A black cap

She loves her new cap... she looks so grown up with it!



This child just wrecks me... I love her.

A new week of opportunities

"never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard seed germinates and roots itself"
Florence Nightingale


Though it may seem a humble Monday my friends, may this week be a practical seed planting week...

Stirfry style

I think its the novel utensils but when we have a Chinese style meal, I get no comments on the amount or type of vegetable. I can basically throw anything in there and it all gets gobbled up.

Grace, really!!

My hands are swollen from all the washing,
My heart is wrung out from all the failing,
My head aches from all the thinking...

I work and I consider my bit of mess.
Shouldn't this be easier by now?
Obedience takes a lifetime of learning.

'Father... may I not be always learning but never coming to knowledge'

"Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need"
Hebrews 4.16

I come to Him, burdened... holding empty... again.
I see Grace.
Gentleness.
Patience.
Completely undeserved. Unmerited. Radical.

"Most of the grand truths of God have to be learned by trouble; they must be burned into us with the hot iron of affliction, otherwise we shall not truly receive them"
Charles Spurgeon




"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful"
Hebrews 10.23

Thank You.
Yes... let us hold fast. Leaning into Him. Through the hot affliction. He is faithful.

The art of writing

Cursive comes from the Latin word 'flowing'. She says it makes her feel grown up.
I remember the feeling when I practiced, seems like yesterday.

The joining of the letters into a graceful flowing tune. A 'write' of passage. An art.

A gentle answer

This is true.
When you sense the mounting fury.
Before the arrows take flight.
Like a release valve alleviating the torrent.

"a gentle answer turns away wrath"

This is also true.
If I forget.
If I allow indignation to swell.
Like a spurt of oil into the heart of a fire.

"but a harsh word stirs up anger"



Yes, 'the way of the lazy man creates a hedge of thorns'. Lazy words build walls.

I remember that every day I am building something, maybe invisible for now. A treasure chest of memories. Of truth. It's not perfect... this teaching what is right. It will be made visible later...



When tomorrow becomes today and she must give her own response... hopefully a gentle answer to life's swell.

For today her hard set was slackened by a whisper to gentleness.
May the truth of that remain... placed into her treasure chest.

Going French

My friend Anthea bought me the Julia Child's movie... it makes you want to spend time in the kitchen. Couple that with the fact that I have just finished reading 'Tarte Tatin', Susan Loomis's second book on her life in France.... with produce being purchased from the farmer, cheese and eggs procured from the local outdoor markets. Nothing as delicious as home made with fresh ingredients.

So inspired by the Julia Child's recipe...



Provencal Tomatoes

4 ripe tomatoes
3 tablespoons corn crumbs / breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons oat flour
1 teaspoon dried parsley
good sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves
about a quarter of a large onion, grated (or spring onions, finely chopped)
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
about 3 tablespoons grated Gruyere cheese

Preheat oven to 180 deg Celsius. Cut the top off the tomato and remove the inner seeds and juice with sharp knife (don't cut into skin). Chop the fleshy middle heart of the tomato, which has just been removed (but not the seeds and juice parts). Place this tomato flesh into a bowl with the balance of the ingredients. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Fill cavities well with this mixture. Pour a few drops of olive oil into each tomato.
Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Beyond delicious!!