Thoughts on the Sermon on the Mount 

Christ’s own words

It’s hard for us to wrap our minds around the concepts presented in this discourse on righteous living. Why is that? Its message is contrary to everything we feel, our natural carnal response is in opposition to its teachings.

For example, not only are we not to murder, but we’re not to be angry; not only are we not to be angry with someone, but we’re not to call them a worthless bum; not only are we not to call them a worthless bum, we’re not supposed to call them stupid. How often do we want to point out to someone how they have no value because of decisions they’ve made, or how ridiculously wrong their opinions are?

And then there’s this to consider … Not only are we not supposed to commit adultery, we’re not to look upon another person with lust, so much so, that we should be willing to pluck out our eye! Well, maybe not literally, but what should we do? Separate ourselves from the opportunity. Does that come naturally to us?

• If someone sues you, give him more than he asks. “Well, that’s not fair!”
• Do twice as much as someone asks you to do. “But I have other things to do.”
• Give to him who wants to borrow something. “What if he doesn’t give it back?”

Love your enemy – pray for them; if someone curses at you, bless them; if someone hates you, treat them well; and pray for them that insult or slander you, or tell lies about you, or persecutes you.

The Bible uses the term "despitefully use". In Greek that word means to insult, slander, or lie about. And persecute in Greek means to pursue with an intent to hurt.

Someone is coming after you, pursuing you to do you wrong, to tell lies about you, to insult you … how does our flesh want to respond? With love? With blessing and prayers?

 

Don’t brag about your good deeds and charitable offerings, especially so that others will think you're “oh, so good.” Who should be getting the glory? We should be helping others so that God gets the glory. Does that come naturally?

 

Make God #1, don’t make earthly objects/possessions/jobs/position of importance/power/control/personal opinions … your treasure, your idol. 

• “But I need that new car, so I will put that first, over serving others."
• "But my position of authority is important to my future so I will focus on that."
• But my opinion is more important than yours, so I will force my way.” 
• Not according to Jesus.

Don’t worry about the future. Give God the burden. That’s hard for us to do. Our nature wants to control things, fix things, solve things. But He takes care of the fowls of the air, and the lilies of the field – we are of greater importance to Him than they. It’s time to stop the fretting. 

"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” I used to really wonder what that meant. Don’t worry about tomorrow and its potential problems … There’s enough depravity, trouble, or wickedness for one day, to deal with. Put God first, get your priorities in order, and He will take care of the rest. Are we to be a watchman and warn of dangers? Yes. But to say, “I just can’t get over the worry, I can't turn it off … I want to be in control of what’s going to happen.” Jesus asks something different, something against our nature.

 

Forgive other people who do you wrong. “But they hurt my feelings, they cheated me, they lied about me …” Well, Jesus says we don’t get to decide that. That’s His deal. If we want to put ourselves in God’s place, deciding someone’s worthiness to be forgiven, then God will not forgive us when we ask. “That’s harsh,” says our human nature. No. He is God, and we are not; it’s his job, and not ours.

Don’t point your finger at others and decide what they deserve. Look inward and get rid of your own sin, and then you might be helpful to someone else. Oh, so hard to do! 

• “Other people just don’t have it figured out as well as I do!"
• "I’m either right … or more right than they are.” 

No, God is right. Make Godly choices, regarding activities or behaviors you participate in, but don’t decide another person’s worth or what they deserve, nor presume to know how they stand with God. He knows, we don’t. Our place is to do right, and not participate in sin. We may with love, share the truth of the gospel, but that’s it. That’s as far as it goes. 

• "But they should ….”   

No. Judgement is God’s.

See, all these things are against our nature. Give more than asked, forgive intentional hurt, separate ourselves from something that gives us pleasure, deny ourselves power and glory, give grace to others, be selfless - put others before ourselves, put God first.

We want to limit the time and effort we expend for someone besides ourselves; we want to exclude ourselves from responsibility and service; we want to accuse and put down, to diminish the value of someone else; we want to hold a grudge; we want to indulge ourselves in a little forbidden pleasure; we want power, glory and recognition; and to hold others accountable rather than ourselves.

Most of the Sermon on the Mount is about denying ourselves, keeping the commandments not just for show, but in our hearts - and loving others, and thereby loving God.

It’s all so foreign to our nature. Foreign to our ways of “justice” and “fairness." Foreign to our methods of planning for the future or making sure it all works out the best for us in this life. We want to determine the consequences and dictate and control.

It’s not about us. It’s about God’s glory. Sometimes we really struggle with that. We all do. We have to review the scriptures over and over again, to assess. I have to examine myself and my motives. My heart, is it contrite? My spirit, is it broken? Is it humble and willing to be molded and trained? God works amazing things with a heart that is ready to listen and do his will; with a heart that is focused more on God, and less on the things that tend to consume our thoughts; with a heart that is submissive to reacting in a way that is contrary to our fleshly and carnal nature.

I thought of these things the other day, as I reviewed the 5^th chapter of Galatians. Paul was talking about how the flesh lusteth against the Spirit – and these two contrary things are in conflict within us, so that we cannot do the good things that we wish to do.

I personally need to get really comfortable doing things God’s way, and not leaning on my own understanding, though it be against my nature. It’s part of being crucified with Him, and not letting sin reign in my mortal body. He makes it possible to overcome these human obstacles that we put in the path, through his Spirit and its active place in our lives. His Spirit dwelling within us helps us keep the commandments, thereby showing him that we love Him. It all fits together. Nothing is left to chance. The puzzle pieces of this life are perfectly united by his love and power combined with our obedience and submission to his ways. My prayer for myself and each of you, is that we focus on making these “unnatural” responses to life’s challenges a part of our nature – so much so that when the tough times come, we’re more likely to respond with God’s ways than our own. God bless each of you as you walk this "unnatural" path.

 

Pensamientos sobre el Sermón del Monte: las palabras de Cristo

Es difícil para nosotros entender los conceptos presentados en este discurso sobre una vida recta. ¿Por qué es eso? Su mensaje es contrario a todo lo que sentimos, nuestra respuesta carnal y natural está en oposición a sus enseñanzas.

No solo no debemos asesinar, sino que no debemos enojarnos; no solo no debemos enfadarnos con alguien, sino que no debemos llamarlo un vagabundo inútil; no solo no debemos llamarlos vagabundos sin valor, no debemos que llamarlos tontos. Con frecuencia queremos señalarle a alguien que esa persona no tiene valor debido a las decisiones que ha tomado, o queremos mencionar cuán ridículamente equivocadas son sus opiniones.

No debemos cometer adulterio, por supuesto, y no solo eso, sino que no debemos mirar a otra persona con lujuria; ¡tanto, que deberíamos estar dispuestos a sacarnos el ojo! Bueno, tal vez no literalmente, pero ¿qué debemos hacer? Separarnos de la oportunidad. ¿Eso nos resulta natural?

• Si alguien te demanda, dale más de lo que te pida. — ¡Bueno, eso no es justo! —
• Haz el doble de lo que alguien te pida. — Pero no tengo tiempo, tengo otras cosas que hacer. —
• Dale a quien quiera pedir prestado algo.  — ¿Pero me preocupo que no me lo devuelve? —                                                                                                                                                      

Ama a tu enemigo, ora por él; si alguien te maldice, bendícelo; si alguien te odia, trátalo bien; ora por aquellos que te insultan o calumnian, o dicen mentiras sobre ti. Dice: – orad por los que os ultrajan y os persiguen – 

Ultrajan en el idioma griego = insulto calumniar, mentir 

Persiguen en griego = perseguir con la intención de herir.

Alguien está persiguiéndote para hacerte mal, para decir mentiras sobre ti, para insultarte… ¿cómo quiere responder la mente humana? ¿Con amor? ¿Con bendiciones y oraciones? Usualmente, no. La carne nos dice, —responda con ira, responda de la misma manera.—  

La carne está lista para luchar, diciendo: —Quiero dañarte tanto como tú me has dañado. — 

Jesús dice — no luches, ora por esa persona, la bendice —

No se jacte de nuestras buenas obras y ofrendas caritativas, especialmente para que otros piensen que somos —maravillosas personas llenas de la bondad—

¿Quién debería recibir la gloria? Claro, es Dios. Otros deben mirar nuestras acciones, y dar la gloria a Dios. Pero, no es natural para nosotros. Queremos ser importante en los ojos de los demás. Jesús nos manda: —no hables de tus buenas acciones para recibir la adulación del mundo—

 

Pon a Dios como # 1, no pongas los objetos terrenales/posesiones/

trabajos/posición de importancia/poder/ control/opiniones personales ... como tu tesoro, tu ídolo. 

• —Pero, necesito ese auto nuevo, así que lo pondré en primer lugar sobre el servicio a los demás—
• —Pero mi posición de autoridad es importante para mi futuro, así que voy a terminar mi relación con esa persona. —
• —Pero mi opinión es más importante que la tuya, así que forzaré mi camino ". Eso no está de acuerdo con las palabras de Jesús. —

Otra forma de pensar que no es natural para nosotros. No te preocupes por el futuro. Dale a Dios tu carga. Él cuida las aves del cielo y los lirios del campo; para Él somos más importantes que ellos. Requiere fe pensar de esta manera.

—Bástele al día su propio mal. —

Cuando era jovencita, realmente me preguntaba qué significaba eso. No te preocupes por el mañana y sus problemas potenciales ... Hay suficiente problemas o maldad por un día, suficientes problemas en el momento para enfrentar. Pongas a Dios primero, pongas tus prioridades en orden y Él se encargará del resto. ¿Debemos ser un centinela y advertir de los peligros? Sí. Pero a veces decimos: —No puedo controlar mis preocupaciones, no puedo pensar en otra manera, quiero tener el control de lo que va a suceder. —

 

Perdonas a otras personas que te traten mal. —Pero hirieron mis sentimientos, me engañaron, mintieron sobre mí. —

Bueno, Jesús dice que no tenemos derecho a no perdonar. Ese es Suyo. Si queremos ponernos en el lugar de Dios, decidiendo que alguien no es digno de ser perdonado, entonces Dios no nos perdonará cuando se lo pidamos. —Eso es duro— dice la mente humana.

No. Él es Dios y nosotros no; es su trabajo, no el nuestro.

Otra cosa que es difícil de controlar dentro de ti: No señales con el dedo a los demás, decidiendo lo que se merecen. Deberías examinarte por dentro y deshazte de tu propio pecado, y entonces podrías ser de ayuda para alguien más. ¡Oh, tan difícil de hacer! —

• ¡Otras personas simplemente no piensan bien como yo! Tengo razón ... o tengo más razón que ellos. —

 No, Dios tiene razón.

Toma buenas decisiones con respecto a tus actividades o comportamiento en los que participas, pero no decidas el valor de otra persona o lo que se merece, ni presuma saber cómo se encuentra con Dios. Él sabe todo, nosotros no. Nuestro lugar es hacer lo correcto y no participar en el pecado. Podemos compartir con amor la verdad del evangelio, pero eso es todo. 

—Pero ellos deberían ... — 

No. El juicio es de Dios.

 

Es evidente que todas estas cosas se presentan en contra de nuestra naturaleza. Dar más de lo que pedimos, perdonar el daño intencional, separarnos de algo que nos da placer, negarnos el poder y la gloria, dar gracia a los demás, ser altruista, poner a los demás antes que a nosotros mismos, poner a Dios primero. Es fácil decir, y difícil hacer.

Queremos limitar el tiempo y el esfuerzo que dedicamos a alguien además de nosotros; queremos excluirnos de la responsabilidad de servir a otros; queremos acusar y menospreciar, disminuir el valor de otra persona; queremos guardar rencor; queremos entregarnos a un pequeño placer prohibido; queremos poder, gloria y reconocimiento; y poner culpable a otra persona.

 

La mayor parte del Sermón del Monte trata sobre negarnos a nosotros mismos, guardar los mandamientos no solo para mostrarlos, sino en nuestro corazón, y amar a los demás, y por lo tanto amar a Dios.

Todo es tan ajeno a nuestra naturaleza. Extraños a nuestros pensamientos de "justicia" y "equidad". Afuera de nuestros métodos de planificación para el futuro o para asegurarnos de que todo salga mejor para nosotros en esta vida. Queremos determinar las consecuencias y dictar y controlar, pero no se trata de nosotros.

 

Se trata de la gloria de Dios. A veces realmente luchamos contra eso. Tenemos que repasar constantemente las Escrituras, para reevaluar, para examinarnos y contemplar nuestros motivos. Mi corazón, ¿está contrito? Mi espíritu, ¿está quebrantado? ¿Eres tú humilde y estás dispuesto a ser moldeado y entrenado por Dios? Dios obra cosas maravillosas con un corazón que está listo para escuchar y hacer su voluntad; con un corazón más enfocado en Dios y menos en las cosas que tienden a consumir nuestros pensamientos; con un corazón sumiso a reaccionar de manera contraria a nuestra naturaleza carnal.

 

Pensé en estas cosas hace varios días, mientras repasaba el quinto capítulo de Gálatas. Pablo estaba hablando de cómo la carne codicia contra el Espíritu, y estas dos cosas contrarias están en conflicto dentro de nosotros, por lo que no podemos hacer las cosas buenas que deseamos hacer.

Personalmente, necesito sentirme realmente cómodo haciendo las cosas a la manera de Dios, y no poniendo importancia a mi propio entendimiento, aunque sea en contra de mi naturaleza hacerlo. Es parte de ser crucificado con Él y no dejar que el pecado reine en mi cuerpo mortal. Él hace posible superar estos obstáculos humanos que ponemos nosotros en el camino; a través de su Espíritu y su lugar activo en nuestras vidas, podemos vencer. Su Espíritu que habita dentro de nosotros nos ayuda a guardar los mandamientos, mostrándole así que lo amamos. Todo encaja. No se deja nada al azar. Las piezas del rompecabezas de esta vida están perfectamente unidas por el amor de Dios y su poder combinados con nuestra obediencia y sumisión a sus caminos. Mi oración por mí y por cada uno de ustedes es que nos enfoquemos en hacer que estas respuestas “antinaturales” a los desafíos de la vida sean parte de nuestra reacción natural, tanto que cuando lleguen los tiempos difíciles, es más probable que respondamos de la manera que Dios manda en lugar de la nuestra. Que Dios los bendiga, hermanos.

 

100% Whole Wheat Bread Adventure

The Adventure Begins

A few days ago, I decided I would dive into the adventure of making 100% whole wheat bread. My mother used to make bread every week. She made three little loaves, one of which she ate, and two which she gave away. Her whole wheat recipe included some white flour and was absolutely delicious. I remember it also labor intensive and time consuming ... and a lot had to do with the handling. However, I'm not too inclined to spend a lot of time, and not too excited about variable success (and expense) while trying to perfect a lovely loaf of bread. I also did not want to use a "starter," as that sometimes triggers an annoying headache.

One of my intentions was to make a 100% whole wheat bread from 100% whole wheat flour (I know that sounds redundant), but apparently according to the "experts" there are many ways of marketing flour that makes you think you have "100% whole wheat." What I wanted was the entire wheat berry, including the germ (which is removed during processing of flour used even in "multi-grain" or "whole wheat bread," etc.). If it says only "whole wheat" and does not say 100%, they have removed the germ and over-processed it. 

My concern was that some of the 100% whole wheat homemade breads I've experienced have had the consistency somewhere between a concoction of dried drywall compound and a brick. What I'd hoped for was a recipe that would be easy and produce a moist and flavorful bread that would not turn to stone in a couple of days, and to which I would not have to add white flour to achieve it.

So ... I looked ... where else, but the internet, and found a recipe quickly. It looked good, although I'm not a big fan of molasses, nor the taste of honey when cooked ... and wondered about the olive oil. But I read the reviews and it had a five star rating with 76 reviews. After reading the comments which said that some people had substituted brown sugar for the other sweeteners, and that some had added oats, other seeds, or substituted white for wheat flour, etc., and it still turned out wonderfully, I decided to try it.

The First Baking

I thought I should make it according to the recipe the first time. I realized though, that I only had enough yeast for 1/2 a recipe. Since I wanted to share one loaf and keep the other, I divided the 1/2 recipe into 2 small loaves. I may have overcooked it for a few minutes due to the smaller loaves, but the result was VERY GOOD and EASY. Yes! Amazingly easy ... quick, hardly any time working with it ... the only time consuming part was just waiting for the dough to rise. I'm going to post the link to the recipe here so that you can read it for yourself. It's kind of a long post because some of you asked for the recipe, and I'm going to make a few observations about the process because it's quite different than any other bread I've ever made.

http://www.food.com/recipe/100-whole-grain-wheat-bread-181106

My two small loaves:

SUCCESS!

NOTES:

When they say minimal mixing, it really means minimal mixing; and as little flour as possible is a must, according to the reviews. I used my Kitchen Aid mixer with the batter beater (not the bread hook). I put REALLY hot tap water in the mixing bowl, and added the first five ingredients as the recipe said. Next I added 2 cups of flour, and literally mixed for about 5 seconds, followed by adding 1 more cup of flour and the yeast, after which I mixed for maybe another 30 seconds. It looked VERY sticky. I started the mixer on low speed and added perhaps another 1/4 to 1/2 cup (remember I was making 1/2 a batch). It started to pull away from the sides of the bowl but still looked startlingly gooey and sticky. I decided to take them at their word and removed the beater, covered it with a clean towel and let it rise for 45 minutes. I punched it down after rising, spread a bit of flour on a board and removed from the bowl. I swished it around for 2-3 seconds in the flour, made a ball in my hands. Although it didn't call for ANY kneading, I couldn't resist and kneaded it about 5-6 times (LITERALLY 5-6 times!) and divided it half. I formed each loaf by folding and stretching the top around to the under side of the loaf until it was smooth(ish) on top and the ends, and laid it in the pans. I let it rise about another 45-50 minutes and baked it 25 minutes in a 350 oven.

I didn't mind the flavor of the honey and molasses and would do it that way again; it was very mild. I would try baking it 5 minutes less (or look at it, at least) if I make two small loaves again instead of a big one. It was slightly more "dense" in texture by the 3rd day, but then there was also very little left by then. :-)

I would not have believed that something that sticky, that I only mixed for about 1 minute total (if that), and that did not require ANY kneading, would ever turn out to be bread. Everything I have experienced or read about bread required much kneading and TLC. Not this  - it's EASY, EASY EASY!

There may be a better recipe out there, but for the time being, I'm satisfied with this, and the 100% whole wheat seems to agree with me much better than commercial "whole wheat" or white bread. It's not the texture of store bread, but then it also has no artificial ingredients or chemicals, no highly processed flour with part of the wheat berry removed, no high fructose corn syrup, and no preservatives, etc. I'm looking forward to trying a big loaf to see how it does. Hope you find this as easy and successful as I did.

A Lamp Unto My Feet and A Light Unto My Path – the Wonderful Word of the Lord.

One of my greatest blessings ... the Word of God. Any problem, any bump in the road, any question can be answered by God’s word.

I’ve heard people say sometimes, “Well the Lord didn’t talk about ________.”  (You fill in the blank.) Yes He did. We just have to be willing to apply concepts to specific issues. It’s what the parables were all about – concepts presented in story form.

For example, do we look at the story of the Good Samaritan, and think, “Oh, that’s only talking about if I meet a Samaritan  ... that’s only if I meet someone who is lying alongside the road who has been robbed ... He wasn’t talking about reaching out to earthquake or flood victims?” No, we actually do get the meaning of the story. We know it’s helping those in need, those whom we don’t necessarily know, people who are perhaps not able to pay us back, etc. We really ARE able to extrapolate from the parable how we should be reaching out to those around us – well mostly. 

Do we also apply it to being patient and kind to the annoyingly “needy” person who has lots of problems and calls at the least convenient time to talk? The one who seems always to be along the side of the road and wounded? Do we give grace in our hearts towards the woman in the checkout who has at least two dozen (or so it seems) children whining and running amuck? Do we even give her a smile or a softly spoken encouragement?

In general, I think we do the Good Samaritan thing pretty well – especially when it’s something we can throw ourselves into for a specific and planned amount of time and then it’s over. 

There! See? I helped! Good deal, well done! 

Check it off the list, 

I’ve done my thing with the Tsunami victims. 

Now back to my life. 

We look at the story of the Good Samaritan and we could say, “Well, he did that. He saw a problem, and took the guy to the inn and he was done.” No, the man said to the host, “Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”  He was involved for the long haul.

Sometimes I think we apply the scripture just as long as it’s convenient to do so – when we have the time, when it doesn’t interfere with our plans, when we’re in the mood or when we’ve deemed the occasion worthy. Harder are the everyday, tedious, needling issues that require longsuffering and patience and continued or repeated action. It requires sacrifice. I heard in a sermon once, “If it doesn’t hurt, it’s not sacrifice.” Brought me up short – look up the definition (biblical from Strong’s – “death”). Maybe not literal death - maybe death to our plans, death to our wants and wishes, death to self.

Sometimes we would rather make excuses.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.  James 1:22-23

I love James – he just doesn’t give me any slack.  Wow! Well, not sure where this came from or why the Lord laid this on my heart today . . . it wasn’t what I started out to write. Maybe I needed to hear it.

A Year in the Making - Rogan's Baby Quilt

Well, it's done!  A labor of love for the sweetest little grandson! Benjamin Bunny is happily at the edge of the meadow, holding his carrot and waiting to be loved.

Rogan's Quilt

When I started the quilt, it didn't seem that it should take so long . . . but it has. My hands just don't tolerate much squeezing, pushing and pulling anymore. If I hadn’t decided to do a lot of embroidery, it would have been fine, but that’s how I “tied” the quilt and created the detail at the same time. I’m so glad I was able to finish it. It was sort of one of those things that took on a life of its own after I started planning it.

I knew the theme was going to be Beatrix Potter rabbits and such.  So my creative juices began thinking up all kinds of fun things I could do. My mom had made such beautiful bunnies and bears. She had a gift for creating her animals -- designed her own patterns, and worried them into being.  I have a lot of her fur cloth left, and thought how fun it would be to do something for Rogan like that. But I knew I never could. I watched in awe as she made her fur cloth come to life. What could I do with some of it to make Rogan something fun and memorable?

Ahhh -- a quilt. A quilt with a furry appliquéd rabbit. Fun!

Ahh - a scene around the rabbit. Of course that wouldn’t be too hard . . . .

What I envisioned was a quilt based on the theme. Benjamin Bunny in the midst of a forest path, at the edge of the meadow, with his onions and radishes, looking towards a basket into which I could put stuffed fabric  onions and carrots, etc. The process of designing the quilt and searching for the fabric to duplicate the mood I wanted was great fun. I had a blast finding bargain fabric that fit the scene and a wonderful time putting it all together.

Closeup of the center

The slow part . . .

 Ahh -- I think I’ll use the thickest batting I can find to make it nice and fluffy and comfy.  Oops . . .

That’s what slowed the whole process down. I couldn’t get my hand around the thick batting and bunch it up to do the fine embroidery nor did I have the strength to double the needle back through to make the tiny stitches.

Best laid plans - So I prayed my way through it. And finally, after a year, I have finished what was supposed to be a shower gift. I had the piecing/appliqué done for the shower, but not the rest. Finished it just a few short weeks before the year anniversary of the baby shower.

But it’s DONE!!

Benjamin Bunny

The wall and the gate - closeup

Closeup of the moth and one of the bees

 The four corners

Closeup of the basket

Removable carrot and onion.

Fun to put in the basket and take it back out again.

Happy Dreams Little Boy

April 1 - The Happiest of Birthdays

April - New Beginnings

April has been a glorious month. It begins a new year for me in various ways.

-- April 1 -- The Day of my Birth. 
As a child, I shared this day with Brother Maynard Case. While poking my foot gently with his cane, he'd always say, "So how's my little April Fool?"  We'd stand together for the "Birthday Song" after Sunday School.  It's good to remember.

Now I share my birthday with another good brother in Christ, brother Bruce Haines.  

This year, April 1st fell on the Thursday before Conference. Although I enjoy celebrating quietly with my brothers and sisters at church, I must admit that it was fun to just spend the day with my family at home. And it was a joyful day indeed!

Dan and I spent some time outside digging in the dirt and cleaning up around the outside. It was such a beautiful day I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of the forsythia, which was in full bloom for the first time this year, the daffodils and the newly emerging plants - just barely above ground and being very brave to peek out so early - with the chance of cold still a possibility.

Daffodils with their heads bowed in the strong south wind.  

A little clean-up needed to drag the dead wood from 

around the plants.

 \

 The daffodils on the other side of the house - all perky and 

upright. No wind to buffet them there.

  Chives and sage - just coming back from their long winter's sleep.

Part of my birthday fun was going with the family to the nursery and picking out some new things to add to the flower garden areas around the house. It was so much fun! Rogan seemed to enjoy just wheeling around in his stroller and soaking up the lovely air and looking at the colors.

 Alyssum, tabasco peppers, lemon thyme, regular thyme, a rose plant named 
"Teddy Bear." How appropriate!

Very funny -- the lady at the nursery was wanting to know if these plants were going to be cared for, or if we were talking about choosing something here that would have "severe neglect."  Ha ha. She looked at me with that knowing look and a raised eyebrow.  The term "severe neglect" will now be a permanent part of the Lawrence family "fun vocabulary with special significance" to be used and abused as the situation indicates.  :)

In the evening, my dear daughter-in-law fixed a lovely meal with a homemade cherry pie (my favorite) and Jesse grilled.

 Fun waiting for dinner.

 "The Big Red Barn" by Margaret Wise Brown  

Same author as "Goodnight Moon." 

I love it - maybe even better than GM . . . maybe.

.

Dinner Time

 Rogan LOVED grilled/smoked mushrooms. I can't believe how many he ate! 

Mama, can I have some more, PLEASE?

Plants and a beautiful box containing some very fun scrapbooking supplies, some much needed kitchen utensils and a precious card from Rogan, were the thoughtful and lovely gifts. The fun was to be extended later in the week with a wonderful shopping trip with Cynthia at Joann's. Scrapbooking paper is such a weakness of mine, and she knows it!

Rogan's little hand print. What a perfect card - gift!

 So pretty. I love pretty boxes.

I couldn't have had a more wonderful birthday.