Domestic

Hello friends! A Tuesday evening post here, a bit rare that. But I do have a few minutes to sit here on the couch and rest and why not? I’m feeling simultaneously tired and happy at the moment. A long work day accomplished. Then some errands with the Dani. It’s been a grey drippy day all throughout and what better at the end of a long wet day? A nice hot bowl of soup with fresh bread, says I. So…well get to work, James – I said to myself! Vegetables have been chopped and a quick dough has been whipped up and now the ham and bean soup simmers on the stove and bread is baking in the oven. Thankfully I’m not quite hungry yet as I feel the soup needs a couple hours to really come together. We’ll get there. Even if we do end up eating dinner about 8pm tonight! That all being said – far too much talk about dinner I suppose! – I really just wanted to write a few words on a normal little day here. Sometimes we crave to chronicle the momentous happenings of life and such is good. But I also think it important to record days like this. A quiet little Tuesday in which life is lived even if there is nothing big or grand about it. Living itself is something that points to the miraculous is it not? So I now lift my head and sigh, grateful for a hearty dinner ahead and a warm dry home and a book about to be read. I am truly blessed, that I cannot deny.

Valentine

A quiet Wednesday evening here. I know I don’t usually post at this time (or – at least it’s been a while!) but thought I had my laptop out and might as well at least write a few words! Today’s been a cold drizzly grey day. Sometimes I love those kinds of days. Alas today my love was dry. After I finished work, I would have loved to go out and walk in the cold afternoon but the showers descending without mercy gave me pause. So inside I have stayed! Bonus work was accomplished. Some reading was also done. I am almost done with the adventures of the Count of Monte Cristo. What a beast of a book! I hit the thousand-page mark last night and still a good bit to go!! It is worth it, although I am not convinced that it compares to some of my other 19th-century favs. Maybe I’m just not a fan of French lit. Maybe I just prefer the Russians. What does that say about me?

In other news, the scents of dinner rise. Dani is in the kitchen and I am now pleased to report that it seems as if a delicious dinner of fried okra and beef is at hand. Soon enough we shall enjoy a pleasant and delicious dinner and then bed time will be my lot. Early I know, but work is pressing hard of late and I fear I need all my strength to meet the challenge. The Lord gives grace, always.

Now I shall cease this slightly rambling evening post. It’s been a bit since I’ve written like this (makes me nostalgic for the entries of my past a bit!) and though I can’t promise I will keep this up, it makes me smile to write a few words in the middle of a hectic tiring week. Apologies for the lack of anything resembling creativity or wit. Perhaps next time, my friends, perhaps! Oh and one question for the readers. What books should I tackle next? I’m pondering which beautiful works of fiction shall be on my reading list this year of 2026. I am considering a Lord of the Rings re-read (it’s been too long!) and perhaps some more Lewis as well. But I am undecided so I would heartily welcome any beloved recommendations.

Now I am off for real. Peace and love, my friends. Peace and love.

Chamomile

Evening, friends! This will be a very short entry..I simply wanted to post something because it’s been far too long. It’s been a long day. It’s been a long week. And I am now emotionally and physically drained. But tonight is a night of quiet and rest(the roommates are all out somewhere or other!) I’m about to make my avocado and tomato salsa and then have a yummy burrito dinner as I watch the Wizards/Cavs game… And following that…maybe some tea and reading? It will be wonderful. Peace my friends. Peace and love – always.

Quietude

Can’t help posting just a few words as I listen to some classic Needtobreathe(acoustic version of “Washed By the Water”…so achingly beautiful). This is a delightfully calm, still Thursday night. For my dinner, I was planning to have spaghetti and meatballs…but I’ve sadly miscalculated my leftovers and there are only two meatballs left. A sad state of affairs. And thus I got two homemade burritos out of the freezer to supplement the meatballs. A hearty dinner, I say. Really, I have not much more to say…just that I am ever so thankful for this wonderful quiet night. I am at peace.

Farewell, friends!!

Sons of Levi

Evening!! I realised I haven’t written in here…in quite some time. So considered that remedied! Besides that, I really don’t have too much to say. It’s been a long Wednesday at work…and I’ve now made my tomato salad and I’m waiting for my fish-fillet-and-french-fry dinner to come out of the oven. It will be delicious – I so declare. Also going to watch a little ’24’, because sadly, never got to finish Season 3 when I was home for Christmas! (Of course, the parents finished it long ago) Therefore, this is a simple night of supper and Jack Bauer. Can’t really complain there. Then I just might have some coffee and read as I contemplate the goodness of our Lord. Yes. Yes, I think that sounds totally lovely. Peace!!

They will not hurt or destroy in
all My holy mountain,
For the earth will be full
of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
Then in that day
The nations will resort to
the root of Jesse,
Who will stand as a signal
for the peoples;
And His resting place will be
glorious.

-Isaiah 11:9-10

Unbroken

So I’ve been dreadfully neglectful at writing this last week. But I won’t overly apologise, as I’ve been having a most marvelous time here in Tampa with the fam! We’re just about to enjoy our Christmas Eve dinner(fettucine alfredo, salad, fresh shrimp and sweet wine…delicious much?!) And so now as I sit here on the couch, family surrounding(hey Dad, Mom, Maryanne and Laura!!)…

Maybe later I shall write more to chronicle this Christmas holiday of awesomeness, but right now…think on the wondrous gift of perfect love that our most Holy God has given us, through the beautiful sacrifice of His only begotten Son. Peace and love.

Now – dinner time – Mom calls!!

Veil of Stars

Hello friends – happy Saturday!! I’ve just finished some quality mix-CD-creating…at some later date(after Christmas maybe?), I’ll share the song-lists with you. As of now, both CDs(one for Maryanne and one for Laura!) are titled “Veil of Stars” and “Lilies on the Sun”. Pretty quality mix of songs, if I do say so myself. I’m actually super excited to give these CDs to them!! (Sisters, hope you’re not reading this. If so…oops?) Anyways, it’s already almost 2:30 in the afternoon, so I should probably start progressing my afternoon. I will soon(on to grocery store to shop for dinner…dinner being lasagna…YES), but figured I could squeeze in a quick entry. A week from now, I will be in Florida – hometime once again. It shall be glorious.

And the main reason I wanted to write a bit is to describe last night – and the awesomeness that it contained. Andrew Peterson(a recent favorite artist of mine, which you’d know if you’ve read previous entries…) is doing his annual Christmas tour – “Behold the Lamb of God”. Me and Daniel decided a few weeks ago that it’d be fun to hit it up, but I have to say, as of yesterday afternoon, I was not feeling it. It’d been a long week and a long day of working frantically and I was worn out. But – tickets were bought and plans were laid and I wasn’t about to back out. So as soon as I got back home from work, turned around in ten minutes(after filling up a travel cup with delicious honey-laden coffee…thank you Daniel for that suggestion!) and off we drove. Conveniently(said sarcastically), the concert was on the far southeastern side of Houston and so we made the fun drive through all of Houston to get to our destination. Happily(not sarcastically!), that meant me and Daniel got some quality chat as I drove the hour plus journey through the heart of Houston. And soon enough, we made it to the concert and enjoyed some super quality music. The first half of the show consisted of songs from a lot of the support singer/songwriters accompanying Andrew Peterson. I must confess, I was a bit annoyed at first – I’d come to hear Andrew Peterson, after all – didn’t really want to hear a bunch of other people! But seriously, all of the other artists were simply magnificent. Their songs were gorgeous, dripping with longing and love, passion and awe. And so at the intermission point, me and Daniel promptly went out and bought some of their CDs. I had promised myself early on not to buy very much…and I failed miserably. Ended the night with four new albums and one new book! Quality Christmas presents for myself. Yes? Oh and…Andrew Peterson finished the first half of the show by playing “Don’t You Want to Thank Someone”, one of my very very very favorite songs of late. He started off reciting the words as poetry…before playing/singing the rest. It was beautiful. I was overwrought with emotion. Thank You, God. …And the second half of the show was Andrew Peterson and his accompanists playing straight through his “Behold the Lamb of God” album. And it was gorgeous. A tale weaving stories from the Old Testament and New, focusing on the most glorious Person of Christ, the very Son of God. I rejoiced. Love and joy and hope and wonder!!! The songs finished and as we rose to applaud, all the musicians came together to accept our adulation…and then stop it – as they started all singing “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”. The rest of us joined and we worshiped God together. Beautiful majestic God, do we worship You. After that song finished, Andrew started off the Doxology, which we all said together in reverent praise. By the time we finished, the artists were off-stage and we were all thinking about the most glorious God of Heaven. As it should be. Praise be to God. Amen and Amen.

And far too many words, my friends. My apologies! And now I am off to do some errands and be about the rest of my day. Peace and love, my dear friends.

Messiah

Good evening, my friends!

The light is slowly fading here in Houston and I say goodbye to a lovely Saturday. It’s been a grey day here…but somehow that accentuated the beauty all the more. Clouds scudding before the wind and autumnal leaves dancing across the city pavement and the kiss of the winter light upon the earth. And as I drove around this day, I couldn’t help but think of the God who made it all. And now I listen to Handel’s Messiah as I write this, firmly convinced it’s one of the greatest pieces of music ever composed. Surely it is my favorite piece, that I cannot deny. In a little bit, I’m going to start getting dinner ready…going to be a delicious vegetable and bean soup(carrots, celery, onion, tomatoes, beans, etc….), recipe graciously passed to me by Dad! A perfect warm meal for a winter evening. Maybe I’ll even write a bit of something? I can always hope! Peace, my dear friends.

Riverstones

Evening, friends!! I am just enjoying some post-workout yogurt and realised it’s been a while since I’ve posted here…so here you go! I’ve survived a long and moderately tough day at work and so right now as I sit and rest(and as I’m about to enjoy a yummy dinner of fish fillets, french fries and tomato salad!) I simply thank my Lord God for all that He has done for me. Truly, I praise His most wondrous name! Peace.

Lilies on the Sun

Hello friends! On this beautiful and most delightful Saturday, I sit here at Beans coffeeshop, about to head out. But I must not let the opportunity to write a quick update pass me by! I’ve just enjoyed a pretty awesome morning here, sipping on first my mocha, then a nice honey-flavored green tea. Now, the afternoon is beginning to wear on, and I really should get back to the house. Me and Daniel are planning to see Interstellar at the cinema, and I’ve been here long enough, methinks! Last night had a sweet relaxing Friday night, involving eating a delicious dinner(grilled burgers! green bean casserole! deliciousness!) and watching random videos with Daniel(Legend of Korra!!). And today, I really should be prepping for Tuesday bible study, but I’ve been doing Christmas shopping instead. And mixing up an awesome playlist(I think I’ll burn it for Maryanne’s Christmas present…but it’s so great, I’ll make myself a copy too I think). Now though, as disjointed as this entry is, time for me to go. One of these days, I’ll write something properly, but this will have to do for now.

Peace always, friends!!!