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Archive for the ‘Spiritual Life’ Category

Sunday Stuff

Sunday, April 22nd, 2007

I was so exhausted yesterday that I managed to unpack my suitcases and my supplies and get some laundry done and then I crashed. I spent the afternoon sprawled on the sofa watching The Learning Channel. I went to bed early and arose feeling myself again.

We went to the 8 am service at the Cathedral today because the Presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts Schori, was here. We knew the later service would be mobbed and no place to park. She is an inspiring preacher and a wonderful person. We had the requisite protesters outside the church, against abortion, gay rights, etc. I am so proud to be part of a church that has elected a woman to lead the church.

So, we were home by 10ish. I read the paper and walked the dog. Then I made a shopping list for the family dinner. Whoops, I got to the store and no list so I had to rely on my memory – dangerous!

I made steamed artichokes, Japanese rice bowls with seasoned turkey, veggies and hard cooked eggs with lots of ginger, garlic and Tamari sauce. I also made lemon pudding cakes. Can I just say that I love my new island table – so much workspace for cooking family meals!

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment. Miles said that the pudding cake was the “best dessert ever”! Here they are before and after baking:

lemonpuddingcakes.jpg

lemonpuddingcakes2.jpg

artichokes.jpg

artichokes2.jpg

Returning from Retreating

Sunday, February 20th, 2005

I spent the week-end at a retreat with the vestry of my church. It was a working retreat, yet I’m feeling so refreshed from the time spent with people who are dedicated to the life of our church and want to see it grow and flourish. The setting was so bucolic – The Silver Penny Farm – which is a retreat center on a farm with sheep and baby lambs romping on the hillside. The main building is a beautiful old farm house with a big fireplace.

We spent some time yesterday thinking about those in the church for whom we are grateful. Someone had brought some lovely thank you cards and we wrote messages to about 35 people. Everyone agreed that it was a very satisfying activity – putting words on paper that express how you feel about someone.

I was reminded of my challenge this year to send fabric post cards as thank yous and for other special occasions. This afternoon I made these three cards that will go in the mail tomorrow. The two on the left are made from my fused antique Kimono stash. The flower card is made of hand-dyes and commercial fabrics.

Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. Terry Lynn Taylor