Still here

Hello dear friends... I'm still hanging around. 

It's been ages, as you can tell that I touched my blog and connected with all of you. I miss it and you. It is one of my favorite creative outlets and ways to connect with others. I love it when you send email and comment, it is such a sweet joy, likely other bloggers will understand.

Time, time, time. 

I had overextended myself these past few months and tried to catch up after falling very behind, for many and various reasons. It's so funny, when I ended my last post, I said "bring it on" and boy did the world do just that! I will likely share in due time. 

But for now... 

I am saying No...more, I am taking care of myself...more, 

I am simplifying...more (lol, that doesn't fit together right?) 

Lent and being too busy?

I had the pleasure of hearing one of youth, a second grader answer a question this weekend during Church School that made every adult want to leap up and applaud. The question was, "what season are we in and what is it?"  The answer, "it's the 40 days of Lent and it's when Jesus was in the desert and was being tempted by the Devil. So we remember it by trying to stay away from stuff that tempts us." What a great kid!

Take time ( a minute or if you can even longer today) and a say a prayer, make the connection that counts.
It does make a difference!

Here's an easy prayer, not always to easy to say but powerful.

Jesus Christ, Have Mercy on Me, a Sinner.

I was introduced to this below over the weekend. It's very thought-provoking and I know not new but worth a revisit. Let me know what you think about it? Would love to hear from you.

Share the Day!

DEVIL'S CONVENTION

Satan called a worldwide convention.

In his opening address to his evil angels, he said,'We can't keep the Christians from going to church.'
'We cannot keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.'
'We cannot even keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship experience in Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to their churches; let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't gain that relationship with Jesus Christ.'

'This is what I want you to do angels ...

Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!'

'How shall we do this?' shouted his angels.

'Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,' he answered. 'Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.'

'Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep thern from spending time with their children.'

'As their family fragments, soon, their home will offer no escape from the pressures of work!'

'Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. Keep the TV, VCR, CDs, and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.'

'Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogues, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.'

'Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines so the husbands will believe that external beauty is what is important, and they will become dissatisfied with their wives. Ha! That will fragment those families quickly!'

'Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted and unprepared for the coming week'.

'Do not let them go out in nature to reflect on God's wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts, and movies instead.'

'Keep them busy, busy, busy! And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotions.'

'Go ahead, let thern be involved in soul winning; but crowd their lives with so rnany good causes they have no tirne to seek power frorn Jesus.'

'Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.'

It will work! It will work!

It was quite a convention. The evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
I guess the question is has the devil been successful at his scherne? You be the judge!
Does 'busy' rnean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

Author unknown

Sharing with 
Coastal Charm

How does your Sunday Start?

How does your Sunday start?
Last year on the Sunday closest to Valentine's Day,
 I had the pleasure to host coffee hour for our Fellowship hour at church.

Sweets for the Sweets!

We had Cake balls, Quiche, Cupcakes, Brownies, Pepperoni/Salami Slices and cheese with crackers and Tarama with bread, Cheesecake cookies, Greek Sugar Cookies, Spanakopita, Fresh Fruit and 

Granola Vanilla Berry Yogurt Parfaits.

I tried to make sure we had a little something for everyone, those who wanted something healthier, those who don't mind indulging, something for the kids, something for those who need some protein, and of course, coffee. Someone else made that for me. Many hands helped,  our community is wonderful and always ready to lend a hand to anyone.

I have this pretty valentine fabric, it's one of my favorites, you can see it in the middle,
I placed cooking pans from the pantry upside-down in order to make some raised platforms.
Heights make a difference, in being able to reach something and in general prettiness.
You can see them in the fall buffet too, remember?

I'm starting to plan, I signed up for this weekend again.
What should I make, hmmm?

40 Days-40 Lenten Recipes #16 Olive Bread

There are some beautiful kitchens out there!
Oh the storage, gorgeous countertops, shiny appliances, everything and anything imaginable.
I do love looking at beautiful kitchens.
But in the spirit of Lent, which continues for those who are Orthodox Christian,
I begin thinking about wants vs needs.

source

40 Days-40 Lenten Recipes #15 Surprise Guest Blogger-Guatemalan Black Beans

Guatemalan Black Beans

Today we have an incredible treat for everyone out there. 

Not only is it our first guest blogger, 

but also it comes all the way from Guatemala 

and from someone so special! 

I am beyond excited, if you can't tell.

I wish to thank her for taking time to share the day with us and for all her work. 

May God continue to provide you strength!

Our next Lenten Recipe is Guatemalan Black Beans, and offered by, 

Presvytera Alexandra Chakos.

Fr. John and Presvytera Sandy have been in Guatemala since 2011, following "retirement" from  parish life, they entered their new roles as missionaries.   

Now, in Guatemala, Fr. John is helping to establish a seminary, train catechists, coordinate the arrival of mission teams, support orphans and needy children, 

and aid the clergy in ministering to the sacramental needs of the communities.

Presvytera Alexandra (a.k.a. Sandy) is teaching the sewing of priestly vestments, cassocks, robes for altar boys, and other ecclesiastical necessities." 

With this beautiful offering she is helping empower women, with new talents, skills and opportunities.

To learn more about them and their time, or if you would like to help?

Please visit Presvytera's blog: The Word from Guatemala

And now...

The photo is of Dona Simona, the cook at our boys' orphanage in Nueva Concepcion, Guatemala.
She is cooking up a big pot of black beans.

Guatemalan Black Beans

In a rhyme remembered from my childhood, beans are referred to as the "musical fruit."  

I would amend that rhyme to call beans the MAGICAL fruit.  I would even go further and call them the Legumes of Life.  Among all groups of food, no group has a more health-supportive mix of protein plus fiber than beans.  Indigenous to Central and South America, beans were introduced to Europe in the 15th century by Spanish explorers, and eventually spread to Africa and Asia.  Because they are easy to grow and can be easily stored for long periods of time, beans have sustained human life when other food sources were scarce.

Of all legumes, black beans contain the most healthy nutrients.  Their dark seed coat is an outstanding source of disease-fighting flavonoids.  Add to this, antioxidant-promoting manganese, muscle-building protein, energy-producing magnesium, thiamin, phosphorus, and iron.  With a low glycemic load, they help in blood sugar regulation.  It has been shown that a steady diet of black beans can decrease the risk of cardio-vascular disease and certain cancers, especially colon cancer.  

So, are you ready to eat some black beans?  Here's how to cook them Guatemalan style. If you live in rural Guatemala, as I do, it is important to spread the dry beans on a light-colored towel to remove stones, bugs, debris, and damaged beans.  Rinse beans thoroughly and place them in a bowl to soak, adding 2 to 3 cups of water for every cup of beans.  Soak them for 8 hours or overnight.  If you have enough kindling for your fire, you can use the quick soaking method.  Bring the beans to boil for 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover and allow to stand for two hours.  Drain the liquid and discard.  If you are worried about losing nutrients, a recent study has shown that the advantages of discarding the water outweigh the disadvantages.  It also reduces the substances that cause flatulence.  Rinse the beans and place them in a pot, adding 3 cups of fresh water per cup of beans.  Throw in a couple of bay leaves and a few cloves of sliced garlic.  Do not add salt at this time or your beans will be tough.  Simmer for 1 1/2 hour or until beans are tender.  Add salt and cumin to taste.  Serve with rice or boiled plantains.  Enjoy your black beans!  Enjoy your Magical Legumes of Life! Do you feel healthier already?

Thank you and remember to Share the Day! 
Please consider Sharing the Day over at The Word from Guatemala
and remember them all, in your prayers.
Only together there is hope.

Success-who says corporate doesn't listen?

No I really don't have too much time on my hands, 

but as usual could not stay quiet on this, and many other issues, sadly.

I wrote into Pottery Barn to inform them about their "Greek Olive Bucket."

While the bucket looks similar,

 to those used in my grandfather's (Papou's) groves many years ago, 

the writing certainly is NOT Greek. 

Sorry, I felt the need to point it out, love the bucket and what everyone has 

been doing with them, but I had a very powerful ethnocentric moment.

And look I received a response.

Marchn 06, 2013

Dear Pottery Barn Customer,

On behalf of Pottery Barn, I thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with our company. We appreciate your opinion and insight on the Olive Bucket. Although we cannot guarantee this request will immediately take place, please be assured that your feedback will be taken into consideration and will be used to evaluate and improve future products and services we provide our customers.

We value you as a customer and hope we will have the opportunity to serve you in the future.

Sincerely, 

Opinion Lab Responses, Custom Upholstery & Registry

Williams-Sonoma Inc.

Desk Hours: Wednesday - Sunday  12:30 PM - 9 PM PST

Also, already, 
all references to the bucket being Greek or picking olives in Greece were removed from the description. :)

Now referred to as, the "PB Found Olive Bucket."

Once used to gather olives in the countries along the Mediterranean Sea, our bucket takes on new life as a home for gardening tools, potted plants, or anything else that sparks your imagination.

• 18" diameter, 20" high on average
• Made of metal.
• Formerly used in Turkey to collect olives in the fields.
• Each is a one-of-a-kind found piece and therefore unique; dimensions range within 3 inches of average dimensions given, plus or minus.
• Catalog / Internet only.
• Source

I feel better now.
Thank you Pottery Barn for responding so quickly.
Sidenote: In our home, we try not to bring in items made in Turkey,
and yes,  it does make it difficult to find towels.

Share the Day!

Sweatpants: The Makeover?

Ok, I don't normally vent this way. Get ready-here I go.

I am so tired of all these makeover shows on TV.

"You have to put yourself first, not last."

"We're going to have a team do you over!"

"You need to look sexy, and get out of the sweats."

Source

Seriously!

Women who are at home and at work and running constantly do NOT need one more pressure of needing to focus on their looks more. You want to help someone daytime talk-show hosts-how about providing a years-worth of housekeeping (so someone else can clean some nitty-gritty) or a personal chef, (like all of you have).  Real women have real issues, this pressure is unnecessary! Wouldn't it be lovely to have more time to focus on something useful, healthy, to enjoy doing something you love. I love playing with my child, having more time to sit and play legos with him - is a joy! Wouldn't it be lovely to not have sheer exhaustion at the end of the day, so that you don't fall asleep, as you put your children to bed. Which means you can't get to the 8 things you planned to do, before you actually planned to go to bed. This is real life. And yet, still joyful.

Seriously!

What are we teaching our children when we don't put them first!

When we focus on looking sexy, like this has to be a goal?

Seriously!

The purpose of the makeover show is to help someone's confidence. What exactly does it do to someone when they need a team to complete a makeover. Think about it?

Seriously!

How is being in a tight dress and heels with mall hair going to help anyone on a day to day basis.

Even movie stars are in sweats when not working! Check out any grocery aisle.

Now having said this, I am not against, looking good! I LOVE having a pretty haircut, getting a manicure, pretty outfits, putting a smile on my hubby's face, and clearly making my home beautiful. 

It is a joy to have children, it is a joy to have a partner that loves you no matter what, and bring beauty to your home.  Example: I forgot to put any makeup on, on Sunday, I switched purses, the makeup didn't make the crossover.  When I say any, I mean absolutely nothing made it on, not even eyeliner. My husband still said I looked "lovely".
So there...daytime TV...take that!

Women out there, accept who you are, where you are, and if you like sweats, wear them!

Looking beautiful comes from within, not the sweatpants, or the 4 inch heels.

Enjoy life! Each minute of it is a blessing!

Praise God and Thank Him every minute of the day!

Ok, my little soapbox rant moment is over. Deep breath/sigh, I feel much better now.
Thank you.

Share the Day!

Also shared Here and Here and Here

Forever in the Heart

From the Ministry of Health Slovak Website

This sculpture was made by Martin Hudáčeka of Banska Bystrica and dedicated to the unborn and the mothers that are forever changed and forever keenly aware of the value of human life.  The first time I saw this sculpture, I cried for a solid hour, I found it so moving. I thought of all the mothers whose arms are empty and who ache to hold their children.

Today is the day we remember the 14000 innocents lost from the command of Herod. 

Little Soapbox moment: Loss is painful, Loss is hard, Loss is not fair. Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss whatever you wish to call it, is all of these.  Losing a child at any age is like this. There are no answers and even when there are, they are never sufficient as a piece of your future is forever missing.  A piece of your heart is gone.

Having said this, with a heart full of compassion and love, Abortion is not loss, it is a choice.  No matter how many try to "reframe" it into being the same as pregnancy loss.  It is NOT the same. Pregnancy loss has no choices. Healing after making this choice, just as making other choices, is possible. If you choose to reframe choosing abortion into pregnancy loss, what healing is felt, what healing is possible when you lie to yourself?  I have known women who have spent their entire lives lamenting their decision to end a life. True healing for those who have chosen this road can be possible, but just like healing from other choices, one must first acknowledge it and it's truth.  

Seek out a spiritual father, there is hope.  

For those considering it, please consider another choice, a loving choice, a choice for life and respect, 

CHOOSE ADOPTION. 

As painful as it can be to make this loving plan, and it is painful for all sides, it is less painful than the other choice.  There is pain, there is a sense of loss for both mothers the one placing and the one accepting.  It takes a strong woman to acknowledge this and to go against society's push to end things quickly, to move forward, to hide a pregnancy, and to choose destroying a life.  It takes a strong woman to acknowledge her limits.  It takes a strong woman to love another person so deeply, and to accept the limits in their world as part of God's will. I have known women on all sides.  It takes a strong woman to choose adoption. The women whose children were massacred by Herod, had no choice, only loss and pain and grief.

There are no easy choices. But out of pain, there can be JOY!

Adoption is LOVE and TRUTH and LIFE. 

It is another gift from GOD. 

The choice is yours.

Empowered Women CHOOSE ADOPTION.

Share the Day.

A Plea to help protect Religious Freedom

This affects everyone. 

The Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) has launched an online White House petition urging President Obama to “Stand up for the rights of endangered Christian minorities around the world this Christmas season.”  The petition can be found at www.hellenicleaders.com/freedom.  According to WhiteHouse.gov rules, if the petition reaches the 25,000 signatures threshold, the White House has to issue a formal written response.  We have until January 6, 2013.

The petition language explains that:

Christians in the greater Middle East face extinction in their homelands. In Syria’s civil war, Christians who make up 10% of the population are targeted. Christians in Egypt (12% of that population) suffer social persecution and political exclusion. Christians in Iraq (1% of that population) face daily threats and violence. In Turkey, the number of Christians has plummeted to less than .1% due to systematic rights violations, including the oppression of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In occupied Cyprus, the Turkish military has essentially snuffed out Christianity to around 400 survivors. The administration should act now to protect the rights of these groups by calling on countries in the greater Middle East to protect religious freedom, especially that of their Christian minorities.

Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of HALC explains the timing of the petition: “As we wrap our gifts, Syria’s Christians are being attacked, Egypt’s Christians are being excluded from the forming of the new Egyptian state, and enclaved Greek Cypriots need to seek permission to celebrate Christmas in occupied Cyprus.  Turkey continuously lied about opening Halki throughout President Obama’s first term, and this Christmas, the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is as uncertain as ever.”

The rights violations identified in the petition were analyzed by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom which, earlier this year, downgraded Turkey to the list of “Countries of Particular Concern,” the list of the worst violators of religious rights in the world.  The grassroots effort of this petition can help turn the USCIRF recommendations into actions by Washington to protect the human rights of Christians whose very survival is at stake.  Christians can voice their support for the universal human right of religious freedom by signing this petition and by calling attention to the vulnerability of Christians struggling to survive in the ancient lands of Christianity. 

Visit 

www.hellenicleaders.com/freedom , 

or

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/stand-rights-endangered-christian-minorities-around-world-christmas-season/g1Dg26RG 

and do your part and help shine the light on the plight of Christians this Christmas.

Share the Day.

I say Merry Christmas!

I had to share an experience from today. While shopping for our Church's Children's Christmas Party today, I dissolved an entire group of sales-ladies (not sales associates) for they were ladies and sweet ones, at that.  Anyway, I had finished my purchase which included a brief discussion of what it was all for. The  sweet girl ringing my out, finished and  looked at me meekly and said, "Happy Holidays".  I glanced at her for a moment, and said, "Merry Christmas!" at which she looked relieved, her whole face brightened and she responded, "Yes, Merry Christmas to you, too".  I asked her in a hushed tone, "you're not allowed to say it, are you?" "We are allowed to respond" she replied.  

So, before I exited the store's electronic doors, I put away my receipt and loudly exclaimed, 

"MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!" Which was met with gales of laughter and a very enthusiastic 'response'.  

For those who do not believe Christianity is under attack, you are wrong! So, I have a Christmas challenge for you! When met with a "Happy Holidays", I urge everyone to give the people serving you a chance to get to say what is truly in their hearts, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Share the Day!

Textured Mat Re-eval

After living with this for a little while, something didn't feel right?

You know the feeling? 

After re-eval, I figured out what was bothering me.

No texture!

The solution was putting the glass between the photo and newly textured mat, why not?

Aaah, much better.

Little soapbox moment: always to remember to re-eval and if something doesn't feel right, or if you are not being true, correct it. A little plug for self-evaluation and for the sacrament of confession.

We will now return to regularly scheduled program.

About the Birds

I find my new interest with these creatures to say the least, remarkable. I have always appreciated the beauty of flight, and who hasn't dreamed of being a bird as a child.  I loved birds then, playing with all the chicks at my grandparent's home, collecting eggs, etc. I loved in particular one sweet and very large rooster, given to me as a birthday present.  A story, we'll leave this for another time.

I don't remember when my fear of birds began, perhaps that iconic Hitchcock movie. He was brilliant! It wasn't the attack scenes that were the most horrifying to me, but the waiting, the birds sitting there, staring at you...it seemed...plotting.

I have a newfound respect for the variations of color,  the chirps, sounds, songs, their beauty and of course the lack of worry.  Birds don't worry, ever thought of this?  They go through their day, seeking food, water and company.  They fly in the sky, enjoy the breezes and the sun and finding their needs met for the day, rest and find shelter.  God provides.  So if the sweetest and one of the smallest of God's creatures knows this lesson so well, why do many struggle so much. Anxiety is prevalent throughout many societies, especially in this one.  Consider...

"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?"  Matthew 6.26-27

Worrying cannot add life, but it sure can take away. It's summertime, the time when we are supposed to be more carefree, take life slower, stop and enjoy like the birds. But it is summertime and the food pantries are all struggling, budgets and funding are cut, donations are low. The birds can find things to eat, but the people?  God provides, He provided us to take care of each other.  Consider in the midst of enjoying the beauty of summer, the beauty of the birds and the sounds, stopping off and adding to the shelves of your local food pantry.  Let's help someone else feel the freedom like a bird, and be without worry.

Click here to find a foodbank near you, and find other ways to help.

http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx