Deepening Our Roots

Spring is a time for fresh beginnings and new growth. Coming out of a long and cold winter, though winter can be lovely in its own way, I am often longing for new growth, for a freshness in my soul. As our garden spots, our trees, and our grass take on a new life, so my soul thirsts for new life, as well.

O God, You are my God,

earnestly I seek You;

my soul thirsts for You,

my body longs for You

in a dry and weary land

where there is no water.

(Psalm 63:1 NIV)

This new life and fresh start in our gardens, in the plants on our deck, often finds its beginnings quietly, and mostly hidden from sight. For as we plant, we need much patience; patience to wait for the nourishing rains and the life-giving rays of sunlight to strengthen the roots of our new plants. It really is a beautiful thing. We put our love and best efforts into planting the seeds or the small plants from the nursery. And then we wait ... 

The roots need to strengthen and reach deep for the nutrients. Soaking up the rain and the sun. Without strong roots, the plants will not be able to endure. And the plants will not blossom and bear fruit.

The same is true for my heart, for my soul, and for yours, as well. Our roots need to be strengthened and nurtured. My heart and my soul need gentle, nourishing care. Each day. We need to pull away to connect with our Creator. To pause our busyness, quiet our hearts in the midst of a busy life and world; pausing and listening to hear His voice; to read His Words, and to let them soak deeply into our hearts and souls. 

Find a quiet, secluded place -

Just be there as simply and honestly 

as you can manage.

The focus will shift from you to God,

and you will begin to sense His grace.

(Matthew 6:6 MSG)

Pausing, retreating from our busyness. Listening, reading His Words. And as the days go by, this soaking up of His Words, of His Love, will fill us with all that we long for. We will be filled up with His love, presence, wisdom, and joy ... and this will overflow from us, spreading beauty and love to those around us. 

Let your roots grow down into Him,

and let your lives be built on Him.

Then your faith will grow strong

in the truth you were taught,

and you will overflow with

thankfulness.

(Colossians 2:7 NLT)

Lord, may my life be a rhythm of serving and loving others, of joining You in Your work ... and above all, of pausing, retreating to the quiet place where I can hear Your whispers more clearly. Where Your truth and Your love can nourish my roots, my heart, strengthening me in every way. 

For You are the One

who nurtures our souls so that

we blossom, flourish, and thrive.

(Whispers and Wildflowers)

Banana Cream Dessert

Doesn't this dessert look like spring? I think it tastes like the freshness of spring, as well. I made it again this past week, this time for our CityGroup (small group within Citylight Midtown) that we hosted over the weekend.

I have been making this recipe for years, after discovering it in a "Quick Cooking" magazine over twenty years ago! And it has remained in my collection of "favorites" since then. I have even used it as a special birthday dessert for family birthdays in the past. 

It's delicious, refreshing, beautiful ... and also very easy to make! No baking, or cooking; just assembling of different layers of goodness: a graham cracker crust, vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, crushed pineapple, and topped off with a carton of whipped topping. I also like to sprinkle some chopped pecans on top. It can't get much easier than that.

You can click here to see the recipe on the Taste of Home website, and to print it out, if you wish.

 Banana Cream Dessert

3 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 48 squares)

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

3 1/2 cups cold milk

2 pkgs (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix

5 medium firm bananas, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2 inch slices

1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained well

1 carton (20 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed 

         (16 ounces fills up my 13x9 pan quite full)

1/3 cup chopped pecans, optional

Combine cracker crumbs and butter. 

Press into an ungreased 13x9 inch dish.

 

In a mixing bowl, beat milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes. 

Pour over crust; top with bananas and pineapple. 

Spread with whipped topping (dish will be full). 

Sprinkle with pecans, if desired. 

Chill for at least 4 hours before cutting. 

Yield:  about 15 servings

Hope you enjoy this refreshing spring dessert! 

NOTE: This is an updated version of my original post back in June 2011. Click here to see the original.

A Collection: In the Kitchen, Spring Gardens, New Bedroom Suite, and Good Books

I haven't been able to write here very often in recent months, but sometimes we just need to focus on other things. Big things, like a room remodel that kind of takes over your whole house, and your life for a period of time. Or it could be anything, really, that we need to give extra focus to; things that are necessary, and wonderful, and very worth the extra focus. (Read here for a recent focus of ours.) Or, things that are unexpected and difficult also may need most or all of our focus for awhile.

And after the added focus, it's good to pause, and return to some of the ordinary things of life that we needed to maybe put aside for awhile. And this is what brings me to write another a post that I like to call "A Collection". A collection of little pleasures, gifts from God, tangible things that bring joy! 

I do love to take the time to bake with sourdough. (Read here for how I got started last fall.) Baking with sourdough is a way of slowing down, as the process stretches out over a day or two or three. And it also allows for creativity, in the process of baking something that is nutritious and delicious. Pictured above is my favorite sourdough bread recipe, "Classic Sourdough Bread" from @everything.sourdough on Instagram.

I also love making granola (using sourdough discard) for the two of us. This "Chunky Sourdough Granola" recipe is our favorite! Doubling the recipe makes enough for a few weeks, and is a great way to use sourdough discard, as well. We love this granola, and will be making it continually. It's a good way to save on the grocery budget, as well, to make granola at home.

I have had an Instant Pot for a number of years, but sadly, have not used it all that often. But after doing a lot of re-organization of closets recently in our home with our recent room remodel, I have a new interest in using the Instant Pot more often. It's amazing how just re-organizing things so you can access an Instant Pot easier makes it more fun to use it! The "Instant Pot Chicken Breasts & Gravy" above was absolutely delicious, one which I'll be making again, for sure. 

May is probably one of my favorite months. Time for planting of our veggie garden, flower pots for the patio, and also my herb garden. The herb garden is in a perfect location, outside the patio doors which are right by the kitchen. I added a new basil plant (my favorite), a parsley plant, and some thyme to the collection of perennial herbs already growing. It will be easy to step right out the door to snip off some fresh herbs while cooking this summer.

This beautiful weigela bush outdid itself with pink flowers during this past month. We gave it some extra care a few weeks ago when we pruned back some of the straggly branches. 

We are so very grateful for our brand new Master Bedroom Suite ... you can read about it here. We're still in the process of finishing up the decorating of the room, but already, it is perfect for our needs. It's a gift for us in our current season of life; we are so grateful.

On the opposite end of the spacious Master Bedroom Suite is a cozy sitting area. This has become my favorite place for quiet devo times, reading and listening, connecting deeply with Jesus. This setting, with the morning sun coming through the east-facing windows, is where my soul is fed each morning. I am so grateful ...

Good books are also life-giving, and soul-feeding. I usually have two books on my reading pile at a time, one of them always a fiction book. Either historical fiction or Biblical fiction. I learn so much from the setting of a historical fiction book and/or a Biblical fiction book, bringing the time period alive to me as I read. Up from Dust was my first book by the author above, and I will be watching for more of her books. 

Another great author of Biblical fiction, Connilyn Cossette, recommends this book with her words on the back cover: "Taking us on an intriguing journey through heartbreak and healing, Heather Kaufman leads her readers directly to the joy of the empty tomb." 

It was a beautiful account of Martha, and I love how the author told her story. Though much of it was fictional, it captured the setting, the realities of that time period, and was a beautiful picture of Martha's heart as she was drawn close to Jesus. 

Thanks for reading my collection of little things that have given me joy through the month of May. Little moments of joy are all around us!  May was also filled with bigger things which give joy ... multiple times with family, including a trip we took to TX a few days ago! Maybe I will share some of the photos in an upcoming post. Thanking God for His gifts to us, big and small ...

Cultivating ... Daily, and Intentionally

As the cold days of winter begin to fade away and as the first faint signs of spring begin to draw us in, we find ourselves longing for new life. We even may be starting to dream and prepare for our veggie and flower gardens. We begin to prepare our spaces, and also the soil for new spring life. 

In the same way, after the restful, maybe quieter days of winter, I am also reminded this time of year to prepare my heart for a new season of growth. Preparing to grow my heart for what matters the most. Maybe because a bit of the winter cold has settled in? And I find myself longing for some breaths of fresh air in my soul.

So I am welcoming these seasonal reminders to pay attention to more than just preparing the soil of our gardens for spring, but to also pay attention to and to nourish what matters the most to me. Is it the same for you? Have the cold winter days (though they do have a charm of their own) and the days of less sunlight left you longing for new life?

This is the setting for what grabbed my attention a few weeks ago, as I pulled another verse card from my growing collection of favorite verses. 

Trust in the Lord and do good;

Dwell in the land

and cultivate faithfulness.

(Psalm 37:3 NASB)

It was the whole verse, but especially the word cultivate that drew my attention. This is what we do in early spring to prepare for the growth that spring/summer brings in our gardens. 

And I wonder the same for my heart ... how can I cultivate my heart for this new season? 

But first, what does cultivate even mean? 

"Cultivate" - (from Webster's Dictionary online)

"to direct special attention to, to devote time and thought to, 

to care for with a view to valuable returns, to till, to fertilize, 

to improve by care or study."  

And another helpful list of meanings:

"Cultivate" - (from Lara Casey's book Cultivate)

"serve, nurture, nourish, prepare, encourage,

improve, refine, pay attention, foster growth,

loosen and break up hard ground,

and care for what you've been given."

 

Isn't this what we desire for our lives? To nurture and to till up the soil of our hearts for growth? it's a continual thing, all through the varying seasons, to care for our hearts. To be in tune to listen intently to the One who loves us more than we can even imagine. It's easy to become dry and in need of nourishment.

Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.

(Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

Above all else, for the condition and the health of our hearts affects everything. And this is why we need the reminders to continually cultivate our hearts. To faithfully cultivate. To cultivate faithfulness. 

Just how do we cultivate faithfulness? Maybe it will look different practically for you, and for me. But for all of us, it begins in the heart, doesn't it? It's a desire, a longing, to spend time with Jesus. In His Word; not just the rote reading of His Words, but reading with a longing to hear from Him. To hear His heart, to hear what is Truth. And to share our heart with Him in response. A heart that also then seeks to live out His Truth in every area of our lives.

It's a relationship, not a mere religion or a task to check off our list. A relationship that needs nurturing, time, and yes, even effort. Pausing in this busy, broken world, for what is most important. And for what we long for.

Just as each plant, flower, herb are unique, each of us are created uniquely, What does the soil of your heart need now, right now in the season of life that you are in? The soil of your heart, of your life, may need different specifics of nourishment than mine. But we all need continual tilling, and ongoing nourishment to continue producing and blooming.

Right now, I am discovering that I am needing even more frequent pauses, and needing even added nutrients to refresh the condition of the soil of my heart. We have had a lot going on recently ... offering support and encouragement to a brother in need in his Parkinsons condition, preparing our home for a needed (and wonderful) remodeling project which includes going through closets and rooms that need to be simplified and organized, and at the same time, keeping up with all that is part of the many callings and passions that God has given us, including each one in our precious family. 

Cultivate faithfulness ...

So I am needing to take extra time to tend to my heart these days and weeks. Extra needs call for extra care of the soil. Daily attention and cultivating. Focused time reading His Words, listening and learning at the start of my day, pausing in the midst of my day, and quieting my heart again with journal and pen in His Presence at the end of the day. 

Tilling up the soil of our hearts, receiving nourishment from His Word, His Love. And over time, we will see sprouts, and we will see growth. Season after season. Cultivating faithfulness. Our lives will keep on blossoming and reflecting the beauty that we were created for. By His grace and mercy alone.

 

Lord, may I be a cultivator, faithfully making it a priority to care for  my heart, for all that You place on my heart. Taking time for the things of most importance, dwelling deeply in Your Word and in Your love. Slowly, one step, one moment at a time. You are the One who brings the growth, and I offer my heart as a sacrifice, desiring to till up the soil, and to cultivate faithfulness. For You.

A Collection: Pansies, Daffodils, Veggie Seedlings, and Springtime Embroidery

 

The month of March will soon be past, and signs of spring are showing up after what seems like a long cold winter, and we are loving it! Earlier this month we purchased some pansy plants for the first time ... why haven't we done so in years past? We've brought them indoors on occasion (photo above) when temps have dipped to below freezing, but for most of this month they've been out on our patio. Such beautiful glimpses of spring, even on the cool days! 

Outdoors we have some tulips popping up out of the ground, as well as some daffodils ... more glimpses of spring!

We haven't always taken the time to start seedlings indoors, but this year it has worked for us, being retired now. We have several kinds of flowers started, as well as some tomatoes and green peppers. It's such a joy to see the tiny seeds start growing!

Springtime has also been calling me indoors, with embroidery. It's interesting that I went through the whole winter without doing any embroidery, as there were other projects that called my attention. But mid-March, I started on this pattern, a free downloaded pattern from this online site (click here). You can also purchase patterns from this embroidery artist on Etsy by clicking here.

I added the words "Be Still" to this pattern, words that I continually need to remind myself of ... through the winter, into the spring, and all through the year. It's so easy to get wrapped up in tasks and responsibilities, even during retirement. And soon we find ourselves overloaded, and even stressed.

But we are called over and over to rest in Him, to pause, to trust, to soak up His unfailing love for us. Just as the pansies, the daffodils, and the indoor seeds we have planted. They are resting, quietly receiving the nutrients from the soil, soaking up the sun and the water, growing into something beautiful. May we do the same this spring, and all year through.

Be still 

and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.

(Psalm 46:10 ESV)

After Ten Weeks of "Coronavirus Stay-at-Home"

Even during these ten weeks of coronavirus and of "staying-at-home" ...

Life continues on as always,

one moment at a time. For our days, our weeks, our months, are still made up of moments. The daily, and the present. We've viewed life through fresh eyes maybe more than ever before. And I hope we have been learning, and are continuing to embrace that life is really about the simple and the quiet, about the basic things - of faithfulness, of love, of paying attention, moment-by-moment - in the present. For this is where God is, where we can hear His still, small voice. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:23) And even though we may miss the going, and the doing ... just maybe He is transforming us for the better.

How are you doing these days?

May you be filled with His love,

His grace, His mercy. Each day.

Each moment.

And isn't it a blessing that

we've been able to welcome

the beautiful season of spring

during these ten weeks?

New life and beauty in our yard

has brought us so much joy.

The blossoms on our crab apple tree

(photo above) were so beautiful,

and now we've finished planting

our veggie garden and our herb garden.

So much beauty everywhere ...

A Collection: Springtime, Re-learning Embroidery, and at the Sewing Machine

Sharing a few fun things happening here, in the midst of "stay-at-home" coronavirus days!

First of all, we're starting to dream of planting our veggie, herb, and flower gardens! It looks like this coming week will bring warmer, beautiful spring weather! In the meantime, we're making plans and getting new ideas for a new season of outdoor fun.

Another fun thing has been to start up a new hobby, perfect for these weeks of "stay-at-home" ... embroidery! I had done some cross-stitch embroidery many years ago, but this type of embroidery is a new venture for me ...

This blog post (click here) by author/blogger Jessica Turner was the inspiration for me to get started! I purchased the "Isolate & Stitch" pattern (pictured above) from a great Etsy shop (click here). It focuses on stitching 15 different flowers to learn a variety of the embroidery stitches. The tutorials were initially on Instagram, but are also available on YouTube (click here). 

I've completed the first row, and also am in process of organizing the embroidery threads that I had from the past, as well as those I purchased from Amazon recently. 

I also came across a YouTube tutorial for making masks ... click here. 

Using up fabric that I already had on hand, I sewed up some for the two of us, and also made some to mail off to a brother of mine in Portland, who lives alone and had requested some. This was a good reason to get out my sewing machine again!

Though we have given up a lot, and miss being with our family and friends, these little joys are a gift! I'm thankful.

Have you picked up some new hobbies during these past weeks of staying at home?

A Collection: In the Yard, and In the Kitchen

I absolutely love the season of spring! It's a lovely time of year, and it's a busy time of year! And here I am, on this last day of May, with a short but sweet collection of just a few of the joys of this spring season.

After multiple trips to the nursery stores in the area, we have most all of our seeds and veggie & flower plants purchased! There is nothing quite as fun as planning for and starting up new garden spots! And I'm a lucky gal, with a hubby who has a green thumb! I am slowly learning ... 

And along with the beauty outdoors, there's the beauty of food on the table. This photo shows a new main dish salad recipe that I tried out in May, using bow-tie pasta, bacon, cherry tomatoes, red onion, a bit of pepper, shredded romaine lettuce, and some parsley - mixed together with some ranch salad dressing. A taste of spring!

A brand new cast-iron dutch oven - a wonderful Mother's Day gift from my dear hubby! I love the 6-quart size, and the beauty of this one - and, of course, love how it cooks up food evenly, and also can go from stovetop to oven. I've been using it for a few recipes already, and know it will be used a lot!

It's been awhile since I've made a pie, and so was a joy to prepare this one for Easter Sunday back in April. You can't really go wrong with a pie called "Coconut Cream Meringue Pie". I'll plan to post the recipe sometime in the coming weeks. 

And now, the month of June is right around the corner ... and I'll look forward to sharing some more collections of things that bring me joy in the summer months!

Preparing the Soil

The start of a new month always calls me to a fresh focus, a new beginning. And in the spring, freshness is everywhere. I love the fresh air, the vibrant hues of green on our trees and in our lawns, the new flower starts, and the touch of color everywhere.

Spring brings new life in our yards, our flower beds, and our veggie gardens ... 

And it all starts

with the soil. We need to

prepare the soil, till up the soil,

add the necessary nutrients

to our garden spots, our planters.

It's the first step. A garden

or a patio planter needs soil,

good soil. Healthy soil will

produce the beautiful blooms, the

fresh homegrown produce.

And in an even deeper way, in the

midst of busy days and full lives,

we do not want to neglect to care

for the soil of our hearts. 

For everything comes from the heart. 

Does my heart feel crowded? 

Am I even able to hear His whispers?

How can I make room for heart-space

this new month, each new day?

Lord, will you work up the soil of

my heart, will you add the necessary

ingredients needed for new growth?

May I make it a priority this spring,

to tend to my heart.

"Let today be a fresh beginning 

to create heart-space so that 

the garden of your life will 

begin to truly flourish." 

(Whispers and Wildflowers)

"Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it."

(Proverbs 4:23 NIV)