Peppermint Herbal Tea

 Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 201: Today, I am grateful for Peppermint Herbal Tea.

Peppermint Herbal Tea was one of Mama Ina Mae's go to remedies. She prescribed it  for tummy aches, female woes and colds. It never failed to bring comfort. 

This tea tin takes me back to my college days at Olivet. The tea was "Boston's Crème De Mint" . My beloved roommate, Laurie Jean, and I would drink it for comfort and to warm ourselves when winter was upon us. We would share it with our neighbors in the dormitory. This brand is good and very similar. 

An herbal mint can be savored any time of day. I enjoy it at night. I know the temperatures are blazing, but tea is still good for our souls. 

Cousin Angie, this tin probably looks familiar to you, too. Mama drank her Boston's Crème de Mint with Uncle Lee. I am thinking I need to brew up a cup tonight for the memories and to unwind after a busy week. 

There are verses in both the Old and New Testaments about healing with leaves. I find it interesting. Many medicines are derived from nature's plants. 

" Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” -Ezekiel 47:12

"down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." -Revelation 22:2

Pour a cup of peppermint tea and take in the aroma, the taste and the steam as it fills your nostrils.  Savor the sensations of touch, taste and smell. 

Today, I am grateful for Peppermint Herbal Tea.

Fruit Salsa

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 200: Today, I am grateful for fruit salsa.

This is one of the Love-of-my-Life's favorite summer treats. Fruit salsa. It is peaches, kiwi, peaches and raspberries. It has a splash of lime and a splash of sugar. Cinnamon Sugar chips are perfect for dipping. When I make it, I make a lot. It seems to "evaporate" into thin air. 

It is relatively healthy and loaded with fiber. I would make  it more often, but it takes time to chop it all up for mixing. The right fruits are important. There is a balance between the fruits that makes the salsa just right. 

In a similar manner, we  remain in Christ so that he can bear fruit in us and through us. Abiding in Him and grafting ourselves to Him and His purpose is where  we find joy. We don't want to be severed from the One who gives us life. 

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me." -John 14:5

The Body of Christ is full of mixed fruits, right? Together, we live, laugh, love and celebrate the hope we have in Him. 

Today, I am grateful for fruit salsa.

Things That Last

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 199: Today, I am grateful for things that last.

"Be ambitious about things that last." -Bob Goff

I have a soft spot for things that are timeless. Like a classic black sheath dress and a string of pearls. They are not my normal style, but they are timeless. The same goes for classic pumps and kitten heels. I can't leave out the classic cars. They never lose their appeal.

Classic American meals include hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, fresh corn and a fruit pie. They come together with ease and make a great menu for any family gathering.

An old iron skillet... Grandpa Lindgren had his on the stove for decades. I am not kidding... decades. He lived to be 96 years old. Never washed it out and used the same grease every single day. He, also, worked hard and ate what he grew on the land from the garden, to the orchard to the chicken house and livestock. Days were long at times, but the work was honest and good.

Timeless values were lived out each day like caring for family, neighbors and friends. If you had excess, you shared. My little brother, Matt, recently shared his memories of driving grandpa around on his milk deliveries when he was probably 12-14 years old. Grandpa and Matt had a regular routine. Eggs were a great gift to widows and large families from church. So were fruit and vegetables in season.

Not all things are timeless. Most things wear out. Seasons and tastes in fashion change. What does not change is the new covenant sealed when prophecy was fulfilled. The flawless lamb was slain, buried and he rose again to defeat death once and for all. Talk about something that lasts!

"But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them... For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. " - Hebrews 7:24-25,28

Forever... yes, forever.

Today, I am grateful for things that last.

Sharp Scissors

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 198: Today, I am grateful for sharp scissors.

There is nothing more frustrating than dull scissors. You have a certain expectation when you pick up a pair of scissors. On occasion, they fail to do the job well. Either they are the wrong scissors for the job or dull scissors. For those of us who enjoy crafting, you know what I mean.

My guys will still ask, "Is it okay to use these scissors for..." and then present the tool and the item to be cut. Fabric, paper and metal all require different scissors. I fear they have scary memories of me overreacting when they grabbed the fabric scissors and cut paper. (My Mama did the same thing.) Nothing dulls the fabric scissors faster than paper. Honestly, you learn pretty quickly to hide the fabric scissors with the sewing stuff.

Scissors can be sharpened. The heart of the child (or husband) is far more important. Still, there is something to be celebrated in a pair of sharp scissors. Fiskars brand is one of my favorites. They have the perfect scissors for nearly every job.

They did not have Fiskars scissors back in the days of Moses. They did have craftsmen and women who understood the right tool for the job.

" I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts." - Exodus 31:3-5

The right tool for any job makes all the difference.

Today, I am grateful for sharp scissors.

Quilts and Holli

 Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 197: Today, I am grateful for my treasured friend, Holli, and a beautiful quilt stitched with love.

There is nothing like a quilt for comfort. It is even more special when handmade by someone special. My dear friend, Holli, made me this quilt. It is in the colors of St. Thomas (my happy place) ... and it makes my heart happy. The best part is, she has one that matches it, she made for herself. I love knowing that we are covered in sister quilts.

She does things I cannot do. Her gifts are different from mine. My life is richer because she is in my world. Over the years, she has become like a big sister. Our days have been woven together over the past ten years. What was once a new relationship has grown into something comfortable, warm and true.

I do not have the patience for quilting. The art of it intrigues me, but the practice of it overwhelms me. By comparison, I can spend hours getting a photo just right. What's the difference? When we enjoy the work, the labor brings joy.

Did you know beautifully stitched garments stretch back in the time at least as far as the Israelite exodus? They had few resources but what they had they gave to God. Only the most skilled person would stitch the garment for Aaron and his sons.

"the beautifully stitched garments for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests.” - Exodus 35:19

The coziness of a quilt is a gift for today, tomorrow and beyond.

Today, I am grateful for my treasured friend, Holli, and a beautiful quilt stitched with love.

Cousin Angie

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 196: Today, I am grateful for my cousin, Angie.

She is four years younger than me... my cousin and my friend. I had the chance to spend some time with her and my Sister-in-Love, Jennifer, this weekend. We giggled like school girls and stayed up really, really late... like 11:00 p.m.. (I know...crazy kids!)

Today is Angie's birthday. What a gift she is to the family! We laughed and talked growing up spending Sundays with our grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Aunt Helen. Like the old saying goes, "We had no idea we were making memories... we were just having fun."

Saturday night we sat in the family room and sang all the songs Aunt Helen played on her record player and recalled the ways she would con us into cleaning her room. (Aunt Helen just turned 70. For those who don't know our family, Aunt Helen had spinal meningitis as a baby that damaged her brain. She never grew up in some ways. She was one of our best pals for all of our childhood. We ALL adore her!) We laughed and we smiled at the memories.

Angie is beautiful inside and out. She is diligent and hardworking (at ONU... first floor of Burke in Administration). She loves her husband, sons, her daughters-in-love and her grandbabies. She cherishes her Mom and misses her Dad (my sweet, funny, goofy Uncle Lee) and values and appreciates her family. She is a loyal friend.

Jennifer... I think she was the grown-up this weekend. Every place we went, Angie and I would occasionally wander off. She may not have been born into the family, but she is part of the glue that holds us together (kind of like Lola on Randy's side of the family). I hope Jennifer knows how much she is loved, appreciated and treasured, too. Last minute plans are sometimes the best of plans.

I guess we girls are never too old for a sleepover. Our souls are a little lighter and we made a few more memories. We are old enough to know that each birthday is a gift.

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you... This is my command: Love each other."  -John 15:12,17)

She is easy to love. Her heart is sweet and sincere, overflowing with His love. We are blessed to call her family.

Today, I am grateful for Angie Muhlstadt.

Letting Go

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10- Day 195: Today, I am grateful for the times we learn to let go.

This quote resonates. 

"She took a deep breath and let it go."

Don't fret. Don't fuss. Let go!  

Sure, Elsa from "Fozen" dreamed of letting go. Sometimes it was appropriate . Other times, she had to work the problem out. Good solutions can take a little time.

Don't hurry or  worry. 

Today, I am grateful for the times we learn to let go.