listen to the silence

One of the most profound things I've realized in my time "post-corporate world" is that the world is so noisy. Our lives are filled with obligations, and distractions. And if we can simply find the time, and place, to stop what we're doing, and listen to the silence, we can hear what is in our hearts.

This quote came across my email today, thanks to my Oprah.com Thought for Today...

"There are times when we stop. We sit still...

We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper."
— James Carroll.

The world is so noisy... take time to pause and look for the silence.... it is in the silence that we can listen to our hearts, and God.

heaven?

A note from a dear friend who very recently moved away made me smile and cry within the same minute. And it made me think of all those that I've "lost" to other parts of the country, or world.

I've spoken about living "the new normal" before, but sometimes I wonder why my normal has to keep changing. Why people enter my world, only to then have to leave at some point.

I was the one to move "away" from my college friends when I returned to home after graduation. But then one moved closer to me, only to move away again several years later. My closest friend followed a job away many years ago - almost 7 years now - in the same year that I lost my mom. And now, our dear Pastor and wife, people so integrated in our lives....

And there have been many in between!

Yes, I learn to live these new normals - with social media, the internet, blogging, etc. keeping our communication fresh. But it's not the same as sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee, or laughing over drinks on the couch, or chatting over knitting or cross stitch.

What would I do, if I could have all of these so very important people all around me now? At the same time? I guess that is what Heaven will be like for me.... surrounded by ALL of my Blessings. All at once. Something to look forward to, I guess. Just wish I could have a little bit of Heaven here on earth once in awhile.

Little things add up!

A lot of people say that they could never cook as much as I do, could never "provide" for their family like I do. Between working, and kids' committments, there just isn't time. But what people don't realize is that it's the little things here and there, that add up to being able to do it.

Today I was making meatloaf for the family, so I doubled the recipe, and froze the second one for a future meal. I do this a lot when cooking. If making lasagna, manicotti, spaghetti pie, etc., I double the recipes, and freeze a second. Then, when there are those crazy weeks, I can pull something to thaw and cook. It's an amazing time saver. It allows us to have real food on weeks when we would normally have takeout, saving us money in the process.

There are so many little time savers. They may seem small and insignificant, but they add up! When I was working full time, it's these little time savers that helped me out.

So my message is this. Don't give up on cooking and providing for your family. Don't try to do everything, but don't give up completely. There are so many little things that you can do, to not only provide for your family, but save money, and do good things....

Good luck!

Girlfriend time....

One of the things I gave up when I left full time work was my weekend scrapbooking getaways. A friend asked me months ago if I could take her spot at one (so she wouldn't lose it), and I decided to. So for the first time in two years, I had three days away - at a spa-like retreat center - with girlfriends, great food and wine, and LOTS of pictures and scrapbooking.

I had forgotten what power these weekends have. The rest, relaxation, healing. Amazing what medicine laughter can be!

We spent the weekend looking at old photos, reliving stories, and sharing.

I also got to spend some long overdue time with my closest neice, someone as close as a sister, over wine one evening, and again over coffee the next day. For the first time, I was able to sit with someone and talk about some of my fears, and insecurities.. something that was so in need.

We cannot forget to feed our souls - with relationships close to our hearts, and time to let go and think. The world gets so noisy with all that our lives include. It is the times like this weekend, when we set all of that aside, that rejuvenate our souls.

breathing more clearly tonight. with a fresh outlook. rested. happy. Blessed.

saying goodbyes...

I try very hard to keep this blog positive, upbeat, and fun. But sometimes life just hands you something that isn't so great, and this is where I talk about my life. So if you're not in the mood to listen to my sad, selfish story, I am giving you a chance to opt out -

now would be the time.

So you're in? Thanks - it helps to think someone is reading.... I don't know why, but it does. I don't write for myself as much as I enjoy writing for you. So if you stuck with me, I thank you.

I've blogged before about the fact that our Pastor is leaving.

Tomorrow is the day.

And tonight I had to say goodbye.

And it sucked.

I didn't know how to invite myself over there to say goodbye, but Pastor fixed that for me - asking me to stop by to pick something up. And I'm so very thankful for the night - the couple of hours sitting at the dining room table chatting. But eventually it was time for me to go home, and the goodbyes had to be said.

And it sucked.

I cried last Wednesday at our goodbye dinner for Pastor's wife. I cried on Sunday - his last service. I cried each night chatting with his wife on FB. So I was kind of hoping that I could skip that part tonight. But no such luck.

When talking to my son about it, he, wise beyond his years, said "they're a huge part of our life".  so true...

My husband asked why I don't cry like this when I say goodbye to friends who live across the country...after a visit. I explained that they aren't a part of my daily life that is now gone. He told me "not to let the next one in so far". (Joking of course - knowing how deeply I care for both of them.)

I know change is good. I've definitely not kept away from change in my life. But I don't enjoy having to say goodbye to the good stuff so much.

I am so very thankful for the Blessings we've had with them in our lives. And my Faith leads me to know that God has other plans for us right now - and we will just have to wait to find out what that is. But my heart will still be sad to not have them in our daily lives. They will be greatly missed.

Crazy few days....

It's been a whirlwind of a few days..

• Served our Italian feast to 79 guests - 49 on Friday night and 30 on Saturday. Very fun - went off without a hitch!
• In between baking 22 baguettes, and 9 chocolate cakes, and 8 huge trays of lasagna for the dinners, I was also trying to clean up my workshop for an expose on my crafting. YEP. Same weekend.
• Saturday after the final meal, we celebrated our friend,s birthday - which meant no cleanup time until Sunday.
• Sunday started out with the highly emotional final service from our Pastor, who has left to take another call. Then washing all the dishes from Saturday's catering, and THEN the photographer for the expose came over to photo me in my craft workshop.
• Today was the interview for the expose, so I finished putting away all of the catering supplies and got my house back to normal before she showed up.

So in four days - I've cooked for and served 79 people, had a photo shoot and interview, and said goodbye to an amazing couple who I will miss dearly.

I think I'm going to make a pot of coffee, put my feet up, and read. 

Yeah - that sounds like a good way to spend a Monday!

Dinner theater night one = SUCCESS!

A sit down Italian Feast for 52 wonderful patrons was a SUCCESS! Plenty of food, hot where it needed to be hot - cold where it needed to be cold - and many, many, many compliments and requests for recipes!

It's been a whirlwind week doing this. Something I've not done before. But I wouldn't think twice about doing it again, if I'm asked. Too much fun, planning, shopping, baking, baking, cooking, baking, baking.... you get the idea.

Jotted down a couple of notes for tomorrow night's dinner, will gather my notes tonight, write up a shopping list, and plan for tomorrow. Need to bake a few batches of baguettes, three cakes, and of course three pans of lasagna.

All in all, an extremely successful day. Had GREAT help from a dear friend, who offered out of nowhere. Couldn't have done it without her. And we had SO much fun. Need to think of some fun way to thank her!

So the thought of a commercial kitchen is still in my head. This was a good taste. Actually had someone state they'd keep me in mind if they are having a big party! It would be amazing to be able to turn this into a career. Doing something I LOVE. mmm. there is a thought!

Well, it's late, and I've got a LOT to do tomorrow. Sunday will be a welcome rest. But tonight, I go to bed, with dreams of our Italian dinner tonight. A good, good night.