*May 29th*

 A very special day at our house.  That's the day God gave us Katie, twenty-three years ago . . . such a blessing, that sister.  For many years a constant companion and confidante; I learned so much from her.  She has always been a beautifier, and countless lessons have I had from her in that, as from Mother; and always we have loved to do it together, we three.  But Katie, as a chief force in the operations, is often busy with others, and I wanted to make something especially for her this year. . . a special celebration since we live nearby again!  It was such a delight to plan for . . .

Decor:

 



~open on the coffee-table



 And Then There Was Food:

For which I cannot take credit:  Mother was the Cook, I merely the sous chef.

 Hummus!

Everything you need for Gyros!


Salad, Tahini-dressing, and Tzatziki



Birthday-Girl-who-loves-hummus

The gyro--oh yum!

 Almond-flour chocolate cake and lovely Sis


Present time!



A lot of pictures?  I know. . . but there happen to be 23, which is the perfect number for the day.  In honor of such, I am going to share 23 random things I am thankful for (about her and otherwise) for:

"Gratitude bestows reverence,

allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies

--those transcendent moments of awe

that change forever how we experience

life and the world." ~John Milton



1. Poetry (especially Milton just now)

2. Brothers and sisters in Christ

3. Particularly, sharing my love for Christ with my sister

4. My family, and all their endearing peculiarities

5. Open windows

6. Lily-of-the-valley

7. Pasta salad and cabbage salad for lunch

8. When the wax-drips are longer than the candle

9. Skirts from Katie

10. Gyros, with all the fixings

11. Beegie Adair Pandora

12. Cooking side-by-side with Mama

13. Singing with my niece

14. Josiah's grin

15. Sweet-pepper dipped in hummus

16. Decorating for a party

17. Giving someone old book-favorites

18. Laughing hysterically around the table

19. Chocolate cake and ice-cream

20. Christa Wells during kitchen clean-up

21. Reading again about Legolas and Gimli

22. Brilliant Authors

23. Twinkle lights

A glimpse of summer these past few days -- deep blue sky and leafing trees, thunderstorms at night. Instruments after sundown by a little fire, singing and being all together again. Brats on the grill, potato salad, and rhubarb crisp; basketball, biking, and some more rain. And more than anything the green light of sunshine through the trees, and the smell of lilacs on the air.

(piglet is entirely surrouded by water)



a living centerpiece

a very good smell was coming from this direction . . .

The cool grilling dudes 



the lily-of-the-valley smelled heavenly




Garden catalog




my people




watching the grillers . . .



 . . . and look, they're almost done!



Griller Dudes




A lovely spread



. . . and I can't resist the leaves and sky

Spring Morning

Fishing

Shorts and a hooded sweatshirt -- we are definitely on a Minnesota lake



I was very glad to get my fishing license and throw out a line of my own . . .



. . . even though the fish are smaller than your palm :)

Funny thing about reflections: you are rippled instead of the water.



As the sun went down it got pretty chilly.

 

Friends joined us and Leah was taking pictures of course:)

Now . . . do you call this fishing or . . . docking? No one has a pole :)



 I have been staying pretty busy around here what with homekeeping, and spring coming on in spurts and lapses.  Cooking and baking, bike rides and fishing, identifying trees and birds, reading, talking, and laughing hysterically.  Since Motherdy is away at present to be with Gigi, and Will is home from school, there has been a lot of sibling-time.  That means fast chores, goofy entertainment, fun outdoors, and plenty of other stuff.  Hope you can find some time for sunshine and trees today!