Sabbath Moments

My good friend, Colleen Spiro, hosts this meme, each week, to help us stay alert, aware, and in-tuned with God's beautiful presence in our lives. You can visit Colleen via the link in my sidebar and while you're there, find links to her wonderful website: Catholic Prayer Life; as well as her e-books and other inspiring blog posts and products.

As for my Sabbath Moments this week:


* Enjoyed my first cup of Saturday coffee on the front porch, with my husband; listening to the locusts and birds singing their morning praise to God.


* Stood for National Anthem at the baseball field. Believe it or not, this is always a Sabbath Moment for me...especially when my husband, a Gulf War Veteran, stands so straight and tall (you can take the man out of the Army but you can't take the Army out of the man) next to me. I think of my nephew, who flew many MANY combat missions in Afghanistan, my brother, a Vietnam Vet; and great numbers of others; those I know and those I don't...who have risen to serve our nation in the finest military of the world. There, among the young baseball players and coaches...boys, learning to become men...under the beautiful blue sky and bright sunlight, with the huge flag, blowing in the breeze...I feel GOD'S PRESENCE among us.


* Sipping ice water on a hot, steamy, humid, day. I always think of God when I feel the cool, refreshing water in my throat. Water is such an amazing blessing. We are SO thankful to have it.

7 Quick Takes Friday

Join Jen Fulwiler for this meme, each Friday; and pour yourself a cuppa' your favorite *whatever* while you're there, because you'll want to linger! (Link in my sidebar)

1) HOW TOTALLY CUTE IS THIS?

2) AND THIS?

3) AND THIS?!?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4) Some people are just SO creative! I figure that I could pretty much live for a BAJILLION years, on earth, and NEVER...I mean NE-VER have an idea like these. It's just NOT in me. I see it, I LOVE it and I would COPY it...but I'd NEVER "think it up", myself. WOW. I admire the God-given gift of CREATIVITY in others!


5) We are in a long, hard search for Jalapeno pepper plants this year. Is anyone else's area having a mysteriously grave shortage on this common garden crop? We MUST plant our beloved Jalapeno peppers, for they are a staple ingredient of our awesome summer salsa; but, try as we might, we can't seem to find ANY this year. We have resorted to commissioning hubby to stop at any/all nurseries he passes on his 1 1/2 hour commute to try to find some. Hmmmmm.....is there a patron Saint for elusive garden crops?


6) Growing up in Pittsburgh, where I SERIOUSLY did NOT know what a cricket looked like, and called my brother (who had moved to Maryland and whom I was visiting * some 20+ years ago); and was at his house, alone, while he was at work) CRYING... to describe the HUGE, ALIEN-looking CREATURE I came across in his living room...it never ceases to amaze me (now that I have lived "rurally" for more than 15 years, myself) the wonder of God's critters and creatures that surround us, here in the woods. A little red fox ran across our path last night! It was like seeing "The Fox and the Hound" come to life! Whether it's turtles, or opossums, or raccoons, or snakes, or bears (ORRRRR, the cougar in my yard, a few years back!) I am always left "in awe" of our magnificent Creator! In fact, it's in  the sme way that I feel about my #'s 1, 2, and 3 Quick Takes, today...except, on a much, much, MUCH larger scale!

7) I am so thankful that my brother, a Viet Nam Vet, and my husband, a Desert Storm Vet, made it home alive from combat. This last Quick Take today is to HONOR those who laid down their lives that we might live IN FREEDOM. A blessed and HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY to you all! Wave your flag, teach your children, and CELEBRATE the great gift that was won for you at the ULTIMATE cost.
I add my prayers for all of those who have lost a loved one in the service of our military.

Small Successes

Boy, this meme sure has moved around a lot! It began with Danielle Bean over on Faith and Family Live (Hence, the image, above). It was then passed on to Sherry Antonetti over at "Chocolate for Your Brain" blog; and now, has found yet another new home on CatholicMom.com!

Well, no matter where it's hosted, it's a fun way to focus on the positive side of life and rejoice in the little things we get RIGHT during the week.

You can read more entries or add your own by using the link in my sidebar.


We are rockin' these Small Successes:

1) Got our garden plants! They're not actually in the ground yet...but they are "IN THE HOUSE"! Woo hoo!

2) Finished school year 2011-2012! MA-JOR Woo hoo! We had 8 students this year and we are ready to take it easy for a while...(Read: Lounge around on the front porch with ice water and crispy, fresh fruit, reading library books!)

3) Taught Ben how to spell his "formal" name! He knew how to spell "Ben" and "Benny" but his older sister brought it to my attention that he really SHOULD know how to spell his "given" name: Benjamin.
TA DA! Now, he does!