Monday Meanderings

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in You I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.” (Psalm 25:1-2)

With Easter come and gone for another year, the self-imposed dietary restrictions given for Lent have also come and gone. I lamented in a recent post that I failed to keep my vows 100% by partaking of a fortune cookie when Mom and I went out for Chinese food one night. I wasn’t even thinking of it as a “sweet”; it’s just part of the meal in my mind. But, otherwise, I did fairly well with avoiding traditional “junk” food.

I still haven’t mastered the other half of my vows: to read a chapter of Scripture each day. It’s been spotty at best. However, He’s still working in my life, still working through me and in me.

I just polished off a small bowl of Maple Kettle Korn from Bureau’s Sugarhouse in Connecticut. On Good Friday, Mom, Robert and I drove up to The Book Barn in Niantic, CT. I called ahead of time to confirm that they would be open on the holiday but, I neglected to check the time that they open. We got there about an hour beforehand. After a brief discussion, we decided to do an early lunch…and found the restaurant also wasn’t opening for another hour. We drove down the road some more and came to a place called Smith’s Acres, LLC.

What an amazing place!

It’s relatively small but they carry all manner of landscaping plants, succulents in their greenhouse, and floral arrangements. There’s a farmers’ market inside featuring fresh produce, jams, jellies, honey and maple syrup, all manner of sauces, and a refrigerator full of ice cream. If we added some herbs for growing, and homemade yarns, it could almost be the store of my dreams.

Mom found the Kettle Korn up by the register. We’ve been enjoying it since Easter and remarking how incredibly delicious it is. I didn’t realize until I went to toss away the empty bag that it was Bureau’s product.

Bureau’s Sugarhouse used to have a booth at the Woodstock Fair every year (they may still…). I worked at the Fair for several seasons (2012-2016) and, for one of my co-workers, purchasing a bag of their Maple Kettle Korn was an annual treat. After hearing her rave about it, I bought a small bag one year and fell in love with it. I haven’t had it since I left the fair.

That’s probably a good thing for my teeth and my waistline!

Where He’s working on me, is the return to “desserts” now that Lent has ended. While I’ve enjoyed the Kettle Korn, the bag of black licorice jelly beans (is there any other kind??), and a few other “sweets”, I’ve really been paying attention to my body since the return to them.

I felt better without them. I slept better, too. It’s also renewed my commitment to take better care of myself. Who knew?

I wrote about my dream homestead in my “About” section. And I’ve certainly talked about it on the blog many times. I want to be here to enjoy it. Once I’m back on my feet financially–and we’re getting there slow but sure since taking the director’s seat at the library–I believe I can accomplish that end.

I’m also learning to leave it in His hands. His plans are greater than my own. I want to be here to see that, too.

For anyone else who celebrated Lent by sacrificing in some way, what are some of the ways He’s blessed you? I’d be delighted if you’d share in the Comments’ section below.

May God bless you & keep you!