Yesterday NYC; Today Baking Cookies

Yesterday I went to NYC.

I had lunch with Mr Husband and then

went to Columbus Circle Christmas Market and saw

one of the White Sisters of St Elizabeth Convent 

and bought some special things for gifts.

***

Today I was home and so glad to be home.

I managed to order some special Delft things for our home,

texted some dear friends, including my sister-friend,

and made 2 double batches of vegan cranberry chocolate chip cookies.

I read Tolkien at night to Mr Husband.

We are in 1938 and loving it.

***

My Mom was given a lot of +Aunt Karen's things to go through and 

she picked some things out for me...

it's really hitting home for me, how my Aunt will not be at Christmas this year.

How I can hear her voice still, remember how she looked, moved, her laugh,

but I can't see her again alive, talk to her in person.

I miss her.  I will be glad to have a few treasured things to keep her memory close

but oh, how such things never come close to the actual person.

It's such a mystery, death; how one moment they are here, the next, gone.

How is it? 

***

My Husband and I had been struggling with the unbloggable that only seems

to be worse but we had a really good talk about it and are happier after our talk,

even though the situation remains unchanged.

***

My Grandma has knee replacement surgery Dec 18th.

She is in her upper 80s now in age.

I am a bit worried about her surgery

and am trying to pray about it more.

When I think of her and how just this week she told me again

how she talks to the Lord, really talks to Him about her concerns,

for others and their needs,

and how she said of one person she knows who is really struggling,

that she wants to pray for that person more than once a day

and really remember them, to pray for them.

***

I feel perhaps the one thing that gives me hope,

that Fr Schmemann wrote of in his journals:

'the only thing one should feel sad about is not being a Saint'

(to paraphrase slightly).

I look at myself and my life and see only poverty now, about myself.

***

But my Grandma, how special she is.

Her advice to me those years ago about when I asked

what to do if I lose my Husband,

so beautiful, profound.

I see now that it has implications for what to do 

in all loss, even, God forbid, one day losing her.

***

My Grandma has already baked the Christmas bars and breads she makes,

she can't lift as much now she she has switched to plastic bowls when 

using a hand mixer. She just adapts and most people don't even

know that she has done so.

***

I am thinking of her a lot lately.

Using the silver-plate silverware she gave me,

her dishes.

***

I told her this week how I found bowls to go with the set

that she had given me, that she used for decades.

She was real pleased and surprised.

Tickled I think the word would be. 

I am wanting those dishes even more,

but I think because I am thinking of my Grandma so much.

***

When I am thinking of my Grandma's faith, 

and of such things, these verses have been coming to mind,

in a prayer that I desire, surfacing as it were,

a glimpse of what I really want....:

"10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."

Psalm 51: 10-12 KJV

Various things that make up our days

I have been reading the Psalter
more these days
and find the Scripture to be so
strengthening.
*
We can get so overwhelmed by current events
but these have always been happening
and taking refuge in God,
reading the Psalter
and doing prayers
can restore us
and give us hope,
even when it seems that there is none
to be seen.

I had not realized it,
but did you know that you can open
up your cans of olive oil
on a corner with a can opener
and funnel the oil that would not come out?
Yay for saving money and not wasting!
 

Anyone else missing Google Reader?
I am... but feedly is OK over all,
but of course the search function is um,
missing...
but at least I can still read my feeds...
*
So the other week we had icons blessed at my
far away church,
including a future bride's wedding icons.

We are so excited for the two new couples
whose weddings we hope to go to this summer!

Cleo continues to be a source of
amusement to us both here at our home...

I am eating a lot more salads these days...
still low on energy but at least I am trying to get
get my greens in...

 

Mr. Husband and I had gone to a library book-sale
the other week and I am slowly listening to
Dear Mr. Henshaw...
I have not listened to the end,
so I am still waiting to hear how it turns out.
*
I have been reading a bit more on Edith Schaffer's books...
really enjoying the hidden art of homemaking.
I feel very much that this first year of marriage for me
is all about learning to be a homemaker,
while getting sick with mono and facing challenges
that will help teach us how to deal with the unexpected
as a married couple.
*
I was talking today to my Grandma about the homemaking book...
published in 1971... my Grandma commented
it was a while ago when the Schaffer's had their ministry...
things were different then,
like how you could get discards of leather to make things with.
We talked about how people today do not
always know how to be thrifty or make do when money is tight.
So we talked about how you can buy
chicken instead of steak
and chicken thighs instead of more expensive cuts
or having a more inexpensive fish, like tilapia...
I remember when all was suddenly crazy for me
a few years ago and I was
facing an unexpected tax bill,
did not have money to go home for Christmas
and was still looking for a job...
I still made icons for gifts.
I could do so for under 2 dollars.
*
I think it is really wise of Edith Schaffer to encourage her
readers to make one's home beautiful
and that it did not have to be done in expensive ways.
*
It is wonderful to find meaningful things in our days,
no matter what we may find ourselves in the middle of.

Wednesday Evening Sunshine

Quick post and then interview prep.

Called my Grandma and told her that I know have

three interviews in the works.

She was so excited for me;

she had just prayed this morning that I would

be encouraged and get an interview;

three of them is quite something.

*

I am a bit hyped up due to the upcoming interview

and other factors;

would love to hear suggestions for a good evening

wind-down / relax/ bring calm

things...

*

Of course prayer is part of this.

*

Here's a picture of the chicken salad I made;

realized after the dinner that I did not add

enough noodles; it was too heavy on the stomach

though it tasted great!

Today I added more noodles to the leftovers...

Cooked and diced chicken breast

Sliced grapes

mayo

Dijon mustard

salt and pepper

cooked noodles

Anglican church sign.

Been thinking about Abundance and God.

How does it relate?

Obviously everything we have is from God;

but how are we to think about abundance?

What about our responsibility to others who have less?

Not easy questions.

And I think too easy to fall without realizing it in to a

health and wellness Gospel

which is not Christianity.

Christianity, one of my good friend said years ago,

is summarized in the Beatitudes.

Bit concerned that I may have insomnia again;

happened esp. the first time I took these

get-rid-face-rash-drugs.

This is why I asked for calm-down suggestions.

*

Got my hair cut today!

I had been bummed by my last hair cut and with

three interviews wanted to not be concerned

about what my hair would do that day.

*

Grocery shopped;

strawberries are on a really good sale right now;

savouring the summer fruit.

*

Please pray for my interview preparation; lots to do...