Happy Hot Hodgepodge

 1. What's something that reminds you of your grandmother? Tell us why. 

This bone china strawberry tea cup.  I use it daily.  Ironically, she was allergic to strawberries...but she loved this pretty mug.  When I wrapped my hands around it I can picture her hands wrapped around it.

2. Is your life currently more 'moonlight and roses' or a little more 'every rose has it's thorn'? Elaborate. 

I think I'm coming out of a season of 'every rose has its thorn' with various trials but I'm not sure I'd exactly say I'm in a 'moonlight and roses' quite yet either.  Seems like sorta begging for it to say that.  Summertime always feel sort hectic to me...I struggle to enjoy the wild ride of activities.

3. June 23rd is National Pink Day...favorite thing you own in any shade of pink? Favorite thing found in nature in any shade of pink? Your favorite pink food or beverage? Your favorite shade of pink? 

I have a dusty pink V-neck t-shirt that almost works as a neutral.  It's very soft.  

These are pink roses from my yard.  The darker rose is from bushes at the side of the house.  The lighter is my family rose from Scotland.  They smell amazing.

4. Last thing that had you 'tickled pink'? 

I finally finished my counseling certification...got my Congratulations email.  It was ALOT of work and a long time coming.  I'm so happy!  

5. What are two or three words that describe your style. 

Classic Jeans

Black

Sandles/Toms

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Summer fun times here...Glad for a break in the weather after a SUPER hot week last week.  So glad for water guns and water balloons.  And AC...very grateful for AC!

Loving coffee time with my girl baby...She is enjoying coffee finally...and just started driver's ed classes online this week.  They grow up so fast.

I Won't Last A Day Without You, God!

Sometimes I'm struck by love songs written for mere mortals that could be worship songs to my Savior.  It reminds me how easily I put these expectations on my marriage or friendships.  Always, perfectly be there for me... always, perfectly keep your promises...always, perfectly shower love upon me...It's unfair because they simply can't hope to measure up.  But my God, His love never fails.

This song is a great example...

Day after day I must face a world of strangers (I am a stranger here...this world is not my home)
Where I don't belong, I'm not that strong (O Lord, I need you)
It's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to (He will never leave me or forsake me)
Who will always care, you're always there (I am His, forever)

Touch me and I end up singing (He even sings over me and quiet me with his love)
Troubles seem to up and disappear (He delivers me from all my fears)
You touch me with the love you're bringing (through your precious Son Jesus)
I can't really lose when you're near (We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us)
When you're near, my love (God is close to the brokenhearted)

If all my friends have forgotten half their promises (God always keeps his promises)
They're not unkind, just hard to find 
One look at you and I know that I could learn to live
Without the rest, I've found the best (Indeed, I have)

When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true (So many unfulfilled longings)
I can take all the madness the world has to give (I CAN'T take it...I need God's help)
But I won't last a day without you (God)

If you're curious for the full lyrics, without my parenthetical thoughts, you can find them Here.  

Thanks for tagging along for an overly analytical musical adventure.

June Bug HodgePodge

 

 

1. Something you've seen recently that's 'cuter than a June bug'? 

I consider these peeps to be pretty cute!  We managed to get away for an unplugged week in TN before the crazy of summer began.  I really loved the cuteness of seeing their faces and spending time with them at waterfalls, around campfires and across board games.  

While wading (yes, bravely with my phone/camera)...I got a picture of this cute water 'bug'...

2. Tell us something about where you were and what you were doing in June of 1988? If you weren't born yet, June of 1998. Or if that doesn't work, June of 2008. 

June 1988: I was in third grade.  I had Miss Dailey as a teacher.  I loved school.  I remember all of my teacher's names.  I feel like school let out in June when I was growing up.  We didn't go back until labor day.  Now that's about a month different.  My kids get out in May and go back in August.  

June 1998:  I graduated from high school.  It was kind of weird because I graduated from a school I transferred to at the end of my Junior year and then I went to the community college for half the senior year.  My friends were largely back in upstate NY where I'd grown up.  But, I do remember my grandparents coming and I was very excited to be going to college on a full vocal scholarship.

June 2008:  I was the married mommy to two adorable children...a three year old and one year old.  

3. A place in your home or outdoor space where you feel 'snug as a bug in a rug'? 

My sewing room/office...this has become more and more my refuge over the past year. 

This is my current project...these are from a pinwheel exchange and I want to get them into a quilt before the Winter state guild retreat when we can reveal what we did with ours to each other.  

I've been working on a counseling certification and much of that has been virtual, so my design wall became a lovely back drop for counseling and the sewing room became my snug, cozy, private space.

4. June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Month. Do you normally get your 4-5 servings each day? What's a favorite summer dish you make/serve/like to be served-ha! made with one of your favorite summer fruits. A favorite summer dish made with a favorite summer veg? How do you feel about cooking in the summer months? 

I love fruits and vegetables.  I don't think I've had one I don't like.  We really enjoy oven/grill roasted veggies with just EVOO, salt and pepper.  I regularly roast cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and asparagus.  Strawberries are in full boom here and are sooooo good.  I've made jam and we ate a whole bunch plain.  I'm debating picking another time but I don't want to be greedy.  Peaches are just coming into stores here...and I make a fresh peach ice box pie that is amazing if I do say so myself.  It's my son's favorite.  It's pretty much peach jello and fresh peaches in a graham cracker crust.  

5. Do you have a summer reading list? If so share a title or two we can add to our own. 

I highly recommend Gentle and Lowly and The Girl with Seven Names...

Upcoming on my list are...Untangling Emotions and The Making of CS Lewis.

Fun fact about my reading habits.  I generally have a long list of need to reads for counseling education, etc.  So, I 'bribe' myself to read those tougher, nonfiction reads...by 'rewarding' myself with fiction before bed.  So, I've always got an Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes on my nightstand for said reward purposes.  I have the complete works of both.  

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My Sweet Emma helped me pass out runner bibs at our church's annual 5K-10K...We usually do it as a family but the boys were down with back pain and allergies...It was as sweet time.

I'm about to head off for a few days of sewing with friends.  I'm very excited.  I'm off to pack...hopefully not everything but the kitchen sink.  I try to be a light packer but I think of too many possibilities. 

Five Minutes of Slow

Ready...set...GO!

After a season that was absolute, full out sprint....God gave me slow.  Not a full stop...but certainly a decided stroll.  

He knew I needed it...to lean even harder into Him.  There was an adrenaline rush to the fast...a no nonsense clarity to the, "I can't do this and I need you Jesus... a "I am weak and You are strong"...a "gather yourself and RUN"...

So, in ways the slow held hard lessons...quiet, waiting, lonely.  And...I found in it a chance to abide...to dwell deeply...to await His perfect timing and to see His ways are always best.  To again renew and embrace being a helper to my husband...who needed me to go slow and care for his injured back...and a time to embrace my mommy-hood...to kids who needed me to go slow...listen and love.  

And now as things begin to gather...the old, familiar busy days of summer activity...the slow, abiding remains...the love for an early morning of slow...and the rich, abiding.  God continues to give opportunities to trust Him more.

STOP.