We Got Mail!

Oh, the delight of lovely surprises coming from out of the blue. Not to mention the unexpected pleasure of a letter -- real mail -- arriving in one's mailbox. Yesterday such a treat arrived with my name on it.

Tucked inside a hand addressed envelope from Lorrie was this exquisite tiny watercolor 'wafting with spring cheer'. Artistic in so many ways, Lorrie tells me that she's been enjoying her attempts at watercolor -- it's fun and something she does with pleasure and with no pressure. That's the key isn't it? To find the pleasure with no pressure. 

I'm just tickled to be the recipient of one of this little treasures. It will have a special place in my study. And yes, Lorrie, its waft of spring turned our Alberta day into something that really was spring!

Wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places,

Hugs,

Brenda

Monday Musings...

Kiss it hello.

Let joy flow through your arteries today,

mindful that the essence of life is Love and Joy.

What shall I tell you on this bright new Monday morning? Let's see...birds are singing. Sun is shining. Skies have wispy clouds.  Grass is not getting green just yet, but there's hope as the mounds of snow are fast disappearing. Oh, and we're getting ready for company this coming weekend, so we're stepping up on the Spring Cleaning event. I mentioned a few posts back that I was doing my cleaning this year in little bits... a drawer here, a closet there, a shelf, a cupboard, a window...

I was sitting with Hubby after we got home from a very busy morning cleaning at the local performing arts centre.  We usually relax for a few minutes as we have a wee snack -- he usually has a hot milk, today I had a small tub of coconut flavored Greek style yogurt. I was mulling what I should do first today. And Dear One pipes up why don't I work on my writing  first thing. Put it first. Ohhhh.... thank you. Yes, I will.

I'm sorry to say that in my mind, writing still always seems to come 'after' the chores of the manor.  But he's helping me to recognize that my writing should get a seat of honour further up the to-do list. And, I do agree mentally, but my training as a young girl (my mom was a good housekeeper) says that housework comes first. And even after all these years, it's hard to rearrange that easily.

By the way, I love notebooks of all sizes and colours, and I am especially drawn to small ones (about 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches), like the one in the above photo. These treasures are put out by Peter Pauper Press, and I'm happy to report that they have a great website that showcases lots of their beautiful product. Be sure and check it out.

It's been fun having a wee chat with you. I see by the clock I best be off. I've got dust bunnies to attend to.

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Hugs,
Brenda

Saturday Survey Sez...

This morning Vee at A Haven for Vee poses a list of questions---her sister is in dire want of feedback to a particularly pressing question. Adding my own answers to her comment box, I thought it would be fun to share them here too. That way I don't have to think up a brand new post on this overcast, relaxed Saturday morning. Do visit Vee... join the survey and 'help' a friend out.

1. In a pinch for supper (and unable to have take-out) would it be cereal or scrambled eggs? I like both, but maybe I'd have scrambled eggs.

2. Would you prefer to swim or hike? Hike, I don't swim well.

3. Do you prefer coffee or tea? The preference depends on the time of day and what I might be eating with it.

4. Do you ever remove labels from clothing, towels, mattresses, pillows? Well, now...years ago I used to think that that little warning tag ' do not remove' on items like pillows meant I couldn't take them off. And then one day my lightening quick mind realized they weren't talking to me!!! So YES, I now bravely remove labels when they get in the way.

5. Would you like to live somewhere else? Yes, in a more temperate climate with milder winters and Springs that come at the right time, like Victoria BC. In my dreams, I'd live in England.

6. Have you ever vacationed out of the country you live in? Yes, to USA (I'm from Canada), Trinidad, Hawaii (oh yes, that's USA too), England and mainland Europe.

7. If you had to watch a movie this afternoon would it be Saving Private Ryan or Saving Mr. Banks? Saving Mr. Banks, since we love Emma Thompson and Mary Poppins.

8. Egg salad sandwiches or chicken salad sandwiches? It's too hard to choose, I love 'em both.

9. Cats or dogs? Kitty cats absolutely, although we like dogs -- I like to visit them at someone else's house.

10. Do you enjoy a thunderstorm? Couldn't say 'enjoy' but some are amazing to listen to and watch. Especially when the thunder doesn't directly shake my own house or the lightening isn't threatening my own roof top.

* * *

Here's wishing you a lovely Saturday. In keeping with Susan Branch's rule of thumb, I shall be starting slowly and then tapering off. Sure hope you can do the same.

Hugs,

Brenda

Lesson of the Lipstick. Part 2

morguefile.com

 ←Previous

Buying a new tube of my current favourite lipstick was not on my shopping list that day.

I was out doing errands, not being in any great rush, just minding my own business one sunny afternoon. 

And then I felt a gentle urging on the inside to go into Shoppers Drug Mart and buy myself a new lipstick. It came like a little feather thought, not urgent, not commanding. Just flitted in and out. I didn't pay attention. But then it came a day or two later when I was out again.

This time I stopped. It's you, Lord, talking to me. All right. I don't need it right now, but since you're urging me to go, I will pop in right now and get it.

I made my selection, went to the checkout and, to my surprise and delight, it was on SALE! There were no signs indicating that L'Oreal was having a sale that day.

You can imagine I was tickled pink! What fun!

The best part for me was that my heart had caught His voice on the breeze, and as a result I now had a new lipstick in my favourite shade of pink and it was even on sale (which at the time was also special as I didn't have a lot for extras right then).

 

I've often thought about this little lipstick story. And, I'm sharing it with you this particular week because, you see, I heard that same small voice telling me to write about it now.  I pray it blesses you in the tender places of your heart.....

Because He Cares For Us!

God pays attention to what matters to us. He notices the details of our lives. That's what Love does. It looks for ways to delight the heart of the Beloved. Sometimes it's for no special reason...it's one of those 'just because' moments.

Because He Wants Us To Hear His Voice!

If we are in relationship with someone, we need to be able to communicate. To hear and listen to one another. It's the same with our relationship with God.

The Lord and I have this little 'game' we play. We're not playing games, if you know what I mean. But in my desire to have a heart that is tuned to hear His Voice always, I've asked Him to give me practice runs on things that don't really matter, that is to say, they are not life or death. But so that I learn to recognize when it's Him speaking.  Sometimes we hear clearly, other times we're not sure.

Because, you see, there will probably come a time in my life...in each of our lives...when something will come up that will be more urgent, more life defining. And I'd like to be prepared so that I can KNOW it's Him speaking and not just my own thoughts. I believe it will be imperative that each of us learns to recognize His voice in these perilous times.

To learn to be in the right place at the right time.  To jump when He says jump, or don't go down that little alley right now. That sort of thing.

And of course, for simple joys such as buying a new lipstick and finding it on sale.

So that's the lesson of the lipstick.

And now...with a gentle kiss atop thy head,

The Lesson of the Lipstick. Part 1

L'Oreal Intense No. 285

<Part 2

I am a girl. And although I'm not a high glamour girl, I do like wearing my lipstick.

On days when I'm in a hurry (or I don't feel like dressin' up) the lipstick is still a required accessory for all outfits and every occasion, even when I'm just pulling on comfort clothes at three o'clock in the morning for work at the local performing arts centre.

I find it interesting that one of my close neighbors has commented on more than one occasion that whenever she sees me out and about, I always look so 'put together'. Although I'm pleased for the compliment, I have wondered what exactly causes her to see me that way...especially when we often meet while I'm out gardening, putting compost into the bins or getting the mail. I mean, some days I am not 'put together' at all.

Then one day, I twigged onto it... it's because I always wear lipstick. It's that one little simple thing that I have found rounds out any outfit and adds a touch of glamour... even to my old gardenin' clothes.

And here's a little tip I've learned: if you learn to use a lip-liner (as close to your natural lip colour as possible) to outline the lip line before applying lipstick, this seems to truly give it a more finished look.

So... lipstick has its important place in my life and because it's one of those little things that helps make my life feel more beautiful, I thought it deserved its very own blog posting.

Tomorrow I want to share Part 2 to this topic. Because there is another neat story connected to my lipstick that is of a more heavenly nature.

On that note,

I'm blowing you kisses

and wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places.....