Monday, April 14, 2008

Monday Musings




I have a couple of posts percolating in my mind - I really want to finish the Kona Adventure in two more chapters, and I have a series called "I Used To . . ." that I've been thinking of for a long time. But - for now - spring came back today. We'll see if it goes back to winter, or turns into summer.

The windflowers are out in profusion!



Here is a tiny little miniature iris -



The daffodils are going to lift their faces to the sun soon!



The tulips are blooming among the still-barren bush.



Dad built this new bird-feeder for us and came over to install it last Saturday. It will keep the pesky (though cute) squirrels out of the bird seeds. Now the bird-vine just needs to get busy and let each other know there's a new restaurant in town!




Today Care Bear had a great idea - let's eat at the picnic table on the patio! Snow on Thursday and a picnic on Sunday. Springtime in the Rockies!

Did you catch American Idol Thursday night - the result show? The finalists singing "Shout to the Lord"? I just about did - shout that is! I was blown away - and it was so beautifully done. I thought the 3 on the our left knew what they were singing about - Brooke, David Archuleta, and Kristy Lee. What a wonderful surprise.


EDIT: I just discovered that on Wednesday night they sang "My Shepherd" for the first phrase instead of "My Jesus." But on Thursday they sang it as it was written.

I just tried to insert the YouTube performance and lost everything else I had written. I am really bummed right now. I don't have time to re-do it, and there was MUCH more. I don't know how in the world this happened. I'll come back this afternoon and try to recreate. YIKES!! What a great way to start a Monday morning!


SO - here we go again?


Thursday night we went out to dinner with DC's sister, her husband, and their mom, who lives with them now. We were going to practice our family trio number for Sunday morning - the three of us have sung together several times lately, and it's fun. Mom C (who is 88) used to sing with Dad (in fact, they sang at our wedding), and she was singing along to herself as she sat on the front pew. We suggested that she sing with us - not just for practice, but Sunday morning. She wasn't at all sure she should/could do that, but we convinced her that she should. She did - and it was very special. (Sorry about the light fixture coming out of the top of my head!) We sang simply - "Gentle Shepherd" and "Come, Holy Spirit." I could tell that Ruth was being blessed by the words, as she headed in to surgery today (and is there as I write).



Friday was quite the day. Spring Break was winding down and I had all 5 kiddoes for the afternoon - with company coming at 6:00 for dinner. Our 4x4 group (4 couples meet 4 times within 4 months for dinner). Sometimes the couple might be two singles. It's a great way to get to know people in church more intimately. What ever possessed me to set a Friday night date is beyond me. I usually do Saturdays, when I have all day to prepare. But, I did it, so now I was stuck with the schedule. The little babes were in no mood to nap. And at 2:30 the home health nurse came to give them their last RSV shots - a service povided for preemies. They slept a few minutes after the trauma, but not very long! The big girls helped a bit by doing some dusting - really cute. But it was 4:00 before I was able to start getting ready - pulling out the big table, setting the table, making a salad, preparing and cooking the Swedish meatballs, peeling and cooking the potatoes. Here in the Rockies, potatoes take a long time to cook, and getting them on at 5:30 didn't cut it. They weren't ready until 6:30, but everyone was content to visit while they waited. All was good -including the food everyone else brought.

Remember Flora? Our Jewish lady who comes to our church and just loves it? She is so full of good questions, so happy with the love she is shown, but so very afraid of the change in her life to accept Jesus as Who He says He is. But she wanted to share a bit of Passover with us, so she brought some Gefilte fish - she wanted is to like it so badly - unfortunately, we didn't! It is kind of the Jewish equivalent of Spam. Go here if you want to read about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gefilte_fish

I am sure I've forgotten something, and will probably be back to edit. But for now I'm going to hit Publish and hope for the best!

17 comments:

nancygrayce said...

Even under stress you understand how to "practice hospitality!" What a wonderful gift it is to sing! I love to, but alas, I'm not so good.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

We had our monthly singing tonight. Jessica and I sang "Suppertime", and my sisters and the pastor's wife (who's an honorary sister) and I sang "Mansion Over The Hilltop" and "Everybody Will Be Happy Over There". Jessica played the piano for all of us. We made a joyful noise to the Lord and a good time was had by all.

Spring seemed to have sprung here but now we're under a freeze warning for the next 2 nights. Then we have severe storms in the forecast for Thursday. Oy!

Sounds like things have been just as busy in your neck of the woods as they have been here.

Hope your new week is a good one, Dawn. :o)

Love and hugs,

Diane

Susie said...

That must have been quite the day with babysitting and preparing for your guests. I bet you didn't have a bit of trouble sleeping that night!!
I agree with you 100% about the American Idols singing "Shout to the Lord" I thought they did an amazing job. (I watched it on You Tube a few times since!)
Have a great week :)
xo

Sharon Lynne said...

What a busy day!

I didn't catch the "idol" show, but I heard about it. I heard something about that the lyrics were changed from "Jesus" to "My Shepherd". Some people (according to talk-radio) were upset about that...thinking that the network most likely didn't allow the word "Jesus" to be sung. Still...I think it must of been wonderful to hear that song coming out of the t.v.!!

How in the world is your grass so green? Didn't it just have snow on it? I thought snow killed things. Well that's amazing! Instant Spring!

Linds said...

We have your American Idol here too, but I missed that. I will look at Youtube! I love the photo of your family quartet, Dawn. How special!
I remember gefilte fish well. I grew up trying all the Jewish delicacies, because our neighbours had kids my age. I think it helps if it is something you get used to when you are youn. Kichel(sp?) and herring is wonderful!

Mimi said...

what a blessing for you to have a family trio...(and quartet sometimes)
I know how much fun you have when you get together.. Christmas and special holidays must be a real joy around your house with everyone singing christmas carols....
I know it gave Ruth a feeling of peace and God's presence..as she prepared for her surgery today...
blessings
Mimi
P.S. please let us know how Ruth's surgery goes today...

Needled Mom said...

I am sure that the flowers are such a welcome sight for you folks. This was the winter that seemed as though it would never end.

Am I the only person who has not followed Idol over the years? Guess I will have to check out the performance on You Tube.

Ms. Kathleen said...

I thought that was so cool as well. I know when Dolly Parton was on she sang a great song about Jesus and Brook was in tears over it. Shout to the Lord was awesome. My husband came in and asked what I was watching and I said American Idol and he said, "You got to be kidding me, awesome!" They must have on of the producers or something who is a strong Christian.

Thanks for telling me about Just Being Me and her nephew. It makes me so exciting for my sons future.

God Bless!

Robin said...

I saw it too - it was simply amazing. And then they did it the next night as well! Unprecidented I think! I don't get it - but I love it!

I'm so sorry you lost your post. Mondays can be that way sometimes.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Busy, busy day for you. Love the flowers

Unknown said...

That is a busy Friday! I'm glad it all worked out in the end. :-)

That's neat that you sing as a family trio and you were able to include DC's mom. I bet it was very special.

I just read about your necklace. Very interesting! They sure made that ugly cockroach look beautiful.

The twins look so adorable in their dedication dresses. So sweet!

groovyoldlady said...

Give me address, Dawn and I'll send you some moose poop earrings! Of your very own! Just for you!

Ok...maybe not.

I HATE losing a post. I "Grrrrrrrrr"ed for you.

We have company (fam of 5) over Thursday after we do a science field trip etc. Should be interesting.

Mulletman and I are leading worship for the Maine Prison Ministry conference on Saturday. That should be interesting too!

Linda said...

Thanks for thinking of me Dawn. I'm feeling much better. I love your post - especially the picture of you all singing. What a precious time!
We don't watch Idol, but it sounds like something good is happening this season.
Have a blessed week dear friend.

Sue Seibert said...

Isn't it frustrating when you write and the computer looses it! But it has happened to me many times. Wish I could have heard you all sing.

Interesting that Spring Break in Colorado is in April. It's in March here so many of the Texans can go to Colorado!

Have a great week!

rena said...

Wonderfully lovely flowers. The rockies have spring, while the west coast is still trying to clamour out of cold windy blustery days..it hailed today, and now it's sunny. What we call "unsettled" - typically spring. Winter, summer and fall all in one day.

Totally enjoyed the rendition of Shout to the Lord last week. Agree with you - they did a good job.

Glad to have you visit. I've been so busy and out of the loop in blogland I get on when I can, and visit when able.

Blessings to you

Tammy said...

You sure have been busy...and what a precious photo of all of you singing!

Love those spring flowers...we had one day of summer like weather last Saturday- 80 degrees- but this week is rainy and cold and could even snow next Saturday! We're all a bit tired of it and wish real spring would come!

I don't watch AI, but I saw the video on another blog and have been hearing all about it all around blogdom. I love this! God is moving in exciting ways.

I posted Part 3 last night...finally- the calamity story! LOL

Nadine said...

You have been busy. The flowers are so pretty. A nice change from the cold.

Great that you are getting to sing.

I don't watch Idol but I heard about the song the switch. They switched it back because they received many complaints about the My Shepherd instead of the way it's written. Cool.