Jane Eyre and "Until We Meet Again Cake"

Good Morning Porch Pals!




It has been a long time since we were together. I've missed you, and move ahead this morning with excitement.


There is something I've learned this summer, and that is some journeys of the heart are not to be public, and some stories, although written, are not to be read by everyone. Since June I have been living those stories and will share glimpses of them.


One story might be titled, "Reconnecting." Another might be named, "Letting Go." Still another might be designated, "Growing Season..."


This morning I am still appreciating last night. I spent the evening with my Titus 2 Girl saying goodbye our way. She is leaving for college in a week. There have been going away parties, and more to follow (that's how much she's loved!) but I needed time to reconcile her departure in a more personal way. A meal, a movie, memories retold, and mitigated pangs of sadness.


The most recent "Jane Eyre" movie was dark and haunting. I enjoyed it very much and silently pleaded for Mr. Rochester and Jane to be together forever. 


We baked a rich, opaque, dark chocolate cake to go with the film, that is only crumbs on a plate this morning. The kitchen has been our gathering place. A spot to examine our lives, our theology, our relationships, our families, and our futures. The walls stow a myriad of moments. Teaching moments, tearful moments, silly, nonsensical moments!


Tonight we said goodbye our way. A girl's night! Chick flick and chocolate. God bless you, sweet friend! Until we meet again.




From the porch,




Alis 

Another Dear Memory

Salutations Sweet Friends!

I was just recollecting the weekend's activities. We witnessed a whirlwind of meaningful events. Precious readers, sometimes I say to myself, "Dear Memory, please make a pretty scrapbook page of this in my mind."

Some of the blessings I can recount:

The demure look on her face when she discovered I was carrying a birthday bag with chocolate pie inside.

A living room full of girls watching Tron!

A liberal compliment from a unprejudiced four year old who thinks that I smell like granola bars... (the good kind).

Two brothers asleep on adjoining couches who fell asleep spending time together.

A dog, a boy, and snuggling by the fire, waiting for dad to come home.

One light-hearted traveler home safe and sound, toting volumes of books and satiated with stories.

Cutting paper flowers from cardstock 'til my fingers hurt.

A charmed breakfast with two at a tasty spot in town.

Receiving a bag of favorites from Whole Foods from a pillar of support in my life. My best friend.

Homemade soup from my walking partner which coated a sore throat with pure delight! Sweet Potato!

The headship of a husband, exercising the kind of love that Christ did and does for his church.

Ripe pears ready to be made into a perfect pear cake!

An overdue conversation with my sweet sister and the satisfaction of catching up with her.

Blessings to you,

Alis

Pi Day

Salutations!

She made her way over to me eager to tell somebody the news. I looked up from my clipboard as she spoke up with a bashful smile.

"My birthday is on pi day."
"What's pi day?"
"You know, 3.14, pi."
"Oh, of course. (It's been a few years since I used pi.)

"So, which birthday is it?"
"Mine."
"No, what I mean to say is, how old will you be on pi day?"
"16."

"So, what do you want to do for your birthday? Do you have something fun planned?"
"I want to go to Marie Callender's for pie." (A girl after my own heart!)
"That is a great idea!"
"My parents said it's too far."


3.1416...the symbol denoting the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. There are at least 3.14 ways that I enjoy this young lady on the work-study team. So I start...

"Lord, you know how deserving she is. I realize that we are in a financial crisis, but it's her sixteenth birthday! She's so sweet and she has helped me with the cleaning so many times... You did put her in my life!"

The next day I was clipping coupons to take to Safeway. Oh, and pie was on sale! And so I started again..."I just want her to know how special she is. I want her to experience a surprise that is designed just for her. I promise to eat eggs, and peanut butter sandwiches this week. Even, oatmeal!"

And that's when I knew that He loved her 3.14 x's infinity. The Dollar Tree supplied this frugal spender's wish for tasteful party plates and a pretty gift bag.

She will look so cute with whipped cream stuck to her top lip and chocolate in between her teeth.

Warmly,
Alis

Child With a Garden Hose



Good Morning Sweet Friends!

Freely flowing, fast moving water, gushing into puddles beneath him. Garden hose stretching long in an exaggerated twist, squirting fluid without restriction. Grass and mud clothing his water-logged feet, and dripping ringlets of wet straight hair. Unconfined...

That's how I want to look. Even in this weak and worsening economy, I pray for hands wide open. Not open to grasp with selfish hands, open to pass on and move all that I can.

My grandmother once told me that we must never lose our spirit of generosity.

It's so easy to store shoe boxes in the ground.

I once knew a woman who gave generously. She gave with utter abandonment. Her home, her food, her time, her resources...it didn't matter because she never really took ownership of them to begin with. She understood that she was just using them temporarily.

I still have the crumpled, yellowing sheet of paper that holds the words that I had hoped to tell at her memorial. You see, the same day that Mimi died, a boy in Africa died from AIDS. His motto was, " Do all that you can, with all that you have, for as long as you can, wherever you are."

These two people, continents apart, lived their lives the same way.

Like a child with a garden hose.

Warmly,

Alis

My Titus Two Girl

Good Morning Sweet Readers!

On this Valentine's Day I thought it appropriate to introduce you to my Titus Two Girl. She has spent the last year knitting herself into our family and into our hearts. I am so beholden to be this merry little maiden's "mum." After my mom's dreadful accident I felt like life had handed me a beginning, an end, and nothing in between. But this sweet girl has given my life a "middle." The glorious friendship we share means the world to me.

Let me tell how it started. We were both involved in the launch team of a new church. One night after a meeting, many months ago she asked if we could spend more time together. I raised boys and was not sure what to do with a young girl. I took it to prayer and immediately knew that the empty foyer in our home would make a lovely project for the two of us. We painted, and decorated, and laughed and shared stories.

The responsibility of teaching and training my new maiden gave me energy and creativity. It inspired me to be better. It gave me a reason for gratitude and celebration. It gave me the best gift- love for a daughter who is biblical, not biological. Although some have made the mistake of deeming us mother-daughter. Her mother is very important to me. She has done an amazing job with this gal. I am not a replacement, or substitute, nor would I wish to be. The most important personal relationship a young lady should have is with her mother.

My little maiden, who is college-aged, has given me someone to invest in. She has provided me an opportunity to obey God's word in Titus to teach younger women. She has healed great loss and void in my life. And, she has given me hope.

My first priority is always taking her to Scripture. I do not have a perfect life, nor perfect answers. To fill her mind with the recommendations and suggestions of Alis would be far too cheap. I want the best for her and must always point her to Christ. We share girl-talk and exchange thoughts and ideas all the time. But I have learned how weighty words are. I pray my words are few.

There are so many activities to include a Titus Two girl in. I find fresh ideas daily.

Lastly, please understand that I could not pour myself into this maiden without being flowed into myself. There is a trickle-down effect. I have a couple ladies in my life whose guidance and maturity help develop me. In fact Marie, Lisa, and Diane are like pillars that support my whole structure. They show me who I am and who I want to become. They have already experienced the season I am in. I can trust their leading. And I love them deeply. Many others are praiseworthy.

Dear readers we have the skills and capabilities to change a young lady's life. Will you look closely to the young ladies in your circle or even in your church body and be an encourager to them. Perhaps it's a neighbor, a niece, a student...

I must close with extreme thankfulness for my boys. They have taken to this "adoption" with the love and kindness that I would expect from them. There is no jealousy or resentment, only friendliness and patience.

Someday when I am old I will sit in the garden watching her children play. We will take tea together and talk about these days. The days I was her "Claire" and she waited for her "Charlie."

Love you,
Alis

A Frolicking Good Time!

Oh the joy that comes from the fullness of friendship and a cozy warm meal!

New England clam chowder, grilled cheese and applewood bacon on olive-studded artisan bread. Bagged salad and water in a bottle. Simple.  

Laughter until it positively hurts! Little man toppling off his chair in fits of ridiculous giggles, screaming mercy to catch a breath.

Man child red-faced, with side-splitting amusement and a husband and wife tag team collaborating to give humble welcome.

A board game, a buzzer, a buddy, and organic banana bread. Thanks be to God for what He has done.

Hospitality is not about me. That would be entertaining and that is lackluster because it only reflects the host. Tonight is entirely about you.

What do you need my friend? Shelter, support, nourishment, friendship, prayer? Is it attending to, company and companionship, a listening ear?

Perhaps it is just noise! Because someone who lives alone craves sound.
May our clamor say that you belong here. We are enjoying you being here.

Two teams, a wooden table, a warm fire, fresh flowers. One home crammed full of happy!

A look that says, "Thank you. I've been fed here."

Open your home. Don't be reluctant, be a rescue!


Swinging with you on the porch,
Alis

A Taste of Home

I'll never forget the year that Taste of Home Cooking School came to our small town community center. There I was in the audience with hundreds of others, mostly women, watching test-kitchen specialists demonstrate recipes right out of the magazine. Their kitchen team made everything look so easy!
My neighbor D. was in the audience that day. We would talk later about the dishes we would try to make at home. Nothing was easy after that day.

D. soon found out that she had cancer. I packed berry boxes that summer full of fresh fruit, colorful produce, and nourishing meals to take to her. I tried to include rooster themed gifts, because she shared my love for roosters. The conversations were not long. Mostly, I would hold her hand. D. would shout out in pain and I would sit, praying to God to make it stop. Every time I left D.'s house she would say, "I love you!" and I would reply, "I love you back!"

About a month after D. was gone I opened the mailbox, and there inside was an issue of Taste of Home. I had no idea why. It made me cry. There was a card attached that read, "A Gift From D.D." It takes an amazing woman to think of others while cancer destroys her. To think that D. did that for me while she was dying is immeasurable. As I wept, I whispered, " I love you back!" And I do. Every month!

D. and I both got a taste of home.

Remember dear readers that it is all about the relationships we have. There is no greater gift than love.

From the porch,
Alis