It Is Well

Sorry I’ve been absent for so long, friends.  Life has been very hum-drum of late.  It seems that every day is the same, and none of it is really worth writing about.  I get up (late), rush to work, spend 9-11 hours there, commute home, make/eat supper, read or watch TV for a bit, and then head to bed.  Weekends consist of church stuff and house stuff.  That’s about it.

Ho-hum, hum-drum!

Anyway, at small group the other day, someone asked us to share our current (or all-time, I guess) favorite worship song.  K and I chose the same one, without any pre-meeting collaboration, mind you!  We both love It Is Well, lyrics by Horatio Gates Spafford and music by P.P. Bliss.  K knew the story behind it, and shared it with me.  Now, I’m sharing it with you!

It’s a bit of a long read, but worthwhile; check it out here.  They had so much and lost so much, and this was their response!

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Sensory Memory Triggers

Isn’t it crazy how scent and taste can bring back such vivid memories?  I bought this on a whim at the Walmarts the other day:

When I popped the first piece into my mouth, here’s where my mind flew:

That acreage doesn’t belong to my family anymore; I haven’t stepped foot on it for almost four years.

Yet, today, I was there.

Gazpacho

If you live most places in the country, you’re getting ready to switch out your summer clothes for something with longer sleeves and heavier fabrics.  You’re this close to turning off your air conditioning, and are starting to anticipate crisp breezes and the joy of preparing warm, filling foods like hearty beef stews and baked butternut squash.

However. . . if you live anywhere near my house, you’re throwing virtual rocks at me right now for mentioning life that doesn’t revolve around dashing from one air-conditioned space to the next.

This recipe is for you, my friends!  You, too, can eat soup in the month of September!  You, too, can enjoy the satisfying sensation of slurping that last spoonful, of mopping up the last little bits of deliciousness with homemade bread.

You’re welcome.  And I’m sorry for not posting this at the beginning of the summer.  It’s been a staple in our house for months.

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 can tomato sauce – 8 oz., I think
• 1 can (tomato sauce size) water
• 1 can diced tomatoes & green chilis (I use mild Rotel – 10 oz., I think)
• 1/4 C olive oil
• 1/3 C apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper

1. Mix all the ingredients together.
2. Chill* & enjoy!**

* This soup is best when really cold, so let it chill for at least an hour.  The flavors are significantly more intense the longer it sits, as well – if it’s too mild for you right away, make it a day ahead.

**If you happen to have one of these furry little eating machines, make sure to lock them in their kennel before attempting to photograph your food.  The open-faced sandwich featured above lost its appeal shortly after this was taken.  She certainly looks pleased with herself, doesn’t she?

Alive

Hey, there, friends – so sorry for the long absence!  I have about 20 drafts started, but seem to lack the motivation to finish any of them.  They’re mostly recipes, so you’re not missing out on anything earth-shattering.

The other day I got to watch my Grampa give his great-grandkids a lesson in milking cows:

Ok, so we were at a zoo, not on a farm, and the cow was a sculpture with a rubber udder, not a much-beloved Holstein named Bessie.  They “milked” it and filled the bucket with approximately 1/256th of a cup of water before getting distracted by a camel that was close by.

Kids these days!  Can’t concentrate on any one thing.  I blame TV.  And video games.  And the internet.  Get off my lawn!  *shaky fist*

This was at Easter-time; Mom ran upstairs and snapped a picture over the loft guard rail.  My sweet brother looks so enthusiastic, no?

Last but not least, wishing the happy couple happy birthdays!  ‘Twas a fun party hosted by the brunette in the back.  She made an ice cream cake.  It had three layers.  Yum.  Terry, Carolyn – we missed you!  Also, we played Scrabble.  I won.  Oh, yeah!

Well, that’s about it for now.  Just wanted to say hi, really!  Hope everyone has had a wonderful summer, ‘n’ all that jazz.  With autumn comes a time of business for our household (and hopefully cooler temperatures!). . . let the games begin!