Wednesday, December 29, 2010

This In Between Time

IMG_3105

(Tangerine Tree, Christmas 2010)

This time between Christmas and New Year’s Day

can be a head spinning time

of planning and resolving.



Last year,

I even applied this planning to

my language.



As in

this year I

will be

‘intentional’.

(New Year’s 2009)



This year

(New Year’s 2010) 

I am changing it

to something a little

more

‘open-ended’

(as we say in the world

of student state testing).




I am

praying

to stay alert

and

to be grateful.



I want to be alert to

God’s voice,

opportunities,

the feelings of others,

nudges,

and

simply doing

the next right thing…


So often in my life

the next right thing

involves a sink full

of dishes,

watering my plants,

or folding a load of clothes.



It is rarely glamorous

or involves world acclaim.



It is inevitably in those times

when I don’t feel like washing the dishes,

watering plants,

or folding clothes.

Therein lies the test of my character:

to do it

anyway.

I also yearn to kick my gratitude level up a notch,

for simple things, and for life’s simple pleasures.

IMG_3108

 

Our tangerine tree is full.

IMG_3098

The pecans from our pecan tree have been collected.

We traveled safely during the Christmas weekend.

My grandsons gave me hugs so tight

I can still feel them.

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I have a new favorite candle.


I am making chili tonight.

I am going to use up items in my freezer and pantry as best I can.

 

I am looking for inspiration for my house.

 

I want to write interesting posts that are meaningful .

 

So,

I shall be alert and grateful during this in between time.

***

 

How about you?

29 comments:

D.B. said...

Five stars for this post! Looking forward to the coming year's "adventure."

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

What a joy it must be to have tangerine and pecan trees in your yard!

And, I think ALL of your posts are interesting and meaningful:)

Happy New Year wishes, Laura!

Lisa ~Suburban Retreat~ said...

For me, I'm simply taking it 'one day at a time'! BTW - you write so many meaningful posts which are always a delight to read. I'm glad you received tight hugs ... they're always the best!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Ah, I just love your comment about the hugs.
Your writing is so inspiring and heart warming.

hugs
Sissie

trash talk said...

A+
Anthony
P.S. Every word hits me where I live.

Unknown said...

A funny, quiet, simmering time. I'm fighting the urge to look backwards (what use is that?)...I'm hungry for the future.

Pondside said...

I love this time of year - suspended between last and next - a time for lazing and dreaming, considering and planning. Last night we ate a wonderful meal made of the remainders of many memorable feasts from the past week - nice to revisit all those flavours!
Alert and grateful - I will try to follow your example.

Blondie's Journal said...

I love your way of thinking...I am always striving to live in the moment.

Wishing you the best in 2011, Laura.

XO,
Jane

Deb said...

it is a time for reflection...to look back at what worked...and what didn't and to move on through it all...love your posts Laura...

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful, heartfelt post... thanks for sharing! Happy New Year to you! xo

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

You always make me think. Thank you for that.

NanaDiana said...

What a GREAT post...can I just do everything you do..cuz then I will be ALMOST perfect!!!! I love coming here- xxoo Diana

Theresa said...

I am fine! I have FOUR Grandchildren spending the night tonight! I am between dinner and bedtime and enjoying the moments with them! Have a blessed evening! HUGS!

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh my Laura, I shall be alert and ever so grateful, that is the bottom line.

Praise God.

The kids were all home with thier sweet families, yes, all of our grandchildren!

Is there anything better?

Love to you and yours, sweet friend.

Nancy

Marguerite said...

I'm taking a 3 day break before the next buffet! But with a family birthday, tommorow, there isn't much time for relaxing. Maybe next week. Glad that you had a nice Christmas. Happy New Year!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Amen to Gratitude...and making life (and posting) meaningful.

C. Earl Mahan said...

Me too, my friend... me too

home jobs said...

Good Notes.!!!!

Sixpence and A Blue Moon said...

This is such a beautiful post, that, I don't think I want to read any more blogs today. I really like "...simply doing the right thing".

This coming year...I want to be a more positive thinking person, expecting good things.

This is truly a wonderful post! It made my day reading these wonderful words and thoughts.

Happy New Year to you and yours...and may the coming year bring only laughter and joy to your life.

Jojo said...

What wonderful positive thoughts for a place of ending and new beginnings.

Olive said...

Love. This. Post.

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

Loved your post today. Love the new header too.
Happy New Year!

CHERI said...

Ditto to everything you said...well, most everything since I don't have any fruit trees! It is certainly a reflective time...I pray we both have a wonderful and blessed 2011! I need a new year:)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Well said. Happy New Year and may your year be filled with nothing but Blessings. Hugs, Marty

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

What a precious post ~ it so brings tears
in my eyes to help me to remember the
very special little things in life that
might be missed ~

xoxo
Lori

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Beautiful words and thoughts! I am hoping my intentions this coming year reach a new level of giving and reaching out to others. I am so blessed in so many ways and I want to make sure I appreciate it each and every day. Happy New Year!

La said...

Hi Laura!

I'm visiting from Frippery. I rarely feel like doing the "right thing" when it entails laundry, dishes, or other mundane tasks. If you are resolved to do better in these instances, so will I.

Happy New Year! La

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