Category: The Light Side

I Love Spring

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I love to watch the unfolding of spring as I search for glimpses of green on barren branches.

I love the discovery of purple and white crocuses breaking through winter’s softened soil.

I love spring’s early, bright yellow greeters—the swaying forsythia  and bobbing daffodils.

I love longer days, warmer walks, and calmer breezes.

I love the excitement of spotting my first robin and the expectation of goldfinches and hummingbirds.

I love the greening of the grass and the promise of garden produce, local and fresh.

I love peepers chirping their spring welcome, even when their cacophony begins to grate.

I love packing away my winterwear in exchange for pastels and lightweight wraps.

I love seeing children on their bikes and hearing them laugh on playgrounds.

I love the spectacular appearance of pink cherry blossoms and magnificent magnolias.

I love outdoor gatherings, firepit conversations, and rocking on the front porch.

I love God’s creation of seasons and that New Jersey gloriously displays each one.

He changes times and seasons…

Daniel 2:21

I Love Cs

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

I love chocolate, coffee, and caramel—separately or in any combination.

I love the Cs in my family—Corey & Cole—both have clever wit and creative talent.

Which brings me to creativity—I love discovering new words to write, arranging displays to welcome a new season, watching artists turn colors and shapes into masterpieces, hearing words blend with notes to make a melody I can only hum off-key—all reflections of Creator God.

I love the Creator and His limitless imagination. I love His generous heart that sprinkles this earth with wonders that reflect His goodness and beauty.

I love coats giving way to cardigans; coats of paint coloring a room; coats of snow, crystalized and cold… and now banished by the coming spring.

I love confections—crumbly crumb cake, cones filed with ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and coconut enhancing any sweet treat.

I love camping memories, campfires, cooking on coals outdoors… and the fact that they’re memories & I will never again sleep in a tent.

I love caterpillars and chipmunks, cats and camels, cougars and chimpanzees, but not crocodiles and centipedes.

I love the contrast of city and country—both crowds and cows that stimulate my senses.

I love the current conveniences of cold air conditioning and comfortable cars.

I love the coming of seasons—already I’m anticipating corn on the cob, cabbage in coleslaw, cucumber salad, and chicken on the grill.

I love cantaloupe and cherries, cashews and cheese, calzones and clam chowder.

I love Christmas—Christmas cookies and carols, candles and colored lights, candy canes and pine cones.

I love community and connection, calls of Hello! How are you? Can I sit with you?

I love the qualities of contentment and courage and a crusader spirit.

I love Christ—crucified and coming—conqueror of all I hate and commander of all I love.

What Cs do you love?

I Love Fall

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

The Light Side

We’re one week into the fall and I love it!

I love the thrill of spotting the first tinges of color accenting the trees as they prepare for their winter nap.

I love apples—fresh from the orchard, baked in pies and crisps, warm and oozing out of my apple mill, and cold, brisk cider.

I love the warmth of fall colors—the accent of orange pumpkins and purple cabbages on front porches; spotted and striped gourds on my table; and cheerful mums of rust, burgundy, and yellow.

I love the nip in the air that prompts sweaters and hoodies and gives reason to light a fire.

I love the ever-changing carpet of red, yellow, and brown leaves, the swishing sound when I shuffle through them, and the piles at the curb inviting the child in me to jump in.

I love the aroma of pumpkin bread in the oven, the salty crunch of toasted pumpkin seeds, and a slice of pumpkin pie (with real whipped cream).

I love the creeping darkness that edges in a little sooner each evening, enticing me to curl up earlier with my book.

I love the anticipation of Thanksgiving, retelling the pilgrims’ story, writing what we’re thankful for on a large white poster, counting our blessings, a roasted turkey with stuffing and sweet potatoes, and too many dessert choices.

What do you love about the fall?

I Love Ps

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

I love purples and pinks streaking the sky, proclaiming God’s praises.

I love flower beds prettily punctuated with pansies and petunias, and the outrageous beauty of poppies, peonies, and poinsettias.

I love patterns of paisley, plaid, or polka dots.

I love the peculiar animals that begin with P— peacocks, penguins, pandas, porcupines, panthers, pelicans, and parrots. (Isn’t God amazing?

I love pizza pies with pineapple and ham or pepperoni, sprinkled with parmesan.

I love peaches and pineapple, pretzels and popcorn, pancakes and homemade pies.

I love potatoes—orange, roasted sweet potatoes; potato salad with egg and mayo; the occasional home fries and French fries (on my “only a taste” list).I love to watch paddle boats on the nearby pond.

I love people and personalities with God-given passion, pursuing their purpose.

I love parties and picnics and patterned paper plates.

I love walking paths among the pines in flickering patterns of sunlight, picking up pebbles or pinecones, discovering pussy willows or pink lady slippers.

I love the paper pages of published books—the way they smell, their feel as I turn the pages, my eyes running over paragraphs.

I love watching the pretend world of children played out on playgrounds or in playhouses.

I love puzzles—jigsaw, crossword, and kakuro.

I love the softness of pillows, the beauty of pearls, the pleasure of parasols, the phenomenon of pyramids, the peaceful sound of piano music.

I invite you to let your mind consider words beginning with P or any letter. You will notice overlooked blessings and gratitude will grow.