Making Home More Homey
Today I remember my mother’s advice about engaging all the five senses to create a beautiful, restful space. She always talked about what people feel, taste, see, hear, and smell when they enter any room. Certain rooms had tinkling water fountains, treats arranged to enjoy, beautifully matched fabrics and artwork on the walls, soft textures on seats, […]
The Ants and Peppermint Oil
Every spring, the ants return to the kitchen. Living so near the forest, we’re used to all kinds of welcomed insects and even an occasional playful field mouse visiting, but ants in the kitchen drive me crazy. Not in my kitchen! I’ve been reading about a quick, pleasant, cost-effective, and natural way to rid your house […]
Explaining the Wonder of a Nest with Eggs
I cannot wait to find all the spring nests. Each year, I track the Robin, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Sparrow, and Mourning Dove, but this year, I’m sure I’ll finally find the Mallard Duck’s nest by the secret vernal pond. What a joy! I can hardly describe it. My favorite book as a child was […]
The Joy of Spring
I can hardly describe the joy of anticipation: the Robins hop around the yard; the Northern Cardinals return to build their annual nest in the Winterberry, the Doves scope out the pines for nesting possibilities; the rabbits journey to chomp the backyard weeds and raise their family by the back deck. And I lean in, […]
When Meeting a Stranger
This morning in the elevator in the parking garage, a complete stranger says, “I could’ve taken the stairs.” I say, “Well, it’s good to conserve energy!” She says, “And I need it!” And I say, “Me too, which is why I’m on the way to get coffee.” I want to cry out: Come with me! […]
“I can celebrate every little hint.” Henri Nouwen
I go back to a book I love: The Return of the Prodigal Son, by Henri Nouwen. This time, I focus on his words about experiencing the joy of God each day. He writes about living in such a way that we discover hidden joys, small and beautiful inklings, and signs of “the Kingdom at […]
Waiting in Expectation
Before school, my daughter and I fill out The Prayer Journal to ease anxiety and practice “casting our cares on the Lord” (1 Peter 5:7). The Prayer Journal is just an old notebook in which we make a list of concerns and requests to God for whatever we’re nervous about for the day. I think […]
Psalm 1: Delight
I read Psalm 1 again, and note the word delight. The blessed man is the one who delights in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. Instead of someone studying or laboring over passages of scripture, this person delights in the Bible. I picture someone dancing and giggling with joy to […]