Spirit Whispers

This past week I have been reading Women Food and God by Geneen Roth.
As I read I said to myself, that's not me, but to my surprise the above image popped into my mind.
Why would I picture a slice of bread under my pillow? I wasn't quite sure.
As I thought back to my childhood I remember the times when I would worry
about not having food in the cupboard.
I don't remember my mother giving me the slice of bread, but the image is there.
I have often struggled with thinking I never have enough,
but I always thought it was just money.
Now I realize it was also about food and I am doing some evaluation and reading to learn more.

I am opening myself up to Spirit through reading and learning to accept "I have enough".

Thank you Spirit for teaching me this, now if I can just learn to BELIEVE it.

Sharing my story, you can see we sometimes hear the whispers from reading a book.

Tazo Calm

Tea in the evening.
Sometimes tea in the evenings is needed and enjoyed,
but not the caffeine.
What's a girl to do?
This is when I pull out the box of Tazo Calm
and sip delightedly.
It really isn't a tea, but a tisane.
It is a herbal blend of chamomile, rose petals, and soothing herbs.
Just perfect to relax and sleep.
Do you drink a calming drink before going to bed?
What is it?  Please share.

Invitation to Tea

Anyone want to join me for tea?
We could play Zombie Snow Warriors,
if only I had snow.
In the meantime, if the sun comes out
we can dance barefoot in the grass
with my newly made tutu.

Enjoy your day with a smile on your face~

God's Sense of Humor

In the window of my living room I have two orchid's blooming.
This is the first bloom on this rescued orchid.
It's a rescued orchid because it looked dead when a former boss just left it to die.
I brought it home and my husband brought it back to life.
I had to laugh when the first bloom opened this week and it said #1.
There are two more blooms open now, but neither one has the #1.
Can you see it?
I do BELIEVE God has a sense of humor.

Lemon sort of Mood

With very little sunshine, as the winter moves along I begin to crave citrus.

Do you do that too?

I just love Meyer lemons and Costco had a good price for a basket of them recently.

We have had lemon meringue pies, lemon salad dressing, and lemon cupcakes with lemon curd.

There is always a box of Duncan Hines Lemon Cake in my cupboard for am impromptu, quick cake.

Here is the recipe from the Lemon Cookbook:

1 box Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme cake mix

One 3-1/2 ounce box jello instant lemon pudding

1/2 cup lemon juice

4 eggs

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

2/3 cups canola oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Prepare the cake:  In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the cake mixture and instant pudding and set aside.

In a measuring cup, add the lemon juice and enough cold water to make 2/3 cup.  Add the eggs, lemon water, and lemon extract to the dry ingredients and combine.  Pour in the oil, and beat at medium speed for 6 minutes or until smooth.

Lightly oil a Bundt pan, pour in the mixture, and bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden and the cake is springy to the touch.  While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze.

Glaze:

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

1 cup confectioners' sugar

This is the recipe I used for the cupcakes, along with lemon curd. Then I left off the glaze.

If you are crave citrus, enjoy something with lemons.

I have even squeezed some into my water to drink.

Just lov'n it.

Spirit Whispers

Listen to Wise Words:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.

We ask ourselves:  Who am I to be?

Brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you NOT to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so

that people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God

that is in us.  It is not just in some of us,

it is in everyone......."

an excerpt from Nelson Mandela's
inauguration speech from 1994

Tea Thought

What more do I need to say?

Button found at the Wild Sage teashop in Pt. Townsend, Washington. She also sells a button that says, Tea, Pray, Love.

Hope Springs Eternal!

This week I went looking for Spring.
What I found delighted me.
There were signs.
Some signs I had to look close to the ground, move a few leaves.
There waiting to be discovered was green.
Tulips, daffodils, and camillas swelling with new life.
And the primroses were beginning to bloom.
It seems rather early, but I am not complaining.
The first signs of Spring always bring me giggles of JOY.
I do BELIEVE I will survive Winter,
in fact I am doing more than survive this year,
I am actually learning to kind of like it.
But seeing the signs of Spring give me HOPE for the color to return.

Winter is............

Picture from Country Living Magazine.
Enjoy!

Bless the Wintertime

Knowing that I need to do something creative each week,
I decided to join a small group for the Dollhouse Project.
During the holidays I was fascinated by the little vintage houses
so often seen in Christmas decorations.
I wanted to create some houses.
I am hoping in this project to create a Home for each Season.
Each one will be different and hopefully portray the season.

Here I am celebrating Wintertime.
A season that is sometimes difficult for me.
So this little house is helping me notice the wintertime and bless it.


Inside is a winter photograph I took recently portraying Winter.
The quote on the outside is by William Shakespeare:

Bless the Wintertime

It's calm and

Starry nights 

and

Bright and Silent days.

Spirit Whispers

Several years ago I took a 6 week class at the local hospital on Women's Spirituality.

This is what originally inspired me to write Spirit Whispers.
One of the first lessons was to keep a journal.
As you see I have more than one journal.
Each one is for a different purpose.

Journals can be for writing randomly, recording thoughts, struggling through a difficult time, or
just a record of events.  There is no right way to journal.  It is writing and maybe sketching from your heart.
Once you have entered something into your journal, read it and notice.
Going back and reading what you have written will open your eyes to things
  you may have not seen before or help you to take the next steps in your life.
Try to listen as though you were another person, perhaps a wise spiritual guide.
Then make note of this wise counselor's response.
Consider this as a map or tool for self-growth and spiritual progress.

A great way to get started is by making lists, such as:
1. List your dream room
2. List places you would like to visit
3. List things you are afraid of and avoid
4. List things you would like to have done before you die
5. List things you hate and things you love
6. List fantasies you have
7. List aspects of yourself you would like to work on
8. List books you would like to read or those you have enjoyed
9. Record your dreams
10. List significant memories

A Journal is a wonderful way of listening and making more clear the Spirit Whispers and Growing.

Tea Tips

Do you have any of these cute little tea balls and spoons?

Tea Tip #1:
When making loose leaf tea the tea needs room to expand
to allow the full flavor to shine.
Have you noticed when you use one of these balls or spoons
how the tea is compressed into it after steeping?
It doesn't have the room to expand.

There are better ways to make loose leaf tea.
1. You could put it into the teapot loose, then strain it when you have the flavor you want.
Friends that make it this way often love to make their tea in glass teapots because
they say they can see the tea leaves "dance".
2. Find basket accessories that fit into the teapot opening or into the cup.
3. There are also throw away paper tea filters.
4. Use your teaballs and spoons for Christmas tree decorations.
I have a friend that collects them just for this purpose.

Tea Tip #2:  Spent tea is very good also for your garden or houseplants.

Let's make the best tea today and let it shine in your cup!
www.marmaladys.com has tea accessories such as I have suggested above.

Morning Tea and Apples

This is where I sit each morning for morning tea.
The wall has been bare for 9 years, since we bought the house.
Many years ago my uncle gave me the poster,
but it was lost in the basement.
Before Christmas I found it.
Finally it is framed and hanging on my kitchen wall.
Oh the memories in this little boys face.
My grandfather also had a copy of this poster hanging in his apple packing shed.
It is probably from the 1940's or 1950's and reminds me of the times
my cousins and I would go out into the orchard and pick a slightly green apple
for our afternoon snack.

Do you love apples?
Do you remember eating them as a child and having the juice run down your chin?
What's your favorite variety of apple?

Little Nibbles

Last week many of you shared little nibbles of you.

Thanks so much for sharing with me.

Here are a few nibbles about me:
1. I love sushi, but Thai food is my new comfort food.
2. I love to write, but talking doesn't always come easy for me.
3. I dream of owning a vintage trailer and traveling the country.
4. I must live within 1-2 hours or closer to the ocean.
5. I must do something creative every week.

6. I don't laugh enough, but I love laughter.
7. I always have time for a friend, even if we have to get the calendar out to find the time.
8. Yes, I am sure you know this one, but I do love drinking tea.
9. Books are my friends, love reading.
10. Love hugs!

Have a good day and I hope you find many hugs!

Brownie

Awhile back I showed you some pictures I had taken with another small Brownie camera.
I was telling my half-sister about taking those pictures and she said she still
had her mother's Brownie camera.  Soon after that visit, she gave me her mother's camera.
There is actually a group online that takes pictures through the lens of Brownie cameras
with their digital camera.  They have the look of an old-fashion picture.
http://www.redbubble.com/groups/through-the-viewfinder-photography
This was my first try and I have some practicing to do.
But isn't it fun to learn something new and in a different
way of looking through the lens?

It is noticing what you notice,

seeing through eyes that look at life differently.

Spirit Whispers

Every blade of grass has it's Angel 

that bends over it and

whispers, "Grow, grow."

The Talmud

Tea at the Cafe Blossom

Last week we celebrated my mother-in-laws 91st birthday.
We had afternoon tea at the Cafe Blossom in Sequim, Washington.
Now she has had the opportunity to share afternoon tea in other venues,
but she said this was the best one ever.
If you are traveling through Sequim or live nearby,
for sure have afternoon tea at the Cafe Blossom.

Our menu:

Cucumber Sandwiches

Turkey and Lettuce Sandwiches

Egg Salad Sandwich

Chicken and Pecan Salad Sandwich

Cranberry Scones with jam and cream

Brownies

Lemon Tart

Cheesecake

Pumpkin Cake

Plus a large pot of (Republic of Tea)tea for each of us

Call for reservations: 360-683-2522
Address:  645 W. Washington Street, Suite 3, Sequim, WA.
Tell them Marilyn sent you.

The Personality of a Sheep

Did you know sheep have a personality?
I didn't.
I met this dirty, but sweet one just last week.
She was so curious to meet me.
She watched me cautiously at first and
then came over to check me out with a nibble on my bag.
I guess I passed the test and she was my friend.

Do you ever meet someone you are curious about?
Do you want to get closer, make that person your friend?
It's an interesting dance we dance, but so worth it.
What one thing would you tell me about yourself,
what little nibble of information would you give?

Picture taken in the barn of Solstice Farm B&B,
where my husband and I stayed last week near Pt. Townsend, Washington.

Evening Light

Picture taken last week in Pt. Townsend, Washington.
Children playing near the water and on the bridge trucks and cars waiting for the ferry.
It was a beautiful evening and I once again BELIEVE the creator was an artist.

Hush of the Evening Light

The bewitching hour

Gathering in the last light of the day

Soon closing the curtains against the winter cold

Celebrating the closing of another day

Whether the sun is rising or the sun is setting

Soak in the colors of the light and may it warm your soul.

Winter Wonderland

It has been cold here in Oregon the past few days.
A trip to Multnomah Falls along the Columbia River.

Brrrrrrrr~

No snow, only blue skies.
Beautiful in it's icy loveliness.
I hope you are having a day tucked with a quilt, a good book, and a cup of tea.
Dream'n

Spirit Whispers

Photo of the Notre Dame in Paris, France  - 2009 
Pictures for this series may come from different religions, but I am using them only as a symbol for spirit.

First I must say I am not a scholar.
I will be sharing things I have learned or thoughts from my heart.
This is not meant to be a religious series. 
After today I won't mention religions, other than maybe a quote that is relevant.
This is learning how to listen to that small voice inside of you.
What you choose to do with the whispers is your choice, but
first we must learn to listen and pay attention.


From my heart I am sharing here.
I am a Christian and a Quaker (Friends).
As a Quaker we are taught that God is within each of us.
With God within me, I must learn to listen.


In the past few years I have come to BELIEVE that the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faith all worship the same God.  Each religion has different words for God, but the God each worships is the same.
We are each taught to Love The Neighbor, 
We are each a monotheistic church,
We all have a connection with Abraham.
We have common ground, though we worship differently and have differences in our beliefs.
Sunday Morning on CBS had a story a week ago that I found fascinating on this subject.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7185922n&tag=contentMain;contentBody
 
I hope you will join me each Monday for Spirit Whispers
and together we can learn to listen no matter what religion you come from.
There will be times when I may just have a picture and one word or quote.
Other times there will be a thought I want to share or a specific
idea or book that might help us on our journey to hearing the whispers of our heart.
Come along with me each Monday for this new series.
As I post this today, I am sending each of you a prayer of great blessings for 2011.