In lieu of trying to belong to any number of societies: Chesterton, Sherlock Holmes, the Inklings, and so on: I propose and establish one of my own. Don your intelligence cap at the door; dust off your logic and imagination; did you bring your inspiration and encouragement? We are shapers, my friends; lit lamps; light-bringers. Bring quotes; poetry should be uplifting and thoughtful, or witty and clever, (or both). Humor is encouraged; laughter is invited back. Pull up a chair. Anyone for tea?

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*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

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!