Winter's End

Quiet here lately.  Not my intent, it is just that life off the page has been anything but quiet lately.  It has been a season of busyness; one that drained my energy and left my mind spinning in a dozen directions ... not conducive to creativity or writing.  Oh, as always, I would think, "I need to post about this or that," but something else more needful seemed to always crowd out my writing time.  And so the blog lay silent for a season.  And that's OK.  To everything there is a season, said the wise writer of Ecclesiastes.

But now, Spring is in the air!  And I do love the changing of seasons, especially from winter to spring ... the grass is green, birds are singing, and even a few flowers have dared to bloom their welcome to springtime.
In keeping with the seasons, I've simplified things to create more 'room to breathe' in my day, and am ready to once again spend time here.  I have plans to rework this site- simplify things here, make it more readable and even more interactive (I love a good conversation, even a virtual one!).  I want it to be a place of encouragement and hope.  As I am working to make our home more of a sanctuary- a peaceful, welcoming place for my family, friends, and even those strangers that the Lord brings to our door ... I want this place to reflect those same values- simplicity, peace, hope, beauty, and offer a quiet place of rest where you can refill your cup before heading back out into the world.

In keeping with my quest to make this place more interactive, I'd love your input!
What do you like here (or not like)?
What topics would you like to read about and discuss?
How can I make Love Living Simply a better place for you?  

And on a lighter note- since I'm thinking all things spring these days ...
What are your favorite spring flowers?
I am planning a trip to my favorite organic garden center very soon and flowers are at the top of my list.
I love poppies and roses, so those are a given; and I'm thinking about a rather wild cottage garden, with old fashioned favorites such as hollyhocks, stock, bachelor's buttons, daisies, etc., etc., etc.
But I'd love some ideas from you, too.
When you think spring garden, what flowers come to mind?  

My favorite scripture for this season-

For lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
¹² The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of singing has come,
And the voice of the turtledove
Is heard in our land.  Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Blessings at this winter's end,

Catherine

Glimpses of Grace

I'm counting gifts of grace again.  I decided to start counting again from #1 in 2012,
taking Ann's Joy Dare-to count 1,000 gifts of grace this year.
I scratch down a list of 5 gifts (or more) each morning as I write in my journal; some simple, some sweet, some that only I understand to be gift.
But when all is grace, all is also gift- no matter how mundane or messy.
Real life, real love- these are priceless gifts.

Here are a few random graces jotted down in my journal for the first days of February:

#161 glorious sunny winter's day

#162 boxes of books- dusty treasures for the library (a gift from a pastor friend, so many books!)

#171 green tea in my favorite cup

#172 soft breeze making music with the wind chimes

#175 first light

#177 middlest Love driving the lawn mower and feeling quite proud of herself

#180 a few hours of quiet solitude on a Sabbath evening


Simple, daily joys ... gifts from our Good God.  

What gifts are you finding these days?  

Pretty in Pink via Pinterest

Some pretty pink pins from my Pinterest boards I thought you might enjoy ...

Pink roses and books ... be still my heart-

Source: flickr.com via Catherine on Pinterest

If I ever have a barn, I want it to be just like this-

Source: Uploaded by user via Catherine on Pinterest

Vintage and perfectly pink, what more could a girl ask for?

Source: flickr.com via Catherine on Pinterest

A sweet seat if I ever saw one-

Source: chateaudefleurs.blogspot.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Pink posey perfection-

Source: vintageisforlovers.com via Catherine on Pinterest

I do love a great pin, don't you?  Especially if it is PINK!


What is your favorite color?  
Pink is obviously one of mine, though I do also love robin's egg blue, and green ... 
Choosing a favorite color is rather like choosing your favorite cookie.  There are just too many delicious options to pick from to choose just one! 
 My favorite cookie (today) is anything with ginger and/or chocolate in it :) .  

Simple Living Challenge

Seeing Deborah Jean's post  on Girl Gab  today was pure synchronicity for me.  So many thoughts, goals, plans, dreams for living more simply in this complicated world have been swirling through my mind and heart lately. Yes, I always try to live simply; but sometimes simple isn't so simple to achieve, especially in today's society.  This Simple Living Challenge is perfect to motivate doing (or not doing depending on the circumstance) rather than just think, think, thinking.  
Thank you Deborah Jean and Kanelstrand for the encouragement and inspiration today!

Pondering Peacefulness

First, have peace in thy own breast, then thou wilt be qualified to restore peace to others. Peacefulness is a more useful acquisition than learning. 
~ Thomas a Kempis 

These words today (here) ... yes.  Peacefulness is so very needed these days.  It is something I am seeking to bring to my home, my little part of the world, a quiet peace.  Not reactionary, not jumping at the latest whatever that is vying for attention, not always having to put in my own opinion or even defend myself.  Sometimes just remaining silent and praying to be that person of peace (even when my flesh desires quite the opposite) is the very best I can offer.  

Blessed are the peacemakers ...

How do you pursue peace?

Prayer Flags Project and More Winter Fun

Some of you asked about the prayer flags ...

Source: rhythmofthehome.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Yes, Jennifer I will share my completed project, but in the meantime (it may take me a while to finish them), you can see what inspired me!  

I loved this project when I first read about making prayer flags at rhythm of the home.  I pinned it to my Winter Fun board at Pinterest along with some other ideas to occupy hearts and hands during cold weather-

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Catherine on Pinterest

I have my fabrics prepared, supplies gathered, and a few prayerful words chosen:

FREEDOM (FREE is my word for 2012!)
PEACE
JUSTICE
MERCY
FAITH
HOPE
LOVE


I think seeing a string of prayer flags blowing in the breeze outside my window will be a wonderful call to prayer.

If you decide to join in and make your own prayer flags, please let me know!  I'd love to see what words and designs you choose.

 Weekend Blessings kind friends!

Diary of 5 ~ January 26, 2012

I am seeing... idea board cleared away and awaiting new inspiration.

I am hearing... 2 sisters singing and another playing guitar... songs of praise filling the house.

I am smelling... spicy black beans simmering on the stove.

I am tasting... Constant Comment tea with honey and soy milk.

I am feeling... the nudge of creativity- fabric for prayer flags drying as I write!

Diary of 5

Herbal Blessings Giveaway

I'm having a giveaway at The Renegade Farmer this week.  Please stop by and enter the Herbal Blessings Giveaway to win a copy of The Essential Herbal magazine, Peppermint Rose Bath Tea, and another herbal treat or two!

Winter Gardening

Nature has undoubtedly mastered the art of winter gardening and even the most experienced gardener can learn from the unrestrained beauty around them.  ~Vincent A. Simeone


  
Winter gardening, how I love it (of course I love any gardening!).  Stealing outside on a warm winter's day to plant a few seeds for cold hardy greens, or water the perennial herbs that put on a brave face and continue to grow through the winter, scattering wildflower seeds, or just taking a walk and planning for spring planting ... winter weather is gardening weather, too!

Daybook for January 10, 2012

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... robins searching for breakfast in the churchyard

I am thinking... about planting the garden

I am thankful... for the quietude of this moment

In the kitchen... veggie soup for dinner

I am wearing... black yoga pants and a green t-shirt

I am creating... blog posts and book pages

I am going... to lunch with a friend

I am wondering... what things to let go for this season

I am reading... A Monastery of the Heart

I am hoping... the sun shines today

I am looking forward to... my husband's ordination this Sunday evening

I am learning... Spanish, if ever so slowly

Around the house... bird books and binoculars

I am pondering... the Sermon on the Mount

A favorite quote for today... Who is rich? He who rejoices in his portion. ~ the Talmud 

One of my favorite things... birds

A few plans for the rest of the week: writing, garden plans made, a trip to the fabric store

A peek into my day... 

Visit The Simple Woman's Daybook for more daybook entries.