Be a Brush to Paint the World with Life

I stumbled upon that quote ages ago and it has stuck with me- perhaps painted a bit of its truth in my heart. Perhaps it is because I am an artist whose heart and desire to create beauty was shut inside for many years and now is bursting out like a jack-in-the-box with excitement.  Or, maybe it’s because the artist in me desires to see an ever-changing real beauty affect this world that seems to get darker and darker through the media and it’s constant reminders of economic downfall, war, health care, global warming and celebrity death.

Mostly, it’s because I’m a little girl again thanks to my children. I have been given permission by my Creator to create- to leave little brushstrokes of happiness and joy each day for others- for my children- to come behind and admire. I’m no trained artist, but I know there is some art in each of us looking to escape- paint, sing, cook, color, snap!

Our consumer culture has us so wrapped up in what’s next in the stores, and with this terrible economy- how will we ever afford it- that we often overlook the true gifts and art in front of us and inside of us every day by just slaving away to buy the next tech gadget, hybrid or super drink.

Me, I’m happy being a mom. And a wife. And a little girl who gets to finger paint or snap a shot or hunt for treasure on the beach and play pirates and princess and chef- just hoping to paint the world with a little light and life to those I encounter along the way. And, praying that I teach my little ones and others to do the same.

What reminds you of your grandpa?

I had my first experience with Romana Black Sambuca liquor while working as the director of marketing for golfer Greg Norman and chef Todd English at their concept restaurant in Myrtle Beach when Todd English himself was still new. It was the chef’s (Dave) favorite after work drink- Black. 

I’m not a fan of it’s clear sibling, but oh, the dark one.  Most people have not heard of Black, and it’s only behind the bar of finer dining establishments.  With my first sip, I was in love with a flavor and sensation I had not experienced anywhere else- or so I thought. It’s not something I enjoy drinking quickly, like Dave did as shots- but for me, it’s much like sipping a perfect latté- a desert treasure for the palatte with each lick of my lips. (excuse me while I go fix a glass) Even now, at midnight – missing my husband away on business- alone on the balcony listening to the waves, the thick, syrupy texture transports me to a moment of silence, reflection and thanks. Rocks glass with one piece of ice. Swirl. Smell. Sip. Savor. Mmmmm. Chill.

 In 2004, we literally sold everything we owned to spend a year abroad in Europe.  We lost most of what we had shortly after arriving (that’s another story.) Savoring everything took on a whole new meaning, and after months of traveling, we spent a day in Rome (the production home of Romana Sambuca) and I found a bottle for only ten Euros. Luis and I created a new meaning of savor as we extended the life of the half litre bottle to nearly three months. But, during that time of savoring, I realized why I loved Black Sambuca.  Its flavor has the ability to transport me back to my childhood through this “adult beverage” (as we call alcohol in our home.) Anything that can cause us to be childlike at heart in my opinion is a good thing.

I was probably eight years old and my brother four.   We’d run in to our grandparent’s house  and  be barked at, licked and jumped on by Snoopy the poodle and give Bompa a quick and not-to-tight hug.  He was not the affectionate type- but boy, was he cool! Looking back- a regular James Dean. I’d hold my palm open for a piece of black licorice. Unfailingly, it was always sitting in a large glass screw- top mason jar next to his recliner alongside the smokes. This intense anise candy wasn’t consumed around my house- my mom didn’t like it. And quite frankly, I could do without the sticky mess on my teeth.

Bompa rode a cool Honda cruising motorcycle, smoked a pipe, a cigar, a cigarette, and probably anything else he could smoke. His wrinkled and gray haired forearms that didn’t hug too often covered faded black navy tattoos. But he had a great chuckle, a big smile and always plenty of love to go around in the form of black licorice. I guess that’s how he knew to dish out love. He died pretty young and suddenly and I never did get enough of riding on the back of that motorcycle. Or of that black licorice.

This flavor and the memories attached to it were bottled up for many years, until that summer at the Grill. And, I’m still amazed how real yesterday feels when I have a glass. It leaves me excited for tomorrows if they can be that real for years, too with something as simple as a cordial.

Now, my boys call my dad bompa. Maybe one day, I’ll invite him to a glass of Black  and see if he feels like a kid again. And, maybe I’ll tell you what reminds me of my other grandpa too. And, while I’m at it, I think I’ll share this with my grandma. What reminds you of your grandpa? What do flavors unlock for  you? I’d love to hear…

Until then, stop. Sip. Savor. Salud.

Hurricane Season Prepping here at the beach….

Yeah, we all stock up on “canned” meats for hurricane season- but what about something to actually make them taste good if a storm arises?
Start collecting mini mayonnaise and sauce packages from your favorite take-out places now and store them with your canned meat supply. That way, in case of a storm- you could actually make tuna salad or BBQ chicken instead of just straight meat from the can! Why should food taste bad in an emergency? Enjoy!

Making a Master Sommelier- a wife’s view (part one)

   While I’m helping Luis study for his Master Sommelier diploma (a title just over 150 people worldwide hold) I find I’m constantly sharing what this prestigious exam consists of and how he is “studying.” Here’s what happened one morning this week…

   It’s just after 10 am. We have dropped Makani off at Kindergarten and I’m feeding baby Luke. Luis goes to the garage to workout and pray while I set it up- the 6 bottle blind tasting that is. Today’s theme is “old world classics.” I stop to change the stemware to be congruent and for another moment to change the baby’s diaper.

   I have to make sure the bottles and even bottle tops are covered because their shape and appearance can give them away. Rioja has a foil cage around the bottle, Italy has the DOCG official tape across the top, and the Chateauneuf du Pape has a peculiar bottle shape. We’ve returned last night from a two and a half week trip and the things that have seemingly unpacked themselves (CD’s, books, toys, leftover snacks) on the dining room table are shoved to the side to make room for the wines.

   Opening 6 bottles in a row with a sommelier’s wine key makes me wish we still had that automatic wine opener someone gave us a couple years ago for Christmas but we gave away because we could do without. A couple lead foil cuts on my fingers later and it’s time to polish the stemware and pour.  (Luis later compliments me on my equal distribution across the 6 glasses; I guess I’ve had plenty of practice in his eight years of studying!) I make sure I’ve wiped away the sediment and tartrates when the bottles are opened and am surprised when the older vintage Barolo’s (2001) cork is so stuck that it actually breaks away a piece of the glass when I pull it out. But, I can’t tell Luis that or it will skew his perspective and he’ll be looking for an older vintage wine from my subtle hints.

   Lastly, I find a white napkin for a background to help Luis assess the true colors of the wines: color is a big indicator in the varietal and age. The setup process takes me just over 40 minutes. I bring a coffee cup for a spittoon and get the digital timer. He will have 24 minutes to analyze all six wines.

   I’m preparing to sit across from him and take notes into a spiral bound journal in which he is expected to “hit all the boxes” of proper descriptors and then by process of analysis, elimination, research, flavors, reasoning and just plain guessing- come up with the initial conclusion (containing 2 or more varietals and countries) and then a final conclusion- country, region, varietal, vintage, quality level.

   Luis sits to taste and tries to focus over the background sounds of Luke’s “Praise Baby” DVD. He’s hitting all the boxes. His form is great. Will he get them all today? (I’m praying as I’m checking the boxes!) Not all of them, but three of them. Seriously now- how is your palate? He’s feeling encouraged, though as another one was right in his initial conclusion, and he keeps gaining confidence with the exam approaching July 6-10. Stay tuned to see how the next tasting goes.

Moving Day

Blog moving is just about as fun as house-moving. HAH! Something we’re all too familiar with… Let’s see… in the past 11 years since Luis and I met, I’ve lived…
…Jupiter, Florida
…Orlando, Florida
…Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
…Las Vegas, Nevada
…Europe- all over, but mostly from the back of our Volvo XC90 (Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Portugal) watch for more posts to come about theses adventures…
…Miami, FL (not knowing where we were going)
…Las Vegas, NV
…Naples, FL
…Juno Beach, FL (2 locations in 2 years)
WHEW… makes having a home-base seem all the more appealing!

Pray for me while I move the blog and prepare to move again… we think… hopefully just down the street.

Perma-cation

I love & live in these Crocs at the beach. I

Living at the beach really has its share of life lessons. One of the loudest for me has been that life can be a perma-cation.
We haven’t always lived at the beach, but it’s something I’ve dreamt of since I was a little girl and I’m very blessed to be here now. We’ve spent many vacations and even a year abroad in foreign countries without cell phones, televisions, video games or fast food. We’ve lived simply out of a couple of suitcases without wanting more, and avoided fast food simply because it didn’t exist.
Each time, upon our return to this US culture, we realize more and more the importance of the simplicity of a vacation lifestyle every day. In our family, we start and end our days with fun and prayer. The television rarely turns on- we substitute good music, dancing together, parks, beach walks, nature treasure hunts and good old fashioned board games. We avoid fast food. And, I’m in a continual process of giving away and living lightly, prepared to go at the moment’s notice and God’s call.
What have you done today to REALLY LIVE as if your life was a perma-cation? There’s so much to discover… Heaven really can be here on Earth! Slow down, disconnect to reconnect, let go of your stuff that weights you down, and tune in to your family and the beauty that’s all around you.
Oh yeah, and pull out your favorite pair of flip flops. You never know who will want to fill your shoes- so what are you teaching them?

How Do You Define the Kingdom of God?

I was asked recently to define the Kingdom of God. I don’t know if anything qualifies me to come up with a sound definition, but as a lover and follower of Jesus Christ, I am beginning to see the beauty in the reality of those three words. I continually grow deeper into an understanding, experience and faith of what this Kingdom is. I believe though His Kingdom is the same for all his children, it is also different for each one. The Kingdom is an unleashing of gifts of the Spirit. A place to discover truths. A place where the Lord hands over one key at a time, from a ring of unending keys, to doors that will open when I knock. But maybe the richest beauty of the Kingdom is that my natural eye cannot see the windows and doors the Lord is opening until His time is right. I used to strive to surrender- now I live in surrender.

The Kingdom, for me- right now, is a place where everything is hyper-sensitized. Colors are more vivid. Thoughts have clear images and can be transcribed into art…photographs, paintings, words- melodies meant just for Him. Dreams bear meaning and answers. Trees clap in harmony. Sounds of the seashore and clatter of shells in the surf play a magnificent symphony. The sky is bluer. The moon is fuller. The sun is hotter and the stars are brighter. Clouds tell adventure stories. Birds dance in flight and even beastly vultures and mounds of trash reveal amazing beauty! I find enchantment in children and new delights in my husband. I long to be childlike- creative and playful. I dance in the supermarket, skip holding hands down the sidewalk, sing in the coffee shop and swing instead of push at the park. Uncontrollable belly laughter comes unexpectedly. It’s a place where sand between my toes is a blessing not a nuisance. Every day, I see things over and over again for the first time.

It’s a place where I frequently drown out the minutia of daily busy-ness by turning my thoughts to Him and entering that place of great peace. It’s a supernatural calm in the calamity of honking, jammed traffic. My children’s screams are (most often) quickly inverted into laughter- mine or theirs. “Noise” is easily drowned out by the whispers of the Holy Spirit. His voice in everything. The only race I desire to run in this do-more, be-more, have-more society is that which is His. Laundry and dishes are an opportunity to sing praises. Emails, phone calls and task lists don’t control my actions. I eagerly turn my every thought up. “Is this what you want, Abba?” A new sense of urgency, order and priority is developing within me in His Kingdom. It’s easier to say no and take on less. Life overflows with treasure. Sometimes, there seem to be more than 24 hours in a day, and there is always the right amount of time. It’s a Kingdom where front row parking spaces are most always available, yet I choose to leave them for others. Convictions of the Holy Spirit have me saying and leading “no, it’s not of God” to many things that are culturally acceptable. Right choices and actions smother wrong ones through the gentle prompts of His Spirit, and when they don’t- grace, mercy and forgiveness of self and others overpower guilt and condemnation. Challenges are opportunities… to grow in faith, awareness and awe.

Culture today is infiltrated with lies that make us think this Kingdom isn’t real. Or, it’s impossibly out of reach- reserved for priests and missionaries. I once desperately searched for these REAL Kingdom experiences through ungodly ways disguised as “truth” and “light.” TV hosts promise the “secret to happiness” through self- growth, self-awareness, self-help…Jesus says self- sacrifice is the way. It’s impossible to understand why God our Father loves us so much that he gives us- me- His Kingdom come. Here on Earth.

WAKE UP PEOPLE- we are not headed there when we die… we ARE there if we DIG and awaken His spirit within to it! We are (and I was) easily deceived into thinking that the Kingdom is once we leave this place and join Him in the heavenly realms. In reality, it is available here for us freely given as we seek His face above all else.

The Kingdom is also a place where the need to be prepared for spiritual battle is real and apparent- yet never frightening in my identity in Jesus. Living in this Kingdom is a cultural abnormality that sometimes draws attention, ridicule and secret envy- but I will gladly reveal its source boldly to onlookers, explorers, and skeptics. The Kingdom is a humbling transcendence to a world most, even believers, are blind to and don’t grasp- and I’ve only reached the tip of an infinitely deep glacier. It is the most exciting adventure I can possible dream and I long to share the keys to my heart that the Lord has revealed to me- to this kingdom- His Kingdom- with anyone who will listen with an open heart. But your keys will be your keys.

It’s a place where I don’t worry about what to say or write. I draw my words and strength from my dear friend the Holy Spirit, who will help me say the right thing- or guide me to right the wrong if I have not. It’s a kingdom of joy that exudes from within. I can’t explain it other than it is from the Lord- my Lord- the Living, Breathing REAL God- the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When those around me stop in wonder and ask, “ How are you so calm? How do you have so much energy?” or “ I don’t know how you do it” (meaning live such a full life so peacefully) I simply respond, “I don’t know either, but- I live in the Kingdom of God and the Joy of the Lord is my strength!” Take some time to meditate on what the Kingdom is to you and you’re sure to discover another key.