Now That It's Spring...

Until next time...

Love is...

Patient
Love is kind
It does not envy
It does not boast
It is not proud
It does not dishonor others
It is not self-seeking
It is not easily angered
It keeps no record of wrongs
Love does not delight in evil
But rejoices with the truth
It always protects
Always trusts
Always hopes
Always perseveres
Love never fails. 1 Cor. 13:4-7

May your Valentine's Day (and every day) be filled with love.

Until next time...

Legacy

I recently attended a Founder's Day program for my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Having gone with my mother, a charter member of her chapter, I left with a burning question on my mind - What is MY legacy? What am I leaving this world?

The answer came a couple of days later in the form of a "thank you" from my little sister from undergraduate school. We recently reconnected and it's just like old times. She shared with me how much I helped her when we were in school. According to her, I touched her life in ways I never knew. On this particular day, she touched mine.

Then it hit me. Everyday, with every encounter, I contribute to my legacy. I impact the lives of others and leave my thumbprint on all that I touch.

Guess what? So do you.

Until next time...


To all of my sorors, Happy Founder's Day!

It's 2011!

In so many ways it is a gift to be able to cross over from one year to the next. For whatever this may mean to you...








Until next time...

Immanuel

For several reasons, this has been the most stressful holiday season I've experienced in years. And I haven't liked it one bit. Since Thanksgiving, a small voice inside of me has been repeating one word over and over again. "Focus, focus."

"If I could only focus before Christmas day gets here," has been my urgent thought. And then it happened. While listening to Handel's "Messiah," I heard what I needed to hear.

"Immanuel, God with us."

I reflected on those words. What does it really mean to have "God with us?" Just imagine - the God of the universe, maker of heaven and earth, the God that is full of power and wisdom, and might. The God that is the embodiment of love. That God...here.

...With us.

What an amazingly wonderful thought. In that moment, I slowly exhaled as a smile made it's way across my face.

NOW, things are in focus.

Aaaaaaaaah! Immanuel...the magic of Christmas.


" BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, " GOD WITH US."
Matt. 1:23

May the blessings of the season be with you now and in the New Year.

Until next time...

Shirley in Review

I have been waiting all year to meet her. Her name is Shirley Paden. For those who are non-knitters, she's a world-renowned hand knitwear designer. And I had the privilege of attending her Design Basics Course which is based on her best-selling book, "Knitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits".

I love learning, knitting, and learning about knitting. And there's nothing like learning from the best. Shirley Paden is certainly that. Anyone who knows her work knows that her patterns are not for the faint at heart. Just in case you didn't know, her class is no different. Take a look for yourself...



We spent an entire day learning to take accurate measurements, configuring garment pieces, and crunching numbers in specific mathematical formulas. But it wasn't all for naught. Despite our bewildered expressions and Shirley's gentle (and at times, not so gentle) nudging, we were able to translate those formulas into actual knitting patterns. In the end, she "felt our energy" and we did her proud.

I now have a greater sense of design technicalities such as the importance of swatching. I am also inspired and encouraged in my ability to envision a garment and create it. In looking back, I'm determined not to let the time, experience, and money invested go to waste.

I LOVE to knit!!!

Until next time...

NOTE: I was unable to reformat the video image.

The Kitchen

Those who know me know that I spend LOTS of time at my parent's house, the same one I grew up in. Even my husband and kids enjoy going. It has become our second home. Because of the time that we spend there, my mother and I are often planning our meals together, haunted by the question, "What are we havin' for dinner?" Which brings me to the subject of this blog.

My mother's kitchen is where I spend most of my time when we visit. It has become a womb of sorts for me. She and I are there together. It is warm. And we are intimately connected. We cook and we talk. We watch the small television together and we laugh. I ask her opinion, get her advice, and curl her hair. She asks my opinion, makes suggestions, and sneaks treats to my children. We shop in bulk and split our purchases in the kitchen. We plan, we dream, and we catch up on the family. I correct her knitting mistakes. She models the depth and breath of motherhood. Sometimes she stands at the sink and I at the stove. Side-by-side we simply exist in the same space amidst the sounds of running water and frying fish.

I drink in these moments, savoring each as if my life depends on them. In so many ways, at least for now, it does. I recognize that they won't last forever. But in the meantime, if you're looking for me and I'm not home, chances are I'm in the kitchen.

Until next time...