I Love:: 27 ~ Simple and unexpected.

 

I love the things we don't expect to find exactly where they are. 

The surprise. The delight. To see the candle flickering from my hall windows in the cold and wintery night, alone. Offering us, inside, the unexpected extravagance of warmth and refraction. Tethered by the thin, red ribbon. 

And, the unexpected fragrance from the lily I did not buy beckoning from the dining room table. 

The flavor of the salmon and rice baked at Wendy's hand for my family's pleasure. 

The kiss on my shoulder when I'm sleeping.

The repetition of Bach's, Sleeper's Wake floating over me from my little iPod.

The plate of an egg and avocado to be sure I have something in my tummy.

The ring of the phone as my friend Doug checks in on me. 

Or that same ring as my mom's friend Karen, as she invites Mom out of her job as caring mom for a night of friendship and love.

The darkness of the rainy day.

The sadness over the calamity in Chile. I have walked on that ground and loved the place for its grandeur and simplicity.

The desire to write.

The desire to stop.

The desire for quiet and stillness.

All unexpected, simple and filled with quiet joy.

I love the things that come as unexpected offerings.

 

I Love:: on the 26th ~ All dressed up and...

Just before my going into the hospital to repair the broken shoulder bone this week, my girlie suggested we get our toes done. She thought I'd feel better, if well pedicured, on the operating table. At the very least, I could amuse the doctors. (The ones looking at my feet?)

I cashed in my Team Mom soccer gift certificate with a good strong red on my mind. However, my inner 10 year old responded, instead, to my outer ten year old and I went into said surgery with matching mother/daughter polka dotted toes.

The surgeons never got a chance to enjoy - they keep you in socks, but I got to display them in my room the next day. And while polka dot toes don't seem like a big stretch in the world of nail art, there were several nurses who circulated in to enjoy the newest look for summer. 

A healthy dose of fun is a good thing.

I love:: being all dressed up with no where to go.  (Oh! And my inner and outer 10 year olds!)

I Love:: 21 ~ These happy garlands:

I must make one of these at the first possible moment.

I see pink and brown and brown and pink for my girlie's room.

Oh I must!

I must!

I Love:: Happy Garlands.

These are from Purlbee.

But I was originally inspired by

 Kyrie's, and look at Rae's!

I Love:: 21 ~ Belonging.

I am fortunate to belong to a great church. I've been there with my family for a many years. We each have specific roles within the church, have grown and are growing where we are. Before my surgery tomorrow, my friend Faith and her husband, an elder, asked if they could come and pray with us. Well they did, tonight, along with a deacon, and a few of my treasured friends. My house was filled with prayer, love, laughter and a wonderful sense of focus on God's sovereignty and will.

I feel amazingly covered, loved and importantly; that sense of belonging that comes with being a part of the Body. When I think of the analogy - the Body and our bodies - I find it poetic and joyful to think that we do want each other to be whole and well - in the same way the body sends the out white blood cells to conquer infection. 

The body wants the body to be whole.

The Body needs the Body to be whole.

I am so pleased and satisfied to simply be a part.

I will sing of the blessings of the LORD forever.