Sapphire Anniversary

As a pair, they've been in the spotlight for the entire 65 years of their marriage. Surviving that alone is a major accomplishment. These two, however, still seem completely at ease with each other and the duty-bound lives they have lived. I think that's pretty remarkable.

Happy 65th Anniversary today, Phil and Lilibet.

Advent wreath

My plan for Christmas this year is to keep things simple and focus more on the holiday than all the preparations that accompany it. I've been thinking about making a simple advent wreath and think that this interpretation from EAB Designs is just lovely.

Images courtesy of EAB Designs

Happy Claps

Sixteen years ago, I met my great friend Pam while singing in a choir in Waterloo.  Since then, we've heard a lot of choirs (some of the best were in England during a trip we took to celebrate our 30th birthdays) and enjoyed much music together. In honor of her visit and our musical friendship, I asked her to choose the music for today. She's chosen Gabrielli's Omnes Gentes, which starts with the text "All nations, clap your hands, shout unto God with the voice of joy. "  Having her here has certainly made me clap my hands and sing for joy so the text seems especially fitting. 

Here is the Cambridge University Musical Society Bach Choir under the direction of Sir David Wilcox, with full translation below. 

"All nations, clap your hands, shout unto God with the voice of joy.

For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth.

Subdued the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

He shall choose out an heritage for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved.

God is gone up with a merry and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.

Hallelujah! "

Stepping away

One of my best friends is visiting for a week so I've decided to take a blogging break while she's here. Our plan is to get out of the house as much as possible and show her this island. So far the plan is working (weather is cooperating) and we are having an amazing time.

I'll be back on Sunday with music. Until then, have a great week.

Tile Art

While planning our bathroom renovation, Jeff and I looked at a lot of tile. And then we looked at some more. And then some more. After looking at hundreds (thousands?) of tiles, we ended up choosing white ceramic, clear glass and grey slate. While our very neutral choice may be a little boring, we're both still confident it was the right choice for us.

Sometimes, however, I wish one of us had been brave enough to suggest something like the tile in this kitchen, designed by Jute Interior Design in Mill Valley, CA.

It's certainly striking... I just wonder if I would still feel that way after living with it for a week?

Draw us nearer

Last weekend, our church unexpectedly lost a member. While the announcement of this tragedy immediately changed the tone of the service on Sunday, it also brought our congregation together in a much deeper way than I think we have experienced in recent memory. This was due in large part to our music pastor who, completely led by the spirit, led us through an amazing mix of old and new worship songs that brought us together in a profound way.

One of the final pieces we sang was an old Fanny J. Crosby gospel hymn, "I Am Thine (Draw Me Nearer)".  It was completely new to me but I have been unable to get it out of my head and have continued singing it all week.  Here is a modern interpretation, very similar to the way we sang it last Sunday.

Poppies and Remembering

photo taken at Blackstone Farm nature reserve in Bewdley, Wocestershire, UK by Alan Ranger

photo taken at Blackstone Farm nature reserve in Bewdley, Wocestershire, UK by Alan Ranger

Yesterday...

... I awoke to sunlight streaming into our kitchen. After two weeks of grey rain, it was a most happy sight.