The Empire State Building

I saw a post on a blog once about how some boys had created the Empire State building out of sugar cubes.

I mentioned this to Snowden, our resident builder...

and she engaged Dad in the purchasing of the Styrofoam and other materials.

She created this...

Her own Empire State Building.

Weight distribution

click to enlarge

Siblings

Click picture to enlarge

I love these cartoons. It helps to lighten up on the parenting thing.

Love is all you need

That Beatles song says it all...

But how is love defined? So many injustices are committed in the name of love. Sometimes love is weaved in ideology making those outside the realm of such ideology deemed unlovable.

Love is listening. Love is being present. Love is allowing self expression. Love is acceptance.

It's winter in AZ

Cold and dark.

But nothing that warm coffee cannot fix.

This is one of my favorite trees in the neighborhood.

It has been raining so much and we even had a tornado watch. I'm just glad for the rain, for water is needed in these parts.

Collage Making

I am testing software.

Do you hear your life's song?

A recent Yoga Journal magazine featured an article about the benefits of silence.

We are surronded by noise, a product of technology.  Do you hear your inner song with all the sound pollution?

Walk a labyrinth in silence, be still and listen to the falling leaves, the steaming clothes iron, and the running water in the dish sink.

Sshhhh.....  Find yourself.

Shed a little light

Light sources.  There is somthing to be said for creating soothing, calm, safe places.

We replenish our bodies and souls and get ready to face each day with resolve to make it the best it can be.

I dislile overhead harsh lighting.  Lamps provide the best lighting and bring the added bonus of design choice to incorporate in our safe places.

I love the lamp above, now shinning in my sewing space.

Trains

What a lovely train layout it was...

This group ran it.

Giving

If I see [a] gift as mine alone to give, I might give hesitantly, even grudgingly, considering my options, then giving from a sense of ought. If I see the gift as God's who allows me to use it for a time, then the gift can flow more freely, as I join with others to be a channel for God's love and mercy.

- Roberta Porter, from her poem, "Grace in Giving"

I saw this today...

Hospitality does not seek power over others. Cruelty does. Cruelty deliberately causes harm, especially by crushing a person's self-respect ... The opposite of cruelty is hospitality, a sharing of power.

- Richard M. Gula, from his book To Walk Together Again

------------------------------------------------

 

Bodies matter to God. Matter matters. Until we can proclaim that wondrous truth, ecology will be a sideline in our pastoring and preaching, our theologies and liturgies ... Wetlands and rivers, wheat fields and dough rising, people dancing in the aisles and people sleeping in the streets of our cities. Matter matters to God.

- Barbara Lundblad, from her sermon "Matter Matters"

The Blue Moon welcomes the New Year

There she is, Miss Blue Moon, high in the AZ sky...

Welcoming 2010.

Happy New Year!

Winters in the AZ valley

No snow here.

Just cold enough for a jacket.

The Whole Year

I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day. We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year. As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year.
- David Grayson

American author and journalist (1870-1946)

Merry Christmas

From the gang at Shades of Blue.

Have a jolly day.

The NJ gift

Snowden and Grasshopper look forward to gifts from their Titis in NJ.

The bell rang...

Signed for, the package was quickly opened...

They might have an idea of the thing is...

Ta da.... It is the long awaited for games playable on the DSI soon to come too.
Thanks so much.

Goodies from Mary

Mary is a fantastic baker.

This year, my Christmas gift was this tray of exquisite sweets.

I am partial to the lemon cookies here, the round ones right
above the word "lemon".
Thanks Mary.

Deck the Halls

Although the start was slow, we managed to do some decorating.

Frosty the greeter.

A desert plant fits with the design scheme.

The Africa corner.

Snow globes make me happy.

Books for children who lost their house in a fire.

Christmas Gift Suggestions

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.
- Oren Arnold American editor and free-lance writer (1900-1980)

Cloved Oranges

Saturday afternoon was spent on Christmas traditions, old and new. This is a new one. The oranges are homegrown, TJ's parents have a tree in their backyard.

He grabbed the cloves on a trip to the supermarket.

Snowden was excited to make her own designs.

My station was ready too.

Snowden's creation. I did remember Sarah's advice and I was careful with my fingers. It really was fun.