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Daily Activites and News
JOURNEY TO ISRAEL: AUTHENTICATING STORIES THROUGH ARCHEOLOGY & FAITH-DAY #2
We began our tour with Educational Opportunities and Guide Tsippi Segal, on the road from Tel Aviv to Jaffa. Jaffa was Israel’s natural port during the time of the Old Testament. According to the story, Peter resided in Jaffa when the other disciples sent for advice on whether or not Cornelius, a Gentile, could join the Jewish Jesus movement. Peter said yes, and history continued to be set (i.e. Acts 10). Jonah was reported to set sail from Jaffa, as well.
We strolled above the ancient port and shoreline of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, amidst the historic structures. We could see people swimming and surfing in the clear, blue-green waters of the Mediterranean from our lookout at the “Gateway to the East”.
I roamed over to the Wishing Bridge, admiring the detailed mosaic sign of welcome. 
The Gate to the Ancient World
Tsippi introduced us to a Salt plant, that of course smelled and tasted extremely salty. 
We entered St. Peter’s Church (currently 19th Century-originally 17th Century) One of the most unique sculptor’s was of the tree.
St. Peter’s is an old Franciscan Church, located in Old Jaffa. The church was built to commemorate the visit and miracle of St. Peter in Jaffa. The New Testament records several of St Peter the Apostle’s deeds, which took place in Jaffa: the raising of Tabitha, the seamstress; Peter’s stay at the house of Simon the Tanner, and the vision of the sheet let down from heaven.
“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
The vision of Peter, Acts 10, 15
It was from here that Peter journeyed up the coast to Caesarea, where he told about Jesus as requested by Cornelius. Cornelius became the first convert from paganism to be welcomed into the Church.
We proceeded to Emmaus and broke bread outdoors within the ruins of the Byzantine church at Emmaus-Nicopolis, which is adjacent to the monastery of Latrun. The site lies on the bright green plain of Sheilah on the route leading from the Mediterranean to Jerusalem. This was our first visit to an old excavation site–very quiet and serene. The light hit the bread placed on the altar at just the moment I took the picture. This was the place Jesus broke the bread.
The vegetation around Emmaus was very interesting, including blooming almond nut trees and an occasional anemone. Tsippi told us to look throughout Israel for groups of wildflowers, including the anenones, referred to as “the lillies of the field”.
Kicking Procrastination!
Since I seem to be experiencing many new seasons in my life at this time, I decided to turn a new page. I am currently taking a course entitled Uninstalling Procrastination (an online course by Shelby-LittleCoffeeFox). I have been very interested in her story describing how she was able to turn around her life goals and experiences by studying and successfully diminishing the role of procrastination in her life. I was particularly struck by Shelby suggesting that putting things off only creates constant feelings of impending doom for us and increases our stress and anxiety about tasks that are expected to be accomplished by a certain date. I have always been a person who demonstrates great spurts of working effectively and efficiently on tasks and projects, for a specified period of time. However, I have been known to justify procrastinating on certain “not-so-loved” tasks to the point of increasing my stress levels and ending up ultimately completing the tasks under immense deadline pressures. Shelby’s course is very worthwhile and I discovered that I am not too old to change my habits. After completing Module I of the course, I woke up this morning and accomplished four necessary errand/tasks prior to 11:00 a.m. I rewarded myself with a trip to an antique store open house, followed by attending to two bill challenges I needed to take care of immediately. A productive, successful day spurred on by Shelby’s course. Thank you, Shelby. I am eager to learn more!
LIFE CHANGES IN BUT, A MOMENT
37 years
37 abundant moments
37 pauses and reflections of enduring love
37 enriched memories-two, as one
EVERGREEN
Enlightened
Discussions of wisdom and truth
Togetherness
Boys pure and delightful; creations of wonder
Family; four together; never to be separated
Always one for all and all for one
Love conquers all
Love endures
Love seemingly gone in a flash, but etched in our minds and hearts forever.
Love eternal
Terry Grosvenor May 15, 2017
DANCING FIREFLIES BENEATH the MOON
The return of fireflies following our endurance race through weeks of rain
welcome fluttering fire lights
brightened by oversight of the moon’s brilliance
elusive flashes of sparkling wonder
location of next cluster, unpredictable
set against the black parade of massive ENTS hovering in the darkness
TMG June 20, 2016
Night Heron on Riverside
Neighbor, Larry Millar came to visit this evening and was able to identify the strange, new sound in the neighborhood the past two days. He found it across the street, instead of on the creek, where we expected it to be. It was a Night Heron, possibly calling for a mate. Life is always an adventure on Elm Creek-love it!
San Antonio Autobaon Society
Taco-filled Tortilla Bowls-TMG
These TACO TORTILLA BOWLS are delicious and perfect for busy parents:
INGREDIENTS NEEDED:
12 flour tortillas
1 lb. ground beef or turkey
1 cup salsa
1 can black beans, (rinsed and drained)
Mexican shredded cheese
1 bunch red leaf lettuce
Guacamole (see recipe below)
Light sour cream
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Microwave tortillas 15 minutes, separated on paper plate.
Form tortilla into a bowl inside each large muffin cups with two folds on each side.
Crunch foil and place foil ball into the center of each tortilla bowl
Place tortilla bowl muffins into oven and bake for a total of 13 minutes.
While tortillas bake, brown meat and drain, if needed.
Season with kosher salt to taste, chili powder and pepper.
Pour 1 cup salsa into cooked meat mixture.
Boil and simmer 10 minutes.
Microwave black beans 3 minutes.
Add spoonfuls of meat and beans into each tortilla bowl, topped with Mexican cheese.
After cheese melts, add pieces of lettuce, guacamole mixture and sour cream.
ENJOY!!!
GUACAMOLE MIXTURE:
3 avocados sliced and chopped (include one seed)
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 sliced/chopped onion
1 large lime, squeezed
1 fresh tomato chopped
Tortilla Bowls in Muffin Tins
Foil balls in middle of bowls
Browned meat, salsa & spices
Guacamole Mixture
Meat & Beans in Bowls
Cooked Black Beans
Adding Cheese, Lettuce, Guacamole & Sour Cream
TACO-TORTILLA BOWL
MAGNOLIA MAGIC
We planted this magnolia tree (in front of the rock koi pond built by my grandfather), in honor of my parent’s anniversary. During rainstorms, which have been rare in the past and frequent the past few months in Texas, one of my favorite reflection times is observing the storm roll in from our front porch, the very same view my Grandma and Grandfather watched every evening in the glow of the yellow ceiling light. Today, the magnolia tree displayed its full beauty with two low blossoms, opening their soft, white petals to welcome the second coming of the rain:
Diamond Doves (the Peacemakers)
“diamonds on the soles of my shoes” “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”
“Lucy in the sky with diamonds”
Our gentle, cooing Diamond Doves have laid one egg today. We await the arrival of a possible second. The female and male take turns sitting on the egg, which lies upon a very thin nest in their basket, put together by the two of them at the last minute! We miss their daily coos, as their minds appear to be elsewhere today. However, they are so interesting to observe during this “miracle moment” of sorts. What wonderful pets; with the right kind of cage, they are not messy at all and provide a constant source of peaceful sounds, adding tranquility to our daily environment, as well.
JW takes over, giving LB a rest!
Both diamonds nesting
THURSDAY, Planting Day!!!
Finally, I spent the entire morning planting:
tomatoes, all kinds of peppers, sweet potato vines, hosta, caladiums, and hibiscus to accompany my herbs.
Now, thunderstorms tonight—no hail, thank you! These will all look so much better as they bloom and grow, if the skies are kind.
Springtime Do-over: Return of the Waterfall & Lillies
After a two-month interval of no-blogging, no waterfall (due to a pump malfunction), slow-growing water plants without the fresh water of the waterfall, unhappy koi and life struggles, in general, HOPE PREVAILED. As a result, I am inspired to blog again, encouraged by the beautiful sight of sunshine, a lovely refreshing waterfall, happy koi, and a beautiful, blooming rose-purple lily. Our HOPE did not come to us without EFFORT. Thanks to the masterful problem-solving efforts of friend, Jerry Kiser, the new pump was successfully installed and all aquatic problems were subsequently resolved.
Life is good again for ALL of us:
Emmylou Harris’ Bonaparte’s Retreat Rescue Organization
I just watched the most wonderful show on PBS-KERA, regarding Rescue Organizations in downtown Nashville. So many committed volunteers and foster families, willing to work tirelessly to save animals from euthanasia and lonely lives possibly including months in caged shelters. Emmy-Lou Harris started Bonaparte’s Retreat, a rescue shelter in her backyard. She and her staff person who cares for the animals also, go frequently to the Metro shelter and choose dogs to take back to their shelter, to love, train and foster these animals, until adoptive families can be found. Emmy-Lou’s organization participated with the metro shelter and other rescue centers to form a rescue pet shop. The pet shop participates with the centers in showing rescue animals to the public housed within the store and on display during musical animal rescue festivals within the city of Nashville. All of the persons involved in this rescue mission demonstrate so much love and caring for the animals and their stories (often unknown). Emmy-Lou Harris expresses her love for all of these animals verbally, as beautifully and clearly as she expresses her feelings through her beautiful songs.
Heart Walk, 2015
No matter how difficult it might be to awaken early and head out to Nelson Park, my deep appreciation for my second chance always seems to drive me to participate in this meaningful event!
post-operative aortic valve replacement!! Thank you Dr. John Oswalt for giving me a second chance with the Ross procedure!
Four Dyess Airmen Lost in C130 Crash in Afghanistan
We salute your service and grieve with your families.
Space for Pottery
While attempting to care for our Shit-zu, Maxwell (recovering from major knee reconstruction) assisting him in mastering the odd spatial experiences resulting from wearing a bucket (Elizabethan collar) on his head, watering to keep plants that yearn for cool weather surviving in 89 degree October heat, leading 15-year-old Molly (our Pekingnese) and 16-year-old Mr. Buttons (half Pekingnese and half Shit-zu) in and out of the doors several times a day, calling repairmen to take care of “this old house”, card-making, writing letters, and performing other routine household tasks, I took time to enjoy several hours of pottery glazing with friend, DeAun, today. Glazing and painting: my relaxation, my happiness, my joy, amidst all of this somewhat self-created turmoil.
Pottery is a relationship between me and the clay; between me and my creative side.
Daytime Stampers-March Group
Mary Innes, Jean Dotson and Roxanne Griffith created these beautiful cards last Friday during our Stampin’ Up Daytime Stampers March Group. We explored a resist embossing technique, used the Lacy & Lovely Stamp Set, used the banner punch & Banner Blast Stamp Set, and created Pinwheel birthday cards with the Fan Fair vintage paper on sale right now for $4.39 (snowshoesentiments.stampinup.net).
GARDEN READY? Not Yet-First Step!
Kevin Vargus did a beautiful job of clearing all of the grass, weeds, etc. from last year’s garden, in order for us to prepare the soil for next year. First step with many more steps remaining! We have a plan for two raised troughs this year. Have we found the troughs yet—not yet!
February 12, 2014 Goodbye My Friend, Our “ShoebeDoo”
How do you say goodbye to someone who has been so faithful and sweet for 18 years of your lives? Our dear cat, Snowshoe, died today. We loved him so very much. Linda Rhonstadt sang a song years ago written by Karla Barnoff: “Goodbye, My Friend”, that touches upon many of my feelings on this day:
Oh we never know where life will take us
I know it’s just a ride on the wheel
And we never know when death will shake us
And we wonder how it will feel
So goodbye my friend
I know I’ll never see you (here) again
But the time together through all the years
Will take away these tears
It’s okay now
Goodbye my friend
I’ve seen a lot of things that make me crazy
And I guess I held on to you
We could’ve run away and left well maybe
But it wasn’t time and we both knew
So goodbye my friend
I know I’ll never see you (here) again
But the love you gave me through all the years
Will take away these tears
I’m okay now
Goodbye my friend
Life’s so fragile and love’s so pure
We can’t hold on but we try
We watch how quickly it disappears
And we never know why
But I’m okay now
Goodbye my friend
You can go now
Goodbye my friend
I found Snowshoe as a kitten at our local humane society. Someone had loved him, also, as he was inside a pretty cage with toys, etc.
A snowshoe Siamese with beautiful blue eyes; loved to play; loved children; loved being around family; loved lying about on my scrapbooking table, playing with papers, etc.; loved playing with Kramer, the Cockatiel, Molly, Buttons
& Maxwell; loved watching and patting real snow tigers on the television (even looking behind the television for them); loved eating (panicked if his food didn’t totally cover the bottom of the bowl); loved doing “the bug dance” around an intended prey; loved warming himself on the computer wi-fi box; loved roaming under the birdfeeders and irritating his squirrel friends by sitting below them up in the tree; loved being with me; loved climbing up in my lap out on the porch; loved being outside in the yard or garden with me; my friend…….my soulmate……a bright light in my heart. Snowshoe was part of our family….Billy, Brandon, Brett & Leanna loved him, also. His “Mew-Mew”, rubbing his head against us, and his sweetness will always be remembered by all of us.
The Olympics: Sochi
I love watching the Skaters, including Katie Gold, the skating pair competition, ice dancing-so many talented skaters from so many different countries. Watching the pairs skate tonight, it looks as if both Russian pairs nailed the competition. During the day today, I cheered for Erin Hamlin, racing perfectly in luge, performing for her grandmother, who died in December. Shaun White attempts his third run on the half-pipe snowboard tonight, hoping to win his third gold medal, even with very poor snow conditions. The speed skaters, the downhill skiers, the ski jumpers-wow…….I love it all! Watching the triathalon competition made me want to go cross-country skiing again–one of my favorite activities from my past. During the downhill slaloms, as participants fought their way around and through the gates, the sounds reminded me of the feel of my skis scraping against packed snow, crunching and swishing, weaving at a high rate of speed down the mountain. I can dream!
All of the athletes inspire and amaze us, with their commitment to excellence, their sport and their patriotism.
DAILY JOURNAL JOG: February 10, 2014
Today’s activities consisted of a day of driving on slightly icy roads for my annual physical scheduled at 9:00 in the morning, time spent relocating scrapbooking supplies following our annual scrapbooking weekend retreat at Camp Butman, hours spent on my first attempt at remembering 2014 using digital Project Life, time tending to the medical needs of our pets, and opening one more package of beautiful new scrapbooking product arriving late afternoon. For some reason, several of my monthly-delivered scrapbooking supplies arrived at the same time over the weekend during my absence, right into my husband, BG’s hands. That was unfortunate, considering this was the first month of my attempting to follow a new budget. And so it goes!
I love these My Mind’s Eye products (a special by HSN-oops-no more of that!)
Child of the Rock Garden 