So here I am, sipping on soup and munching on lemons bars; all remnants of a very hectic weekend. Baking, work, memorial service, staff Christmas party, homework, church, book sale (can't miss that!) carol sing and church dinner were just the basics of my weekend. But when I write them like that, it only captures the busyness and you miss out on all the beauty of the weekend.

The beautiful peaceful drive into the hills to set up for the party. Looking out over the bay, watching the sun peek between clouds. Counting rainbows! At least eight over the weekend (I lost count). Hearing how God used one man's life to impact many men (and women). Hearing his wife testify to God's love and greatness, with a thankful heart for all that He has done. Ironing a tablecloth on a table! ;) Fellowship with friends. Reconnecting with a friend. A great find at the book sale. Singing carols and hymns with friends. Watching the excitement and delight on childrens' faces. Being able to serve others.

It was a blessed weekend in spite of the emergency vet visit, three migraines in three days and various other "issues". I found myself praying that God would sustain my attitude, that frustration and bitterness wouldn't creep in. In little ways, God reminded me that he was in control (why do I always forget that?) and brought people alongside me at the right times to give counsel and advice; like the gentle reminder to be feminine and let the men handle the tables.

While I hope to post again before Christmas (such good intentions), may I wish you all a Merry Christmas, filled with the spirit and joy that can only come from our Savior's birth!

I'm sitting at the computer, sipping tea, watching my laundry dry on on the line. I was in the middle of doing my laundry when my brother decided that he needed to use the washer. I moved my laundry to the line. (I love my sheets when they are sun dried! They smell so good!). Of course now that the washer is open, he's busy doing other things... So here I am, on the computer.

We had a massive storm Tuesday with lots of rain and wind but now it's sunny and warm (typical California fall weather). I love storms. Going out and cleaning the street gutters with a rake so they don't back up and flood the street. Getting soaked and coming in for tea. Having the wind blow so hard you have to turn away because the rain stings your face. Trying to brace the back gate that never seems to stay closed when the wind blows. I know this list may sound weird but I really enjoy doing all those things.

My brother has now decided to put his clothes in the washer and eat lunch... Now that he needs to be at a meeting that started 15 minutes ago that he forgot about. And I get to take him to it... At least we're being productive with our time (Not only did his chores get done- I get to study while he works...)!

Books, Books, Books!

So I think I'm a library addict! The quantity of books I've checked out has increased exponentially over the last few weeks. I've always loved the library. Devoured books like crazy. Within 15 minutes yesterday, I had a stack of 9 books checked out and headed to the car because I couldn't hold any more. Never mind that I still had unread books waiting at home from another library! I started carrying a larger book bag earlier in the summer and thought that my borrowing increased because of the space! This time I didn't have a bag so no excuses.

Lora's new favorite authors:

• Lora Roberts (not just because of her name!) She writes some great mysteries set in the Bay Area. She has an excellent Sherlock Holmes style mystery as well.
• Catherine Palmer - I've enjoyed every thing I've read of hers. Some of her earlier works were a little soapy in a clean Christian way. (Wouldn't want anyone to take them as a way to find a mate - romantically idealistic)
  

So you don't think I'm completely mush headed with fiction; I'm also reading a great book on carnivorous plants, a botany textbook, two books on church health and knitting/crocheting for dummies. :)

Smell that?

I went for a walk yesterday. It was in the morning and it had just begun to rain so the air had the smell of being clean with a bit of wet asphalt mixed in. The blooming flowers stood out against a backdrop of gray. The breeze brought hints of flowers as I walked. Jasmine, Pittosporum (mock orange), roses and wisteria were the few identifiable scents. The tulips were nodding alongside Iris and freesias. The apples were blooming white with maiden pink blushes. The red roses looked even more deeply red as if they were velvet stained with the deepest red you could imagine.

Spring just hits us all at once here in California. I've been pleasantly surprised to step outside in the evening to inhale the scents of the trees and flowers. What is it about nighttime that intensifies the air? Is it our slowing down, a lessening of pollution, the stillness of the air or instead of depending on our eyes to show us beauty, we depend on our other senses.

I thank God for my eyes and ears but I rarely thank him for my nose (especially when I have a cold). But without my nose, I lose some of my ability to taste. I lose my ability to smell. We don't think about it very often but spring's loveliness should encourage us to be thankful even when something smells unpleasant.
Thank you Lord for my nose!

Pictures

This is something I'm going to miss this year:

Walking through the orchard on my way to the library from campus.
I'm going back in spring to dance under the blossoms.
Libraries have always been an escape.
At D.A., I could look out into the trees and forget that 26,000 students
roamed beneath me on a city campus.
At W.V., the walk to the library itself was an escape.
At the next stop on the college map, the campus is a city one smack in the heart of a sprawling city but there is a library. One so big you can get lost in it.
And so in some small way that may compensate for the cityness of it all.
But it can't replace the walk though the old orchard.

Year in Review...

I don't like to consider New Years a holiday although I appreciate the days off. Something about it doesn't make sense to me. I appreciate it as a time to reflect on the year and make plans for the new. The partying, ball dropping and general hoopla just doesn't appeal to me.

So that said, here are 12 things (one for each month but not necessarily corresponding) that stood out for me.

1. Being a Jr. High Leader was a blessing and a challenge. The kids are amazing yet they deal with so much.
   
2. 4-H is a lesson in politics and bureaucracy and how they closely resemble a girl with a curl in the middle of her forehead.
3. God can work all things (including embarrassing things) for good.
   
4. One person can make things harder for everyone else.
   
5. Friendships have seasons and it's hard to watch them change.
6. Sometimes something seemingly small has a huge impact.
7. Fellowship isn't within a peer group. It can be anyone, anywhere, anytime.
8. County Fair, even though it wasn't "fair", was fresh family fun.
9. Noah's Nook: Not just a floating zoo, they learn about God too!
10. Midweek Director + learning curve + fabulous gracious staff = wonderful first 1/2 of the year.
    
11. God given talent and inspiration makes outstanding results.
    
12. Even though you may not know where you're going, stay on the path that God has given you.
    

Bunnies!

We now have the two most adorable Jersey Wooly rabbits. Names? Benjamin and Peter What else do you name rabbits? We thought about naming them Benjamin and Malachi but then it's a little weird trying to explain why you have Jewish bunnies.

All our rabbits have had odd names though: Niko, Ajax, Tootsie Roll and Hershey (Dutch Chocolates), Blackberry (thorny rabbit), Doc and Matthias. Tootsie Roll was the funniest name. At 8 years old, Liz would take her to the retirement home and introduce her as Tootsie. The little old ladies eyebrows would shoot up and a comment like "Really Dear?" would follow. Mom or Dad would jump in with "Tootsie Roll, you know, like the candy?". The older gentlemen would just chuckle.

Our bunnies are sweet though. Peter is a gray (lilac) and Benjamin is white with gray markings. Peter is sort of friendly but Benjamin has some learning to do. Most of our rabbits have been good at giving signals if they need to use the facilities but Benji hasn't learned that yet!