Wonderful Spring has come on time in Michigan this year. Everyone bears the markings of it, a bigger smile on their face, and bit more enthusiasm for life, the readiness to throw off the old dreary and tired things and embrace new life, new challenges and the hope of the future. What a wonderful gift God gives us each year. It's a time to feel incredible thanksgiving for his creation, to appreciate it's magnificence once again, to enjoy the wonders of it. It's a time to feel hope about the future, to feel that sense that a new beginning lies ahead, just waiting for us to grab and take hold of it. It's a time when we want to throw open the windows of our lives, both literally and figuratively and feel alive and start anew, and express a song, put on those work clothes and tackle the task at hand.

I just wandered my garden and saw all the buds coming up, thankful that last year I did get those Tulips in the ground. My daughter and I have plans for a vegetable garden this year. New project, new addition to my life story. I've also spent a very consistent year working out with my sister and I've been able to do a little jogging. A year ago I would have said that's impossible. I'm mulling over the possibility of doing a 5k with her. New year, new me, new hope. Thank you God that the possibilities of life are new every morning, every season, every year.

I got to spend a little time catching up on some projects today. I made this cute grocery bag holder, after my daughter turned me on to a cute and easy pattern. She made one for her nursery, because it's nice to keep the grocery bags handy to seal up those stinky diapers. I will just have mine downstairs in the utility closet. The grocery bags were getting out of control down there and this will keep them organized and handy. If you want to make one for yourself, here is the link to the blog with the pattern: http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/ It's called the grocery bag holder.

Yesterday, I arrived home, happy and satisfied and slightly tired after a wonderful weekend at a friends farm/cottage up north. The smell of smoke lingered on my clothing and in my hair, the memory of the sounds of laughter of friends, the crunching of leaves, the honking of geese swirled in my mind. My cheeks were pink and my spirits felt alive and exhilarated after many hours in the wonderful Michigan outdoors.

Bob and Theresa own this farm on a lake up by Hart. It belonged to Bob's grandparents and he has inherited it. He and Theresa are lovingly restoring it one step at a time. The house has been charmingly fixed with a mix of modern amenities and period antiques. But what they are doing with the land is wonderful. I'm amazed at all they are investing into it in this labor of love. Yesterday we went up for a session of maple syrup making. Theresa takes on each of these new adventures with complete commitment and no intention of making this just a place of leisure. She's learned to tap the trees, collect the sap, the complete process of cooking and bottleing it. We were able to do this whole process yesterday. I can assure you now, that what you pay for pure maple syrup is really a great deal. She has also undertaken big gardens of fruit and vegetables, planting of rasberry bushes, pruning, restoring and cultivating a grouping of blueberry bushes, and their recent planting of a a new grove of pine trees. Bob loves all the work he gets to do up there with his big, earth moving equipment and building structures to help Theresa with her latest projects. On the weekends, after both of them have been busy with careers in the city, they head up to their farm, and undertake all this extra work. No sitting around for them in front of computers and TV just "chillin". They live and work hard and then invite friends and family to share in their bounty. I think they are on to the very best thing of all.

I was so blessed this morning in our worship service. Today was a morning dedicated to hope and healing for those who have suffered loss, hurt, set back ie... the whole congregation. Because sooner or later life is going to offer up somethings that hurt way more than anticipated and leave a person really reeling. The service was full of songs of hope, and scriptures that offered the word and truth of hope, and testimonies of hope despite overwhelming loss and finally the message that God truly can heal the broken hearted and bring new life where there was only loss. Our pastor gave a wonderful message that shared many instances of this word of life sustaining, transforming and healing the wounded and then he offered to annoint those with oil, who would like to receive healing. This tradition represents a faith in God, that despite whatever comes, we believe God for sustaining power, healing and true abiding joy. He gave an invitation to come forward, and since this is not a normal thing in our church the people didn't exactly rush forward. Up came one or two souls, and then another. More began coming forward and the line got longer. As each person would receive prayer, more and more came into line and finally another minister stepped in to assist with the prayer and annointing. Tears flowed from my pastors face as he prayed for his flock along with a good percentage of the people in the church. Since these people are my church family, I knew many of the stories. Loss of spouses and children, sickness and infirmities, broken homes and broken dreams. Loss of income and loss of self esteem. Loss of home and country and loss of innocence through abuse. These were just some of the stories I knew. There were many I was unfamiliar with. What was very evident was this: People everywhere carry within them stories of pain and loss and hardship. What was also evident was the life giving faith of the body of Christ. People came forward with strength and dignity and an affirmation in their posture, that God is good, that he sees us in our affliction, that he has a purpose for our sufferings, and that we may be down, but we are not out, because our God is faithful. As our service came to an end, people were on their feet, hands on the heart or in the air, tears of praise and thankfulness flowing down their faces singing " He gives and takes away, our hearts will choose to say, Blessed be the name of the Lord." Let all God's people say Amen.

Well I finished that knit scarf that I started in January with my friends in Maine. So fun to have learned a new skill, and great to have it completed. It's very soft and warm, and I'm going to enjoy wearing it because I'll not only be wrapping myself with warmth but also with the great memories that went into the creation of it. Who knows what my next knitting endeavor will be, probably a little scarf for Ellies American Girl doll. She is definitely campaigning for that one. Ed got a kick out of watching me knit, thought it made me very officially grandma looking, with the needles in my hand and my reading glasses perched on the end of my nose. I do what I can to keep him amused. I'll be on to something new and creative soon. Bought some fun material with my daughter today, to make a cute little holder for all the plastic trash bags. I'll put up a picture of that when I get it done. Isn't it fun to create?

By the way, this is me, now 20lbs thinner. My clean eating is working and I've met my second goal. I liked that this picture showed a little thinner face. Next goal, make that 25 lb mark. I'm excited!!!!

It's been one of those wonderful early spring weeks in Michigan, that tempt us all to believe the long winter is over and great weather is just around the corner. Of course we who have lived our many years here know, it is just a tease. As perennial as the flowers that grow in my gardens, there is always some early days in March, that are beautiful, warm and fill us with hope. Our neighbors begin popping out of their houses, walking their dogs, enjoying the warmth on their faces and not so harsh breeze in their hair, a friendly "hello" to all they encounter. Little children take off their coats, and beg their moms to let them wear shorts and women have a small compulsion to clean their windows. It's delightful to feel refreshed, excited and eager to embrace life. I've enjoyed crystal clear skies at night full of stars, sky's full of shades of pink and lavender in the morning, a window left open to let in some fresh air, the sound of some birds just outside, some crocuses popping their heads through the ground, and the buds on the trees plumping up before blooming. I know the cold, dreary, rainy days will be back soon and will stay longer than we like, but this week we're having a reprieve. This week my granddaughters and I got to play outside, take off our coats and roll in the grass. Life is Good.

Into everylife a little fun must fall.

Boy, I've been doom and gloom lately. My family has had a really tough year and it has taken it's toll on my attitude. Top that off, with a failing economy everywhere, so many friends and family really struggling, throw in a few global disasters, and you begin to feel that having fun is just in bad taste. I have found myself wanting to be reclusive, not really wanting to even engage in activities I would have normally found fun and doing a fair amount of reminiscing about the good ole days. My goodness, I'm acting old for my age. So I made today a "me" day, to get back a little perspective. I went out and spent over an hour at at the best sport store in town, and got me some wonderful new workout shoes, custom fitted for all my foot issues, with salesperson thrown in, who acted like her mission was to see that I was happy and comfortable in my shoes. Just the salesperson alone, was enough to make my day. I swung by the nail Salon on the way home and got myself a pedicure, with a funky red sparkly polish, and I'm finishing off my day with a massage at 8pm tonight. Life can be hard, but sometimes you just have to remember to add a little fun to it, even if you have to force yourself and schedule it in.