Celebrating Mother Earth

Courtesy of www.usp.nus.edu.sg

Think about what this means.  Holding the earth in your hands. Sort of like you hold a child's face in your hands.  Lovingly.  Tenderly.  

I've been doing some reading about the foods we eat.  The chemicals that are in our food.  The pesticides and herbicides that are not only used as our food grows, but that are engineered to be within the seeds.  Imagine that.  A seed that has the ability to kill off something before it even attacks the plant.  

Doesn't that make you wonder what you really are ingesting?  

Nine months ago, I had this vision of the new look to my garden.  It would have plenty of perennials.  It would be magical.  It would transport me as I walked thru it.  But the more I read, the more I realized I wanted to have more say in what I eat.  So now, the plan is to expand my garden to grow more vegetables.  I picked up seeds that don't have pesticides engineered into them.  Heirloom seeds.  Organic seeds.  Raising the plants in raised beds.  

I would love to see our village start a community garden.  I have the perfect place in mind.  I think it's time I started being a little more vocal about things like this in our community.  

My grandkids will be on this earth for a good many more decades.  I want to do my small part to make this earth a safer place for them to live.  

Courtesy of the Northbrook Tower 4/16/13

 Thanks for stopping in.  Eat healthy!!

Post-Easter Catch Up

I have a friend who recently moved to Evanston (IL) and lives about 3 blocks from Lake Michigan.  We've had a few conversations about the beauty of the sunrises she gets to enjoy as she leaves for work.  So very early on Easter morning, I took a ride to her place so that we could photograph the sunrise.  Most of you already know I have this thing about sunrises.

Unfortunately, there were clouds on the horizon so we didn't get to witness the sun popping out of the water.  But fortunately (and unexpectedly), we had an opportunity to capture a different view.  A congregation had gathered for an Easter sunrise service.  They even brought three crosses to symbolize the three crosses at Calvary.  It was beautiful to witness.  Talk about God's glory!!  And as we stood back and watched, one couple arrived late.  Thus, the name given to the picture.  

"The Stragglers"
Easter Sunrise Service 3/31/13
Evanston, IL

Here's your bit of trivia for week.  It came up over the weekend, in a room full of Catholics.  We had to get the answer from the internet, because no one was certain.  The question came up as to why Easter is not on a set date.  It moves around each year, sometimes early, sometimes late.  Y'know why??  It has to do with the spring equinox.  Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox.


Little Miss had her birthday party this weekend.  Daddy put together a game based on one of her favorite characters, Dora the Explorer.  This kid has expressions that just go on and on!!  (I swear she knows that this makes us all laugh!!) -- Thanks for the pics, Aunt Colleen!

Courtesy of Colleen Buti Awbrey

"Oh MANNN!!
Courtesy of Colleen Buti Awbrey