best when unexpected and such a sweet surprise!
7.31.2011
7.30.2011
No. 2
Saturdays Off
Working retail means Saturday is a working day. I never really thought much about having Saturdays and Sundays off before I started my job at the Paper Affair. It was just the weekend. I guess I was usually thankful when it came around, but I'm not sure I truly appreciated it for all it was worth. Two days off, in a row, every week! Those two days are reserved for fun and sometimes errands... I think I wasted most of my Saturdays and Sundays when I had them every week. Now it amazes me how excited I am when I don't have to go into work on Saturday-and thankfully I almost never work on Sundays.
Today I had an unexpected day off and it was quite a treat! I awoke to no alarm clock, or rushing to get ready and out the door. Instead I sat outside, drank my coffee and read... I cleaned out some drawers in my room... took a nap... and I didn't rush at all!
Even though there are other great days in the week I have off and I am thankful for each and every one of them, I have come to appreciate the worth and gift of Saturdays off more than ever before!
Working retail means Saturday is a working day. I never really thought much about having Saturdays and Sundays off before I started my job at the Paper Affair. It was just the weekend. I guess I was usually thankful when it came around, but I'm not sure I truly appreciated it for all it was worth. Two days off, in a row, every week! Those two days are reserved for fun and sometimes errands... I think I wasted most of my Saturdays and Sundays when I had them every week. Now it amazes me how excited I am when I don't have to go into work on Saturday-and thankfully I almost never work on Sundays.
Today I had an unexpected day off and it was quite a treat! I awoke to no alarm clock, or rushing to get ready and out the door. Instead I sat outside, drank my coffee and read... I cleaned out some drawers in my room... took a nap... and I didn't rush at all!
Even though there are other great days in the week I have off and I am thankful for each and every one of them, I have come to appreciate the worth and gift of Saturdays off more than ever before!
7.28.2011
No. 1
Homemade Peach Pie.
As I was cutting up a peach this morning and thinking about this thankfulness challenge I was about to embark on, wondering how I was going to do it, I thought of my grandmother's homemade peach pie. She usually only makes it once or twice during the summer and boy, oh boy is it delicious! Grandma stopped making homemade pie crust years ago. She says she lost her touch for it when she started getting old. The same thing happened to her mother she always says. So now my mother makes the pie crust for Grandma's pies. I imagine one day my mom may lose the touch and I will take on the roll of crust maker. I've been slowing working on mastering my pie crust making skills. It really is an art and my does my mom have it down!
Grandma still cuts up all the fresh peaches and tenderly molds the crust into the pie dish. My mouth waters at the very thought of the one she made this year for the fourth of July! Usually I can resist dessert but I just can't say no to this treat! I think it is 1) it is delicious and a real treat but 2) I know how much care and work it takes for her to make it. It is truly a masterpiece of summer delightfulness!
I am thankful for homemade peach pie, a grandmother who lovingly creates one every summer, and the blessing of having a grandmother and mother who have taught me the joy of cooking!
As I was cutting up a peach this morning and thinking about this thankfulness challenge I was about to embark on, wondering how I was going to do it, I thought of my grandmother's homemade peach pie. She usually only makes it once or twice during the summer and boy, oh boy is it delicious! Grandma stopped making homemade pie crust years ago. She says she lost her touch for it when she started getting old. The same thing happened to her mother she always says. So now my mother makes the pie crust for Grandma's pies. I imagine one day my mom may lose the touch and I will take on the roll of crust maker. I've been slowing working on mastering my pie crust making skills. It really is an art and my does my mom have it down!
Grandma still cuts up all the fresh peaches and tenderly molds the crust into the pie dish. My mouth waters at the very thought of the one she made this year for the fourth of July! Usually I can resist dessert but I just can't say no to this treat! I think it is 1) it is delicious and a real treat but 2) I know how much care and work it takes for her to make it. It is truly a masterpiece of summer delightfulness!
I am thankful for homemade peach pie, a grandmother who lovingly creates one every summer, and the blessing of having a grandmother and mother who have taught me the joy of cooking!
A Challenge...
100 days of Thankfulness!
My mom said to me the other day, when I was complaining about something or another, "I read this blog the other day, by this girl who reminds me of you, about how thankfulness changes everything. Maybe you should try to find things to be thankful for?" SO, in an attempt to practice what I preach [oh that expression!] I am going to spend the next one hundred days celebrating thanksgiving. And I think, I should finish sometime in November...
My mom said to me the other day, when I was complaining about something or another, "I read this blog the other day, by this girl who reminds me of you, about how thankfulness changes everything. Maybe you should try to find things to be thankful for?" SO, in an attempt to practice what I preach [oh that expression!] I am going to spend the next one hundred days celebrating thanksgiving. And I think, I should finish sometime in November...
7.24.2011
7.15.2011
Summer Magic
Last night I was reminded of all the reasons why I just LOVE summer... the days are long, the sun is bright, and there is a little something magical in the air. Not the man-made kind that comes around Christmas. No, this kind can't be bottled up in a room spray or candle. You don't have to buy anything or pull out all your special decorations to feel it. It can only truly be felt by living and enjoying all the joys of summer!
I love to linger in the summer... everything moves at a slower pace in the summer [it is far too hot to rush from place to place] Even the traffic in Atlanta is lighter in the summer months. Plus there is no need to rush because you've got the whole summer to get it done! The best place to linger is always at the beach, soaking up the sun. Nothing is better than the beach! Lazy days, reading good books, eating yummy food and soaking up every square inch of sun that you can possibly take in. Vitamin D is so good for you!
But if you can't linger at the beach all summer long I love to linger with a friend over a delicious meal or in a comfy spot outside. There is little that is sweeter in life than being with a good friend, talking and laughing and summer just seems to add to the experience! And I love to stay up too late in the summer, particularly with a good book or friend.
Everything is just more fun in the summer! When you're a kid summer meant sleeping in, playing outside all day with your friends, or laying on the sofa watching too much TV. Friends got to spend the night any night of the week. And how can I forget no school, or homework!
Even as an adult I enjoy summer just as much. I still have to go to work and pay my bills... but I try with all my heart to not miss the magic that only comes this time of year!
7.13.2011
A Secret
Do you want to know a little secret I have learned?
A thankful heart changes everything! It draws your attention away from all the things that aren't going so swell in your life and helps you keep moving forward with a joyful heart... And eventually you might even find that all the things you thought were so bad are actually little blessings made just for you!
"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul with boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together."
Psalm 34: 1-3
7.12.2011
... Q&A...
Where have you been the past four months M.Rau?
I haven't really been anywhere, I just haven't been posting on my blog. I never sit down long enough to get my thoughts out.
What has been happening since your last post?
Goodness... a lot one might assume, almost four months have passed! I am still working at the lovely Paper Affair, selling paper and managing the ladies. Haven't traveled as much as I would like. I guess last year was my year to travel and this is my year to rest. Resting is a blessing! I turned 28, and boy does it feel good to be on an even number again! Had one of the best birthdays ever... The Lord has certainly turned my mourning into dancing and my darkness into light!! [if anyone out there was worried about me, I'm doing excellent, thank you!]
Do you plan to ever write again?
Why yes, yes I do! I just need to force myself to sit down and let my thoughts out through my fingers.
Is there anything you want to say to your five readers out there?
Thanks for hanging with me! I promise to come back and tell a really good story!
ooxx,
M.Rau
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)