Words

"Be soft. 

Do not let the world make you hard.

 Do not let pain make you hate. 

Do not let bitterness steal your sweetness." 

From Instagram 

... you will be able to stand

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of the evil in  the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. “

Ephesians 6: 12 – 13 

Monday Musings ...

"Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable .... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. "

Martin Luther King Jr. 

While visiting D.C. in November of 2016, I took this picture. 

On this winter day ...

One this winter day, I am thinking of a The Summer Day by Mary Oliver.

The Summer Day
"Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean - 
the one who had flung herself out of the grass, 
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down - 
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver
Born September 10, 1935
Died: January 17, 2019 

Friendship Friday

"When the world is so complicated, the simple gift of friendship is within all of our hands."
Maria Shiver

When we have true friends, they lighten our burdens, share our grief, delight in our joy, and offer their prayers when we need strength. I love these dear friends.

Humility

"Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues."
Confucius
May our leaders make decisions in wisdom and humility.

One word ...

Tasty Tuesday

This quote is worth repeating ...

" Good Food 

is all the sweeter

when shared with 

Good Friends. "

Monday Musings ... Epiphany

What is the  Epiphany? According to Merriam-Webster here is the definition of Epiphany. "Epiphany is observed on January 6 as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles."

Why is this significant for Christians? This celebration represents when the Wise Men came to give gifts to the baby Jesus. It is the Twelfth Day of Christmas, when Christmas officially ends. One account of this event is recorded in Matthew 2:1- 12.


Our Christmas tree remained decorated until January 6. Do you celebrate Christmas? If so, when did you take your tree down.

hope

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Tasty Tuesday ... New Year's Day Menu

This is our  traditional New Year's Day Menu. 

This is the same menu I remember that my mother prepared when I was a child. 

New Year's Menu

Chilled Water

Black Eye Peas

Cole Slaw

Cornbread

Pork Chops

Dessert

Do you have any traditions for New Year's Day?

Here is a toast ...

"Here's a toast to the future, a toast to the past, and and toast to our friends,

far and near. May the future be pleasant, the past a bright dream; may our friends

remain faithful and dear."

Anonymous