Tag: Life

My Abundant Life 7-20-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

July 20th, 2026

True North

“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.”

Ursula K. LeGuin (American Author, October 21st, 1929 to January 22nd, 2018)

“I used to believe that happiness could only be found after arriving at my heart’s destination. Explorers call it true north.”

“…I’ve learned that the spirit of our journey is as important, perhaps even more important, than the arrival at our destination. In order for us to realize genuine happiness, we must be willing to court contentment every step of the way. For after all, the journey is really all that most of us will ever know. Day in, day out. The journey is real life.”

“I found myself saying to myself…I can’t live where I want to…I can’t go where I want to…I can’t do what I want to. I can’t even say what I want to. I decided I was a very stupid fool not to at least paint as I wanted to…that seemed to be the only thing I could do that didn’t concern anybody but myself.”

Georgia O’Keeffe (American Painter; November 15th, 1887 to March 6th, 1986)

“…we can certainly learn slowly to follow her example, to carve out time for rewarding reveries that acquaint us with our authentic selves and give us glimpses of true north.”

“For it’s during our expectant hours–those hours that might once have been called ‘idle’–that we are most pregnant with our own potential.”

“..store up reservoirs of calm and content… and draw on them at later moments when the source isn’t there but the need is very great.”

Rupert Brooke (English Poet; August 3rd, 1887 to April 23rd, 1915)

“This skill–the soulcraft of devoutly caring for our authentic selves–rarely comes naturally or easily. But with practice, with patience, with perseverance, it does come.”

“Listening and peeling away the layers to get to my authentic self has been the most extraordinary journey of my life!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 265 to 266 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.

My Abundant Life 7-16-26

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July 16th, 2026

A Seasonal Feast: The Joy of Anticipation

“Why is any day better than another, when all the daylight in the year is from the sun?

By the Lord’s decision they were distinguished, and he appointed the different seasons and feasts;

some of them he exalted and hallowed, and some of them he made ordinary days.”

Ecclesiasticus (also called Sirach) 33:7-9

“The joy of seasonal cooking is the simplest of pleasures, but one of the most overlooked. It brings harmony and rhythm to our days, demonstrating with gentle wisdom that simplicity and abundance are soul mates. The joy of seasonal foods transforms even the ordinary days at the table into hallowed moments, calling to mind the Book of Proverbs’ wisdom that ‘the cheerful heart has a continual feast.'”

“Summer is when Mother Nature shows off, proving that the Universe is not stingy. Gardens and farmers’ markets now overflow with the goodness of the earth. Now, while the summer is offering bountiful home economic lessons, is the perfect time to reconsider how you cook throughout the year.”

“‘There is no season such delight can bring,’ the English Poet William Browne believed, ‘as summer, autumn, winter and the spring.’ The simply abundant joy of seasonal foods will convince you that life can be a continual feast at Mother Nature’s table.”

“I know that I am happier now than I have ever been. With that happiness comes much laughter. My cheerful home creates a feast for my enjoyment. Truly extraordinary!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 260 to 261 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.

My Abundant Life 7-15-26

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July 15th, 2026

Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner

“I learned early on that setting a table is so much more than just laying down knives and forks. It is creating a setting for food and conversation, setting a mood and an aura that lingers long after what was served and who said what was forgotten.”

Peri Wolfman (Author; June 1960)

“The rituals of nourishment cry out for the communion cups, the special plates on which to break bread, the candle flame, the circle drawn in the dirt. Ritual protects and heals, ritual symbolizes to all who come to your tale seeking rest and renewal that they are enclosed within a sacred space. You may think you’re only laying a place at the supper table, but when you trust and follow your creative impulses to bring forth something beautiful, you experience the Sacred in the ordinary. Moses looked for God in the burning bush. We need look no further than our tables, the tables that the Hebrew Psalmist tells us have already been prepared for us so that our cups might runneth over.”

“When you take extra moments to prepare an attractive table, you’re really performing an invocation, welcoming Spirit to be present in recreation and remembrance. Choosing to dine rather than just eat is a small but significant step toward self-nurturance, and one to savor as long as we live. Creating an inviting table is possible more nights than you think, especially if you approach is as another venue of artistic expression in your daily round and confine your efforts, as Peri suggests, to ‘the simple, the doable, and the affordable.'”

“Today, start using and enjoying the beautiful things that already surround you in the home. Don’t save their loveliness only for other people to recognize and appreciate. Using them, you will become aware that authentic aspirations–from setting a pretty table to finding your life’s calling–are legitimate longings.”

“I believe every meal is a dinner party and we use all our fine ware to celebrate our dining with one another. Use it or lose it!”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 258 to 260 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.

My Abundant Life 7-14-26

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July 14th, 2026

The Celebrating Table

“The table is a meeting place, a gathering ground, the source of sustenance and nourishment, festivity, safety, and satisfaction.”

Laurie Colwin (American Writer; June 14th, 1944 to October 24th, 1992)

“The evening meal should be the highlight of the day. If the day has been peaceful, pleasurable, and profitable, it’s time to celebrate. If the day has been difficult and discouraging, it’s time for comfort and consolation–blessings by themselves and reason to celebrate. Either way, the celebrating table bids.”

“Planning, shopping, and cooking in the space of an hour is self-abuse pure and simple.”

“We need time to defuse, to contemplate. Just as in sleep our brains relax and give us dreams, so at some time in the day we need to disconnect, reconnect, and look around us. We must turn off the television and the telephone, hunker down in front of our hearths, and leave our briefcases at the office, if for only one night. We must march into the kitchen, en famille or with a friend, and find some easy, heartwarming things to make from scratch, and even if it is but once a week, we must gather at the table, alone or with friends or with lots of friends or with one friend, and eat a meal together. We know that without food we would die. Without fellowship life is not worth living.”

Laurie Colwin (American Writer; June 14th, 1944 to October 24th, 1992)

“Sharing a meal with my husband is one of the highlights of my day. I love how we creates meals with love and creativity. I see his full self-expression when he cooks.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 257 to 258 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.

My Abundant Life 7-13-26

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July 13th, 2026

Stocking The Larder

“Cooking–yes, and living become simpler rite this month. I have made a list of satisfactory meals planned around only one cooked dish. This list is hung on the door of my kitchen cabinet for reference. When I am lacking ambition I do not wonder what to have for dinner.”

Nell B. Nichols (Author; August 28th, 1894 to May 28th, 1984)

“Won’t you agree with me, as you lie looking up at the leafy canopy above you, that a home now and in every other month must be a haven to the spirit as well as a place in which the physical needs are supplied?”

Nell B. Nichols (Author; August 28th, 1894 to May 28th, 1984)

“My own is my haven. I love to shut out the world and just exist in our hobbit house with my love and dog.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 255 to 257 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.

My Musical Life 7-10-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

July 10th, 2026

#12 Everything Is Beautiful (Ray Stevens) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow, black and white
They are precious in his sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world🪄
Everything is beautiful in its own way
Like a starry summer night
On a snow covered winter’s day
And everybody’s beautiful in their own way
Under God’s heaven
The world’s gonna find the way🪄
There is none so blind
As he who will not see
We must not close up minds
We must let our thoughts be free🪄
For every hour that passes by
You know the world gets a little bit older
It’s time to realize that people lies
In the eyes of the beholder🪄
And everything is beautiful in its own way
Like a starry summer night
On a snow covered winter’s day, ah, sing it children
Everybody’s beautiful in their own way
Under God’s heaven
The world’s gonna find a way🪄
We shouldn’t care about the length of his hair
Of the color of his skin
Don’t worry about what shows from without
But the love that lives within🪄
And we’re gonna get old again now
Everything is gonna work out fine
Just take a little time to look on the good side my friend
And straighten it out in your mind🪄
And everything is beautiful in its own way
Like a starry summer night
On a snow covered winter’s day, ah, sing it children
Everybody’s beautiful in their own way
Under God’s heaven
The world’s gonna find a way, one more time🪄
Everything is beautiful in its own way
Like a starry summer night
On a snow covered winter’s day

My Musical Life 7-9-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

July 9th, 2026

#11 Mama Told Me (Not To Come) (Three Dog Night) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Want some whiskey in your water?
Sugar in your tea?
What’s all these crazy questions they’re askin’ me?
This is the craziest party that could ever be
Don’t turn on the lights ’cause I don’t wanna see🪄
Mama told me not to come
Mama told me not to come
That ain’t the way to have fun, no (uh-uh)🪄
Open up the window, let some air into this room
I think I’m almost chokin’ from the smell of stale perfume
And that cigarette you’re smokin’ ’bout scare me half to death
Open up the window, sucker, let me catch my breath🪄
Mama told me not to come
Mama told me not to come
That ain’t the way to have fun, son
That ain’t the way to have fun, son (oh, yeah!)🪄
The radio is blastin’, someone’s knockin’ at the door
I’m lookin’ at my girlfriend, she’s passed out on the floor
I seen so many things I ain’t never seen before
Don’t know what it is, I don’t wanna see no more🪄
Mama told me not to come
Mama told me not to come
She said, (“That ain’t the way to have fun, son”)
(“That ain’t the way to have fun, no”)🪄
Mama told me, mama told me
Mama told me, told me, told me
Mama told me
Oh, yeah
Mama told me, not to go…🪄
That ain’t the way to have fun, no
That ain’t the way to have fun, son
That ain’t the way to have fun, no (look at you)
That ain’t the way to have fun, son🪄
Listen to mama, listen to me baby
Mama told me, not to go…🪄
That ain’t the way to have fun, no (yeah!)
That ain’t the way to have fun, son (somebody tell ’em)
That ain’t the way to have fun, no (mama)
That ain’t the way to have fun, son

My Musical Life 7-7-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

July 7th, 2026

#9 Let It Be (The Beatles)👍🏼

Lyrics:
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be🪄
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be🪄
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be🪄
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be🪄
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be🪄
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be, be🪄
And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shinin’ until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be🪄
And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be🪄
And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

My Musical Life 7-6-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

July 6th, 2026

#8 Get Ready (Rare Earth)👍🏼

Lyrics:
I never met a girl could make me feel the way that you do
(You’re all right)
Whenever I’m asked what makes a my dreams real
I tell ’em you do
(You’re outta sight)
Well tweedle dee, tweedle dum
Look out baby now here I come🪄
I’m bringin’ you a love that’s true yeah, get ready (get ready, get ready)
I’ll stop makin’ love to you, get ready (get ready, get ready)🪄
Get ready, ’cause here I come (I said I’m on my way)
Get ready, ’cause here I come🪄
If you wanna play hide and seek with love, let me remind ya
(You’re all right)
The lovin’ you’re gonna miss, and the time it takes to find ya
(You’re outta sight)
Well tweedle dee, tweedle dum
Look out baby now here I come🪄
I’m bringin’ you a love that’s true yeah, get ready (get ready, get ready)
I’ll stop makin’ love to you, get ready (get ready, get ready)🪄
Get ready, ’cause here I come (I said I’m on my way)
Get ready, ’cause here I come🪄
If all of my friends shouldn’t want me to, I think I’ll understand
(You’re alright)
I hope I get to you before they do ’cause, that’s how I planned it
(You’re outta sight)
Well fee-fi fo-fo-fum, look out baby, said here I come🪄
I’m bringin’ you a love that’s true yeah, get ready (get ready, get ready)
I’ll stop makin’ love to you, get ready (get ready, get ready)🪄
Get ready, ’cause here I come (I said I’m on my way now)
Get ready, ’cause here I come (oh)🪄
If you wanna play hide and seek with love, let me remind ya
(You’re all right)
The lovin’ you’re gonna miss, and the time it takes to find ya
(You’re outta sight)
Well tweedle dee, tweedle dum
Look out baby now here I come🪄
I’m bringin’ you a love that’s true yeah, get ready (get ready, get ready)
I’ll stop makin’ love to you, get ready (get ready, get ready)🪄
Get ready, ’cause here I come (I said I’m on my way now)
Get ready, ’cause here I come (oh)🪄
Get ready, ’cause here I come (hey, get ready, baby)
Get ready, ’cause here I come (you gotta get ready, ready)
Get ready, ’cause here I come (baby here I come)

My Musical Life 7-4-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

July 4th, 2026

#6 Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Diana Ross) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
If you need me, call me
No matter where you are
No matter how far
Just call my name
I’ll be there in a hurry
On that you can depend and never worry🪄
No wind, (no wind)
No rain, (no rain)
Nor winter’s cold
Can stop me, babe
(Oh, babe) baby (baby)
If you’re my goal🪄
No wind, (no wind)
No rain, (no rain)
Can stop me, babe
If you wanna go🪄
I know, I know you must follow the sun
Wherever it leads
But remember
If you should fall short of your desires
Remember life holds for you one guarantee
You’ll always have me🪄
And if you should miss my lovin
One of these old days
If you should ever miss the arms
That used to hold you so close, or the lips
That used to touch you so tenderly
Just remember what I told you
The day I set you free🪄
Ain’t no mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough
Ain’t no river wild enough
To keep me from you🪄
Ain’t no mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough
(Say it again)
Ain’t no river wild enough
To keep me from you🪄
Ain’t no mountain high enough
Nothing can keep me
Keep me from you🪄
Ain’t no mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough
(Say it again)
Ain’t no river wild enough
To keep me from you🪄
Ain’t no mountain high enough
Nothing can keep me
To keep me from you