The Newest Arrival!

Those of us who were able to . . .  got together in Lovella's bungalow to wait for the promised truck delivery! Can I say it was not unlike waiting at the hospital for a baby's birth?
We were an excited bunch of jumping beans.



Ellen joined us in her finery via the google hangout and had to remind us that she was sitting in the corner and needed me to get out of her view and such ...


You can only imagine what it's like to open a book that you have labored on for about nine months.



Betty and Charlotte also  joined us from the Prairies with their appropriate comments

as we sat down for something to eat.

 

Celebrations are just that . . .

acknowledging that something significant has happened

and enjoying the moment with friends or family.

Over the weekend I've been treasuring the moments in my heart...
the texts . . . the hugs . . . the smiles
and the good feeling of
finishing a job and finally being able to share it.

Rice, Bean and Kale Soup

If you look on today's MGCC post, you will find a recipe for Black Beans and Rice,
a take-off from a Louisiana Red Beans and Rice dish by Chef Dez.
I want to show you how a Mennonite Girl makes soup with an Italian Chef''s dish.

Ingredients:
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 bell pepper chopped
1/2 zucchini, chopped
4 cups chicken broth and 1 cup of water
2 cups of the rice and bean dish
3 cups chopped baby kale

Method:
In a medium pot, cook first three ingredients in a small amount of oil until soft.
Add liquids, rice and chopped kale.
Simmer for a few minutes.
Serve with cheese scones.

 

If you can't get baby kale, use regular kale, but chop it up quite well.
You can also use leeks or spinach.
 

After making soup a few times from leftovers, I decided to make a whole recipe (which makes about 8 cups) just to have the ingredients for this speedy and delicious soup on hand.
I divided it into containers and put them in the freezer for another day.

It was great to be able to pull out a container to make a quick soup
for our first dinner back.

 For dessert we had these beautiful jam filled muffins
that were sitting on the counter when we walked in the door.
It's good to be home.

A Date in Palm Springs

We made up for a missed Easter . . .

practiced walking . . .

splashed in the pool . . .

 During nap time we colored, watched Thomas the Train and Veggie Tales . . .
then back into the pool
and missed taking pictures of when they were all dressed up to go out.
Such a special April date!

The Week in Retrospect

It's been a beautiful, relaxing week . . . a time of physical refreshment and healing.
Late, simple breakfasts and easy lunches in our kitchen,
followed most of the time by dinners out.
The best ones were eaten outside on a patio.

We have enjoyed some walking and peeking into stores at times. 

The tangerine pants I found at Banana Republic at a 40 % off sale.
I was very excited to find a pair of comfy and practical Keds at JC Penney

as well as a light, silk tunic style sweater.

As I've been mentally packing my pajamas for a book trip coming up,
I was looking for an easy to pack dress. I found it at a Marcy's.
If you can imagine how many dresses fill their floors . . . I picked only one to try on.

And it's polyester! My grandma used to wear polyester dresses!
 But, I love the retro, cap sleeves, kind of fitted body and fuller skirt
coming down to the knees. Pull on a sweater, and it passes for a skirt.
This will go into the suitcase.

We enjoyed our last evening alone last night and
today we are looking forward to welcoming the next in line and
some splashing in the pool with lots of smiles.

Serious and Happy Ponderings

While the book I've been reading is falling apart from the heat of the sun . . . the words therein have given me much to ponder on. In Voices Behind the Veil, I've had a small peek into the life of millions of women around the world. The authors in this book portray a metaphoric message of the veil, not diminishing its commendable significance of modesty and desire to live a holy life but, sharing from personal experience and insight, the pain hidden behind this veiling.

Somehow, in emotionally immersing myself into this foreign culture, I cannot help but get a renewed glimpse of the culture we live in. As we were waiting to be called to our table at a restaurant, I could not help but notice a woman, also waiting, with four teen-aged girls. Their dolled up appearance and inappropriate dresses were shocking but what was has stayed with me is the sadness or hardness in their eyes. These girls had no veil or desire to hide their lack of joy even in, what looked like it should have been, a celebratory night out.

We have seen this lack of joy on our trip, as we have observed people around us. In both cultures women are dominated by what they feel is expected to win the approval of men. For one it's a fear of punishment for not being chaste, for another it's a fear of not looking hot enough. Both cultures are heart-breaking evidence of the enemy's work in seeking to destroy any semblance of true worth and beauty.

A passage in the Bible that has become more precious to me is found in Matthew 27:51, where it points out that while Jesus hung on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two. The veil that was there throughout history to protect people from the holiness of God, was rent by His sacrifice, making it possible for anyone to come to Him to receive forgiveness and peace. This is the message I want burned into my heart, a message of love for those who are in need of joy and peace.

Deep thoughts, I know, for being on vacation. I have started some lighter reading too.

After our morning time in the sun, we go inside and make a nice cold drink. I've enjoyed experimenting with making freshly squeezed lemonade and grapefruit drinks.

Our favorite is a pamplemousse drink. (I love that French word!) We take the juice of two grapefruit, at least a cup or more, add 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup crushed ice and 3 cups club soda.

I'm sad to see the grapefruit are almost gone, but we still have a lot of lemons.

Oh... and the tangerines are all gone . . .

But I must say, the color has grown on me.
As he was taking the picture, he muttered something about being blinded!
Ha ...Ha ... maybe that is a good thing!

A Morning Walk

The complex was a buzz with straw-hatted men, riding and pushing lawnmowers,
trimming plants and blowing walks clean.
After my grapefruit and toasted English muffin with blackberry jelly,
I decided to go for a walk.
He said he'd come as well . . . for which I was glad.

On streets where each house matches the next with bougainvilleas climbing on every column . . .

where one lawn looks like the next and

matching mailboxes line the road . . . I may end up twirling around a little longer than planned.

I am just in awe when I look around and see what grows in the desert.

and as I admired the flowers along the street I could not help but marvel
at how every place on this earth has it's own beauty to boast of.

This interesting plant looks like it grows tacky, glittery  brushes

Seriously, who would have thought to grow such a flower?
The uniqueness is what makes it beautiful.

My favourite this year, so far, is this blooming cactus.

With the sun shining brightly, it was hard to see what I was getting on my camera, but
isn't it amazing to see what comes out of a cactus?

There are no crashing ocean waves in these parts,
but hidden springs of water do wonders in this oasis in the desert.