gladness

This is a day of joy and thankfulness. Heavy hearts have been lifted, and spirits are grateful. Today, Charlie was released from the hospital, and is doing so much better.
Work was more relaxing and my shoulders were finally loose of the strain of these past two days. Good news is like sweet honey to your lips; you can't stop spreading your joy and smiling.

short take

There is a Greater power than any one can ever muster, and in this power, tonight I am overwhelmingly grateful...
Many of you already know that my stepdad is in the hospital because he suffered a mini strike earlier this evening. Things are alright for now, he is resting and stable. We have a circle of love praying for him tonight.
Sometimes I can't believe the goodness of the Lord over us during the hard times. Life is so precious, as the Psalmist put it, "my life is in Your hand".
In this, there is great comfort, there is great peace and assurance. The Lord is merciful and loving. He is our Rock and Stronghold. He will never leave us, nor forsake us. . . Thanks be to God.

Slow but Surely

I love the lyrics of this song. Lately, I have been struggling with doubt, with fear of the unknown, and this song by Downhere popped into my head.
Last night, we prayed in faith to the Most High God, who was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Who sent His Son for us, Who delights to save His children, Who forgives us of our sins, Who grants us faith and freedom, Who loves us. We prayed for His will, for their is much before us now, and the only way that it can ever be done is through His power.



I knew the times would come and now the times have landed
With stinging abrasion As ready as I seem to be
It’s never like I planned it, yeah

I’m wrestling my thoughts I’m overcome
Would you give me up I’m asking Lord
There’s no where I sense Your presence here
So I will cry out, until I go

From Protest to praise
You’re always amazing me
You’re changing me slow, but surely
And You’re gonna see me to the end

How long will I be forgotten by You forever
You’re not making sense here
Seems like eternity has made a home between us, yeah

You’re changing me slow
I just can’t help but see it that way
Cuz You’re gonna see me to the end

Azul la Jolla

Home Sweet Home . . .
Home is where your comfortable bed is, where the gas is cheaper, where you live out of a dresser and closet instead of a suitcase.
The trip was lovely. San Diego was dressed in her best ~ sunshine and sea :) The wedding was beautifully set at a courtyard at a restaurant that overlooked the ocean. We visited Coronado Island after the wedding. That was a treat - I wish that we had had enough time to go to the zoo and some other places. But we were so glad to get back to San Antonio.
I am trying to get myself together again, unpack and get back into routine. I should take a walk or a run to get my blood pumping. I will try to post more later.

Chill

Temperatures dropped again. I just went grocery shopping, regretfully in my flip flops - now I have 'toesicles' with sparkly red tips. I gathered needed items quickly and then proceeded to the "10 Items or less" line. The checker was chatty little thing. She took her time as she explained how she was different than the other checkers - she actually believed in carrying on conversations with them, rather than smugly running through their items and then their check number/visa card. I think she just liked the opportunity to talk.
Anyway.
We watched "the Constant Gardener" last night, thinking that it might be a good movie . . Bigtime disappointment. It dragged for a long time, and somewhere along the line, probably at the beginning, the plot was lost in the flood of emotion. We recently saw "Crash" as well. Very intriguing and much better than the last night's.
Well, its now midweek - I am grateful. I am sort of tired already. We leave on Friday for San Diego. It will be a nice bitty vacation for us. My cousin is getting married and I am really happy that she finally found a relationship that she could settle down in.
Gotta tidy my closet - ta ta.

nouveau jour

Mornings are always more beautiful after the rain. Last night, a storm covered the sky, and brought down the branches to the earth. Rain came down, hard and relentless. This morning, the earth is thankful. Renewed by the water and kissed by the sun. The air is crisp and heavenly to breathe, and I am skipping through the puddles.
Yesterday was truly a day of rest, as it should be. There was no Sunday school, so we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and read the paper from front to back. After church, we tried out a Greek restaurant for lunch ~ it was pretty good. We went to Walmart and bought a glue gun so I could fix our front wreath. I glued the flowers on while hubby framed our ocean picture.
Things are settling more and more, as our apartment is looking quite pleasant. The living room looks calmly toward our dining room, where the new picture hangs. Its neat to see that the picture has all of the colors in our house (minus our red, white and black kitchen).

I really want to post it on here but my uploading pictures thing isn't working . . . blah. Here's the link. . .
http://ici1.storesontheweb.com/cgi-bin/catpage.cgi?Section=MarieGabrielle&Item=RockyPointUnframed&StoreDirName=MadeInSantaCruz

day

Thursday is now gone and past, and I am up with the new day . . . I might credit this to the soda I was sipping while I was cooking dinner. Oh well. It always works so nicely with writing posts :)
I am quite satisfied with the way that things turned out today (ever have that feeling, when you feel so full up and splendid that you could sigh?). At work, I learned the filing system, and sorted out the projects into their designated spaces. I cleaned my deskspace and fiddled with my computer there. I have a work email account now, as well as a new growing vocabulary of construction-related terms and procedures. Its such a fascinating environment. Marlene has proved to be a kick in the pants too . . . I drove home happy and somewhat oblivious to the traffic.
I made a mozzerella chicken alfredo and pasta twirls dish tonight - tasted pretty good. I mixed together some olive oil, salt and pepper, italian blend seasonings, onion powder, and a minced garlic clove in a skillet of chopped chicken - I added some minced green peppers, and then some shredded mozz cheese and then let it cook on medium heat. In another pan, I made up the alfredo sauce from a mix, and then stirred it all together in the pan of pasta. . . yummy good. . . it would have been great with french bread, but I used that up the other night when I made french bread pizzas . . .oh well.
Okay, Amy go nigh nigh . . . bon nuit mes amies. . .

Today is where your book begins . . .

Fog kisses the ground. Last night, rain blessed the earth, wind knocked out the power, and for 10 hours, the city cooled off.
Today is my first day on my new job. I am working in a professional office, and dressing formally again. It feels somewhat strange, when I have been perpetually jean-clad for 2 months now. Out of the grunge and into the world I go :)

We went to Costco last night. What a great date that makes :) I love to browse through their book and cd piles - the have a lovely flower shack too (gorgeous bouquets with birds of paradise, tiger lilies, and orange creamsicle roses, Haven had to drag me away. . . :) We got our big pack of chicken breasts, coffee, and some red wine. When we got back home, the weather looked perfect for walking. It started to storm a bit while we were out, the sky lit up with lightning, and then, some big fat raindrops pelted the pavement. We turned around and got home before it really let out.
I slept all the way through last night, hurray! And now, the day needs to get going. Much love to all!

Catch Up

I met with my new employer and Marlene, his secretary, yesterday. I was informed of the duties I will have when I start this Thursday. I am being put at the front desk and in charge of their filing system which covers a 9 foot wall.
I cannot even tell you how much of a blessing it is to become busy again. My butt is soft from unemployment. The way of the Lord is perfect.

Its payday, and I am quite grateful that we made it to this paycheck. I need to restock the fridge and plan a menu for this next week. And today, I am going to enjoy my last day of freedom. . . :)

Unwritten

Eight am on the dot, I am nursing some coffee. I feel much better today than I did yesterday. 6 1/2 hours of sleep later, my eyes aren't as red and puffy and my cramps have left.
Last night we sauntered over to Barnes & Noble to peruse the collection. Haven read books with houseplans, while I read a book by an obsessive-compulsive. Quite interesting.
When we returned home, hubby grabbed paper and started sketching floor plans. He got an idea going for the upstairs, but the downstairs needs a lot of thinking through. All I really know is that I would love to have the kitchen look to the backyard, but then again, having it in the front is also nice. Talking it out and drawing the sketches helps get the ideas blooming. We put gobs and gobs of house books on hold at the library. Our brains are at work, constructing the foundations of our dream.

praise

Thank you for praying, God is so good.
So, I heard back today about the job, and, *gasp*, I got it!!! Its unbelievable. Just when I had given up hope, He saw fit to anwer me. The blessings abound. The wage is better than I would have ever thought, the commute is short, the people are so friendly, and I love my supervisor already. This is indeed such a blessing. I start next Wenesday, and so I will have time to catch my breath again in the meantime . . . wow. . .

Psalm 61

forgiven not forgotten

Its finally a decent enough hour to write. The morning is soft and cool, and still tired, as if it did not get enough sleep from the past night. The day is just beginning for offices all over this city, hit the coffee maker button and brew. The traffic finally lets up a bit, and you accelerate to your destination before it catches up with you.
Right here, it is peaceful. I don't have to commute. I can sit here in my pajamas. Though I am prone to striving about it, I am tied to a place of great blessing, requiring my patience, obedience and endurance.

Last night I began to think about Dad again. I miss him a lot. "she goes to search for the man she's forgiven, he's not forgotten" - I search my memories, I replay the past times to help me remember him. A recollection of broken things, interspersed with genuine good times. But I have forgiven him, I did a long time ago. I forgave him for the way he told us that he wanted to live. I let it go. But I have not forgotten that he is still my father. Last night, we went to see "Walk the Line", and though Johnny Cash created a sad life for himself, there was a resolve in the end, there was some sort of reconciling. I walked away wishing that the same would apply to my father. I keep praying that he'll come around. Until that time, I grieve in my heart for him. I can't imagine a life without one's own father, even if he's hurt you.
Sorry, that was a lot to relate here, but its been on my mind.
Anyway, life goes on-

Breakfast Favorites

I decided that it might be fun to post a handful of my favorite "Sunday Morning" breakfasts, and I will post more later(see here too - http://ahofwoman.blogspot.com/2006/01/applesauce-cake-recipe.html).
The Sabbath day is a day of fellowship and feasting, and I love to begin the day with something sweet and yummy. I sometimes wake up early to make it up and get it in a pan all set to go, and then I will sleep a bit more and stick it in in the oven right before I hop in the shower. When we sit down, we are usually all ready to go, in our Sunday best, so that we can enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and the Sunday comics :)
Enjoy.

Sabbath Cinnamon Rolls - These taste sooo yummy! My hubby really loves them :)

1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1 tablespoon (one little packet) active dry yeast
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
6 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 cups light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
dash vanilla extract (I am usually a little giving on the vanilla :)
3 tablespoons milk

Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove it from heat. Mix in the butter and stire till melted. Add the water and let it cool to lukewarm.
In a large bowl, combine the milk mixture, yeast, white sugar, salt, eggs, and 2 cups pf flour; stir well to combine. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cupat a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and stretchy (good for Proverbs 31 arms!)

Divide the dough into 2 pieces. Roll each piece into a long rectangle. Combine cinnamon and brown sugar. On each piece, spread a layer of butter, and then sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar mix. Roll up the dough, and seal the seams with water.
Cut each roll into 12 slices (use a really sharp knife). *I sometimes only use one roll and then wrap and freeze the other for another time.
Place rolls in greased baking pans, let rise for an hour (or till doubled).
Preheat oven to 375, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
For frosting: Combine the powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add the milk gradually until the frosting is at desired consistency. Spread over the rolls when they are warm.
Serve immediately, preferably with coffee and juice :)


Chocolate Brownie Waffles (for all you chocolate lovers)
*this recipe will make 6 waffles - for a small waffle-maker

1 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup reduced fat milk (or evaporated fat free milk works too)
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons butter, melted, slightly cooled
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients and let stand for 5 minutes before plopping in griddle.
Serve with whip cream. Yum


Blueberry Bread (grab a slice for those "hurried mornings")

2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup molasses
1 cup soured milk or yogurt
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1 cup blueberries (canned are fine)

Preheat oven to 350. Stir flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together. Combine molasses, milk, butter, and egg and mix well. Stir in dry ingredients, beat to blend. Fold in blueberries. Turn into a greased 9x9 pan and bake for 40 minutes. Serves 9.

Life

The wait continues. I am grateful that the Lord gives a heapful amount of patience. I actually have a message from that deli I applied at - they called yesterday, wanting me to come in for a second interview, and I didn't want to answer it. I feel like this has to be the most awkward position ever. I am hoping that I will get a call today from G. engineering.
In the meantime, I thought I'd share a bit about what life is like here in San Antonio. We live in a busy city. People here think that its not that big, but to me, its massive. Most of the people here drive huge deisel trucks and SUVs, pretty much all brand new. It seems that every road you travel on has at least 6 lanes, and the way people drive here makes you want to pray everytime before you go out.
There are way too many "fats" food places - chick fil-a, whataburger, mcdonalds, burger king, taco cabana, los palapos, wendy's, jack-in-the-box, bill miller bbq, church's chicken, popeyes, etc. etc. etc. All to point to the fact that no wonder our city is one of the 5 fattest in America
Our grocery stores are called H.E.B, which stands for (and I am not kidding either) Harry E. Butts. What a crackup, eh? Anyway, they have a good selection of fresh and unique produce and wines, not to mention a a dvd rental unit on the way out where you can get a new release for a buck. There are two stores that are within 5 miles of where we are, so I have my pick. I personally like the one "in front" of us better because they sell the most perfect rose bouquets, tiger lilies and violet clusters.
Walmart is pretty close to us too, though I don't go there as often. We get/refill our prescriptions there, and sometimes look at their patio furniture longingly ;) I personally like to go to Target better- they have great clothes, and I like their stylish household items (we have a target kitchen :). There are 3 in our area, but the one on Blanco (northeast end of town) is the best - its a Super Target too. As you head south, the quality of the stores does too.
Gas: It goes up and then down, and then up again. . . Valero is the biggest chain here, due to the fact that the company lives here. They took over the Diamond Shamrock chain (which I am still upset about because D.S. had better colors - Valero's just make me want to to puke - teal and yellow). I wish that we could somehow save more on our gas, but our plush fogey needs the super plus stuff.
Our apartment complex is on a pretty busy street, bordered by apartment complexes and homes. There is an elementary school down the road, as well as a small clinic, a walgreens, a fitness raquetball club, a fire station, and some other places. At the light, there is a gas station (how convenient), and then past that, the post office, and the closest library, take a right, then a left.
Up the road, there is a plethura of things for our enjoyment - The movie theater, an ice rink, a Michael's craft store, Office Depot, Ross, Chilis, Old Navy, Barnes and Noble, Bath and Body Works, Bombay Company, Starbucks, Pier One, ect. ect. They make fun "date" places for us. We live 15 minutes from my parents. They are making the freeway into a toll road soon, so we have joked with them about not seeing them anymore because we don't want to pay ;)
The parks here are not as bad as you may think. Though it is very dry here, we still enjoy rambling along the dirt trails. There is a park southwest of us, pretty close that we go to a lot. It has many trails that we still haven't tramped yet. There is another one, a bit farther down, that has a hill with a view. We took dinner up there once and watched the sun set :)
Downtown is about a 15 -20 minute drive south. The riverwalk is beginning to get busier now, with the tourist season striking. There is a mall at the riverwalk, and a ripely's museum right across from the Alamo. The Spurs play at the large AT&T center, and San Antonio tried to copy Seattle's Space Needle with their own, "Tower of America's" which just overlooks the city.
We have a really lame zoo, unfortunately (they don't even have koalas!). Many other things and places, so much selection its sickening sometimes. It really is a city taken over by materialism. We like a lot of the convenience and amusement it offers, but usually it just makes my head spin. Its hard to find a quiet place in a loud city. But we are grateful to have this experience. We embarked on an adventure in a strange new land, and its exciting.

circles

I've got the "sleepies". Last night was a late one, my body wasn't cooperating with me. It kept saying, "you're not tired, stay up some more so that you'll feel like a train wreck in the morning." (Never listen to that voice inside your head - its cursed).
Its early morning. I am trying to down my first glass of water, but my throat is narrow and sore and resisting my effort to make it feel better. Such is the way of the body.

I am tempted to go pour myself a cup of coffee - it smells so good, but, it would strangle me. I think that I will have to just content myself with smelling it.
Thoughts? It seems too early. Feeling? Bland. Perhaps I should go back to bed and sleep some more. I am incoherent at best right now.

Nightblindness

Mmm . . . my mother-in-law just sent me a delicious looking recipe for Austrian Pancakes. . . I think that I may make them tomorrow for breakfast. (and M2, if you are reading this, thank you!)
I am contemplative tonight. How can you be really contemplative if you aren't really thinking about anything though? I just really want to have some sort of fountain to dip into tonight. I think that the well is dry though. I am a little empty. Life is calm, which is so wonderful. I feel like there is peace and that there aren't any conflicts right now. This seems odd, because usually there is always some sort of a conflict that is burdening my mind. The only thing that could cause me to be at an unrest is dad. And yet, I am sorrowful but not paralyzed by it. What he does doesn't stun me anymore. He will do what he will do, and I am not going to let that cripple me anymore. But I really don't want to talk about dad right now.
What is the will of God for me right now? I ask that often, because somedays I feel so useless. I am waiting for some answers, but this it is getting to the point when I am just plain tired of the waiting period. I know that this is not the attitude that I should be cultivating. Look at Abraham and Sarah, and how they waited for the Lord to open Sarah's womb. He was faithful. He gave them Isaac. Oh how I want an "Isaac answer". I am not fighting it. I am always so grateful for the way that the Lord works, even if I cannot seem to understand it at the time. You might say that this is a time of "wrestling" though.
Nighttime brings such doubt in my mind. But then the morning comes, and clears the shadows and blinds the fear. Then you feel the hope like the sun on your back.

onward

Well, here's the lowdown. I had an interview yesterday, for an engineering firm which is owned by our pastor. It went pretty well. The hours would be great (25 weekly, probably developing to fulltime), the commute is stellar, and the pay would be comparable to my most recent makings at A.O. She said that she would get back to me, so I wait.

Ughh, its so hot in here right now. If its going to be an early summer, I am going to die. I told Haven yesterday that we need to move to the west coast in the summer. (He looked at me like I was a lunatic when I said that) Okay, so I know that that is impossible. I will try to make some sort of paradise on our patio with a kiddie pool and a palm tree . . .
pass me some sangria . . .