curate and celebrate

AWAKEN AND RENEW

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:39 NIV

Sunset walk in the neighborhood

TWEAK AND NOURISH

CHEF'S DELIGHT: THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION. It's been over 15 years since my husband and I last prepared a Thanksgiving feast, and what a joy it is to return to this cherished tradition! Now that he's no longer working as a chef, he has the holidays off, and he absolutely revels in planning the menu and crafting each dish with love. My role? Setting the table and tackling the dishes, and I wouldn't have it any other way! This past Thanksgiving Day was truly extraordinary. We are bursting with gratitude for the Lord's protection, provision, and the peace that comes from His grace.

Mother of Pearl Napkin Ring

Butternut Bisque with Mascarpone and Sage

Spanish Tortilla

Grilled Octopus with Potato Saffron Mousse and Chimichurri

Honey Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Paella with Spanish Chorizo, Chicken, Mussels, and Shrimps

CREATE AND EVOLVE

EMBROIDERED GIFTS: BLESSING BLANKETS, MONOGRAMMED HAND TOWEL AND A DOZEN HANDKERCHIEFS.

REFOCUS AND DELIGHT

A GRATEFUL HEART: CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING AND ADVENT. The days leading up to Thanksgiving filled me with excitement and gratitude, offering a chance to embrace a heart full of thankfulness! As Advent approaches, I'm thrilled to reflect on my priorities, habits, and spiritual journey. Today marks the first day of Advent and the exhilarating start of my journey to become physically fit and a mindful eater. I leapt out of bed at 4:30 am, eager to spend 30 invigorating minutes in prayer, asking God for the strength to pursue my plans. By 5:00 am, I was energized and ready to hit the treadmill for an hour, all while being inspired by a biblical program on TV. Today is the day I joyfully declare an end to overeating and procrastination! For too long, I’ve attributed my indulgent cravings and weight gain to menopause, but no more! From now on, every prayer before meals will include a heartfelt request for God’s help in overcoming overeating. I’m ready to face the challenges ahead, knowing there might be setbacks, but I’m determined to stay on track and make incredible progress!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalms 136:1 NIV

I started preparing my heart for Christmas today. I will be sharing the daily message, scripture, and personal reflection in Pastor Rick's Advent Calendar and guide. As stated in the guide booklet, "this resource will help you find real significance in the days leading up to Christmas and help you fellowship with Jesus as he gives you opportunities to reach out to others who have lost hope, even in this season of hope. You'll spend time expressing gratitude to God, worshipping instead of worrying, and taking things off your schedule so you can appreciate the true meaning of Christmas". (Rick Warren, 2018)