A Photo That Changed My Focus

Mother defending her child during the bombing in the Middle East

Photo Source:  Unknown

I was kinda grumbling to my sis the other day about my irritations of the day. Minor they were, but at the moment I felt like everything was up-side-down. In her kindly sisterly fashion, Sister asked if she could send me a sad photo from a news story she'd recently received; she thought it might help me to put things in perspective. Oh yes, please, send it!

Oh my ... upon seeing this photo my focus and perspective immediately cleared right up. Gratitude returned. As well as the deep desire to pray for this woman and her child.

After seeing this poignant photo, I am also reminded of those ancients comforting words from the Book of Psalms: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty... He will cover you with his pinions and under his wings you will find refuge.

I'm saving this picture because I want it as a reminder...

~ To pray for these two and others in this region.

~ That our Heavenly Father longs to gather us close to Himself as a hen would gather her chicks beneath her wings when we're in the midst of our own 'terror' attacks (of whatever shape they take).

~ That my world is really very good ALL things considered.

Draw near. Be blessed.

Be grateful.

Be safe.

Hugs and loving thoughts,
Brenda
xox

The Nourishing Nectar of Books

 George Hiles

 

"I go to books as a bee goes to the flower ~
for a nectar that I can make into my own honey."

~ John Burroughs

Of late I've been gleaning nectar from Sarah Young's book, Jesus Calling.  If it had not been for this little book filled with comforting and nurturing words, spoken as if Jesus was telling me himself, I don't know what I would have done these last few months, getting up every morning at three to go off to work with hubby.

Yet, every time I opened the book, I'd hear His whisper of encouragement that, yes, I was able to do all things through His strength... with joy and peace even. Here are a few lines that are especially dear to me at present:

"I have promised to meet all your needs according to My glorious riches. Your deepest, most constant need is for My Peace." p. 97

"I am calling you to a life of constant communion with Me. Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances..." p. 96  

"Because I am your constant Companion, there should be a lightness to your step that is observable to others. Do not be weighed down with problems and unresolved issues, for I am your burden-bearer." p. 4

I'm wondering if there's a book from which you've been gathering 'nourishing nectar' these days? We'd love it if you shared a title or a quote or two.

Wishing you heaven glimpses between book covers,
Brenda
xox

Linking with A Return to Loveliness

Pear and Cranberry Crisp

The beginnings of Pear and Cranberry Crisp

It's snowing here today which makes it a perfect day for hibernating.. AND.. for turning on the oven to bake something fragrant and yummy like this Pear and Cranberry Crisp. It's guaranteed to gather the troops from all corners of the house and put a smile on any face.

You need your basic apple crisp kind of recipe, but then replace the apples with not-too-ripe pears and add some fresh or frozen cranberries (I used fresh).

There are a couple of yummy varieties of the recipe over at Epicurious. One includes walnuts, one is without; one is served with vanilla ice cream, the other with cinnamon ice cream.

A tip about the cinnamon ice cream -- I just take a few scoops of vanilla ice cream, sprinkle it with cinnamon, and then mix it together. You can serve it softer or put it back in the freezer till hard again. 

RECIPE LINKS

 Pear and Cranberry Crisp

 Pear and Cranberry Crisp with Cinnamon Ice Cream

Here's wishing you a peaceful Sunday!

Hugs,
Brenda
xox

Important Nothings

It's beautiful here today. It was snowing most of yesterday, but today it's cold. Crisp. Clear. And, the sun is out making the snow all sparkly. (sorry, my camera didn't catch that). Skies are that cool wintry blue.

I like winter. Very much. And this year, especially. I don't mind being locked in a couple of days by snowbanks all around (even if it is only November).

Aren't those roof tops interesting? They remind me of fruitcake wrapped in marzipan icing. Or maybe a cream cheese frosting over a carrot cake.

Which reminds me I've been pondering about my fruitcake baking for this holiday season coming up. I don't always feel like making fruitcake, but this year I do. Finger tapping ... shall it be my grandmother's dark fruitcake recipe? Or Marie's Light? Or the Italian Siena Panforte? More pondering.

We've got plans for coffee out at our favorite cafe, a visit through a new show home (just looking)... oh yes, we mustn't forget to stock up on bird seed and treats for our feathered friends. The Northern Flicker dropped in yesterday, not doubt looking for lunch. He let us know he was around -- no doubt it was a friendly reminder to get the seed bar set up now snow has covered everything.

On that note, I'm off...

Wishing you glimpses of some nice things for your own Saturday!

Brenda
xox

   

Snow Snow Snow

It started early this morning....

 and it hasn't stopped since.

A good day for peering out at the white stuff

with a pane of glass between us...
holding a steaming cuppa something warm.


Isn't it lovely?


This morning we did need to venture forth into the whiteout
to lay in some victuals for the days ahead.

There are weatherman promises of more to come. 

The car got stuck at the edge of the driveway--
 the wheel base was packed with heavy wet snow
and the wheels lost traction when I stopped to let the garage door open.

Fortunately hubby is very handy with a snow shovel.

 It's quite blowy out there now, which makes it a perfect
evening for snuggling in and enjoying homemade bean soup for supper
which happens to be simmering away as we speak.


* * *

I hope you are cozy wherever you are.
Wishes for a pleasant rest of the day.


Hugs,
Brenda
xox

Serendipity and Pumpkin Pie

 Pumpkin Pie Muffins

My sister was yearning for a yummy something yesterday afternoon. Something nice, like a tasty muffin.  Only thing when she went routing in the pantry was a tin (or do you say can?) of pumpkin pie filling. She did wonder where and when she bought that... she doesn't often make pumpkin pie -- I told her maybe it was a hint from hubby.

Being the experienced baker and chef that she is, she had no fear in pairing her tried and true banana bread recipe with that surprise tin of pie filling.

To her delight and sheer joy, it all worked together for good!  Perfectly. Deliciously. Satisfyingly.

In her own words, she said the muffins were 'spicy with cinnamon, moist with pumpkin, chockablock with plump raisins'. Here is the link to Kathy's new, hot-from-the oven Pumpkin Pie Muffins.

Aren't you glad when something comes together so well and so tasty? Now, I wonder if there's any pumpkin pie filling lingering in my pantry?

Wishing you glimpses ... and a spicy hug,
Brenda

It's All New...You're Invited

Source

The other morning I heard the words 'Just Write'. It's as if they floated through the air and landed in my heart.  Jotting them down in my journal, I pondered these two simple words.  Just write... can it be that simple?

Yes, that's what I needed to do.  Just write.  And quit worrying about the details of the how and why and where and for whom... etc. etc.

So in a couple of hours this evening, I've created a brand new blog where I will have but one focus, one goal... to Just Write.  Free fall style... whatever comes up from my heart, wherever His wind bloweth the words... to speak to my own heart, the hearts of others, even perhaps back to His own.

If you want to come and see my first two postings.... consider this your very cordial invitation.

(I can tell I'm onto something, for I feel His grace in this... in the matter of a couple of hours, I've got a new blog and two postings up!  I feel the freedom, the joy, laughter and yes, even like dancing.)

Wishing you glimpses...
Brenda
xox