Sunday School Lesson...I'm so grateful for the scriptures, which were prepared and preserved to guide and direct me through life. For this to be possible, I must use them. Next week. “He Inviteth All to Come unto Him”
Praying For...Quinn and Spencer...I love my children and grandchildren. My hope for them is to find the peace and happiness of the gospel of Christ...a safe home, comfortable bed, and loving family for children everywhere...peace on earth and good will/charity among all mankind...
Scripture Meditations..."But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love..." Moroni 7:47-48
Bibliophilia...Roar on the Other Side is a wonderful book on writing poetry. Nurturing the Spirit is a book on the often overlooked ideas from the Montessori Method to help children embrace peace, love, charity, and faith. I read another book on family dinners and food prep/considering writing a book along this line. All this reading about poetry and nurturing and family are leaving me feeling a bit nostalgic for a less digital form of journaling and writing. Additionally, during my mourning routine, I listen to audio books, Spanish language CDs, and Conference talks.
The Herbalist...I'm thrilled that my eyes are healing, but the eye doctor offered me a bit of warning. Spending so many hours each day in front of a computer screen is harming my eyes in an unexpected way. Because the climate here is extremely dry and the altitude is so high, my eyes are much drier than they should be. Healing from within won't do me much good if I ruin my eyes from over use in a dry climate. The eye wash helps tremendously, but I will need to limit my computer and reading time for total healing.
Sound of Music...This week I've listened again to a little CD storybook about Handel, called Halleluiah Handel. Listening to music is a favorite activity that has gotten away from me lately.
Movement...The strength I've gained by using Stretching Anatomy this winter is unexpected. I knew it would help with my arthritis problem but didn't know stretching would build little muscles. It is so much like yoga that I intend to look into yoga again.
Cucina Fresca...Baked apples have always been a favorite of mine. With my recent experimenting, I found a new way to make them that is out of this world. Using a grapefruit spoon, I remove most of the core. In the little hollow, I put a pinch of cinnamon, dried chopped dates, and another pinch of cinnamon. Then I put each apple in a little custard cup and bake at 400F for 45-60 min. It is done when the skin is a bit browned and cracked. I can eat this yummy dessert without hurting my vascular system.
Style...because I got a bit tanned in Phoenix, my olive skin appears a bit yellow again. This affects the colors I can wear dramatically. Yellow and especially green make me look rather like a pumpkin. So I'm wearing more french blue again. Got my new glasses and absolutely love them.
Garden Gate...planted tomato, herbs, flowers, bell pepper, hot pepper, and eggplant seeds in 4 inch pots and put them on shelves in the front window.
Thimble News...cut out a new double A-line and peasant blouse...the fabrics are white on white calico and blue aloha...my favorite sewing book, sew-what skirts, inspired the double skirt idea. I'll add a bit of embroidery to the blouse--blue forget-me-nots that coordinate with the blue in the skirt...
Living Fearlessly and Well...never quit dreaming...I like to draw house plans and dream of building these houses here and there around the world...My current favorite is a cottage of under 1000 square feet with a wrap around covered porch built over a rainwater catchment cistern. In a moderate climate, a porch invites one to spend more time outdoors and open windows provide ventilation supreme indoors. Although the interior is smallish, the porch adds about 650 square feet of living space. The garage/gardening shed has a 1 bedroom apartment over top. I modified some plans for a murphy sewing table/computer desk, incorporated into a bookshelf. I've designed a wonderful window seat that folds out into a guest bed and provides seating for dining. The place under the seats provides storage. I found a lovely piece of property in the mountains near San Diego, where I am building this mind castle and its surrounding gardens and groves (watered by harvested rainwater and grey water). In my dreams, it's lovely...
Project Joy...outside my window it sounds like a storm is blowing in. Moisture is always appreciated in the desert. My joy stems from the delightful spring days preceding this new storm. Yesterday, I went out to buy the above mentioned calico without a coat. A cotton cardigan sufficed. Tending to run cold, I still wore cute black boots with cozy wool socks and black leggings under a corduroy skirt.
