Bluegrass Nest

Priority Mail

2013-07-12T13:35:00.000-04:00

I've been waiting for you....

such pretty wrapping on the inside....

There she is....my new Emma Bridgewater Union Jack Plate. I think she fits in perfectly
with my Beatrix Potter Figurines.:) Oh, did I mention she was only $10...I'm doing a little
happy dance!

Have a wonderful weekend!

XO~ Dana

The Fourth of July

2013-07-09T08:18:00.000-04:00

We love Summer!

2013-07-01T13:38:00.001-04:00

Clockwise from top left....

1.Kate & Caroline...Watermelon Smiles 2.My 3 girls on the last day of Backyard Bible School 3.Olivia & Caroline with their cousin Maggie, poolside at Aunt Denise's House. 4.Olivia put flowers in my hair...ahhh Summer. 5. Larry playing his Ukulele and singing for us...."Somewhere Over the Rainbow." 6. Susan-Kate 7. ....in the Sprinkler. 8.Caroline showing us her Hula Hoop Skills.

Ring in the New

2013-01-01T20:17:00.002-05:00

Spring Inspiration

2012-03-29T14:06:00.000-04:00

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.
~Charles Dickens

Spring has arrived, windows stay open all night and we can wake up to the sound of this.....

Kate said the other day, "The birds sure are happy this morning!" She is so right, they start our day with such a beautiful song! They are enjoying the fresh blooms on the trees, courting/relations:) and building nests. I love it! I found our first nest this week in our Peach Tree.

The beauty outdoors motivated me to beautify the indoors.:) I have spent this week cleaning out closets and drawers; lugging tubs of Spring/Summer clothes up the stairs to replenish the girl's wardrobe, bagging up all the outgrown Winter wear to take to consignment and the AMEN House. I washed down walls and did some rearranging of furniture...I always do this, every year...Spring is a time of purging for me....a time to simplify....a fresh start!

I enjoy looking through the old boxes of mementos I keep in the top of my bedroom closet. I pull them down wipe the dust off the top and peek in as though something new is going to be in there. I sit right in the middle of the closet floor and reread old love letters from Greg when we were dating and letters from friends that I have saved since middle school. The familiar handwriting on lined notebook paper brings back memories that still make me laugh (or cry!) Last year when I was going through this yearly ritual, I decided to take several of the letters that Greg and I used to write to one another and display them in a big glass jar that I keep in front of our fireplace in the living room. I wrote a sweet little quote on it and sometimes we will just lay in the floor and read them together....the girls like to listen too.:)

In an age like ours, which is not given to letter-writing, we forget what an important part it used to play in people's lives. ~Anatole Broyard

Greg has always been great at writing me letters, drawing pictures and to this day, for most special occasions, he makes me a homemade card (the best kind)....sweetness. xo

Now, that's Art that speaks to my heart!

I was thinking this week that when I was in grade school, the ages my girls are in now, my friends and I would write letters all the time and play little games like MASH that would help decide our future, Ha!:) Do any of you all remember this? I became a little sad thinking about how kids don't really write letters....they don't even learn cursive anymore for that matter. It's all about technology now...texting, email...I get it! I enjoy this modernization as much as anybody but, I feel like it would be an injustice to my daughters if I didn't at least teach them how to make the special fold and let them in on some of the cool sayings that we used to write on letters. I don't know if it's something they will ever put to use but, at least it's up there for reference if they need it!:)

Take note of the fold people, Ha! 4 UR Eyes Only! I will cherish all of my letters forever....they are now one of my collections I display to share the sweetness with others.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful week!

Love~

Dana

Friday Highlights on Saturday and a Recipe

2012-03-03T13:32:00.000-05:00

Well, I didn't get around to posting my top five for the week yesterday. My day was filled with lots of nervous energy (cleaned house, made two Pinterest recipes and did all the laundry) and The Weather Channel. First, my prayers are with all of those that were affected by the outbreak of Tornado's this week.... it's heartbreaking to see complete devastation in many places. Thank you God for keeping our little town protected.....thankful hearts here.

Here are my five...

1. Lots of love, laughs and yummy foods last weekend at our Sleepover.:)

Mom making Asparagus Quiche

Baby Bella's on the bottom (love that I got her hands in these pics)

Next, cooked asparagus

Then, add egg mixture, shredded Swiss cheese and bake!

Recipe adapted from All Recipes, we cut this recipe in half, omitted the bacon and added mushrooms. The next morning for breakfast we used the same recipe, added sausage, cooked and crumbled instead of asparagus and mushrooms.:)

Yum!

Three of my four sisters talking recipes.:)

2. Coffee Talk with my besties at our small town Starbucks. We usually close down the place and the barista there knows us well. He brought each of us a little bag of Vanilla Bean Scones to take home because they were going to be thrown away. Sweet!:)

3. I finally learned how to Fishbone Braid! Caroline let me do her hair for school.:)

Here is the tutorial I used to learn how!

4. We all enjoyed watching Olivia in her last swim meet of the season.

5. Zumba twice this week...I like to think I can really dance! So much fun and lots of sweat!!

This is one of my favorites we did....get up and get movin'!

High Five for Friday

2012-02-24T14:58:00.000-05:00

Here are my Top 5 for this week.....

1. President's Day equals a day off from school to have fun with my girlie's!:)

2. Helping prepare and serve a meal to the young teen moms and leaders of the Step By Step Ministry.

3. Completing and making a 125/125 on my Diet and Lifestyle Project! I had to research centenarians (those living over 100 yrs. old) with a high quality of life. Here are the Top 9 characteristics they all had in common that have helped them to live a longer, more fulfilled life!:)

4. I Love songs that make you just want to get up and dance around the house! I forgot how much this one makes me want to do that until it came on the radio this week. Woo Hoo, Woo Hoo!:)

5. Sooo excited about having our yearly sleepover this weekend!! There is just something about the bond between Mothers/Daughters and Sisters....unconditional love,support,wisdom, friendship, belly laughs and tears. My Mom and my sisters are uniquely beautiful; each of them so special to me & my best friends! Thank you God for blessing me with them....they have helped me become the woman I am today. xoxo

All of us Then

All of us Now

Kim and Mom

Dana, Michelle, Denise and Dara

Nothing Makes Sense Without You

2012-02-20T23:30:00.000-05:00

Grace strikes us when we are in a great pain and restlessness....

sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness,

and it is as though a voice were saying: "You are accepted!"

~Paul Johannes Tillich

Sometimes we have to go back, really back....to have a sense, an understanding of all that's gone to make us....before we can truly move forward. I know that in order for me to live an authentic life, I have to be transparent. When everything is going good in my life, it humbles me to go back to the broken mess of a woman I once was. Sorting through pictures, pulling from fragmented pieces of my memory and reading old journal entries helps me in the process of the "authentic dig."

In 2002, two weeks after the birth of our second daughter, we moved in to a new house. My thoughts at that time were consumed with having bare walls, sheets on windows, boxes in the floor, nursing a new born baby and keeping up with an energetic 2 1/2 year old toddler. It is painful for me to go back to that place....to that woman. I was resentful toward my husband for being able to get up and "escape" to work everyday, even though we had made the decision together for me to stop working and stay at home with our babies. I missed my Mom and sisters terribly....they were supposed to be there with me, to guide me through this phase of becoming a woman but, they were 70 miles away in our "Hometown". In the midst of that season of Motherhood I wasn't in a very good place. I began to withdraw from all my close friends, leaving poor Greg to be my "all in all"....a burden I should have never placed on him. I couldn't wait for him to get home from work everyday. I felt as though I couldn't function, even get a shower, until he was at the house. Needless to say, this began to take it's toll on our marriage. I was like a giant leech sucking the life out of him. He continued to love me anyway but, I knew something had to change.

In February of 2003, my closest friends, who noticed this change in me, stepped in. A new MOPS group was starting in our town and they talked me in to going to my first meeting.

Michele, Kim, Bri and I along with our spouses and "First" born toddlers.

Even though two have moved away, these ladies will always have a special place in my heart not only because we shared a special part of our life together but, because they loved me enough to reach out and help me get up.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.

~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I still remember walking in to that first meeting.....It was Valentine's Day, there was white linens and candles lit on the tables; music playing and breakfast being served....definitely not a typical morning for most moms.:) A mentor mom from the church shared that day about The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. We broke off in to small groups and were able to share and talk with other moms. It was so comforting to know that other people were struggling with the same things that I was. I left there that day refreshed, ready to try and be a better wife and mom.

Over the course of that year, I formed many new friendships and learned a lot about myself. I didn't realize it at the time but, I was suffering from postpartum depression. I didn't understand how I could be surrounded by a loving husband, two precious daughters, supportive family and friends yet feel so alone and empty. I felt guilty and tried to just keep pushing through with a smile on my face even though I was falling apart on the inside. There was something missing from my life that the depression had magnified, a void, that no person or thing could fill. Going to MOPS helped me a lot but, twice a month just wasn't enough....I needed more. I began to have anxiety and was dealing with some real health problems. I reached a point where the brokenness was consuming me and I didn't have the strength to keep it all together on my own anymore.

On February 27, 2004 there was a MOPS "Mom's Night Out" event that I attended. I made up my mind before I went that I was going to ask one of the leaders to pray for me. Something, at that time, I wasn't really sure how to do on my own. It was close to midnight and everyone was gone except some women cleaning up in the kitchen. I felt defeated and I started gravitating toward the door when I heard a "Hey Dana!" It was our MOPS Coordinator Melissa. "I forgot you had asked for prayer tonight," she said. Then, suddenly, like a fountain spewing out of my mouth, I began to say and ask what seemed like a thousand different things. By this time, the other woman had gathered around me and an entire Q & A session broke out. Questions about their faith, my faith, and how I didn't really even know what it was that I needed, I just knew I couldn't go one more day feeling the way I did.

In that moment, Amy, another leader, asked me if I had ever asked Jesus in to my heart? With certainty, I said No, I want to but I just don't know how. At that point, we all walked over to the altar and they prayed over me and I prayed a prayer of salvation. I can't put in to words how overwhelming the emotions were, it was something I had never experienced before. I remember when we finished, turning to Melissa in my vulnerable, almost child-like state and asking, "Will you be my friend?" She hugged me and we cried together.

Those woman who prayed with me that night are my very best friends to this day....

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.

~Matthew 18:20

Melissa, Rebecca, Dana F., Amy and Me

That night changed my life forever. I remember going out the next morning and hearing the birds sing in a way that I never had before. Six months after that night, Greg was saved at a special 9/11 service hosted by our church with guest speaker Sujo John. I pray that I never forget where we have came from, the importance of staying humble, keeping a spirit of gratitude and continuing to dream. Thank you God for your Grace, Love and Acceptance. I pray I can live an authentic life that is pleasing to you, continue to teach me how to walk in your ways.

Inspiration from Simple Abundance by Susan Ban Breathnach

high five for friday

2012-02-17T14:19:00.000-05:00

Here are my top five for this week....

1. Mr. B and I going to see "Big Miracle" with our 3 Lovies.

2. Kentucky Beat Vandy!

3. Volunteering with Girl Scouts!

4. Valentine's Day! I love....lovin' and Greg's Dark Chocolate Fudge with Walnuts he made me and Dipped Strawberries and homemade cards with poems, glitter and hearts. Sending L-O-V-E to all of you too!

5. Conquering this project all by myself, along with 2 screwdrivers, a hammer and

too many screws/nails to count!

To Create This...

Still putting things in containers and building another shelf for ribbon, photo boxes, gadgets, etc. but, it's getting there!

Just in case you didn't see, this was the Scrapbook Corner in the basement Before.....

So, what's your High Five this week?

Rooted in Love

2012-02-14T13:25:00.001-05:00

We love because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19

The love of family is life's greatest blessing.....we are all rooted in love. We take the love that we are given as children and love others and the cycle is never ending.

This is how our love story began....

Our Grandparents

(I didn't have pictures of all four sets)

Our Parents

We had our first blind date when I was a Freshman and Greg was a Junior

We have been together ever since...

The Love of my Life

Happy Valentine's Day to my

True Companion

Our Wedding Song

We are now called to build a strong foundation of love for our daughters,

so they will always love God and others.

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones~the ones at home.

~Mother Teresa

My Plains of Peace

2012-02-07T15:06:00.000-05:00

True joy lacks the wild ups and downs of an excitement-based life. It's a peaceful landscape filled with peaceful thoughts and peaceful emotions. Indeed, it's so peaceful that, to our adrenaline-soaked culture, it looks rather plain. In fact, I like to think of it as the plains of peace.

~Martha Beck

The small things of life are what give me everyday peace and joy. It is not very often that I will go back to bed after I get the older girls off to school but this morning I needed a few more zzzzz's. It was such a peaceful feeling to fall back into a deep sleep and not feel the need to go full throttle as soon as my feet hit the floor. Kate actually slept until 10:00AM this morning (apparently she needed a few extra zzzzz's as well) and woke me up ready for breakfast.

I enjoyed two of my favorite things of the morning...."Every Kiss begins with K", this is the song Kate sings before she gives me a kiss now days due to the Kay Jewelers commercials they play leading up to Valentine's Day and my coffee along with my favorite creamer....Natural Bliss!

We cuddled up on the couch and Kate asked, "Mommy, can we have a pajama day like I had at school last week?" My response, "Sounds wonderful!" We watched some favorites on PBS like this and this and talked on the phone to Mamaw Carol for a bit. One of Kate's daily joys is getting the mail, she can hear that mail truck two streets over.:) Well, today, she wanted to play a bit after her visit to the mailbox and with this weather I didn't blame her!

Bubbles!

She worked up an appetite outside and was ready for lunch. I think watching PBS this morning gave her some inspiration because she was ready to create her own lunch.:)

So proud and if you notice one of the "flowers" is missing a petal....she wanted me to taste.:)

This is the CD we listened to this afternoon, take a listen.

Sara Groves is inspirational and Station Wagon is

wonderful, especially for parents, to have in their collection.:)

My lunch was leftover White Chicken Chili from last night with a little reduced fat sour cream on top and some cilantro. Yes, that is a plastic spoon...apparently every spoon we own was washing in the dishwasher and I wasn't up to eating with a ladle.:)

The recipe I used for this was adapted from my #1 favorite recipe blog Annie's Eats. I added an extra can of Northern beans, increased the chicken broth to 3 cans and omitted the heavy whipping cream and sour cream that is added at the end of the recipe. After all, I am currently doing Made to Crave and trying to develop healthier eating habits for me and the Fam.:) We just add the sour cream on top when served and sprinkle a little dried Cilantro on top. Good stuff!

Blessings and love to all!

Order Cultivates Contentment

2012-02-03T00:06:00.000-05:00

Order is the shape upon which beauty depends.

~Pearl Buck

The order of our day....

Today was a beautiful day! Kate and I were dressed and out of our jammies early. We flung open the front door and let the fresh air come in through the screen door. I was in the mood to get some things in order. Kate was feelin' a little bit country, we put on some music, and got to it!

In my boots

The Refrigerator

(Before)

(After)

I know this should be such a simple thing to keep in order but, the truth is, there are times I have let most of this go bad before it gets cleaned and cut up.:( My family and I will eat it when it is ready to go and it will not go to waste!

Apparently we like pickles of all varieties.:)

Scrapbook Corner in the Basement

Before

Okay, so I attempted a few of Greg's "perfect push-ups" while contemplating....

those things hurt my wrists!

After

Uh, yeah, the Scrapbook Corner, well.....to be continued....Kate wanted me to roll her hair and do some art. Then we decided to go outside and make sure everything was in order out there.:)

Tiger Lily's are sprouting up

Kate's getting really good at riding without training wheels

The first half of the day flew by then it was time for lunch and nap time for Kate and school work for me. When Olivia and Caroline got home from school it was more time outside and waiting on Greg (Daddy) to get home.

Over dinner, Mr. B and I discussed some shelving options for the Scrapbook supplies and pictures....when it is completed I will post the "After" photo.:)

Until next time....

Running from Discipline

2012-01-31T14:56:00.000-05:00

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of

righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11

Speed in running isn 't everything. The course selected is also important. A fast runner racing up and down hills can not keep pace with a slower runner on level ground. It takes discipline to stay the course. What about running in my personal life? Why do I find myself running from the very things that bring discipline and order to my life. Why is it so hard for me to realize that taking the hills is no bigger an accomplishment than just staying on level ground? Instead, I choose to press up the hills of my own works knowing that Jesus is the level way, the pleasant way.

Rick Warren's article on How to Develop Self-Discipline gave me some great insight about my weaknesses. In my daily cares and needs, the greatest truth I need to remember is to run to God. My wisest course is to at once go to Him instead of this friend or that family member. He knows my weaknesses, my wants, my desires and He can relieve them.

By God's grace I will outrun the strongest runner who chooses any other path.

Friday with Mr. B

2012-01-28T02:40:00.001-05:00

Candles

Playlist

Let's Cook

Spinach Bacon Artichoke Artisan Pizza with Feta

Kate and I made the dough for these little babies on Wednesday

Recipe: Multigrain Pizza Dough with Honey

Prep: 20 min. Stand: 30 min.

Chill overnight or up to three days

Ingredients:

4 cups unbleached bread flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup rye flour (or cornmeal or additional whole wheat flour)

1 Tbsp. honey

1 1/2 tsp. table salt

1 1/2 tsp. instant yeast, also called bread-machine or fast-rising yeast

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 cups water, room temperature

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with dough hook, or in a large bowl using a large spoon, combine all ingredients except cooking spray. Mix on slow speed, or by hand, about 3 minutes, until ingredients are combined and all the flour is wet. Dough will be soft and gluten won't be fully developed at this point.

2. If using an electric mixer, increase the speed to medium and continue mixing for an additional 2 minutes. If working by hand, keep mixing with the spoon; you may also turn dough out onto counter and knead. Mix long enough to create a smooth, supple dough, about 3 minutes. If dough seems very stiff, incorporate more water, a teaspoon at a time, as you mix; if the dough is wet and sticky, sprinkle in more flour as you mix. Dough should be tacky but not sticky. Lightly grease bowl with olive oil or cooking spray. Form dough into smooth ball and place in bowl, turning to coat the surface with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap but do not let wrap touch dough. Let dough stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate overnight, or up to three days (dough will continue to rise in bowl until it goes dormant from the cold).

3. Two hours before you plan to make the pizzas, mist a baking sheet or cookie sheet with cooking spray, or rub lightly with olive oil. Cut dough into 4 equal pieces, and form each piece into a smooth, round ball. Place dough balls on prepared pan, mist lightly with nonstick cooking spray, and cover lightly with plastic wrap. While dough proofs and comes to room temperature, prepare toppings and preheat oven to 500 degrees. Stretch and shape dough. Place on a pizza stone or whatever you use to bake pizza on:). Top with Multipurpose Herb Oil (recipe below) and Toppings (see below) and bake one at a time for 5-7 minutes. Makes 4 Pizzas.

Recipe: Multipurpose Herb Oil

Ingredients:

1 cup olive oil

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 Tbsp. dried basil

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. dried rosemary, crumbled

1 tsp. dried crushed red pepper (optional)

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground black pepper

Whisk all the ingredients together for about 15 seconds, long enough to evenly distribute them. Most of the spices and herbs will tend to settle after a few minutes. Always whisk or stir the mixture before using. Let herbs steep in oil for at least 30 minutes at room temperature before using. Store, tightly covered, in a cool dark place up to two weeks. Makes 1 cup.

Toppings:

1/2 pound bacon, fried and crumbled

1 can artichoke hearts, drained and sliced

Baby spinach leaves, washed and patted dry

Feta Cheese, Crumbled

*I brush the Herb Oil generously on pizza dough before I add the toppings; sliced artichoke, then bacon, spinach leaves and finish with Feta sprinkled on top. I brush the spinach leaves with some of the oil before baking. Enjoy!!

Source: Adapted from BHG magazine

Let the Journey Begin

2012-01-24T13:00:00.004-05:00

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

~Proverbs 16:9

This morning has been a Hodge Podge. It began with an early bedtime due to a Migraine last night and when I woke up to the 6AM text from Mr. B saying he forgot to put Olivia's jeans in the dryer ( he is up, out the door and at work before the Rooster Crows) the last dream I remember involved me going on a trip to New York with an old MOPS acquaintance whom I have not talked to for many years (except for the occasional "Hi, How are you?" run in at Wal-Mart.)

This is a picture from MOPS National Convention many years ago....I know I will share more about this ministry and how it changed my life, in a future post.:)

I slowly came out of my groggy state and before my feet hit the floor, there was an immediate influx of thoughts; thank you Lord that my Migraine is gone, the name for today's post (really not sure at that point what direction I was supposed to go), I have to finish my 600 word essay for U.S History, Kate can help me make the dough today for some new Artisan Pizza recipes I want to try, turn on the dryer so Olivia can wear her "favorite jeans", get my sweet, laid back, Caroline ready for school . So then, I get up...

Has this ever happened to you? You are brushing your teeth first thing of the morning and suddenly you do not recognize the person staring back at you. "Who the heck is she?" you ask the mirror on the wall. She looks familiar but bears little resemblance to the woman I expect to see there. Besides the obvious external changes that have occurred over the years, what happened? What is that look of longing in her eyes? Here is the question that deserves loving meditation. Perhaps, the heart of our longing, is that we miss the woman we were supposed to be. We miss our authentic selves....the unique woman God created us to be. We haven't been obedient and listened to the little whispers of what He wants us to do. Instead, we do what we think is best for us. The good news is, no matter how much we have ignored his advice and tried to navigate through life on our own, He will never abandon us. Instead, He embraces us and gently nudges us in the right direction. In order to satisfy the longing in our hearts, to go after our dreams and desires, we have to turn away from the world and look within. God's love will illuminate our path to wholeness. Let the journey begin.

You are an original; a gift from God.

How you live, how you love,

is your gift to God.

~Promises for Life

Security in the Senses

2012-01-20T12:05:00.000-05:00

Smell is a potent wizard that transports us across thousands of miles

and all the years we have lived.

~ Helen Keller

Last weekend, Greg, the girls and I went to visit our parents. My Mom recently had knee replacement surgery and I had not been able to see her since she had gotten home from rehab. I was anxious to see how she looked and how the recovery was going. The first thing I noticed when she answered the door was how rested and beautiful she looked. Then, when I went in for a big hug, the smell of Burberry, Mom’s perfume, comforted me in a way I can’t really explain. A little bit emotional, I immediately let her know I couldn’t believe how well she was getting around…already going up and down stairs….I was impressed!

Mom and I Christmas Eve, a couple days before surgery.

Greg took the girls over to his Mom and Dad’s house so that I could have some one on one time with Mom (Mr. B is a wonderful, thoughtful husband) and spend the night. We spent time talking about how she had been feeling, getting Christmas decorations down and put away in the basement ( I made Mom sit in a chair and tell me what to doJ), watching the Cardinals play in the snow outside her kitchen window, and I took notes while I watched Mom and my Step Dad, Joe make “The Roast”.

Outside Mom's kitchen window. See the Cardinals?

When we sat down to eat, the aroma of the Roast and Vegetables as well as the taste, transported me back to my childhood and the security you get from a home cooked meal made with love. That night when I went to bed, looking around the guest room, I was given the inspiration for this post. I thought about Mom's hug from earlier that day and how just the smell of her perfume made me feel like she was okay. I started thinking about how we get the feeling of being secure via our senses. I thought about when I was in 1^st grade, I would take my Mom’s empty Revlon “Coffee Bean” lipstick container to school in my pocket. If I would start to miss her or feel upset, I would take it out and smell it. Immediately, I would feel better.

Then there is Pond’s Cold Cream that my Mom would put on every night to take off her make-up….to this day, when I smell Pond’s, it comforts me. When I was growing up, my Dad had a shaving kit that he kept at the end of his dresser. It was off limits to the 6 girls in the house, Ha! Dad kept his own stash of toiletries in there and I remember sneaking to use his toothpaste. The first thing I would smell when I unzipped the brown leather bag was Old Spice Aftershave…I visited him not too long ago and he still uses Old Spice. My Dad also listened to talk radio, 840AM, all the time….he still does and I do too. When I am missing my Dad, I turn on talk radio or Bluegrass music. He always had the radio on when we were at home. Dad listened to a variety of music; I guess that’s where I get my love for music.

One of my favorite Bluegrass singers.

I wonder what the girls will associate with their Dad and I. Olivia did an assignment at school a few years ago where the students had to choose and describe their favorite place to be....she chose her home. I framed it and put it in our kitchen.

What do you remember from your childhood that still comforts you today?

Focus

2012-01-17T08:18:00.000-05:00

We need a focus. A main thing. Something bigger than skin cream or tennis shoes that remind us of the purpose of it all. If we expect to regain a more simple heart, a more centered pace for our day, we need to order our lives in specific ways.

~ David and Barbara Sorensen

My mind is a place of it's own, a place where few people would dare to go. In a matter of moments it goes from thinking about how my Mom is recovering from her knee replacement surgery and figuring out important questions about faith to pondering how I should go about making a Poodle Skirt for my 6th graders Sock Hop on Friday and we need new carpeting, paint colors I like and then "What's for dinner tonight?" My mind will grab hold of a single thought like a dog with a chew toy and not let go until I'm either exhausted or I'm bored with the entire idea and ready to move on to something new.

I know that I'm not alone in the fact that we all have questions, answers, concerns, opinions, ideas and dreams hovering over our brains disguised as a dull headache. One thing that helps me declutter so that I can have space to think clearly is keeping a spiral notebook close by. I have a conversation with myself on the paper, then I can organize my thoughts and let go of the things that are taking up space. I am a visual person so this works for me. It is a given that quiet prayer time at the beginning of my day helps me more than anything but, unfortunately, I don't always take time to sit and be still....I'm working on that.

I was first introduced to this singer by my Mom.:) Her voice is peaceful and calming and I like listening to this CD while I'm reading, cooking or trying to relax the tension in our house between dinner, homework, bath and bedtime....you know what I'm talking about!

Love and Light~

Dana

Adapted from Simple Abundance by Susan Ban Breathnach

First Snow

2012-01-13T23:02:00.001-05:00

I took these pictures today at our cemetery in town. Visiting there today was illuminating. It was so still and silent. So quiet. I have always been drawn to old cemeteries. I enjoy walking through them and feeling completely at peace. Old cemeteries are a reminder that until it is carved in stone, realizing our heart's desire is possible every day if we recognize what it is that makes us happy.

In Thornton Wilder's play Our Town a deeply moving scene takes place in a graveyard. Ghosts comfort the young heroine, who has recently died in childbirth. Emily, still longing for the life she has just left, wishes to revisit one ordinary, "unimportant" day in her life. When she gets her wish, she realizes how much the living take for granted.

Eventually, her visit is too much for her to bear. "I didn't realize," she confesses mournfully, "all that was going on and we never noticed....Good-by, world. Good-by Grover's Corners...Mama and Papa. Good-by to clocks ticking....and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths....and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you."

This is the season of Epiphany, when the renewal of light and revelation are celebrated in the liturgy of the Catholic, Episcopal, and Eastern Orthodox churches. Let us take a new path where we seek everyday epiphanies~ occasions on which we can experience the Sacred in the ordinary~ and come to the awakening, like Emily finally does, that we can no longer afford to throw away even one "unimportant" day by not noticing the wonder of it all. We have to be willing to discover and then appreciate the authentic moments of happiness available to all of us every day.

Source:

Simple Abundance by Susan Ban Breathnach

My View

2012-01-11T11:08:00.000-05:00

This is the view from my kitchen window....with my birds.:)

It is a rainy day here in my part of the world.

I am taking time to sit and be still this morning...to listen~ rain tapping

against the windows, the clock ticking, refrigerator running. It is good, at times,

not to talk. I need to be alone in His presence and not feel the need to

break the silence. This is a time I can sit and wait for answers, guidance

and soak in His love.

~Each day offers time to draw closer to God

and take new steps toward living with purpose.

January....Really?

2012-01-09T14:19:00.001-05:00

Well, I was wanting to have a picture of snow for the first post on my new blog but, I can't wait any longer! The weather in Central Kentucky has been unusually mild for January and although I love a big snow, the family and I have been enjoying the beautiful weather! Mr. B (nickname I have for my husband:) and I spent some time at the park with our girls this weekend....64 degrees and no coats needed! It was great to be out in the fresh "Winter" air.

"I look up through leafless branches, as I never can in other season, and see the stars shine in Heaven."

~Anonymous

Have a blessed day!