Weekends Are For

Marveling at His creation- little tiny snowflakes.

Sleepovers and origami parties.

Birthday blueberry shortcake leftovers.

Breakfasts of cinnamon oatmeal and coffee.

Weekends Are For

Snow days.

And play dates with friends.

A dinner of satay chicken, pad thai, rice,

and lots of laughter.

And cleaning very messy kitchens.

A New Year with New Prayers

"A thousand times I've told myself 

'I simply must try harder.'

But I know it: 

trying harder only results in harder trials.

To forge new tracks across this new year

will need more than simply sheer effort.

To track new ways,

one does not need to try harder,

but to pray new prayers

asking to be filled with His Spirit."
                           -Ann Voskamp

This Moment

"I profane this moment when I don't stay in it.

Be all here; and be holy.

Because the Presence of I Am

always fills the present moment.

And isn't the only way God can come to us

is through the door of this moment?"

                               -Ann Voskamp

December Nights

Taking time to be still and enjoy:
cranberry-orange candles, 

hot chocolate made with soy milk,

striped wool socks,

reflecting on the reason for this season

knitting projects, 

an unexpected night at home,

and this song. 

"And He will be our peace." -Micah 5:5

Tonight

My evening is full of algebra, chemistry, history, music by Thomas Newman, pretty mugs, and hot (dark) chocolate topped with cinnamon and homemade whipped cream.

A Little Snow Was Here and There

A little snow was here and there

Disseminated in her hair

Since she and I had met and played

Decade had gathered to decade.

-Emily Dickinson, A Little Snow Was Here and There

The Simple Things

Taking time to enjoy the little things- like the snow falling- because life's too short to be worried and upset over silly, trivial things.

Snow Days Are Lovely Things

Chicago got snow... lots of snow.

And so, it's been a day filled with many lovely things.. taking pictures, playing outside, having friends come over, baking chocolate cookies, making cards, and drinking (the most amazing) blueberry lemon tea. 

It's been a good day.

Lifeless

"You could plant me like a tree beside a river

You could tangle me in soil and let my roots run wild

And I would blossom like a flower in the desert

But for now just let me cry...

Bind up these broken bones

Mercy bend and breathe me back to life

But not before You show me how to die."

            -Audrey Assad, Show Me

(can you find the squirrel?)

They say that things just cannot grow 

Beneath the winter snow

Or so I have been told.

They say we're buried far

Just like a distant star

I simply cannot hold.

   -Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson, Winter Song

My Gift

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, would I bring a lamb;

If I were a wise man, would I do my part;

Yet what can I give Him... give my heart.

                -Sarah Mclachlan, In a Bleak Mid Winter 

Song For A Winter's Night

If I could know within my heart

That you were lonely too

I would be happy just to hold the hands I love

On this winter's night with you

              -Sarah Mclachlan, Song For a Winter's Night

Just Get Me Through December

"How pale is the sky that brings forth the rain

As the changing of season prepares me again

For the long bitter nights and the wild winter's stay

My heart has grown cold, my love stored away

My heart has grown cold, my love stored away...

Just get me through december

A promise I'll remember

Get me through december

So I can start again."

            -Alison Krauss, Get me Through December

Some Serious Snowball Throwing

Snowballing. 

It's no longer a fun game, it's a serious sport.

On My Nose and Eyelashes

"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things."

First Snowfall

Looking forward to the many more that will come.

Welcome December

"I heard a bird sing in the dark of December

A magical thing and sweet to remember.

'We are nearer to Spring than we were in September'

I heard a bird sing, in the dark of December."

-Oliver Herford