A Day of Rest

Sunday is a day of rest.

That's what I was told in Catholic school. Growing up it was. At my house, on Sunday, we went to church, to the bakery then home to linger all morning eating crumb buns and reading the paper. 

I grew up and got married. Sunday wasn't such a day of rest anymore. To my husband Sunday was like Saturday, another day to get work done around the house. He may have slept in a little later, but by noon he was working outside or in his shop.

Now, at 55, Sundays are a bit quieter for him. He sleeps a little later, lingers over coffee and the newspaper, maybe does a task or two, but at some point in the afternoon he sits down and rests. Sometimes he even falls asleep. It is really nice. Now, I can rest too.

Today, I am grateful that my husband is slowing down. Life is good. Real good. It's nice to stop and just rest in it once in a while. 

Sunday is a day of rest. Thank You, God.

Home Sweet Home

Yesterday was perfect!

The weather amazing.

I opened up all the windows.

Everyone else in the house had to work.

I had the house to myself.

I cleaned. 

I cooked.

I went on the treadmill.

I crocheted.

 Heaven!

Everyone came home.

Dinner.

Laughter.

Love.

Yesterday was perfect!

Thank You, God!

Book Bub

Have you heard of Book Bub? If you are a reader you must check it out. It is a website. You join for free, answer a few questions about your reading preferences, and they send you three book suggestions everyday. There is always at least one free book, often two, and the other books are never more than $3.99! The books are not the bestsellers, but sometimes an older book by a popular author will be available. I have read several of the books, and I only abandoned one. I highly recommend that you give it a try. It's free!

Today, I am grateful for Book Bub. I like free! Thank You, God!

http://home.bookbub.com/home/

Completing My Projects

I am a multi-tasker. I flit like a hummingbird from one activity to the next. I read two, three, even four books at a time. I am a knitter and a needle-felter.  I have several projects going all at the same time. I really do finish everything. 

This summer I decided that I would not start another project until I completed all the projects I had going. That would be all six of them.

God has blessed me with the time. Now it is up to me to use it wisely. 

Today, I am grateful for the gift of time. I am grateful for the gifts of self-discipline and perseverance. My projects are getting done. Thank You, God.

A Great Price

I have been dreaming about making table-skirts for two six-foot folding tables that I use in my studio every day. These skirts require at least ten yards of fabric. I went to the fabric store, but I wasn't willing to spend close to $100.00 on fabric. The other day I was struck with Divine Inspiration that maybe I could use sheets, so off I went to Target. Sheets are expensive! I still would be paying $100.00. I decided to take a look at the curtains, and much to my delight I found ivory sheers for $4.99 a piece! They were the perfect size too! I needed five of them. I brought them up to the register, and I asked the girl to check the price before she rung them up. They were marked down even further - $4.74 each! Yay! Now $25.00 for two table-skirts was a price I was happy to pay. 

Today, I am grateful for the right price. God blessed me with what I needed. Thank You, God!

Today I am off to WalMart to look for some pretty trim to decorate my table-skirts...

I think Bernie is going to really like his new more private space.

PASSION

I love Alexandra Stoddard. She is an amazing author of non-fiction books about living really well. Today, I read the following quote by her:

 "People clutter up their lives because they haven't found their inner fire. Once we discover our passion, we tend to simplify." 

I categorize my passion into two groups. Passion with a capital P and passion with a lower case p.

My passion with a lower case p are my interests reading, writing, knitting and walking, (it used to be running, but at 55 I switched to more walking) and all things in my life associated with those four activities. I am about to clear out my craft closet, and yes, it will be very easy to clean out because I know my passion. Therefore, I know what I want to keep and what I am more than ready to let go.

 My Passion with a capital P is my family. My husband, my four children, and all my family members are my Passion. I will drop all of my passions for them. I love my family with my entire being. I truly do believe "family first."

I have a PASSION that encompasses all of my passions/Passions - God, Jesus, Faith. This is the title of my post. This is the title of my life.  

Thank You, God for all the PASSIONS in my life!

Nurturing A Marriage

My husband and I are celebrating 32 years of marriage this weekend. 

When our quadruplets were born we started, with the encouragement of my in-laws, to get away for a weekend at least four times a year. One of those weekends is always for our anniversary. How smart are my in-laws? I treasure our weekends. We even, over the years, found one place we like the most, and often go there just to rest together.

If you are married, with or without children, I strongly urge you to take a weekend a few times a year and devote it to just the two of you. Take the time to nurture your marriage. 

See, 32 years later and our love is deep with roots that will keep it strong!

Today, I am grateful for my wise in-laws, the weekends my husband and I have devoted to one another and our marriage, and for a wonderful marriage. I pray that God will bless us with at least 32 more years together.