Part IV

Psalm 104, verses 16 through 20
The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.

The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.

He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.

Part III

Psalm 104, verses 11 through 15
They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.

By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.

How Do You Mend...?

I just finished watching Beyond Borders, which means any trace of mascara is gone from my eyelashes.  My heart is bare and I'm wondering.  How do you mend a world that is unravelling at the seams.  There is prayer and there is action...and there is also conviction.

I wish they hadn't Hollywooded the film with a love story.  There would have been enough love without it.

"He was my first save, 10 years old. So thin he could barely stand. But he still found the strength the bury the rest of his family. We have no idea what courage is... He used to write me little notes. He helped me in the clinic. He was good. He was sweet, he was good. He wanted to be like me, I liked that. I mean, it was silly and childish, but it made me feel good about myself. So I took him with me to London, you know, my talisman, my courageous Africa... - pauses - How could I be so bloody stupid? How could I be so totally selfish? The point is... he was my friend. He had a name. So now I HAVE to remember him. If everybody I lose has a name..."

Part II

Psalm 104, verses 6 through 10

Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.

At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.

Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.

Can't Wait for Christmas

The cutest video I've seen in a long time, from a couple whose music I love to listen to. 

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Part I

 Psalm 104, verses 1 through 5

Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

Good Soup - Bad Picture

To use up the remaining, large chanterelles, I embarked upon a soup making adventure and oh my sweet Lord, how it paid off.  I just ate two full bowls and wish I had more.  Mmmhmmm...

Sautee 1/2 sweet onion diced in 3 tablespoons butter (plus a splash of vegetable oil) for 2 minutes on medium.  Toss in some finely chopped asparagus (I used 4 spears) and chanterelles (I had five large-ish ones), sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir around.  Sautee for an additional 3 minutes, stirring regularly.  Splash in a bit of white wine vinegar and cook, while stirring for another two minutes.  Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of flour and stir around, cooking for 1 minute.  Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of dried parsley, stir and bring to light boil - cook for 10 minutes.  Pour in 1/2 cup of milk (I used 2%) and a large dollop of sour cream, stirring until it is all blended together.  Simmer for 5 minutes.

Serve and delight in the unusually tasty repast. 

Enjoying Chantrelles

Step 1: Buy smoked cheese and smoked salmon from a lovely fellow who has just gone foraging for chantrelles.  

Express enthusiasm for said chantrelles.  

Graciously accept his edible favor.

Step 2: Dredge sliced shrooms in egg, flour, & spices.  

Fry up in skillet full of always acceptable to the taste buds: butter & garlic.  

Step 3:  Eat those babies up like someone is trying to steal them off your plate.
Which, as butter does, calls any living thing with a nose nearby, you may indeed have to do anyway.  

Step 4: Wipe mouth clean and pat belly.

Sweater-sweatshirt

I really like this new sweater made out of sweatshirt material that I bought a couple weeks ago when I went shopping with my mom. It's nice to be able to just wash and dry it and not have to worry about laying it out to dry an lightly ironing it with tender loving care. It feels practically indestructible, but I still feel put together. Loves it! Plus, the fact the it a 50% off (thank you Eddie Bauer outlet) doesn't hurt either. :)

When I am Afraid

I'm spamming my blog tonight, but I'm inspired and I've got so much energy and I'm jamming all by my lonesome (is that possible when there are three living, breathing beings within three feet of you?).  All I can think about is the way God's light shines across the surface of everything I see and then I feel so blessed to see the world through his eyes more and more as I walk this path, this life He gave me.  And then I bust a move.  And feel perfectly sane.  Haha....

Exchanged in Secrets

The Highway I Travel

You are the highway I travel

'Cause I watched you carve streets of gold

From the sand and gravel

I gave you brokenness, you gave me innocence

And now this road leads to glory

Verse from For Love of You - Audrey Assad

Pine Cone Frames

"Gone was the old-fashioned combination bookcase and secretary that Mrs. Baker used to say belonged to her great grandfather; and all the musty old books that gloomed forth behind the grimy glass doors.  Even the two faded photographs of deceased parents framed in gilded pine cones were gone.  They used to swing on red worsted cords and when the wind blew in at the front window it would waft them around till they made a scratchy sound on the old ugly red wall paper that was faded to a dull magenta in spots.  They were all gone and the rooms were dusty and empty."

~ Partners by Grace Livingston Hill

Necessities

"She came back with her coffee pot, bread, butter, some cereal, a tin box of crackers, half a dozen oranges, and a little bottle of milk.  She felt that she would rather get her own breakfasts than to be always going out for them."


~ Partners by Grace Livingston Hill

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I'm cutting out Starbucks save for the weekends with my husband.  I love saying "my husband." :)  And really, while I Starbucks, I love saving money even more than that if you can believe it.

Holiday Bliss

My favorite magazine has always been Victoria, and the special "Bliss" editions are also incredibly inspiring. They feel much more like a book than a magazine so I don't minding spending a bit more for them.

I can't wait to try some of the recipes...
*Chai Shortbread Buttons
*Smoked Cheddar & Sun-Dried-Tomato Crisps

And the visions of Christmas decorations are sure to light a fire in me to spruce up our house for the holiday season (pun intended).

If you can find a copy for yourself, I highly recommend the investment!