Gary and I love to visit Lowes and Home Depot. It's a date for us. We dream, make plans, laugh and hold hands. Over 28 years Gary and I have built several homes, remodeled many others, and one-time moved into one that was already finished (Gerry, New York). But even that one, I was given the opportunity to pick out all of the wallpapers that would be installed before we moved in (thanks, Don!).
Last week on a very cold Oklahoma January weekend, we made our annual date for the Oklahoma City Home Show. We walked through all four buildings, looking for our favorite vendors, Gary at the Hearth Shop, Doug with Wholesale Spas, Kevin at the pool booth. We touch and feel new products, and dream of new projects.
2007 was a year of reflection. In January of '07, we were at the hospital when our dear friend, Val, passed away suddenly. Val and Dana were our double-date friends. We never made it to the home show together but we did talk to each other about our finds at the Home Show. We knew they would make a date of it too. We shared dreams of new houses and new home projects.
In 2007, Pastor Craig did a series,
"30 Days to Live"Wow, what an impact it had as we listened to people who had been given just weeks to live. It all came down to "fight for peace". Make peace with people, relationships are all that matters.
At the end of 2007 and as we look to 2008, we are reminded that life is about having dates, holding hands, loving friends and family.
Now is a good time to share about a gift I received this week at the Inn. My friend, Lin, sent me a a prayer shawl she crocheted herself as a hug. Yes, a hug from her, so everytime I wear it, it reminds me that she loves me. Pretty cool idea, huh?
Do you like my lion above? He's been on my desktop all week. Reminds us of Narnia's Aslan.
Hey, on a lighter note, Gary loved the Chili, the Oklahoma Beef Council was passing out at the Home Show. So this week, we made a big pot and shared it with Mark & Danyell & Christian. Here's the recipe.
Chili Beef Express
Makes 4 servings
1 pound 95% lean ground beef
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 can (15-1/2 ounces) chilibeans in chili sauce, undrained, ( we use "Ranch Style Beans")
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chili-style chunky tomatoes, undrained
1 cup frozen corn
1. Brown ground in beef. Pour off drippings. Season with salt & pepper.
2. Stir in Beans, Tomatoes, and Corn. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes.
Oh, and I'm supposed to say BEEF...it's what's for dinner!
Enjoy and give me a call if you like.
The
Arcadian Inn is working through the cold winter. We have had a wonderful month of guests. Jason proposed this weekend. Eric celebrated his birthday. Bob and Ellen celebrated an anniversary. Sammye just got away to do some much needed work in peace and quiet. Becky and Stephen had a great time keeping the
Magic at the Inn. Mark has worked very hard on the
Oklahoma Bed and Breakfast Association website. And most important, Dama has joined us to be caretaker of
Aaron's Gate Country Getaways!!!
Speaking of
Aaron's Gate, Gary and Mark are almost finished with a the Cardinal Cottage, which will be our office and home. Gary has also been working on the cottages, adding 42 inch HDTVs to all of them. Some lucky guys are going to be able to watch the SuperBowl next Sunday in
style!
Let me close with this great story I found on a blog late last night,
The Coal Basket Bible
The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of
Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the
kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible.
His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said,"Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house.
The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was"impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!" "So you think it is useless?" the old man said. "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different.
Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out." That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son. Take time to read a portion of God's word each day, and remind a friend by sharing this story.
Hello to all of our friends, guests, and family!
