Bring That Child To Me

As we head into a new month, we generally think about the next special event coming up, which at this time happens to be Mother’s Day. Since this special day is always celebrated on a Sunday, I remember as a young girl, everyone at church would wear a red carnation to honor their Mom. Well, not everyone. There were some who wore a white carnation because their Mom was no longer living. Since at that time of my life, Mother's Day was all about celebrating Mom, I couldn't imagine anything sadder than not having one.
More recently I have become aware of the fact that Mother’s Day can be a painful time for other reasons. One being the fact that there are couples who cannot conceive. I spoke with someone recently who told me that it took them 11 years to get pregnant!
I can only imagine the silent suffering of those who keep hearing of friends getting pregnant while they, themselves, face disappointment month after month.
I'm sure there are more thoughts that could be added, but from these two experiences I see that Mother's Day is not just about celebrating our Moms but it is also about celebrating the gift of being a Mother. For most it is a gift possibly taken for granted. For some a pain that can not be made known by wearing a white carnation.
I was reminded of an old song we heard back in the 1980s, by Steve and Annie Chapman. This couple stands unique in their music in that they talk about every day life and issues such as abortion, marriage, children, getting older, relationships etc. and when I looked them up on the web I found out that they are still on tour, singing and holding marriage seminars. Their 25 (plus) years of ministry together says a lot about who they are and their commitment to the truth of what they write and sing. Their website is http://www.steveandanniechapman.com/ and they were happy to give me permission to share their lyrics.

Bring that Child To Me

Even though you never wanted
The child that grows in you
I know that you must be afraid
Of what you plan to do.
But please before you plan to take
Your child before it’s time
Would you hear what’s on this heart of mine?

I am a barren woman
I cannot have a child
I’ve been a mother only in my dreams
And the child that grows inside of you
Could fill those empty arms
Please give him life
Then bring that child to me.

My husband seems to understand
Though his arms are empty too.
He longs to be a father but there’s little he can do.
There’ll never be a child unwanted
As long as we are here
Your child could have a happy home
And we could dry our tears.

I am a barren woman
I cannot have a child
I’ve been a mother only in my dreams
And the child you plan to throw away
Could fill these empty arms
Please let him live
Then bring that child to me

There’ll never be a child unwanted
As long as we are here
Please give him life
Then bring that child to me.

Steve Chapman, March 1985

I share this song today to remind us to remember those for whom this time is difficult, whether they are missing their mother or whether they are being reminded of empty arms, yet again.

One of my Favorites

One of my favorite tropical fruits is mango and I've discovered that, possibly because of the large East Asian population here, we have plenty of imported mango at our local fruit markets. It can be a little awkward to prepare if you don't have a system, but it can be very easy if you do.

Mangoes range in color from green to red and yellow. They can be a combination of any or just plain, one color. The color doesn't always show how ripe it is, unless it is still a very obvious green color. When a mango is ripe, you should be able to indent it slightly by pressing on it. You should check for bruising and also make sure its not too soft, or you'll have a mushy mess to deal with.

For this photo shoot I happened to have a nice yellow mango. It's a bit smaller than the green variety, but is almost sure to be good!

To begin with, what you have to remember is that the mango has a large, kind of flat pit in the center. You will notice that in the same way the mango has opposing flatter sides. So here are the step by step directions on how to cut it, following the pictures.

1. Stand the mango on its end and check out the shape to determine which way the pit is situated.
2. Using a sharp knife, place it right beside the stem part, almost like you're going to cut it in half but, imagining the alignment of the flat side of the pit, you want to slice right beside it. Repeat on opposite side.
3. Slice off the two narrow remaining sides
4. Cut into wedges.
5. Thinly peel each slice
6. It's ready to put on a fruit platter or into a salad.

My favorite quick salad lately has been made from pre-washed and bagged spinach. If its in the fridge and ready to go, I'm more likely to eat it. I simply take out a few handfuls, put them on a large dinner plate and throw on some strawberries or mango slices. A handful of trail mix thrown on top is good too.

My favorite dressing lately has been a poppyseed & caramelized onion dressing.

All in all, it's a very good lunch and so easy!

A time to Plant and a Time to Uproot

A number of things are happening right now that remind me of the fact that there is a time – a limited time- for everything. Sometimes we act or live like nothing will ever change, but in the end everything does change. It causes one to ask, “How then shall we live to make the most of every opportunity and every stage in life?”

Last summer we had to uproot a tree. It was a beautiful old white birch, but it got a disease and died quite suddenly. I thought I had to have this tree by my kitchen window, especially because it provided such welcoming shade in the summer.

So my H went and bought another large white birch and had it crane lifted over the house to take the spot. Sadly, this spring, while everything else was coming back to life, this tree did not.

We decided to buy another tree once again. This time it’s a Queen Elizabeth Maple and it’s not quite as tall yet. At the nursery the tractor put it right onto the bed of Ben’s truck and here at home, the men put the root ball onto a large wheel barrow and then five able men pushed and pulled it alongside of the house to the spot.
I couldn’t believe it worked! The buds have already grown in this past week and it looks like it's liking the new spot.

I don’t know why the birch didn’t survive. We watered it faithfully, but possibly it was not ready for the harsh winter we had. Maybe we should have waited or just maybe someone needed the money that we “wasted.”
These are questions we ask, especially when our decisions are about life, not trees. We thought we did the right thing and it ended up not working out. How do we handle these kind of disappointments in life?
Uprooting the old stump was backbreaking kind of work! It’s hard when life throws you the kind of curve ball, where everything changes after many years. It’s probably equally as hard when you haven’t been able to have enough time to let your roots grow deep. You feel like you haven’t been given a fair chance. And the worst thing may be the bad review we give ourselves or the remarks from the sidelines . . . the advice or wisdom from others. We didn’t plant in the right season, we didn’t water it enough or the winds were too strong.
I was encouraged by a verse in James yesterday that says that if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. That just hit me in a new way. I might want to give someone advice, but I might also be trying to find fault, “Like, how did you get into this situation, in the first place?” God, who has every right to do this, doesn’t. When we are genuine and humble about coming to Him for wisdom He gives generously, without casting blame. Somehow this both chastens and gives me comfort at this time.

Maybe we learned something about tree planting. We can’t be in a rush, and the timing has to be right, but a young tree needs tender care and even protection. If it doesn’t take root, it won’t be able to withstand the storms that are sure to come.

Song for Kristal

I love the words in this song and the reminder that God is all powerful to move mountains and calm oceans. What's hard for us to understand is that He won't necessarily calm the waves all around at all times . . . but He can calm our soul in the midst of the storm and give us assurance of His love and perfect plan.

My thoughts are with several of you my dear family - these words are for all of us - but I dedicate this song to you, Kristal and Shaun, as you are at this crossroads in life. My heart's cry is that you may know that God is with you and will perfect His plan in your lives as well as in the lives of those affected by the circumstances you find yourselves in.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross . . . Consider Him who endured such opposition . . . so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12: 2,3

You are not alone, the Lord your God will go before you and He will carry you when you get too tired to walk.

On my Lounge Chair in P.S.

One of my favorite things about Palm Springs has always been the sunshine. This was the first time that I also went and got a pedicure while there. It was only $18! If I’d only known sooner!
So, with the pedicure done, I was ready for some time on my chair on the deck with some magazines. Trips and waiting rooms are about the only time I check them out, so this is obviously the much preferred option. I can't believe I'm actually looking at a magazine that doesn't seem to have any recipes!

Check out the view from the deck !

The view looking up and the nice view to the side . . . oh, he's gone golfing! The chair is empty, so sit down and let's enjoy some frivolous girl time.

Do you remember how I wondered how the little ones can wake up looking so fresh and beautiful in the morning? Well, wouldn’t you know it, this magazine has a solution for that . . . You simply mix a drop of self-tanner into your night cream and you’ll wake up looking beautiful! Amazing! Who thinks of these things?

The thing I notice very quickly is that the one shoulder dress is IN! Well, I do have a big mole on one shoulder that the grandkids always notice . . . but I'm still not convinced about this style for me.

A top American designer, Michael Kors lists 12 secrets of new rules for classic style. I’m not sure if it’s anything really new, but some points are good to remember:
* Avoid disposability. Don’t go and buy the the new hot print of the moment, because you will soon be over it. (oh, but sometimes it’s fun … maybe if it’s almost free?)
* Don’t race through your shopping, because the result will be racks of clothes you don’t wear. (I hate it when I’ve made too quick of a decision about something . . . can I wear those jeans for half a day and return them if they bag?)
* Accessorize on the spot. ( I like that idea.)
* Buy things that will hold their shape easily. (I would add that if they don’t, return them as soon as possible for a refund.)
* Try on different sizes of the same outfit, just to see which one feels best. No one is always the same size. It’s fit that matters, not what the size says. Yes!! (sometimes even the same size in the same outfit can fit differently)
* And last, but not least, check your basics before buying new pieces. Look in you closet for staples that ground them.( He recommends white jeans, ribbed turtlenecks, flat knit v-necks, fitted pencil skirts and a fresh white shirt . . . but it also depends on your style.)

Okay . . . here are some ideas for storing jewelry. Hang your necklaces on decorative drawer pulls affixed to the closet or other handy place and lay other pieces on a tiered stand.

I could go on about Hilary Duff's hobo bag . . . OR do you want to see these great color charts where you pick your 'basic' wardrobe color and see how you can 'spice' it up? I'm still in the tans and browns - maybe because you can add any color or maybe because you can just blend into your surroundings . . .

So, what are you reading? That Italian Cooking magazine looks great! I wish I could take it home, but it belongs to the condo.

(Ideas and photos taken from the April Issue of In Style)

The Playground

Before the grandkids came to join us last week we went looking for something we have not looked for, while in Palm Springs, for a long time - if ever. There! Do you see it through the interesting cactus plants? It was the perfect spot to take the kids on a date.

So much to see!


Landon could have just sat there and looked around for a long, long time.

Interesting merry-go-round

swing smile

Natalie even found a new friend! I couldn't help but take a picture to show her Daddy later. You should have seen the look on his face. Oh Dad, the time will come too quickly! I love to tease him about the Canadian boy that will sweep his little girl off her feet one day.

And I couldn't resist this crop! Who is smiling harder?