Things I'm Grateful For #7

I'm not exactly sure what is causing the weeks to feel like they are never ending. I forget what day of the week it actually is. I'm sure that it must be Thursday, but no, it is Tuesday. Things with work feel so busy...so much paperwork, so many kids to see, so many reports to write and hearings to attend. By the time I arrive home I have no energy to do anything. I know I'm not the only one.

As this week was creeping by, I thought how much I have always hated wishing time away.

Though I may be utterly beside myself looking forward to something, I know better than to wish time away. We'll never know just how much time we do have. I try to enjoy each day...somehow :)

We were lucky enough to have rain much of this week. I like rain. I like when it pelts my windows. I like when it dances on the rooftops...especially those made of metal. For me, rain is good.


Here is a shot of the raindrops on my window at work. The drops pattered against the pane of glass most of the day on Wednesday. Rhythmically pattering, musically weaving a sense of peace through my soul...an echo of sanity.

I am very grateful for the rain.



Then...I awoke on Thursday morning to snow! There was quite a dusting of the white stuff on all the outdoor surfaces and it continued to lightly fall. By the time I was mostly ready for work...there were big fluffy flakes falling. When I went to start my wee auto there was over an inch piled atop it. I knew it wouldn't last, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love driving to work surrounded by snow covered trees and shrubbery. I find the layer of cool snow to be very calming...soothing to my spirit.

I am grateful for the snow.

How about you guys this week? What helped make your week special, or just help you make it through?

Just Wunderin'

I come from a land of little rain. Very little rain. I am always amazed at how the first few drops that fall from the sky on dry earth pique my senses. It is raining.

It has been quite warm here...into the 90s...for a number of days. Last night there was a possibility for a T-storm--which never occurred (insert very sad face here). At about nine I was finishing up a bit of vacuuming and picking up Norman's toys when I walked past the arcadia door (does anyone know what an arcadia door is????).

There it was...the dust had been hit, there was water outside falling from the sky.

I walked out onto my little porch and stood. I expected to feel rain drops plopping down. Instead I felt tiny droplets sort of filtering down from the sky. I stood amazed. How could I smell the most pleasant aroma of rain on dry earth with such tiny little bits of water barely falling from te sky???

I was a little awestruck...and began to wonder: does everyone have this quick sense to know when the rain has arrived...or is it a honed sense from living in such a barren land, always so desperate for precipitation???

Needless to say, today, it is raining. I am thrilled and still hoping for a T-storm. Honestly, there are few things more invigorating and rejuvenating than a full on T-storm. (insert me missing the incredible storms from the deserts and the Rockies)

Can you tell when the rain has come? Do you love T-storms? Do you know what an arcadia door is???

Just Wunderin'

: )

Some things never change...

This evening while I was cooking up some supper I decided to open up the house for some air since it has finally cooled off a bit!

As I was puttering about I heard one of my favorite things: THUNDER!!!

I went out to the porch...and soaked in the energy. There wasn't really much rain involved and the whole thing was rather brief. It was only a little taste of the the storms of the AZ desert and the CO mountains that I love. Though these brief interludes of amazing-ness only whet my longing for the powerful and beautiful storms I miss so much...I cherish them.

It is in these moments, much like when sitting on top of a mountain peak overlooking all creation...that I am so utterly reminded of the beauty and power of our Creator.

Life can seem overly busy-hectic-all encompassing-even important. It is in these interludes that I find myself grounded...utterly mesmerized by what is important--and that isn't me.

What is it that keeps you grounded?

: )

Rose Spray Cake for Caleb :)

I finished my Wilton I class on Monday night. The final cake was a rose spray. I used leftover sea colored frosting from the Scary Spongebob cake for the base color and added golden yellow roses with leaf green vines and leaves and a floppy burgundy bow. It was a lot of fun...I think I did at least twenty roses before I felt OK about them. I'm still having issues with the "class frosting". Thankfully in Wilton II I'll primarily be using Royal Icing--something I've not done before.

WOW...as I'm typing this it seems my neighbor feels the need to share his rock oldies with me. Joy.


The best part about doing my final cake was knowing in the end it would be Caleb's birthday cake at CG on Tuesday! Caleb is a great guy, married to my good friend Tavia. I hope he enjoyed his floral celebration!

Here is a photo of Caleb--Happy Birthday!!

:sigh:

Things have just seemed a little chaotic this week~I'm unsure exactly why, but so it has been. I'm quite happy tomorrow is Friday and I'll have a few days to order things around the house and hopefully feel more settled.

I have some cool photos from the things that are growing as summer approaches...though our weather this week has felt more like Halloween-time than nearly summer-time. I don't mind...I love the rain!

I'll get to posting! : )

...downpour...

It's a funny thing, living here in Washington. It does rain...often.

Yet, there is rarely the down pouring of water from the sky with lightening, thunder and that sound of water drops beating against the earth that I love so very much.

Tonight, as I sat at my computer finishing up for the night, I thought I heard something outside. I stood up and opened the window wide to hear the sound of rain growing ever louder. As I gazed out into the darkness thanking the Lord for this most peaceful and fulfilling of sounds, I saw the sky lighten...again, thanking the Lord, for lightening isn't often seen in these parts. Then a few moments later the thunder began to roll.

Perfection.

It feels like I am slowly being washed clean...the cobwebs of thoughts that have been building in my brain are being cleared and my soul feels refreshed. With each roll of thunder and the crescendo of the rain...I feel peace.

I love that in a thunderstorm God appears clearly--every time, without fail. Amazing that these showers occur when I least expect them and this is when I truly appreciate them most.

AMEN!

: )