The Garden, A Refuge

". . .the garden is so much more to me than a resource for cooking and decorating. To me, the garden is also a refuge, a place to go for rest and spiritual renewal. In the freeway of my life, I love to find an exit ramp that leads to a green retreat. there I can sit still or stroll slowly or dig in the soil and let the serenity of shrub and vine begin to grow inside me."

Time Began in a Garden
by Emilie Barnes

Photo: my cabin garden, right outside the front door

The Most Consoling and Comfortable

"I enjoy tea, first of all, because it reminds me of my father who was English and drank only tea. We never used tea bags in the home. We always brewed tea, and I remember the lovely aroma and the feel of the warm pot. I also, somehow, find tea very consoling."

"To me, afternoon tea is a very great pleasure and luxury. However, I am rarely home at that time. When visiting London, I think there is nothing lovelier than afternoon tea with little watercress or cucumber sandwiches. . .yum yum. . .I wish I could do this at home."

"It seems to me that tea is the most consoling and comfortable of beverages, and also, if one drinks tea, herb tea is probably the healthiest."

~ Barbara Walters ~

Dutch Oven Cooking

Unfortunately the dutch oven cooking demonstrations did not take place the day we were there, but everything was set up and ready to go. I enjoyed walking around and looking at the equipment and food items set out for the next morning's demonstrations.

Peaceful Afternoon

Late afternoon on a quiet day ---

listening to the sounds of a bluegrass band straight from Kentucky!

Did you ever stop to think about a bluegrass band? They offer the traditional and contemporary sounds of bluegrass, folk, and bluegrass gospel music. In a unique style, they offer four-part harmony that is pleasing to the ear. And there are no percussion instruments. In this day and age, it's unusual to find any band without the central drum set!

The bass does it all.

The Choice

The Choice
by Max Lucado

It's quiet.
It's early.
My coffee is hot.
The sky is still black.
The world is still asleep.
The day is coming.
In a few moments the day will arrive.
It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun.
The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day.
The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race.
The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands.
It is now that I must make a choice.
Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose.

And so I choose....

I choose Love . . .
No occasion justifies hatred. No injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose Joy . . .
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical . . . the tool of a lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose Peace . . .
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose Patience . . .
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite her to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose Kindness . . .
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God treated me.

I choose Goodness . . .
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I boast. I will confess before I accuse. I choose goodness.


I choose Faithfulness . . .
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My husband will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose Gentleness . . .
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.

I choose Self-Control . . .
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the Eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, Joym Peace, Patience, Kindness Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness andSelf-Control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace.And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Rhapsody in Blue & A Pansy or Two

Here we go again --- another simple table setting ---
this time in blue for Rylan's birthday.

Romaine, mixed garden greens, tomatoes, sweet onions, and sugar peas were the ingredients for a fresh salad garnished with pansy, daisy, and marigold blossoms.

We didn't eat the flowers, but they sure made the salad colorful and inviting!

The salad dressing was a quick homemade vinaigrette made from olive oil, lemon juice, Bragg's Liquid Aminos, salt, stevia, and Italian Seasoning. Blend together until emulsified and then pour into a pretty little pitcher (I used a clear glass creamer).

The menu for this special birthday meal included:

Garden Salad and Dressing
Enchilada Casserole with Corn
Baked Potatoes with Earth Balance
Broccoli Spears
Grape Juice

Chocolate Cake

Today's china:

My mother's Noritake Milford with platinum rim

Vintage 1970's