Oh What A Beautiful Morning

I walked out my front door this morning, all in a hurry! I was running behind! Being of a type A personality, I relish in being on time to anything and everything, often causing myself great (and unnecessary) stress and consternation. With calendar, full purse, and coffee in hand, I started my quick trudge to work. Suddenly, I realized how beautiful the morning was. Still. Peaceful. Sunny. Clear. A few clouds, but mainly of the fluffy sort. There was no wind. Just a still quietness greeted me.

It reminded me of a Grieg Orchestral Suite that I recently heard, in which the composer greatly longs for spring. I found it this morning.

I slowed my trudge to a gentle pace, enjoying each moment of fresh air and bright ray of sunshine. The music of the earth filled my mind with notes. I could hear Richard Strauss' "Morgen" climbing high in the sky with the sun.

What beautiful imagery the world gives us for our musical companion of Song, if we would just take the time to relax in it and acknowledge it and enjoy it!

Rudolph took over

Yep! There he was this morning, Friends! Bright and Red. Right on the tip of the nose. Came out of no where! Wasn't expecting him! Truly wondered what made him show up! Why did he choose me? Why today?

Don't you just hate the unexpected visitors! Learning to go with the flow and be flexible with the curves of life has been my goal! But some things are just uncalled for!

Yep! There he was this morning! Rudolph! At least it was a baby Rudolph though!

I woke up, ready for my normal morning routine, looked in the mirror, and sighed. There, on the tip of my nose, was a bright red spot. Now where did that come from, I thought. Had a little bit of an itch to it! Maybe a little gnat bit me during the night! Is it really a zit?!

Does it matter! NO! It was there, nonetheless!

But again, at least it was a baby one! I made a special effort with my makeup this morning to hide this unexpected visitor. Accomplished most of it! But am still aware that he is there! How disturbing!

But even this shall pass!

Musings from the Great!

Do you ever find your greatest moments of encouragement coming from the fact that even those who we esteem as "greatest" struggled and found victory! How often do we find ourselves amazed at the ever changefulness of our lives, the ups and downs, knowing in our minds that God is changeless---but not feeling it! Finding that our focus has slipped off of our heavenly Father, desperately desiring to get back within the comfort of our dependent life in and on Him, yet not quite knowing how! Wondering if this roller coaster feeling is a normal part of life and growing up.......

How gracious and kind that God inspired men and women in our world to write down their experiences and thoughts by which we can gain knowledge, wisdom, counsel, comfort, and encouragement---as well as conviction!

Such are the thoughts of C.H. Spurgeon to me!

"He led them forth by the right way."— Psalm 107:7

"Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to enquire "Why is it thus with me?" I looked for light, but lo, darkness came; for peace, but behold trouble. I said in my heart, my mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved. Lord, thou dost hide Thy face, and I am troubled. It was but yesterday that I could read my title clear; to-day my evidences are bedimmed, and my hopes are clouded. Yesterday I could climb to Pisgah's top, and view the landscape o'er, and rejoice with confidence in my future inheritance; to-day, my spirit has no hopes, but many fears; no joys, but much distress. Is this part of God's plan with me? Can this be the way in which God would bring me to heaven? Yes, it is even so. The eclipse of your faith, the darkness of your mind, the fainting of your hope, all these things are but parts of God's method of making you ripe for the great inheritance upon which you shall soon enter. These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith—they are waves that wash you further upon the rock—they are winds which waft your ship the more swiftly towards the desired haven. According to David's words, so it might be said of you, "so He bringeth them to their desired haven." By honour and dishonour, by evil report and by good report, by plenty and by poverty, by joy and by distress, by persecution and by peace, by all these things is the life of your souls maintained, and by each of these are you helped on your way. Oh, think not, believer, that your sorrows are out of God's plan; they are necessary parts of it. "We must, through much tribulation, enter the kingdom." Learn, then, even to "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."

"O let my trembling soul be still, And wait Thy wise, Thy holy will!I cannot, Lord, Thy purpose see, Yet all is well since ruled by Thee."

Class, Culture, and Refinement

I attended my first tea tasting event ever last night at one of the most refined tea bistro's in Illinois---Tea Geschwendner. What an experience! Truly one in which you find yourself leaving with a sense of class, culture, and refinement. The more I drink authentic, loose leaf tea, the more I am made aware of the true higher quality and value of it.

Last night was an evening of Japanese Green Tea---Bancha, Kukicha, Tamaryokucha, Gyrokuro, Shincha Shimoyama, Genmaicha, and a few others. Of course, Genmaicha is my favorite Green Tea. It was last on the list to test. I found myself filled with eagerness and anticipation as we progressed towards it. I kept telling my friends they were in for a real treat!

I found myself curiously considering the variety of people that were there. Some you could tell had been there many times in the past and were old hat at tea tasting. I admire those people! Their descriptions of the teas were fascinating, and I found myself trying to picture each tea with them! By the end of the evening, I felt as though I were catching on.

I can honestly say that I did not dislike any of the teas. I tried each with and without a pinch of sugar. They started with the Bancha, which I felt to be a light and lasting, basic Green Tea. Going from that one to the Kukicha was rather eye opening, as the Kukicha is a much bolder Green Tea. If I did have a least favorite for the evening, it would have been the Tamaryokucha. Why? you might ask! Well, it had no after taste. I loved the initial flavor, but it didn't stay. Personally, because of this, I would be tempted to drink my cup of tea too quickly, instead of enjoying each drink.

The Gyrokuro. Well, let's just say that you can taste the refinement in this tea. Definitely a high grade tea! The Shimoyama is an offset of the Gyrokuro in taste and quality, but is sweeter in flavor.

And last but definitely not least, was my favorite, the Genmaicha. I love just smelling that tea. I often find myself at home just opening the container to smell it. I love its sweet, but nutty popped rice smell and taste. And as I expected, this was the favorite of my group for the evening.

The lecture was informative and interesting. I found myself really getting into the spirit of the evening! As we all walked out at the end of the evening, we all agreed on the sense of class, culture, and refinement that we felt. What an experience, from the fine china, cup rinsing, lecture, and tasting.

And of course this morning, I was inspired to treat myself to a small cup of Genmaicha as I prepared myself for the day and recounted the evening before.

Another One Down

Tis the end of another week! Wow, how they fly, with each day being about as different as it can be! I am off to practice. I have much to do this weekend, with some music prep. I am giving some Master Classes to a group in town and looking forward to the music experience, as well as meeting new people and seeing new faces. I truly hope to a a help! I have much to do this weekend to prepare, but have decided after a good, hard practice to relax with a friend. I haven't seen her in so long! WOW! Time really does get away from you. So, putting finances, busyness, stress, and everything else aside......................I go to my passion (focused practice), then my relaxation (Panera and endless tea refills)!

So proud of you!

This blog is for my sister, Sheri, who completed her first marathon today, May 3, 2008! She has trained so hard. I have never known someone more dedicated than she! What an inspiration she has become. She has worked hard, and today completed the race---all the way to the finish line. Just listening to her talk about it made me so happy! The excitement and sense of accomplishment in her voice truly brought me satisfaction and joy! She pursued her dream, pressed toward the mark, and was awarded the joy and success of finishing what she started!

You know, as I sit here thinking, I am proud of all my sisters. I think of Stacye, who kept at her goal of being a godly wife and mom. How I admire her. She works hard, supporting her family, rarely without a complaint! She is truly a Proverbs 31 woman.

I think of Alyssa, who gave up what she had the feeling of love for, for something in life that she had only the knowledge of love for. And yet, she now knows the feeling of love within my family. I admire her for her sacrifice to have something better. How I have come to love her and enjoy the company of a little sister. She will be ok in life. She really will!

Then I think of me. Oh to be like these great ladies mentioned above. Determined, Godly, Sacrificial, Willing, Dedicated. They all bring a smile to my face and a sense of joy to my life. I miss them terribly each and every day. And I love them dearly!

Rest and Rejuvenation

Have you ever spent an entire weekend doing nothing? I know! Most of our life we never really find time for ourselves---well in a way that is totally devoted to doing nothing for yourself that is. Rest and relaxation---and dare I say rejuvenation---are things we only long for. They often seem so distant.

However, I had this rather unique opportunity this past weekend! A friend invited me to their house for the weekend. House of course is putting it mildly. Mansion more like it----at least to me. The house was built around this lady's music room---which is full of Italian style pictures and a high acoustical ceiling, perfect for the musician! I had my own room and bathroom, with a small kitchenette area. My room was so spacious and beautiful, with floor to ceiling windows and draperies. My bathtub had a whirlpool, which I took advantage of Saturday morning.

Well, let me start from the beginning. I went out (and I mean I got away from Schaumburg---far out) to my friends' home Friday night for dinner and wonderful company. We drank tea, sang through my music, talked, and finally turned in for bed. I woke up Saturday morning to a beautiful, but windy day with no plans on the horizon to really talk about. Just a casual day. I ate my breakfast, laid back down, then made my way downstairs to the kitchen for some tea. I soon was favored with their company. We all sat down at the kitchen table, which looks out to a spacious back yard and lakefront view and caught up on life. At times we fell quiet, merely staring out the window into the beautiful view. I htought of my family so many times. I could see my mom, dad, and Alyssa glancing out the windows looking at the very two cardinals I was looking at. A male and a female. And it is interesting how together, the male brings out the absolute beauty of the brownish red female. How perfectly they were created for each other, to complete and compliment! I could see my nephews and niece playing at the edge of the lake, looking for frogs and fish! I could see Stacye and Chad walking around the lake, pondering a ride in the canoes and making fun of the geese! I could see Sheri and Jake sitting in the library, reading about tea and watching a show from the large screen TV. I could just see it all! What peace I felt! And what a view, what peace, what a glorious creation. And I got to experience it all.

Following my morning chat, I promptly went to meet a friend for tea at Tea Geschwendner. I just love tea. I had Desert Moon Green Tea and Pink Grapefruit Green Tea, both shared with my friend, Natalie, and her little girl, Haley (also my newest student).

Following tea, I went "home." I was STARVING. Joe promptly fixed me eggs, toast, and fruit! It was wonderful! Following lunch, the four of us went for target practice. Yes, I will admit, one of my hobbies is shooting guns. It is a rare opportunity, but I do try to get it onw whenever I can! I love the thrill of it! I didn't do to bad either. Got better with each shot during that hour.

Our trip to Cabella's was fascinating. If you have never been, you have to go! What a store. Or museum. Or well, it's huge and diverse! I saw some of the most massive stuffed animals from the wild than I have ever seen before---elephants, zebras, gazelles, lions! Another place my family would absolutely LOVE!

Following Cabella's we went home to a time of singing, chatting, and nothingness! And of course, more tea.

Dinner was fabulous! WE grilled out! I of course, the health freak that I am, had brought my Boca Burger. Yes, I was made fun of. While everyone else enjoyed rather large Ground Beef Burgers, I rather enjoyed, I must say, my Soy-based---rather small--but filling---Boca burger topped with cucumber, tomato, and grilled onion! YUMMY! My favorite. All this with raw veggies! Later we all splurged on air popped popcorn.

Speaking of which. I am fascinated with air popping popcorn now! I am so going to buy one. I am really into the art and time invested in doing things like this----I now grind my own coffee beans, steep my own tea, make my own hummus, and will soon air pop my own popcorn! I really believe there is something to be said about taking the time to do things like this and enjoy the art of it. It forces you to relax a bit!

Sunday morning was again wonderful. After getting ready for church and the day, I just sat and stared out the window. It is funny what times like this do to you. I literally found myself just enjoying the clarity of thought and peace of mind that I was experiencing. Something I had not felt in such a long time due to the stress and pace of life. What a memorable weekend. What a valuable time in my life! It will truly be remembered in the future. It has already affected my music by giving me mental images and dreamy thoughts. And how best to spend it then with loving and God-given friends. How blest I am!