The Everyday

I'm not at all like a bear this winter. I'm very busy, actually, and I rarely go into hibernation unless you count the extra hours of sleep on a Saturday morning. My routine is set in motion again, fully in swing now, since I've been back to school for two weeks already (working on my third). I'm very determined to keep my "educational colors" flying high, and so have been working my mind as best as I can. This results in a very  satisfied attitude as well as an intense love of weekends!
The small amount of free time that I have between ending school for the day and eating dinner (usually about forty-five minutes) I spend in going out for a walk, reading a book (currently Blue Hills, by Elizabeth Goudge) or making the dinner. You see, I love to cook, and there are a few days each week that are my designated "dinner days". This evening it was tuna casserole, last Friday was scallop potatoes and sauteed squash, and of course there is bread baking every week. I also tried out a wonderful grain salad this Sunday (the idea came from a dear friend who served it for lunch at a cookie-baking party over Christmas) consisting of boiled and cooled wheat berries, raisins, celery, hazelnuts, and a dressing of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. These, with just a dash of minced garlic, salt and pepper, make a delicious cold salad.
Still, the best part of my life is time spent with people. I love my morning quiet hour with God and His Word, the precious moments with Baby Gavin, daily conversations with those of my family living at home, and weekend or holiday family time with everyone. Also I love Sunday and Wednesday fellowship with friends and teachers at Church. These people fill up my life with blessing and goodness, and I find that these days as a freshmen in high-school are sweet with friendship, fun and family. Though at times I am tired, I can always trust to be refreshed through time out in nature, prayer, and family and friends. As has been the ending of many past blog posts: life is good!

The Garden is Waiting!

About a month ago, I helped to put our garden to bed. We trimmed the dry, grey plants, spreading fallen leaves and old hay across the cold ground as we went (carefully filling in the spaces between baby potato plants that were confused at the sudden sunshine). I clipped back raspberry vines and scattered hay around.
Now is the time of dreaming for me. I have spent hours bent over our Michigan Bulb magazine, picking my favourite flowers, tallying up my spending money and making an estimate of how many gorgeous blooms I can safely take care of. I ended up with several very wonderful ones, not one of which I regret buying. So now I'll just wait, and watch the garden sleep.