'll be writing several posts here during the Lenten season, with links to additional resources, poems I've found meaningful, and to chronicle my own journey over the forty days until Easter. Though that won't be the full of my posts, and many of them, as I mentioned in my post yesterday, will focus on the home and homekeeping, which has been and remains at the heart of my blog.

If you do download and use this resource, I hope you'll give me some feedback and let me know how you liked, and how I can make improvements in the future.  You'll find the link to the free download below.

THE DUST OF THE RABBI

A Journey With Jesus Through Lent

My Lenten Focus: Home, Hospitality and Ministry

 

I've always been a homebody, that goes without question. From the time I was a little girl my only aspiration in life was to be a wife, mother and a teacher, and I've been blessed to be all of those. It is also true that I am an introvert and that social interactions, even if only for a few hours, can leave me physically and emotionally depleted. So it isn't surprising to me that in this lenten season I am sensing a deep call to home. I mentioned in an earlier post I plan to do my spring cleaning and declutter our home by donating 40 items over 40 days. But what has been a bit unexpected is, that beyond simply bringing our house to order, I also feel a call to open our home for ministry. That idea in and of itself doesn't concern me, I enjoy having friends over to share a meal or for a game night, but something about this stirring feels greater than that. And while I'm certain that gathering over a simple meal will likely be the starting place, I sense that what the Holy Spirit has in mind is much more.  

When the idea first came to me my initial response was "But . . . .

. . . we live 30 minutes from civilization, who would want to come here?

. . . our house is small, comfortable for us, yes, but you add 2-3 more people and we're already crowded?

. . . where would everyone park?

To be honest, I still have those questions, and yet this urging, I suppose you would call it, has not ceased. And so, with that, I've decided to lean into it by reading three books during this season. 

The first book I've chosen is . . .

Glory In The Ordinary: 

Why Your Work In The Home Matters To God

by Courtney Reising

I chose it because it focuses on our work in the home, and to remind myself, as Thomas Moore says, that;

"The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest."

And here is a brief summary from Amazon; 

"When the work of the home fills our days, it is easy to get disillusioned and miss God’s grand purpose for our work. As image bearers of the Creator who made us to work, we contribute to society, bringing order out of chaos and loving God through loving others—meaning there’s glory in every moment."

I feel it is important in beginning this journey, to be reminded that my family and my home are my highest calling and ministry. Anything else that I am led to do will flow from that. Creating order in our home by organizing and decluttering will allow for our rhythms and rituals to flow freely and smoothly, freeing my time for minisry and setting the stage for hospitality.

Which leads me to the second book . . .

Gather & Give: 

Sharing God's Heart Through Hospitality

by Amy Nelson Shannon

I chose this book for its focus on hospitality and viewing our homes as a place of ministry, a "domestic church", and when I read the summary on Amazon, I realized that this book may well address all of my "but's" and hesitations.

"Many of us wish to share a meal, share our faith, and share our lives with others. We want to open our home to friends and neighbors for the sake of meaningful community, but we're overwhelmed with hospitality hang-ups. How do I extend an invitation? What will they think of my house or the food? Our welcome has been influenced by the messages of the world that tell us hospitality is about our ability to be, host, live, and cook a certain way.

In Gather and Give, Amy Hannon inspires you to embrace the simple hospitality of the Bible that values connection more than perfection and people more than presentation. Amy shares scriptural principles and practical ideas to make everyday hospitality a natural, joy-filled part of your life."

This will actually be my second time reading this book, but if I'm honest, I don't recall much about it. I do remember liking it, but I feel that it will have more meaning and impact in this season. I was also elated to discover that the author has another book, Love Welcome Serve: Recipes that Gather and Give, and that it is free with my Kindle Unlimited membership. I'm looking forward to persuing it.

And finally, the third book I've chosen is . . .

The Ministry of Ordinary Places:

Waking Up To God's Goodness All Around You

by Shannan Martin

As with Gather & Give, this will be my second time reading this book, however . . I do recall that upon my first reading I was deeply moved, and in this season the content seems fitting.

Here is the summary from Amazon;

"What does it look like to live lives of meaning?

And how do we do it between loads of laundry and reimagining leftovers?

Where do we even begin?

For Christ-followers living in an increasingly complicated world, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to live a life of intention and meaning.

But in The Ministry of Ordinary Places, speaker and writer Shannan Martin offers a surprisingly simple answer: it’s about being with people, the ones right next door. As she walks you through her own story she challenges you to see your community through a wider lens of love, following in the footsteps of a Savior who came as an everyday man and spent his life circled up with regular folks just like us. Along the way, she shares discoveries about the vital importance of showing up and committing for the long haul, despite the inevitable encounters with brokenness and uncertainty.

With transparency, humor, heart-tugging storytelling, and more than a little personal confession, Martin shows us that no matter where we live or how much we have, as we learn what it is to be with people as Jesus was, we'll find our very lives. The details will look quiet and ordinary, and the call will both exhaust and exhilarate us. But it will be the most worth-it adventure we will ever take."

I feel that reading through this book again will bring clarity to this calling I feel has been placed upon my heart. It guides you in the question, "Who is my neighbor", and reminds us that the places we find ourselves in life are not just determined by some random throw of the cosmic dice,  but that we have been specifically chosen and guided to the fields in which we are gleaning, "the harvest is plentiful".

With that, if anything about these books has stirred your heart or caught your interest, then I invite you to join me. I've linked (affliciate) each title throughout this post, but I would encourage you to check with your library, or if your local branch is affliated with Hoopla, I found each ot these titles are available to borrow.

- Glory in the Ordinary

- Gather & Give

- The Ministry of Ordinary Places

I also just came across another title by Shannan Martin, Start With Hello: And Other Simple Ways To Live As Neighbors, which sounds fitting, as well.

As Lent last approximately sixish weeks, my plan is simple, to read one book every two weeks, which looks something like . . .

Glory in the Ordinary - March 5 - 18

Gather & Give - March 19 - April 1

and finally,

The Ministry of Ordinary Places - April 2 - 16

I'll be writing a review of each of the books as I finish them, and what the Holy Spirit showed me in the process. This is also in addition to reading Betsy & Tacy Go Over The Big Hill which is the third book in the series that we'll be reading in March, if you are or want to participate in that.  The Betsy Tacy books are easy, quick reads, so I'm not concerned about setting my expectations too high. My plan is to read my daily Lenten devotional (which I'll talk more about later) every morning followed by a chapter one of the homemaking/hospitality books, and then read Betsy Tacy in the afternoon. It's all very doable.

If you'd like to join me in reading any or all of these books, I would love the company! Just leave a comment and let me know. There's no pressure or expectation, just an opportunity to deepen our love for and mission as wives, mothers and workers in the Kingdom.

Until then . . .

❊

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Small Things - Third Saturday in February 2025

"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are six small things that inspired me this week.

1. The Best Reason to Read Aloud Together

There's always been something about the idea of life in the 30's and 40's and the family gathered together around the radio and listening to their favorite shows that appeals to me. And while modern technology makes that possible even today, if you wish, I also love the idea of reading alound together, especially if you have young children. But even as we grow older, the simple idea of sharing a book together in the evening is one that I find very appealing, especially listening to an audio book!

2. N. T. Wright Online

My husband recently introduced me to N. T. Wright, and I've listened to quite a few of his teachings and really enjoyed them.  I'm planning on listening to more through the Lenten season.

3. 24/7 Prayer

Prayer has become a huge focus of my spiritual journey this year, and I've really enjoyed this You Tube channel as I grow in this area of my life.

4. Middle Grade March Reading Challenge

Came across this reading challenge on Instagram this week, and while I have far too many other reading goals during March, this does sound like fun, and thought it was worth passing along!

5. Steeple Chasing: Around Britain By Church (affiliate link)

Great Britain and church buildings, two of my favorite things in one book! I bought the Kindle edition, and plan to look up each of the churches listed online as I read through it.

6. House Cleaning Prayer: A Guide To Blessing Every Room In Your House

I mentioned in my post yesterday , that as I am decluttering, I also plan to do my spring cleaning during the Lenten season. Another idea I have is to do a Home Blessing at the beginning of Holy Week or right before it. A Home Blessing is something I've intended to do ever since we moved into this house, and I've decided it's time to stop just thinking about it but actually do it. Thankfully you can find a lot of ideas and resources on the subject, but typical of me, I want to make it my own. I'll be sharing more about this in the coming weeks, so be sure to stop by again soon!

Until then . . .

❊

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Join Me in the 40 Things / 40 Days Decluttering Challenge

Yesterday I discussed the preparations I am making for Lent, and today I wanted to talk about another way I have traditionally observed this season, The 40 Things / 40 Days Decluttering Challenge. If you google 40 Days / 40 Things (Some challenges are to remove 40 bags of stuff!), you'll likely find a number of posts on the topic, which is how I originally discovered the idea over a decade ago. But, as with so many things, I like to personalize things and make it my own, using my own graphics and colors that appeal to me, which is why I am hosting my own challenge here this year.

The idea is that during the season of Lent (March 5 - April 17, 2025), you challenge yourself to remove 40 items that you no longer want or need from your house, old clothes, old books, kitchen gadgets, sports equipment, furniture, you name it, if you've got clutter (and don't we all!) and you want to free up some space, this challenge is for you! I think it's perfect for this season as we are emptying ourselves to make room for the Spirit to move and work, decluttering and making space in our living spaces seems like a natural extension.

It's been a couple of years since I made this a part of my Lenten observance, and I briefly considered not doing it this year. We just did a pretty major decluttering back in the summer, but in looking through some of my books and craft supplies, especially, I feel like I'm ready to part with more, and I thought it might be fun to invite you to join along. And while I realize that March 5 is still several weeks away, I wanted ot go ahead and share it with you now so that you could would have time to consider if you want to participate, and if you do, it's super simple!

- Comment on this post and say, "I'm in!"

- Find a box (or boxes) to store the items as you collect them.

- Download the 40 Things / 40 Days Decluttering Challenge Track Sheet, and beginning March 5, start filling your boxes. Every time you add an item to the box, color in a square and continue to do so until you reach 40 items! You can also donate more, but the idea is to donate a minimum of 40 items, 1 item for each day of Lent. You also don't have to follow this day to day. If you do a deep clean and collect 10 items one day, then you color in 10 squares, and you may have days when you don't add anything to the box, and that is fine. The goal is to simply have 40 items in the box and ready to donate.

- Then, any time after April 17, take your collected items and donate them to your favorite thrift store or other ministry.

During the challenge I'll post about my progress from time to time, and if  you join along feel free to leave a comment and let us know how you're doing!  I'll also be making one more post between now and March 5 to remind everyone and to give others who may want to participate a chance to join us. And finally, I'll  also be making a button for my side bar that will link back to all the posts about the challenge to make it easy to find.

This is such a fun challenge, and it always feels so good to clear things out! I'm actually going to be doing this in conjunction with my spring cleaning, which I'll be doing during Lent, as well. I'll post more about that soon, if that's something you might be interested in following! Once my house is cleaned and de-cluttered, I'm planning on doing a house blessing, which is something I've wanted to do for awhile now, and again, I'll be sharing more about that soon, so I hope you'll visit here with me again!

Until then, my friends, have a lovely afternoon!

❊

Septuagesima - Preparing Our Hearts and Homes For Lent

This coming Sunday, February 16, is known as Septuagesima, and is both the name of the third Sunday before Lent as well as the season itself that runs from this day up until Ash Wednesday, March 5. The other Sundays in the Season of Septuagesima are Sexagesima Sunday, February 23 and Quinquagesima Sunday, March 2. It is a season intented for feasting and fasting, a period of time that prompts us to enjoy the delights of life before our days of fasting start and also signals us to ready our hearts and minds as we begin to enter into Lent. It is a season of transition, inasmuch as it includes the period between two important seasons, Christmas and Lent. The three Sundays prior to Lent are like stairs that gradually bring you closer to fully living in the Lenten season. 

Historically the weeks leading up to Lent were also known as Carnival Season in many cultures and countries around the world. The word carnival comes from the Latin carnelevarium meaning, "the removal of meat." During these weeks of celebration, one would need to consume all remaining meat and animal products such as eggs, cream and butter, beore the six-week Lenten fast. The reason for this was first, the laws regarding fasting and abstinence were quite different and far more strict from what is practiced today. You were expected to abstain from every thing on the list, and then some. Second, before home refrigeration these perishable items would not have lasted through the Lenten season when they were not being eaten and therefore would have spoiled. The best thing to do was to use them to make delicious food.

Carnival celebrations such as bells, masquerades, parades and parties happened throughout Pre-Lent in the spirit of feasting. But many of the leaders in the church did not approve of what the carnival season became, and saw it as an excuse to over indulge beyond any sense of virtue. It is important to realize that while these weeks are meant for feasting, they are also an intentional time of preparation for fasting and prayer. 

Septuagasima means seventieth, sexagesima means sixtieth and quinquagesima means fiftieth the first Sunday of Lent is called quadragesims, fortieth. As the Lenten season is  40 days meant to imitate Jesus’ forty days of fasting and prayer in the desert, the tree Sundays prior were thus counted as the 50th, 60th and 70th. 

While our family has observed Lent for many years now, I find that this year I am looking forward to this season like never before. We've had several rounds of snow, sleet and freezing rain, and the flu and pneumonia have both made the rounds. In some ways I feel like I've done little more than read and cross stitch for six weeks now, not that I'm necessarily complaining, but a few days of temps in the high 50's last week and finally being able to get out and back to church has me longing for warmer days and returning to routine. And so in spite of the fact that we are currently in the midst of another winter storm, I spent some time yesterday thinking through the upcoming season and made a list of things I want to do and what I need to prepare for Lent and Easter and I thought I would share it here with you. If you observe this holy season perhaps you'll find some inspiration, and if this is new to you, I'll be sharing more in upcoming posts, so be sure to visit!  And with that, here's what I have so far.

- First and foremost is to arrive what I will be giving up this year. In years past I've given up spending, soda, sugar, and the like but this year I'm not sure. With that, I'm going to make this a more focused matter of prayer in the coming week.

- Put together our Crown of Thorns Wreath

This is something we've done for several years now. I have all of the supplies, I just need to bring down the Lent / Easter decorations and get it ready to set up. 

- Make our soil and ashes bowl

This is just a small bowl filled with a bit of potting soil mixed with the ashes from some leftover Christmas greenery. I think palms from Palm Sunday are what are traditionally used for the ashes in lenten services, but since I never have palms, I find the symbolism of greenery leftover from the season  in which we celebrate Christ's birth appropriate. During Lent, Christians "remember we are dust" because on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, we receive ashes on our foreheads while hearing the phrase "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19), serving as a reminder of our mortality, human weakness, and the need for repentance before God, signifying that we are created from the earth and will eventually return to it; essentially marking a time for reflection on our sinfulness and the promise of redemption through Christ's sacrifice. 

- Set up our Journey With Christ Through the Desert

This is a tabletop display I put together using 40 small stones. I simply lay them out to resemble a winding, wondering path to mark the 40 days of Lent (I also mark the Sundays with a larger rock). Each day we take up the rock that represents that day and place it into a small bowl that is kept nearby. This year I'm considering using four small votive candles to represent each Sunday, to light the way.

- Make a Tomb and Three Cross Display

In years past, I've made up displays similar to the ones you'll find at the link above, and I'd like to do it again this year.  One of the challenges we have in our home is a lack of open surfaces. I usually have to rethink my decorating in almost every season to make accomodations. I was considering saving this display for Holy Week, but another tradition we observe is burying the Alleluia, and in years past we've placed it in the tomb, which I find meaningful. This year I'm **hoping** to cross stitch an Alleluia banner, and what I have in mind would be too big to bury in the tomb, so I'll have to think on that. Maybe a smaller one for the tomb and a larger one for Easter Sunday? So much to consider.

- Set up the candles and cards for the Stations of the Cross 

The Stations of the Cross is another display we've set up during Lent, although it's been a number of years now since we've done it. In years past I set it up and we observed it every Friday, but I'm thinking this year I'd like to save it for Good Friday.

- Make a He Is Risen Cross for Easter Sunday

I saw this on Pinterest and really liked it, although you could do the same thing with the tomb and cross display, with the stone rolled away on Easter morning, which I think would be lovely. 

- The Road To Easter Countdown for Holy Week

I really like this idea, as well, but as I said, surface space can be challening and adding another countdown might prove difficult. However, I suppose if the pieces were small enough I could use them on the days of holy week in place of the stones in our Journey Through the Desert display. I'll have to think on that.

- Build a Cross to display outside.

I've wanted a cross on our property for years now, and not just for Easter. I'm sure we have the lumber, I'll just have to see if my husband has the time to build it.

While this sounds like a LOT, and perhaps it is, for the most part once everything is prepared and set up it's done. There are actually other traditions and things we observe in this season that I haven't even mentioned, and while there hasn't been a year when we've done it ALL, making a plan and holding it loosely at least ensures that SOME of it happens.

Do you observe Lent, and if so, what are some of your traditions, I'd love to hear!

Until then . . .

❊

Small Things - Second Saturday in February 2025

"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are six small things that inspired me this week.

1. I've spent a lot of time this week watching old clips from figure skating from years gone by. My mom and I loved watching figure skating together and even though she is no longer with me, watching it, especially the older clips, makes her feel close.  Peggy Fleming has been and remains my favorite in the sport. Here is a clip of her free skate from the 1968 Olympics, as well as a TV special from the same year, Here's Peggy Fleming, the quality isn't that good, but I still enjoyed watching it and reministing. If you like ice skating, You Tube is packed with years worth of clips and perfomances.

2. And speaking of reminiscing, this week I recalled watching The ABC After School Special, and so I decided to do a little digging. First off, I had no idea that this show aired from 1972 to 1997! You can find a listing of the name of every episode here. In looking through the list I vividly remembered Sara's Summer of the Swans  , Dear Lovey Hart, I Am Desperate and Me And Dad's New Wife with Kristy McNichol. Watching these brought back so many memories! Although I felt that some of the content was geared more to older children, I do have fond memories of watching many of these. I'm planning to span the list to see if anything else sparks a memory.

3. Discovered this account on Instagram this week, Breaking Bread With the Bayna's. Very uplifting and inspiring!

4. I enjoyed listening to this playlist while working on my computer this week, Cozy Winter Piano for A Snowy Day.

5. And speaking of winter, even though we've recently had a few days in the 60's, there is snow in the forecast in our area this coming week, and historically some of our largest snow totals have been in mid-March. So while I've thinking toward Spring, I'm still embracing and enjoying this slower winter season. I particularly enjoy saving things like Winter Remedies To Keep You Warm, Herbs to Forage in Winter, Cozy Winter Home and Cottagecore Winter Routine to save to my Winter Board on Pinterest.

6. When I lived in Texas my all time favorite place to eat was Pappasito's Cantina! I keep hoping that maybe someday, they'll find their way to Virginia, and hopefully not too far away! But since the nearest location at the moment is in Georgia, I've had to rely on copycat recipes over the years to even come close! That's why I was excited to find this copycat queso recipe this week! I remember the taste distinctly, so I'm going to give it a try soon!

My Favorite TV Shows:All Creatures Great and Small

Today I thought I'd talk about my current favorite TV show, All Creatures Great and Small. As you probably know by now, I don't want much in the way of main stream television, in fact I can't recall the last time I watched anything on ABC, CBS or NBC. I simply don't find much that these stations offer to be worth my time. But PBS, well, that's a different story, which inwardly makes me laugh a little. My dad enjoyed watching shows on PBS, and listening to NPR, which as a child and young teenager, I found completely nerdy and boring! Sorry, dad, I get it now!  For the most part, if it's not a classic sitcom from the 50's and 60's, PBS is about the only other television I watch. In the past I subscribed though my local PBS station, but in recent years I've subscribed to the Masterpiece channel through Amazon for about $5.00 a month, which, in my opinion, is worth every penny.

All Creatures Great and Small feature's James Herriot's adventures as a veterinarian in 1930's Yorkshire, and as I learned early on, is a new adaptation as it was first made into a series in the late 70's. I've been considering watching the earlier adaptation, but I so love the characters in the current series, I'm afraid I won't like it. The original series does have quite a following, and many who watched it don't care for the new adaptation. My guess is, in the end, it all depends on which you saw first.

My all time favorite character in the series is Mrs. Hall, played by Anna Madeley. Mrs. Hall is the houskeeper, but in spite of what Siegfried Farnon, the head veterinarian and owner of the practice believes, she is in charge! Kind, compassionate and loving, and the woman can really cook! Mrs. Hall is very intentional in her relationships with others, and I feel that with her, people feel seen. I also just discovered that she starred in the movie The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton, which is based on the life of home management and cookbook author, Isabella Beeton.  It's available for purchase from Amazon, but I think I'd like to know a little more about it before I pay for it.

Another favorite is Tristan Farnon, portrayed by Callum Woodhouse. Tristan is a playboy, a bit lazy and has a poor work ethic (which improves as the series progresses), but I find his character so full of life and fun-loving. Though I would have never been attracted to someone like him in real life, I'm very fond of him. There is a tenderness about him, and you know that deep down he really does want to be taken seriously and to make his brother proud. As Mrs. Hall frequently admonishes, "He are a good boy!"

And finally, Jenny Alderson, portrayed by Imogen Clawson. Jenny is determined, stubborn and wise beyond her years. She loves animals and has a number of pets. She lost her mother early in her life, which makes her relationship with her older sister Helen (who marries James Herriot), complicated to navigate at times. Personally, I would really like to see a budding romance betwen her and Tristan at some point, now that she's growing up. Imogen was only 13 when she landed the role, and it's her acting debut, which I find impressive!

I could honestly keep going, sharing all the things I love about every character in the show, it's really just that good! It isn't often that a series with such a large cast manages to fully develop so many characters, but this series excels at it.! There are currently 5 seasons of the show, the 5th season having just debuted in the US in January (it airs in the UK in autumn each year). I received the first three seasons and seaon four on DVD for Christmas this year, and I've already asked for season 5 for mother's day (it releases March 11)! This is definitely one that I would enjoy watching again and again, in fact, I just recently began watching it again with my husband who is thoroughly enjoying it, as well!

Another thing that I love about the series is the music, and I was delighted to find the soundtrack for each season on Spotify. I've included the links to each one below.

- Soundtrack for Season 1

- Soundtrack for Season 2

- Soundtrack for Season 3

- Soundtrack for Seasons 4/5

I've been listening to them a lot lately and I've really enjoyed them.

If you've never watched this series, I highly recommend it! As I said, I pay around $5 a month for Masterpiece, and there are so many other shows available to watch, as well. It is definitely worth the cost for what I consider to be higher quality entertainment.

Are you familiar with this series, or the original adaptation from the late 70's? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Let's chat in the comments!

Until then . . .

❊

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