italy day five

We battled some nasty rain today in Pisa for this pic:

I bought that cheap umbrella from a street peddler I was so desperate.

In Florence, we climbed 485 steps at the Duomo -- scary, winding, uneven, claustrophobic steps -- for this view:

When in Italy ...

italy day four

City of Manarola.

We met Rick Steves, the author of our guide to Italy, which has practically been our travel bible. What are the odds?!

And these guys got us through our tour of the Cinque Terre, even if we did look a little cultish.

I may never come back!

italy day three

Monterosso al Mare. This is our home for the next two days:

And there are lemon trees everywhere! Loved this scene:

italy day two

St. Mark's Basilica in Venice.

I know these ancient cathedrals can all seem so similar, but I love that these mosaics throughout St. Mark's all have gold tile pieces for their backgrounds. They shimmered they were so bright, and it's said that the gold represents Christ as the Light of the World.

Preach on, St. Mark. Preach on.

italy day one

Took a ride through the canals of Venice today on this gondola ...

... with Rico the gondolier. He is a champ! (And could his hat be any cuter?!)

thankful thursday #179

I'm flying across the big pond tomorrow. This week did everything in its power to make our trip difficult. Airline problems. Banking issues. Airline problems again. On and on.

But tonight, my travel buddies gathered, we laughed and shared in excitement, and compared packing lists. And whether or not we arrive on time, or exactly according to schedule, memories will be made with some very dear friends.

We'll come home in two weeks with pictures to show and stories to tell. We'll have gained ten pounds apiece, and have enjoyed what will surely be some of the most delightful meals ever to adorn a table. We'll have seen sights that no camera lens is capable of truly capturing.

For these things that will surely come -- eventually come, after this frustrating week of travel preparation -- I'm grateful.

Would you care to follow along? If I'm able, I intend to post my favorite pic of each day under this heading:

Maybe it will work. I hope so. In the meantime, go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #178

Driving out of the Birmingham Shuttlesworth Airport, this sign sits modestly on the side of the road.



For spring break of my senior year in college, I spent the week in a part of California, where the yards were made of rocks, and brown was the color of the season.

When I flew back to Birmingham, I remember looking out the window of the plane, and relishing the top of the city, canopied in a million shades of green. Those Birmingham trees, shouting that spring had arrived.

When I'd left for California, winter had not quite breathed its last, so in that moment on the plane, spring was startling. Ever since, there is always a moment between winter and spring where I'm startled by the green, the leaves, the flowers.

It's when I'm grateful for Birmingham, Tree City, where green is abundant and generous.

I had my moment this holy week, and I'm thankful for it.

Have you stopped to appreciate spring yet? Go on, be grateful!

some words of affirmation from Jesus

This girl's love language is words of affirmation, period, without question. Spoken, written, or shared to other people, those words mean a lot to me. It's just how I'm wired.

We all have our own ways of loving, relating to other people. And if we believe in a God whose m.o. is a personal relationship with his children, then my logic tells me we have to believe in a God who speaks all the love languages.

That comforts me.

I'm reading this book, about the Book of Revelation. In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, there are letters from Christ to seven local churches, each who are representative of his greatest love: the Church.

Within these letters, Jesus is so generous to commend those people. He rebukes and corrects, too -- they are, of course, fallen souls -- but he is, in essence, offering to them words of affirmation.

My language.

And a good opportunity to gather insight on some things Jesus took time to affirm!

Here are a few of the things he loves and appreciates about these churches:

toil, labor and perseverance //  When his people are diligent workers for his name's sake, he sees the hard work. He knows when they feel like they're getting nowhere, or like the uphill never seems to turn to a downhill. He feels the frustration, and the exhaustion.

zero tolerance of evil //  He understands that his people are surrounded by temptation, in their fallen world, and so he values those who maintain high, holy standards. Those who fight hard to remain pure. Those who live in the world, but who are not of the world.

tribulation and pressure //  I think he knows that in this crucible, where evil surrounds his people, and inside which they are refined, the pressure will feel unbearable at times. But he has promised to be constant through it.

standing firm //  Jesus is pleased when his people refuse to be swayed by what culture tells them is right. He loves when they hold fast to the Truth and the name of Christ, especially when everyone around them is telling them otherwise.

obedience //  And when they discern what is right, in spite of what the world tells them, and are obedient in that calling, that is precious in the sight of Jesus.

loving God and serving one another //  It was the new commandment he gave to his disciples at the Last Supper: "Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other." This would be proof to the world that these men were his disciples, so it's no surprise he was encouraging the church to follow suit.

I love him for speaking my language, and for sharing in that language the things he loves about his people.

thankful thursday #177

This week. It's been one where some heavy things have settled on my heart; I have not run one mile; I have cereal in my pantry but no milk in my fridge.

One of those.

Fortunately it's shown signs of redemption. Given me a couple of nods. A nudge to practice some gratitude.

When that heart-heaviness got too burdensome, I just let go and cried to one of my darling friends. Such a good release.

After months of needing to, I purged my closet and can breathe again. Gosh, that is freeing.

Since I'm on a spring cleaning roll, I'm cashing in a portion of a recent mileage check for a good house cleaning today. Glory.

I indulged in some of my favorite sushi over the weekend, with a side of easy and relaxed conversation.

My accountability group has, well, regrouped after a hiatus. So thankful.

It is a good week, friends. If yours doesn't feel so good, dig deep. There are nuggets there to appreciate.

Go on, be grateful!

o holy week

It's no secret that holy week is my favorite seven days of the year. It's commencing in (all together now!) five days, and it's worthy, and I mean super-worthy, of celebrating.

For loving it so, I'm not sure I've ever put out one festive decoration. (Christmas gets all the love.)

Meanwhile, I've been piddling in Adobe Illustrator (remember me mentioning those beginner tutorials?), and decided to design a few mini-prints in honor of holy week.

Why not?

(Let's not start with how Easter bunnies aren't biblical. I know this. But they're cute!)

This one's my favorite. When I'm feeling frustrated or defeated, no matter the time of  year, I remind myself that Sunday's comin'.

These flowers were tricky little ones, but they turned out cheerful, I'd say.

And who doesn't love a one-of-a-kind dyed Easter egg?

Maybe I'll print these out, frame them up, and let them show off on a bare wall at my house for the next couple of weeks.

O Holy Week, you deserve it.

the cheddar biscuit

About a mile from my house, there is a bakery that serves this breakfast sandwich that makes me swoon.

I do not swoon over the sausage or egg; I swoon over the cheddar biscuit on which all that yummy goodness is served.

Many months ago when I stumbled on this treasure, it sent me on a wild goose chase for a recipe that would come close (if not duplicate) that biscuit's perfect texture. It's buttery and chewy and doesn't fall apart.

It's perfection, really.

It's so perfect that one day, if I ever own a restaurant (not planning to, but you never know), it would be called The Cheddar Biscuit. Love that ring.

So this recipe. I can't say it's quite perfection; I'm still on the hunt. But it's share-worthy.

Sour Cream Cheddar Biscuits
Makes about 2 dozen

2 sticks of butter, melted
8 oz. sour cream
2 c. self rising flour
2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add shredded cheese to melted butter, stir until well combined, and allow to cool slightly. Add sour cream, and mix well. Add flour until incorporated. Spoon dough into a greased mini-muffin tin. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown.

I think these little guys would be shining stars on an Easter brunch menu. Do you have one planned yet?

thankful thursday #176

You know when you're feeling in a rut? Like there's no real news or fun happening in your world?

And you know this little diddy to be true ...

... but in the end, you're still feeling blah ... and need a pick-me-up.

This week I went to a Dave Barnes concert at Iron City, a fun venue here in town that I've never been to. Dave is charming, a hilarious storyteller, and sings a good tune. The venue is intimate, smoke-free (from nicotine, that is -- it did love its smoke machine for visual impact), and has a tasty, inexpensive grill inside.

I appreciated the chance to break up the routine.

To break up with my couch for the evening (seriously).

To venture out and hear, see, feel and taste something new.

Did you -- or do you -- have something to get you out of your rut this week? Go on, be grateful!

let's chat (about random things)

Let's chat about some randomness, shall we?

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Dry shampoo. I gave it zero chance of working on my fine hair, which I wash every day.

I am still not over the fact that this miracle can by Suave gives me a chance to skip the daily blowout once in awhile. I love the way it smells. And its price (less than $3)! 

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I'm starting this study on Revelation.
I confess I've been intimidated about this Bible book for a lot of years, but I know I'm cheating myself. Time to get over myself.

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Italy. It's only 23 days away. (What?!)
I can hardly stand it.

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Equally exciting is Holy Week, which is only 11 days away.
It's my most favorite week of the year.

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Adobe Illustrator. Just two weeks ago I had no idea what clipping masks were, or how to live trace. Love learning new things, and am asking myself why I don't do things like this more often.

Are you chatting with your friends this week, over a good meal on a patio in the sunshine? It's too pretty not to!