Life Happens

My nephew and niece-in-law brought a new life into this world on December 8th. She is darling and looks much the same as her big sister did upon arrival. There simply is nothing as wonderful as a new little person. Being able to see and touch a miracle is miraculous!

I remember when my children were babies. They were so lovely. The best smell ever to me is the smell of a baby fresh from the bath, so clean and soft. I used to do all sorts of crazy things just so I could hear them giggle. Baby giggles are the best!

Our daughter arrives home from college on Wednesday, and we cannot wait. Her cat is counting the days with a bit of help from us. I wrote 3 More Days! on a Post-it note and then took a picture of S'More holding the note with the cell phone camera and sent it to Stefanie. She says she now expects a count down from S'More so we will be repeating this process a few more times. The poor kitty may need counseling before all is said and done!

Still have a few more gifts to get, but we have completed all the shopping for our charitable giving and turned in all the goodies. It is the best part of the Christmas season for me.

Cats and Kids

Our daughter went off to college in the fall, and her cat simply cannot figure out where we are hiding her. When we put Stef on the speaker phone S'More purrs like crazy and rubs against the phone. She hears Stef so why can't she see her??? Poor kitty! Soon Stef will be home for Christmas break. Hopefully S'More will be happy to see her and not punish her for her absence by having "cattatude."

I have no idea how Thanksgiving can be just around the corner all ready. Seems like just yesterday it was New Years. Life speeds by, doesn't it?

The Summer Kitchen by Lisa Wingate

I am reading this book right now, and it is wonderful. Basically the words of the author exemplify the teachings of Mother Teresa when she said, "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." This is one of my favorite quotes and it applies to what this book/author is trying to say to the reader. I have read many of Lisa Wingate's books, but I think this one may very well be my favorite. Do yourself a favor and read this book!

Can you tell that I admire Mother Teresa and all she stood for? If, in my life, I am able to show even a small percentage of the kindness shown by this incredible servant of the Lord I will have been a success. Live your life in such a way that you are a drop in the ocean of service to others.


"Works of love are works of peace" Mother Teresa

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." Mother Teresa

Music City Moments

Stef had fall break last week so my mom and I flew to Nashville to have fun with her. We went to the All for the Hall concert (it was fabulous), the Country Music Hall of Fame (so much history), and for my 45th birthday we attended the Grand Ole Opry performance with Vince Gill closing out the show (I absolutely love his music; what a talented man). We shopped, ate, and enjoyed the wonderful Nashville hospitality - such friendly people.

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." ~ Berthold Auerbach

Autumn

It certainly seems that the days fly by once school starts back up. We took our daughter to school in Nashville in August and our son started school three days after we returned home to Idaho. They have been in school for almost a month now; where did those days go???

I made chicken bog today from a recipe given to me by our neighbor, Joyce, when we lived in South Carolina. It is delicious and perfect for the cooler weather.

It is colder today than it has been which tells me fall (my favorite season) is on the way. The leaves are turning now too. Autumn leaves are so lovely.

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."- Albert Camus

Hope you enjoy autumn wherever you are.