The Daily Gift

My eyes fluttered awake long before the sun arose. I turned over and smelled sweet lavender – a hint of the calming drops laid upon my pillow before rest. I prepared to drift back to the foggy world of dreams: flying, soaring, wonderful adventures in the realm of rest. But, alas, I could find no cozy nook, nor welcome slumber. Though darkened skies remained, I arose to be on hand to greet the new dawn.

Feeling no apprehension, nor anticipation, I padded out of bed and on downstairs to sit in front of my favorite window, “picture, picture,” to await the show.

Deep indigo sky wrapped me in an inky wonderland between rest and routine. The peace of the glowing fire invited me to watch a chilly dawn without the discomforting chill. A CD singing out in joyful moods from Bach, Mozart, Grieg, and a host of soulful composers mingled with the fragrance of lavender emanating from my teacup creating a most precious mood of sweet peace.

Two eggs, home-laid – one chocolate brown, the other sweetly pink – broke open to reveal vibrant yolks, so easily folded over into a delicious break from my fast. Gently cooked eggs atop a thin slice of home-baked deep nut-brown bread surrounded by succulent petals of local mandarin added palatable delight to my visual feast as the sky lightened to lapis, then royal, and on to cornflower blue, matching the transferware plate that accompanied me back to my favorite chair as the pageant of blue marched on in the prelude to the star of the day.

Suspended I sat, slowly chewing and tasting the awe of God’s majestic color palette. My childhood memories of green and gold crayola treasure boxes never held so many hues labeled blue . . .

The books of poetry lying ‘round my feet, even the blessed Scripture at my elbow, enticed me not from the pageantry of a new day’s dawn.


No needs, no worries, no sorrows, no tears in this purest of blue moment.

Not a breath of breeze, not a song of bird (save that silly rooster who takes his sunrise duties most seriously) filled the air. Only icy blue silence.

All is calm,

All is (soon to be) bright . . .

I marveled at the thought that this magnificence plays worldwide yet never exactly the same way in the lineup of moments strung like pearls encircling me with beauty. Ah yes, beauty all around . . . though often I fail to see it and give thanks.

Each day finds me further along life’s path. The fine lines of time etch onto my heart and visage, writing my unique symphony of life. I pray it be a thankful composition.

Frosty white mingled with icy blue as the gardens glowed in the final beams of the fading moonlight. Still I sat riveted in childlike delight.

Pachelbel’s Canon in D built to a slow crescendo in the peace-filled moment and I fondly recalled my wedding day – a day of much planning, careful arrangement, and an exhausting array of tasks that melded together and played out in wondrous splendor and true joy over 25 years ago. I found myself suffused in a fairytale moment of pure love, joy, peace, and so much beauty as I set off down the aisle to meet my soulmate.

Today the sunrise, the sweet peace, the security, and the soul seeking love I cherish fills this day with the same wonder and joy of that wedding day, and yet I had not a hand in the planning or crafting of such a blessed gift in a new day. I simply noticed the beautiful gift.

These past days without interenet access at home have gifted me with freedom in exchange for power. As I let go the power, I soar. In my life I daily struggle with a quest for freedom as I grip vise-like to what little power I perceive I possess. In most cases I yield in a tear-stained and weary form. I long to be free, but I loathe relinquishing power to trust. It is so hard to be free when you hold onto fear . . .

But, today my Lord’s gentle prodding to arise in an uncharacteristic darkness proved devotional. I sat in complete powerlessness and freely received a most awe-inspiring gift: a new day dawning without a jot of help from me.

Clouds now appear in the palest of blue beauty, reflecting even more of the glorious fire of the dawn. Childlike glee felt at parades and fireworks displays wells up in my heart, filling my eyes with tears of joy and thanksgiving as I greet the day.

“All is well,” reads the early morning greeting card.

“I possess the power, so you may freely live."

Love, God

* * *

Who laid the corner stone thereof . . .
When the morning stars sang together,
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 38:6-7

The Ladies of the House Present . . .

Thanksgiving Dinner!!

The Thanksgiving meal lingers as a filling and delicious memory crafted by many hands and enjoyed by every mouth, but the warmth and togetherness we shared this past holiday knit another row of love and joy and hope into the comforting blanket we call family. The past few months have held challenges and obstacles and long valleys requiring endurance; and yet as we seated ourselves around the table and prayed over those five kernels of corn representing the Pilgrim's darkest hours . . .

. . . we rejoiced!

As we thoughtfully chewed the five kernels we shared thankful thoughts. Rachel piped up first, thankful for her mother's culinary skills. We shared, we laughed, we fought tears, and we reminisced. I remembered that my mother only seemed to enjoy cooking on Thanksgiving. She gave it her all. I love to cook, so the thanksgiving meal merely rolls out traditional favorites, but each year more hands help. Rachel and Elizabeth love to cook, create, and craft . . .

. . . while Lydia prefers to watch in between opportunities to slip off and write or walk in the gardens.

Our meal showcased the "All-Time Favorites" like succulent roast turkey, fluffy mashed potatoes . . .

. . . gravy, giblet stuffing . . .

. . . cranberry sauce (jellied wins here), buttery balsamic-garlic brussels sprouts, and humble kernels of corn. (What happened to the pics of the whipped sweet potatoes?)


Once the meal has been fully enjoyed the clamor for pie rings out. Pumpkin, sweet potato, and apple . . . take your pick!


As tradition would have it, I always cut hearts from the pie crust remains and bake them with a sprinkling of sugar-cinnamon for a sweet ending. This year I eked out seven hearts -- one for each family member (counting our Heaven-dweller, Andrew). We nibbled our hearts in the final moments of the feast. When Rachel had finished she asked if she could have Andrew's. Elizabeth chimed in, "He is in heaven eating like this every day, so I doubt he'll be missing a cookie." I nodded as a tear glistened.


We gather, we cook, we pray, we eat, we remember, we make new memories. When we've finished . . . we look forward to doing it all over again next year ~~ Lord willing. : )

Counting Days and Blessings

* * * * *

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
And into his courts with praise:
Be thankful unto him,
And bless his name.
Psalm 100:4

* * * * *

Oh my heart sings with delight! My favorite holiday approaches swiftly. A day for thanksgiving . . . the only gift given sails on words and deeds and joyfulness in reflection of a year most bountifully blessed.

I shall not be blogging, rather I shall be planning and shopping and cooking and fluffing the pillows as my daughter Elizabeth returns from “college dorm room” to take up residence in “The Princess Pavilion.” (Her dramatic flair for decorating beckons you into a sumptuous surround reminiscent of a pre-Raphaelite painting – it suits her perfectly.)

Though we will only be together as a family for a few unbroken days, we shall savor the moments strung together like a charm bracelet of celebration and joy. Long chats over tea, bowed heads in thankfulness before feasting, extended embraces before retreating to slumber – these will be my delights. Our family will nestle together into the bosom of our cottage as the predicted stormy winds do blow against the snug walls. Games and reading aloud and merry making of all manner will fill our days to overflowing. Carry on nature – we will follow as is natural and snuggle in for a peaceful retreat of thanksgiving.

Blessings to you all as you celebrate and acknowledge all manner of abundance God has bestowed upon you this past year.

* * * * *

And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving
And the voice of them that make merry:
And I will multiply them,
And they shall not be few;
I will also glorify them,
And they shall not be small.
Jeremiah 30:19

* * * * *

REJOICE!!