Okay, once upon a time, I tasted a delicious dish which was basically like a 'chicken lasagna', and it was love at first bite.
Alas, I cannot remember who made it, but then it dawned on me that someone out there might have a recipe similar up their sleeve . (I love sharing recipes!)
I remember it having a lovely blend of white cheeses, basil, pesto, and tomatoes. . . mmmm
Its quarter to 8
I still have to get out the door
Its cold
I'm sleepy
This evening, late, I shoved the dog outside for his usual night-romp before bed. About ten minutes later as I was busy scrubbing the kitchen floor, it occurred to me that I hadn't heard a peep from my usual 'let-me-inside' now, dog.
Hmm. . . I peeked my head outside to see what the pup was up too. All I saw were a pair of glowing eyes staring back at me. I tried to keep my voice down, to not wake my poor neighbors, 'Hector, come on, get in here'. The beast stood there with his hair on the back all ruffed up, and he was intently staring at something on my neighbor's roof.
And there he was. A ginormous owl - peacefully perched on the corner, staring at my confused dog. Yes. I knew this one. He has been over in our neck of the woods (or lack thereof) the past three months, hooting, swooping, and keeping down the rat population. He has a friend owl too - only tonight, that one seemed mia.
The dog was excitedly pacing around the yard, keeping his eye on the owl and coming back to something in the other corner, which I couldn't quite make out, but judging by the soft squeaking, I was pretty sure it was a bunny. Maybe that was why the owl was so interested. It took some treat-coaxing to get my *expletive* dog back inside. . . sigh - sorry neighbors.
I spent 17 wonderful years in this cozy house of barely 750 square feet. Squished in a bedroom split down the middle with my brother, and one tiny bathroom with 4 others, the memories are many. My maternal great grandfather Obera originally built this cottage, and he left his prints all over (he planted the leafy green plum tree blocking the house :) That same tree saved my brother in the '89 earthquake). My great grandfather used to bury his garbage on the mountainside, and there were numerous times we would literally stumble upon it (in our bare feet, of course!). My dad added the spacious deck - we used to bbq and stargaze out there. The original windows were french, and I used to love swinging them open for the fresh mountain breezes to come in.
We were nestled in these beautiful redwoods, backed against a climbing hill, with a trickling creek just beyond this 'fort' I once had (below). Above was one of the coolest forts, which gave one the perfect 'spy' advantage because it was set on an incline overlooking the road. 
You are probably still mouth-agape at the 750 sq. ft. right? ;) 
I recently saw this with the parents - beautifully done film & Cate Blanchett does a phenomenal job as Elizabeth :) The costumes and cinematography are also brilliant. Don't miss this one!
The last stretch is always the longest, the most trying, and the hardest to get through. . .
Just about one more week to go until H can finally come home. He hasn't been home in about a month, poor guy.
Noni and I took the BART to the Ferry Station - what a beautifully refurbished building!
It seems we have skipped fall altogether. . .sad, it is my favorite season too. . .
Oh me, oh my. . . as I stepped outside this morning, at 4:30 am the sky was soot black yet calm. I drove into San Antonio, with a cold front following me. When I stepped out of my car at our BSF meeting location, the gusts of wind nearly swept me away. COLD AIR folks, here FINALLY.
In a whirlwind trip, I was able to make a little journey back to California, my birth state. For some strange reason, a lot of emotions, mainly melancholy swept my heart up during this time. Perhaps it was also, intensified by the keen sense of 'missing my husband syndrome' which tends to happen a lot more when I am away from our home.
Anyway. I flew out on Friday, and was again captured by the lovely places where I used to go. I stayed with my precious grandparents in Walnut Creek, and got to see my cousins and aunt, take a quick trip to San Francisco to see the new Ferry Station Building (I will post some pictures next time around), and have some really good 'Noni time' over coffee and pastries.
Saturday, the Lord blessed the day with stunning weather, perfect for a wedding - Nate and Jenny's to be precise :) What a special event - the bride was so beautiful that the groom cried at the altar when he saw her walk down. . . now, how often does that happen? :) Fall colors covered the tables in flower arrangements, centerpieces and tablecloths. The cake had polka dots, and the bridesmaids wore flip- flops ;)
As I soaked in the lush landscape of seascape gold resort, and chatted with dear friends, I thanked the Lord for allowing me to make a quick escape out. It doesn't exactly happen everyday that I am able to go back to where my roots first started. It always makes me so aware of what a blessed phase of life it was to live in such a paradise.
But, as I drove back to the airport this morning, on a dark highway now unfamiliar to me, it dawned on me how God has made such a place for me in Texas now. I am not ashamed to say that I am a Texan anymore. Maybe not a true one, but one enough to want to be back where the gas is cheap and the drinks are big.
I truly do miss the California ocean breezes, the tall redwood trees, and the rugged mountains. Like I said here, you can't take that out of me. But in the end, these are just places, and God can put His children anywhere and He always blesses them wherever they go. I feel that blessing each time I walk in the door of the house He provided. I feel that blessing every time my husband hugs me, I feel that blessing in the embrace of our church, and just overall, in every area of our lives here in Texas. God is so good.
So, I thank the Lord, for giving me such a creative heritage. . . I am excited to see the other places He will bring us in the life Haven and I have together. . .
Over the past three months, I have been sort of keeping a list of the pros/cons, negatives/positives, bright sides/down sides, etc. of H's new position as a site manager.
When we began down this path, it excited both of us. We looked at it like the time when we were looking for a house, and how thrilling it was to finally find one with our name on it. This job had the shine of a new penny, full of great prospects and promise. Over prayer, and over seeking the Lord's wisdom, He confirmed the decision with great peace. And so began the journey, both emotional and physical. This new phase has required a great amount of patience, endurance, and trust that the Lord will bring us together after periods of being apart.
And the Lord has truly been faithful through this different time. Its a time that we didn't plan for really. We didn't really expect to be in places where we are now, but then again, do we ever find ourselves in places we expect? Life would be so extremely boring if we always knew what would happen next. Nothing is as perfect as it sounds either. But such is life here on earth where no person, job, career, or situation ever satisfies the way the Lord can.
And so, let me count the ways the Lord has been good to us, through the good and the hard times that have come with this new phase:
Its been a week of trying to push through the days to get to the end of the month, the end of this chunk of separation . . . and, I've hit a that proverbial 'weak' spot.
Its the spot where I've been down on my knees, because the strength is sapped, the emotional fortitude is gone, and joy is just so hard to come by. I have no other place to run except my Father's arms.
Thought I'd take a little break from picture posting to just, well, WRITE ;)
As I have been preparing my Bible lesson on Matthew 4 for my jr. highers this week, the subject matter could not be more appropriate for me to learn myself.
As I read this passage, I became sorely aware of how quickly I fold into temptation, giving in to sin. I too often do not prepare myself for temptation’s strike, and, as a result, I give the devil the victory. Oh to be strong like Jesus, and shield myself with the mighty Word!
Here is a cluster (or, more like a CLUMP) of pictures from our first day trip to Manhattan.
This mission was crammed next to a high skyscraper and it just made us smile -
Times Square - 
I loved this particular scene of Washington praying. The fact that it was such a central part of the Wall Street square really stood out to me -
Gotta take the dog for a run - more to come . . . stay tuned ;)
