"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords,

strengthen your stakes." Isaiah 54:2

 

As we approach the Alaskan season of outdoor delights, those who enjoy fishing and camping might already be planning the first overnight out-of-doors.  How fortunate we are to be offered the marvels of God's creation:  twilight nights, breezes rippling the leaves, jumping salmon, the rustling of animals in the bushes, the beaver busy in the pond.  We have inherited the same moon and stars that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob dwelled under.

 

Our patriarch's tents were probably temporary shelters of cloth, supported by poles and ropes - a cruder version of the nylon and aluminum tents of today.  The tabernacle, where the Israelites worshiped God before the building of Solomon's Temple, is referred to as the "tent of meeting". Tents continued to have several uses even after the Israelites settled into villages.  The Rechabites continued to dwell in tents (Jer. 35:7) and armies used tents during military campaigns.  More commonly, the term meant "home, or dwelling".

 

Isaiah 54:3 continues with, "for you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities."   I want to think that by opening our tent curtains wide, not holding back, and being firm in our faith means to bring Christ to our neighbors, our communities, our world.  Our homes are to be dwellings not just for our comfort and safety, but places of truth and peace, shedding the light of the glory of God through our windows and out our doors.

This afternoon, Easter Sunday, as the sun streams through my windows on Lisburne Avenue, I am inspired to reflect that brightness.  I am reminded that the Psalmist tells us, "Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous; the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!" 

 

Bonnie



 

Becoming a Master Gardener Part 1

I have been a gardener my entire life. My earliest garden memory is of climbing our backyard vine-engulfed redwood fence. The neighbor's trees hung over into our yard, offering a canopy of shade on blistering days. Shrubs pushed through the weathered slats, reaching out in friendship into our small space. I explored the world as a four year old might: pulling up grass to investigate roots, picking flowers and removing the petals, and later, at a new home in another town, making chains of small white daisies that grew in the meadow next door. And soil! What a wonderful medium for fun! I was dressed in play clothes especially chosen for a child's disregard of dirt. Of course I did not know it, but I was learning art and design, physics, chemistry and architecture. In my play there was constant exploration, observation and discovery. As I "unearthed" my world, I grew with the sounds, sights, smells and feel of the living plant world. I look back upon my green awakening, knowing that it has stayed with me my entire life and am thankful my parents allowed me such freedom to imagine and dream and create.

Aged to Perfection

It began

with this invitation

 

and this vacation home

with this view

from this porch

with a party

for this girl...

I found the home on VRBO,  a wonderful site that has given me homes to stay in Kauai, Tahoe, Aptos, and now Occidental. And what a beautiful home it was!  A charming country home with a huge kitchen and wonderful entertaining space.  The home was furnished with beautiful antiques in every room.  Our bedrooms had fluffy down pillows and comforters, we had gorgeous oak floors and large windows, and a fireplace for warmth.

I love creating good times with good food and fun for family and friends. A passion of mine!

 Labeling party favors

 

Lavender wine jelly, made from lavender grown in my greenhouse at home in Alaska...

 

You can't go wrong with a home that has good bones.  What an awesome dining room!  It was huge.  I needed the space, as we'd invited 25 for dinner.

What a beautiful antique piano in the dining room!

I had some help with the "vintage wine" theme from my granddaughter Karli!

 

This lovely hutch became the candy bar....

with vintage candies and personalized wrapped chocolate caramel bars.

The chocolate wrapper was a dilly to figure out! 

Appetizers

 

Joan and I enjoying some harvest punch.

Mums and white roses - 

one of the lovely flower arrangements on the table

place settings

all set for the guests

  

Yummy!

  

A special moment before our meal...

 Guests are seated and reading the dinner menu.

   Joan’s 50th Birthday Celebration

 Appetizer

crudités platter and herb dip

artisan cheeses  and marinated olives

kenai river sockeye spread and multigrain crackers

Salad

seasonal greens, baby carrots, chickpeas,

 dried cherries with dill and balsamic dressing

Parmesan straws

 Entrée

 spice rubbed pork tenderloin

with lavender wine jelly

lemon caper smashed Yukon Gold potatoes

creamy  shallot  green beans

 Dessert

vintage candy bar

black & white mousse cake wrapped in ganache

 

I think she was a bit overwhelmed.

 

The patriarch of the family presents a toast to his youngest.

Queen for an evening

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.

words

Before declarations and decisions, ask,

"Is it kind? Is it true?

Is it necessary?"

 Listen to the silence.

Breath, and notice beauty. Then,

speak from the heart.

Bonita

Advent

I sleep well in winter.  Better to comfort one's self with warmth from the hearth, crackling, snapping, blazing

and rest

than take haste to not hope.

The swans linger
            till the pale grass is beset by frost and wind.
Who has seen their lonely flight?

One breath is a hard, cold fact. I stay awake, alert. 

My arctic landscape appears

                                 under a canopy of fire-lit clouds

and prepares me for the promise I expect to come. 

Hope and pray in Advent wonderment.

A Proverb

What you plant

And grow

  

  

In your mind

Determines your destiny

By beholding we become changed,

  

By meditating upon perfections

we become renewed.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; 

 

for out of it are the issues of life. 

Proverbs 4:23



Bonita Jane