The beginning of 34 has been beautiful

Today went as planned.

Matins in the morning;

breakfast with my Grandmother.

Lunch with family.

Not the best picture;

but I am glad I have it;

it is a lunch that my Aunt always has for us:

boiled egg

good bread, jams, peanut butter

roggebrood (a small dense Dutch rye bread), cheese,

milk, coffee

banana.

*

How we laugh at my Aunt's house;

talking about my Mom and Cousins growing up years;

and the grand-babies of two of my Aunt's grandchildren.

I made the roasted root vegetables for my family's Christmas dinner;

this time I added a parsnip;

it turned out really well.

*

I got some special gifts -

some small spoons and tea towel that were my Oma's.

An icon of the Annunciation from my Godmother;

my ever present composition notebooks

(always have one with me)

Dutch soup mix and some simple delft blue egg cups

(for lunches like the one my Aunt had for us).

I must remember to show you all a beautiful

hand painted ornament of the Nativity

that my sister gave me from Romania.

*

A most wonderful day full of seeing many people I love.

The first day of my 34th year.

I have no idea what is in store for me this year

but I know I will need God for every step of the way.

*

I am off to the monastery for a few days.

I thank God that I have this opportunity.

God is rich in mercy.

Praying that as this year draws to a close that God

will comfort all of us as we face a new year

with all that it will contain.

God is with us.