“What do you want me to do for you?”
This morning, I recall Jesus’ words in the gospels when individuals approach Him. He asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” The question resonates with another statement God makes in 1 Kings 3:5 when He appears to Solomon. He says, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” I imagine God […]
Soup and Stories Part Two
I find myself so happy making soup. This week, I attempt a Potato Leek Soup and a Rich and Cream Vegan Corn Chowder. I wanted options in my kitchen tonight. I also keep a bowl of fresh thyme and homemade croutons (slice homemade bread into cubes, toss with olive oil and fresh garlic, salt, and […]
An Easy Christmas Bouquet
My daughters love to grab a candy cane on the way out the door, and I simply replenish the candy whenever the bouquet looks thin. I used cinnamon sticks, candy canes, and some pine to create a simple decoration that smells great and invites you to take a bite.
Tiny Thread
A friend reminds me of all that goes into building a life–all the influences and teachers and experiences that shape faithfulness and maturity in another person. When we encounter someone, we become a tiny part–a little thread–in the tapestry of that life. And we can be tiny. We don’t have to be everything. We aren’t […]
Increasing a Capacity for Joy
This morning I note the beauty of daily morning chores: I feed the sourdough bread starter; I brew the green tea; I stir oatmeal; I clean the breakfast dishes. These chores feel like small, beautiful rituals that make up my whole life. The daily things: this is living. Later in the morning, the Italian Mama […]
Particular Care
As I washed my hands in the kitchen sink this morning, I remember I did indeed recognize a flair moment yesterday (the day I didn’t blog). It’s because I glance up at my nearly dead orchid in the window sill to see that it sent out a hearty spike with bright green buds. It’s going […]
Out and About
Yesterday, I was out and about: radio interviews, meetings, concerts, and, of course, delivering Christmas cookies to the English Department since this is the last week of class. So I never blogged. I didn’t even think about blogging. (Don’t worry, I won’t stop blogging!) Sometimes, you’re writing. Other times, you’re living. Sometimes I live through […]
Something So Special for Your Neighborhood: Soup and a Story
Last night, I hosted a few neighbors for a Monday night “Soup and Stories” evening. After years of wondering what I should do next–after Monday Night Neighborhood Fitness and the Walk-to-School campaign ended– I prayed and prayed about how to connect with friends on a regular basis to share our lives. My fellow Italian Mama […]
A Quote I Show My Students
I invite my students to listen to, and read, David Foster Wallace’s “This is Water,” the commencement speech he delivered to graduating seniors of Kenyon College in 2005. While full of many lines to discuss, I love this one in particular: “Twenty years after my own graduation, I have come gradually to understand that the […]
Nonstop Cookies
Right about now, we bake cookies almost every day till Christmas. It’s wonderful! The whole house smells like Christmas cookies. We bake cookies to keep our Christmas cookie platter full, but we also bake cookies to give away. I still use the same basic sugar cookie recipe with the almond icing that I’ve used for […]