Green Cay Wetlands

This past Saturday, while many people were fighting crowds of shoppers for bargains on Christmas decorations and the latest in electronic gadgets, my husband and I enjoyed the quiet of nature. We got up early and, instead of driving to the mall, we went on an excursion to Green Cay Wetlands in Boynton Beach, Florida. Previously a green pepper farm, the property was made into a wetland for the enjoyment of animals and people alike. Construction began on 100 acres in 2003. This water reclamation project naturally filters millions of gallons of water each day. The park is so well-designed and filled with life, one would never know it is a man-made preserve. The 1.5-mile boardwalk allows visitors to stroll through the park and enjoy the scenery. Some people go there just to get some exercise; others will stand in the same spot for hours with their cameras, waiting for that merlin who was spotted in a certain dead tree.

The place is filled with an abundance of wildlife. Marsh rabbits hop along the grassy banks, alligators swim in the water, butterflies flit among the flowers, and birds are everywhere. One stand of trees was filled with several species of warbler. Dead trees served as perches for great egrets, anhingas, wood storks, and hawks.

A beautiful red-shouldered hawk soared overhead. Two roseate spoonbills waded along the edge of the water, and a common snipe hid shyly in the grass. Turtles, whose shells were covered with algae, basked in the sun or swam in the water with their little noses poking up for air. And a tricolored heron walked along the rail of the boardwalk investigating the people who respectfully gave him space so he wouldn't be startled.

Before we left, we walked through the nature center, which has educational dioramas, posters, and films explaining the wildlife and the water cycle of Green Cay. Aerial photographs depict the development of the wetlands over the years; the change in the landscape in just a few short years is incredible! As we walked back to our car, we were serenaded by cicadas, and we finished our visit with a glimpse of the butterfly garden filled with milkweed, wild coffee, and beautyberry bushes.

Our Saturday morning was a peaceful, pleasant time. The fresh air and sunshine, and the music of insects and birds was much more rewarding than the dollars we may have saved on some unnecessary trinket from the mall. The beauty of God's creation is so much more lovely than the glitter of tinsel and flashing lights. Why not take some time this Christmas season to enjoy the blessings of the outdoors? Whether it is filled with snow or sunshine, you will be refreshed and restored. And best of all -- it's free!

A Thought for Thanksgiving

This Thursday, Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving. It is a day to pause and reflect on our blessings, and to thank God for His care and provision for us. Our Thanksgiving tradition began with the Pilgrims, who came to our shores to escape religious persecution. After a year of hardships, in which half the settlers died, they set aside a time to celebrate the harvest and thank God for His blessings. In spite of their struggles and sacrifices, the Pilgrims were grateful for the freedom to worship God. Their governor, William Bradford, wrote in his manuscript Of Plymouth Plantation, "We have noted these things so that you might see their worth and not negligently lose what your fathers have obtained with so much hardship."

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving Day, let us remember all that God has done for us. Let us thank God for family and friends, for food and shelter and the clothes we wear. Let us thank Him for our freedom, which was gained at great cost. But most of all, let us thank Him for salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh give thanks to the LORD;

call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

1 Chronicles 16:8

(ESV)

Cranberry Apple Bread

Now that November is here, a familiar fruit has again made its appearance in the produce section of the grocery store: cranberries! We love cranberries at our house. Our Thanksgiving table always has plates of sliced jellied cranberry sauce from a can (every kid's favorite!), and crystal dishes filled with homemade whole berry sauce and fresh cranberry-orange relish. Those beautiful, deep red berries with their tart flavor lend a refreshing contrast to the rest of a turkey dinner. Fresh cranberries keep well in the refrigerator and last even longer in the freezer. I often stock up on them so I can enjoy delicious baked goods long after the holidays are over. Sometimes I add them to apple crisp or pie, or I use them in muffins. One of my favorite recipes using the tangy fruit is cranberry apple bread. This delicious treat is perfect with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Cranberry Apple Bread

2 Cups peeled, chopped apples
2/3 Cup sugar
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg
1 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 Teaspoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
1 Cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 Cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch loaf pan
Combine apples, sugar, and oil in a medium mixing bowl.
Add egg, mixing well.
Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
Add dry ingredients to apple mixture, mixing just until moist.
Stir in cranberries and walnuts.
Spread batter in loaf pan, and bake 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
Makes one loaf.

Two Hundred Dresses

Wanda Petronski was a little girl who wore the same dress to school every day. But when teased by her classmates, she claimed that she had one hundred dresses at home, all lined up in her closet. The children's book The Hundred Dresses, written by Eleanor Estes and illustrated by Louis Slobodkin, won a Newbery Honor in 1945. It is a timeless story that teaches about compassion and courage, and the impact of our words. One thing is certain, though. Wanda was an imaginative little girl who drew pictures of her hundred dresses, each a unique design and beautifully colored.

Recently, my husband gave me a book that  promises to be quite inspiring. Sew Many Dresses, Sew Little Time; The Ultimate Dressmaking Guide is written by designer Tanya Whelan. With simple, interchangeable templates and step-by-step instructions, Tanya shows how to make over 200 possible combinations! I have always wanted to design my own clothes, but never had the nerve to try it. I have had to rely on patterns designed by someone else. Now, with this book, I have the guidance I need to be more creative when I sew. I am starting with a very basic design, in a captivating fabric.

Once I get the fit right and become more courageous, I will try some other styles. I won't be making two hundred dresses, but perhaps, like Wanda, I can use my imagination and make some designs that are uniquely mine.

I must be careful to plan my dresses so that they can join my other clothes and become part of my ten item wardrobe. And now that my closet is under control and the needles and thread are being used again, perhaps my next organizing project will be my sewing supplies!

Something Beautiful

A few months ago, we had a terrible storm. It wasn't a hurricane, but it sure looked like one from my dining room window. Rain poured down, and the wind blew the palm trees so that their fronds all faced west. Lightning flashed, and thunder crashed, and my patio umbrella tipped over. Then it happened. The big acacia tree we had planted about ten years ago fell to the ground, uprooted by the wind. It had been a messy tree, always dropping branches when there was any kind of storm, and spreading seedpods everywhere. But it had given a light shade to a section of the property, and the birds seemed to like the flowers high up in its branches.

As we cleaned up the mess, we discovered the reason for the tree's shallow roots. Some time in the past, someone had buried large chunks of concrete in the very spot we had placed the acacia, thus preventing its roots from growing deep into the ground. We started digging up the yard, finding more and more debris, and the pile got higher and higher. What on earth were we going to do with this stuff? After some consideration, I decided to try imitating the delightful stone walls one sees in New England or in the English countryside. We began stacking our "stones" along a path, and the result was surprising. We now have a beautiful, natural looking addition to our landscape. And it started with a storm.

Sometimes life brings us troubles. Sometimes it seems we have been defeated. But God takes notice when we are afflicted. He comforts us, encourages us, and raises us up, changing our ruined lives into something beautiful for His glory -- if only we will let Him. 

O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted,

 behold, I will set your stones in antimony and lay your foundations with sapphires.

 I will make your pinnacles of agate, 

your gates of carbuncles,

 and all your wall of precious stones.

 Isaiah 54: 11-12 

(ESV)

A Peek Inside My Closet

Well, here it is: my ten item wardrobe for fall! My ten pieces include one dress, six skirts, and three blouses. I also have a few tee shirts and cardigans, which are on the shelf above the hanging garments. Everything coordinates, so I have at least twenty different outfits. One hanger holds two scarves that I can wear with some of the skirts and tops. There are two jackets hanging in the closet as well, although I probably will not be wearing them until winter, because it is too warm right now. I just liked the way they looked hanging there! The only shoes, belts, and handbags on display are those that will be worn with my ten items. This way, I won't have to search for things; everything I need is here, and nothing else. In fact, I don't even need to open the left side of the closet at all! My clothing for the season all fits on the right side!

I will disclose that I have a spare closet in another room for a few out of season dresses and evening gowns.

I have two bags of clothing to give to charity. I'm sure that I will have even more when I finish sorting through the out of season things. For now, I just boxed them up. I still haven't decided about that 40-year-old sweater! I really like the color, and it brings back memories of my first trip into the city with friends, for a day of shopping and exploring.

I replaced the old hangers with matching ones and purchased some storage boxes that were on sale. I had a roll of contact paper that I had gotten some time ago, and I decided to cover my shoe boxes with it to make them look pretty. Labels on the lids of each box tell me what is inside. Most of the storage boxes hold out of season clothes.

My plan is to change the items every three months for each season. Because I got started on this project a little late, the fall clothes won't be hanging here very long. With December right around the corner and the accompanying Christmas festivities, I will be changing a number of garments in just a few weeks. For now, I will enjoy my beautifully organized closet!

Into the Wardrobe

C.S. Lewis readers will remember the story of the little girl who climbed into a wardrobe and entered another world. The Chronicles of Narnia describes this magical land, where animals talk and good clashes with evil. My wardrobe doesn't lead to the fantasy land of Narnia, and there certainly aren't talking animals inside. But there was a battle, of sorts, going on behind those doors. Skirts and blouses were fighting with dresses and jackets for room to breathe. Boots tried to get a foothold among the shoes. Sweaters and tee shirts struggled to hold their ground as handbags advanced on their territory. So I decided to combat the chaos by attacking the mess head-on. I took the ten item wardrobe challenge.

After I emptied the whole closet, I realized that I had made a tactical error. I had no idea what I was going to do with my clothes while I was in the process of reorganizing them. This wasn't a job that could be completed in one afternoon. So that night, before I went to bed, I piled the clothes in front of the closet. Each time I worked on this project, I found myself moving piles from here to there -- not a very efficient way to work. So for those of you who wish to join me in this endeavor, here are a few tips:

• Have a bag or box handy for those things that you are going to give away. Perhaps you know someone who can use them, or you can donate them to a charity. I won't give the common advice about discarding anything you haven't worn for a year. If you are like me, you may have simply forgotten about some of those items. But do look at each article of clothing with fresh eyes. If a piece doesn't feel right, or if it is stained or worn out, get rid of it! 
• Know what you are going to do with your out-of-season clothes. Do you have another closet that can be used for this purpose? Maybe you can simply box them up and place them on the top shelf. Either way, they will not be taking up space and adding confusion to the clothing you will be wearing this season. 
• Choose the shoes and handbags that coordinate with your ten item wardrobe, and put the other ones away. This will make getting dressed so much easier, when you don't have to wade through 20 pairs of shoes. The same goes for belts and scarves. There is no need to have your white sandals in your closet in January, or black boots taking up precious space in July (unless, of course, you live in the Southern Hemisphere!).
• Try to use matching hangers. It will make the whole closet look so much nicer! They don't have to be expensive. Remember, you will be limiting the number of items that will need hangers, so you won't need many.
• Take measurements of shelf space before you go out shopping for organizational paraphernalia. And take a tape measure with you when you shop, so that you will be sure the things you buy will fit in your closet.
• Be creative! You don't need to spend a fortune on this. If you have the money for a beautiful, customized closet system, that's great! But with a little thought, you  can use what you already have to get things under control and looking nice. For example, boxes can be covered with contact paper, or even wrapping paper, to make them pretty. Labels will let you know what each box contains. Everyone's needs and resources are different. Your closet belongs to you, so make it yours! 

It will be so much easier to get dressed in the morning, once your choices are narrowed down to only the things that make you look and feel good. No more rummaging through a forest of garments or rooting around in a pile of shoes. And you will probably save money by not purchasing clothes that you don't need. Your next trip to the mall may be for just one dress to replace one that has worn out. Or perhaps you only need a blouse in a particular color to complete your capsule of clothing. You won't be tempted to buy everything in sight. You will be in control! Are you ready for the challenge?

Next week: A peek inside my closet for a glimpse of my ten item wardrobe.

A Little Bird Comes to Town

There is a very special little bird in town right now. He came all the way from South America to pay us a visit. A variegated flycatcher somehow found his way to our area, causing much excitement. You see, he is only the sixth variegated flycatcher on record to be seen in North America. People from near and far have been flocking to Evergreen Cemetery to catch a glimpse of him and add him to their life lists. 

This weekend, my husband and I got up early and spent a morning at the cemetery. It is a beautiful, peaceful place. The oldest intact cemetery in town, it is the final resting place for many of the city's founding families. But it is also well known for its hospitality to birds. Many big old trees grow there, in an out-of-the-way corner of the city, an oasis in the midst of highways and high rises. A large strangler fig, 200 feet south of the flagpole, seems to be a favorite of our feathered friends. Some of the birds nibble at the figs high up in the tree, while others snack on the insects that are also feasting on the fruit. 

As we drove through the gate at the entrance to the cemetery, we saw that a crowd had already gathered under the canopy of the Ficus aurea. Many had cameras with huge telephoto lenses standing on tripods. Armed with our binoculars and cell phone cameras, we joined the crowd. Several people pointed out the visitor to us, and we happily watched him as he posed for his picture. One man talked about a rose-breasted grosbeak that he had seen the day before. A few folks discussed their plans to make a trip down the road where another rare bird had been sighted.

We walked through the cemetery, looking for other birds and reading the inscriptions on the grave markers. A gray catbird meowed from a thicket of Brazilian peppers. A hawk flew over head. And warblers flitted about in the trees. It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.

It seems like a silly thing for so many people to get excited about. One little bird comes to town, and it makes national news. But to bird watching enthusiasts, it is always a joy to see a new bird. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to watch this little fellow enjoy the beauty of our neighborhood. There is Someone else who considers each little bird to be special. And in His concern for such a small creature, He shows us how special each of us is to Him.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31

(ESV)