☘️ From Snowfall to Spring Hope

 

No, I’m not back early from my blog break. I just wanted to poke my head in to say hello, do a little March decorating around here, share a quick February update, and let you in on what’s been on my heart.

I am so very much enjoying this break from daily blogging. I have to admit, I never thought I could stick with it, but I must have truly needed this pause. It has been such a gift.  A season of rest, reflection, and quiet, and I’m savoring every bit of it.

I want to reassure you that I am not closing down this blog. I’ll still be here, just in a gentler, slower rhythm. I’m prayerfully considering scaling back my posting, though I haven’t yet decided whether that will look like once a week, once a month, or something else. Hopefully, by April, I will have come to a decision. 

In this quieter season, I’ve been writing on Substack, and it has become a meaningful outlet that allows me to study, research, and write in the way I feel God is currently leading me. Some of what He is placing on my heart feels very personal, very tender, and not quite right for this blog space, and I’m learning to honor that. I want to write in obedience, freedom, and peace, rather than out of habit or expectation.

I have so much swirling around in my heart and mind -  thoughts about discipleship, mentorship, serving God, evangelism, the Jewish roots of our faith, replacement theology, and everything in between. It’s definitely a stretching season for me. 

And without boring you all to tears, a few new opportunities have come my way that I’m carefully considering and, of course, praying over. For now, I’m thankful for this pause, for God’s gentle leading, and for each of you who continues to walk alongside me here.

👇👇👇

February UPDATES

In the last post, I was hoping for snow, and it came the very next morning. It was lovely. The flakes drifted down from the sky like manna from Heaven, falling softly for about four hours. Then it stopped. I was sad to see it end, but an hour later the sun appeared, the temperature rose, and by mid-afternoon every tiny piece of that snowy manna was just a memory.

Of course, Laydee could hardly wait to get outside and do what dogs do best in the snow. 

The trees looked especially beautiful dressed in white. 

We probably had about an inch and a half, though there were some big flakes - nearly two inches across. Not being very knowledgeable about snowflakes, I was quite impressed.

It wasn’t like our bigger storms from years past, but we loved every minute of it. There were lots of texts flying back and forth, sharing snow photos with friends and family.

After a crane swooped down and ate all our fish, we decided not to replace them and just let the frogs be. Right after I took this photo, I went outside and saw a frog resting under the frog couple. It was pretty cute!

Yesterday was such an amazing day! We were able to attend a fantastic all-day conference hosted by Friends of Israel. It was uplifting - full of hope - especially with everything going on right now. Plus, connecting with so many like-minded people from all over Northern California made the event special and enjoyable! 

Many events and holidays are coming up in March. ☘️☘️

✅March 3 is Purim, which starts at sundown on March 2, 

✅St. Patrick's Day, March 17 ☘️

✅ Spring, March 20. 

✅Palm Sunday - March 29 🌴

Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you again in April. 

AND a Happy March and Spring to everyone. 🌷

1. "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17

2. "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24

3. "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."

John 11:25-26

4. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14;6

5. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8;36

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

 

Tuesday 4 - Housekeeping, Chores and White Sales

Tuesday 4 welcomes you - 

To join in, click here 

Can we talk about housekeeping and chores today since January was usually the time for white sales and replacing linens and towels for the household.

I recall the white sales in January back when I was working at Macy's. There were major sales throughout January, and, along with my Macy's employee discount, I always scored substantial savings on high-quality bedding, etc. 

1. My mother ironed sheets and pillowcases. I iron the cases but not the sheets.  I feel that the cases feel better after ironing and I like the fancy ruffles etc  to look better.   

What do you do?  Is ironing a waste of time for you?

I no longer iron, but still keep the ironing board and iron, just in case. It's not so much a waste of time, but if I take my clothes out of the dryer, there is no longer any need. 

MEMORIES: My mom ironed our sheets and pillowcases until she got a dryer and percale sheets! But she continued to iron the pillowcases - all while watching As the World Turns. 

Later, as I got older, I was given the job of ironing pillowcases and Dad’s handkerchiefs, and tableclothes, too.  

2. A few friends really enjoy ironing.  Are there any articles of clothing you iron?  And do you send clothing to the dry cleaner?

I used to enjoy it years ago. I would iron a piece of fabric or the hem if I were sewing. 

No, I no longer send anything to the dry cleaners. No need. 

3.  Home is enhanced by good cooking, clean rooms, freshly made beds, quilt and the lovely touches women bring to things.

What special touches do you put on your home to make it special, cozy, and warm?

No special touches - just keeping my home clean and uncluttered, and I try to rotate decor so as not to overwhelm the senses and still try to keep that minimalist look I prefer. I love to air out my home with fresh air when I can. 

What makes my home warm and cozy are the people in it: my husband and my two beloved pets, Laydee and Susie. 

A dog lying in her bed or on the sofa feels cozy! 

Just as a cat curled up in a favorite chair makes a house feel like a home.

*They both wouldn't cooperate, so I took their photos anyway. 

4. Do you recall Mom or Grandma sprinkling and ironing clothing?  Was there a laundry day set aside and an ironing day?   What is washday like at your house? 

I remember my mom sprinkling the clothing before ironing. Laundry day was Monday, and she ironed on Tuesday.  I was in school, so by the time I got home, clean sheets were on my bed, and I had a pile of folded clothing to put away. 

Daffodils, Feline Disciples and a Tuna Tale for the Ages.

Every January, you can almost always count on the daffodils starting to bloom around here. At least, that’s the case for mine. I transplanted these overachievers from the front of the house to our hill in late summer, and I really thought they for sure would have thrown a fit about the move, but nope, they bloomed as expected. I suppose my daffodils are simply programmed to open up in early January.

Things are fairly low-key here - 

but in a good way. 

I met a new woman named Debbie who needs a ride every Thursday for our church Bible study. She lives close to me, so it's not out of my way.  During our 30-minute car ride, I learned all about her, her husband, their finances, and her various ailments. I just nodded along and enjoyed her company.  She showed the same enthusiasm at Bible study.  I always enjoy observing the group dynamics when new personalities join. 

While I was re-watching my BSF lecture online, Susie curled up next to me, enjoying the experience. This kitty really loves the Word of God!

It was such a sweet moment that I felt compelled to send a photo to the teaching leader delivering the lecture.

She replied with a photo of her cat, Sammi. 

We concluded they are disciples, spiritually united in their feline quest for more Jesus! 

Sara's birthday was on Friday, and I took a photo of her present mainly because I loved that wrapping paper. It reminds me of the wallpaper in my childhood bedroom. Only, instead of posies (or whatever they are), mine were red and pink roses. I know, different flowers, but maybe the colors are what triggered my brain.

We delivered her gift on Saturday, and then, Navy and Sara shared their harrowing experience with scombroid food poisoning. Last week, during game night, their friends brought over seared ahi tuna steaks, traditionally cooked lightly on the outside and raw on the inside.

 The first casualty was their friend, Bob.  Within 10 minutes, he developed a flushed red rash, had difficulty swallowing and breathing, along with a severe headache and stomach pain. Fortunately, Sara is a nurse and promptly gave him Benadryl. Bob and his wife then went to the emergency room.

While they were leaving, my son was the next one to fall ill, with the same symptoms. Unfortunately, Bob's wife had taken the entire bottle of Benadryl, leaving Navy in a miserable state. He experienced "the works,"  and without the antihistamine, his symptoms would persist for 10 to 12 hours or more.  Fortunately, Sara connected with Bob's wife, and they brought the bottle back for Navy. He was unwell for the rest of the evening and the next day and still suffered through the vile symptoms. 

Now he says he is swearing off raw fish - probably a good call, especially since they eat all that raw food. I'm actually surprised he got as sick as he did. I suppose it was bound to happen. 

As for me? It's a BIG NO THANK YOU. I'm content to stick to my totally old-school, cooked meals, and I'm fine with that.  We have several restaurants in town with nothing but Raw foods. I just don't have the passion. 

Meanwhile, poor Carrie, who is a picky eater to begin with, witnessed all the drama and has now sworn off all things raw.  She did take a bite before all the drama broke out, after a dare, and somehow dodged the bullet and didn't get sick.  The thing that boggles my brain is that Navy said it tasted funny, yet he kept eating, as did his friend Bob. Yeah, I don't get that at all! 

Navy asked me, 

"Wasn't there a rock group called Bad Tuna?" 

No, dear child, that would be Hot Tuna. A relic of the 60s San Francisco psychedelic music scene, part of the Jefferson Airplane family tree. It struck me as funny, but honestly, there could have been a band with that name... 

Obviously, Hot Tuna never ate BAD tuna. 

PS. For years, I collected vintage Fillmore West/Avalon Ballroom Posters, and my sons knew of the old bands that played in my era. I sold them years ago on eBay, which was a plus since all mine I acquired were free. I now wish I hadn't...

But what's done is done. 

Friday, Laydee received her mobility wheels, and we have been working with her gradually. Progress is progress. The Vet suggested we give her special treats only for training, so she learns to associate them with the positive.  So far, she has taken 2 steps, and her tail was wagging like crazy.  I believe she gets it! 

We're very hopeful.  

To be Continued...

I'd best be getting off - I'm dressed and ready for church, and as soon as my alarm goes off,  I can leave in time. Husband is already there, playing the conga. 

Thanks for dropping by. 

Debby

 

Bird Watching, Flowers, and Susie

This is not my photo - 

This morning was a delightful treat! We spotted a beautiful Cooper's Hawk perched on driftwood at our waterfall and tried to sneak a photo through the sliding glass door. Unfortunately, it flew away before we could snap a shot.

Curious about our feathered friend, we learned that these hawks feast on doves and pigeons—of which we have plenty in our yard! They're also known to eat bats and other small birds, making our yard quite the buffet for a Cooper's Hawk.

😢

What a beautiful bird! It's larger than the ones we're used to seeing in our yard. A few houses down, there's a nest on top of a redwood tree, and we've enjoyed watching them for years. It's thrilling when they dive down to hunt! I hope it returns, hopefully with a full and satisfied stomach.

We've had dreary, overcast days with chilly temperatures in the 50s and a breeze. I went for a walk, but it was quite cold, especially with damp hair and my Capri pants!

I like the intricate details found within the bloom of this pond flower. 

We'll say goodbye to these as the weather starts warming up.

Do you like nuts? You can have mine!

I'm feeling better, but I still need to watch my diet. I've got a big bag of Kirkland's mixed nuts on the counter, and I'm realizing nuts might be my nemesis. I used to have an ounce or two daily with lunch, but now I can't include them in my diet. I'm restructuring my meals this week to a lower-fiber plan. Tonight, I'm making potato soup—definitely low-fiber!

 

I’m really excited that March is coming to a close! It was a LONG MONTH. I felt like it just went on and on, but I’m ready to move into April. 

Susie, the office manager, always checks every blog post I write to ensure its quality! 

Susie approves this post! 

See ya in April! 

Debby

P.S. - You know, when it comes to preventing diverticulitis, they often suggest getting plenty of fiber. But here’s the tricky part: when a flare-up happens, it can mean there’s too much fiber stuck in those little pockets of the colon. During those times, it's important to give your colon a bit of a break. Depending on how you're feeling, that might mean sticking to a liquid diet for a few days or going for lower-fiber foods, or sometimes both. Once you start feeling better, you can gradually ease back into eating fiber. The key is to find that sweet spot that works just for you—because everyone’s different!

A little This and That /Garage door shopping

What a beautiful site to see this Saturday morning!

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying all that life has to offer.

At the moment, I'm waiting for my one-shell pie crust to bake.

I'm attempting to make a simple cream cheese pie, but since I didn't have a graham cracker crust, I decided to make a traditional pie crust instead. I might also dig through my pantry to see if I have any cherry filling that I can use.

Dramatic clouds hovered to the side as the semis trucks were stopped a few exits up, for snow chains.  

But the good thing is LOVE is in the air....

I tell my husband that my concern for him comes from love; I don't want to see him in pain, which is why I encourage him to drink water. Ultimately, thanks to Al-Anon, I've learned that you can lead a husband to water, but you can’t make him drink it. I refuse to resort to extreme measures, like hog-tying or waterboarding him. Ultimately, the decision is his to make.

He's doing well and feeling better. I am closely monitoring his medications, and the hospital provided a printed list with the times and details, so it's easy to follow.

He feels so good that he wants to mow the lawn, but I'm not letting him.

 The grass can wait.

I discovered these items at Target a couple of years ago in the dollar bins.

After being exposed to contagious germs for eight hours, we're taking a supplement with vitamin C, D, zinc, and magnesium. I haven’t caught a cold, flu, or COVID in 11 months and hoped to make it to March. I tried to escape the situation by walking outside in the rain and sitting in my van while my husband stayed inside.

New House Project for 2025

The other day we faced a frustrating experience when we couldn't get our garage door to open - leaving our car in the garage while I drove the Beast to the ER. The hardware holding the door is bent -  which has worked the screws loose from the wall - my husband was in too much pain to open the door manually, and it was hard for me to reach without a stool and some arm strength. We were also concerned that the hardware might fail and cause the door to fall.

The house is 30 years old; buying new doors 

16x7 ft size door and hardware may be the way to go. 

I WANT: 

A door with a higher insulation value than we have now.

No windows

Black, charcoal, or dark grey.

Metal 

The installations take a day. We get a 10% military discount at Home Depot and Lowe’s, and I’ll check local stores for better offers. 

I'm unsure if I can afford darker colors like black or dark gray, as they tend to cost more. Should I stick with a plain white door, which feels boring, or spend more for something I really want?

Want or NEED? 

I can't have both. 

I like this one the best!  It should be black, charcoal, or dark grey.

 The following are the latest trend in garage doors...

It's too fancy and more than I would want to spend for my simple house, but it is gorgeous!

I like these sleek, modern styles, but they wouldn't match the design of my house.

Living beyond our means...

On Monday, I will begin booking estimates and gathering prices. I prefer to avoid using credit if possible.

Sweet kitty paws! 

Have a great evening - and Blessed Sunday! 

Debby