Counting

1 little girl in a yellow princess dress smiled at me.
2 played croquet in afternoon cool.
3 new herbs’ seeds are buried in wet earth.
4 sat round the table for Sara’s delicious dinner.
5 seemingly endless errands ended in ministry.
6 inches shorter hair makes me feel different.
7…+30 slugs, now captured in a jar, awaiting sudden death.

It's hard not to count the precious last days as a household of six, but let's enjoy them while we can.

A Rose

I picked a rose tonight. It's scent magically matched that of roses in Congo. I was transported to that distant land, away from the smog, the city dust, the new asphalt, and the exhaust. Wishing I could enjoy a reprieve from this confining place, I found a solace and there began to pray.

It truly is spring. Fruit is plentiful now in CA and we find ourselves in possession of at least 15 pounds of lemons, 4 pounds strawberries, 5 lbs of loquats, etc. etc. Jam making is in full swing. I am thankful for my patient housemates who have put up with the large pots of fruit, jars, jars everywhere, and plenty sticky utensils.

Spontaneity proved successful in bringing us all together today. All six of us, plus the two "honorary" members of the household and a previous Fairvilla lady, were able to make a quick trip down to Coldstone's for "free slice of ice cream cake" night. Iceberg's motto: "Dessert first" held true tonight for us all.

Not just the garden here at the House on Fairvilla is showing signs of growth. All of us here feel the pains of growth in different ways, in different areas, at different rates, but we see God working all things together for good. Praise His name!

Coconut, shrimp, and butternut squash sauce

¾ cup chicken broth
1 ½ tsp brown sugar
1 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp tomato paste
¼ tsp crushed red pepper
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 14 oz. Can light coconut milk
2 cups (3/4 inch) cubed, peeled butternut squash
1 cup julienne-cut red bell pepper
1 lb. Large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and halved lengthwise
2 cups hot cooked basmati rice (Cook more if you love rice. Multiply your dry rice measurement by 4 and this is how much cooked rice you’ll end up with.)
¼ cup lime juice
3 Tbs minced fresh cilantro

Options: Add yellow bell pepper, 1 tsp Thai red chile paste, omit brown sugar

Combine first 7 ingredients in a lg. Pan, stirring with a whisk. Stir in squash and red pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 min. or til squash is tender.

Stir in shrimp, bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until shrimp are done, stirring occasionally. Stir in rice, lime juice, and cilantro.

Serves: 4 with 1 3/4c. per person.

Creative Cooking

What do you get when you put together Grand Marnier chocolate sauce, the dregs of the sour cream container, chopped walnuts, a halloween cake mix, Lindt milk chocolate chunks, a stray egg white, some water and oil and then bake it?

Mmmm, Chocolate brownie cake on the light and fluffy side. Not bad, not bad at all! =)

Mrs. Jones: I promise I'll send you those recipes soon. Wish you could join us for tomorrow night's potato corn chowder and oatmeal stout bread.

Sow in the Spirit

Skin is brown, fingernails are brittle, hands are dry, and I am satisfied to know that within the black earth are buried seeds. After 4 hours of toil the yard has been transformed into a garden anticipating growth. The herbs, flowers, and vegetables have been planted and now demand careful attention to insure that they are given a healthy balance of water and sunshine.

I found it very fitting to be challenged by this verse today.

Galatians 6:8 "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Desire the Spirit to work in our lives and produce fruit...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (5:22-23). I know that I do none of these very well at all, but as I sow in the Spirit I will see the fruits of His labor. Let us all strive for the Spirit's plentiful harvest.

Tradition Acquisition

With a little toil on the part of one of our seamstresses, the House on Fairvilla has acquired a lacy satin garter. Initially the garter was for Sara's upcoming wedding day, but we now have formulated a plan for a new tradition. Every woman from this household who should happen to be married must wear this Fairvilla garter on her wedding day. Three have given their "Aye's," the committee has agreed.