A WORD – Savor: to appreciate fully; enjoy or relish.

Summer here, summer gone.

That is how it works in upstate New York. June may bring cool temps and many thunderstorms, July kicks in with heat and August winds down fast. Bringing crisp fall days and people wandering around sporting scowls and muttering, “where did the summer go?”

Don’t let this happen to you! 

If you live in a similar climate, I encourage you to SAVOR the summer months. On sunny days, walk away from the chores (you can do it!) get outside, and soak up the rays. Whatever has to get done, will get done eventually.

Embrace words like: lake, ocean, beach, boat ride, hammock, sweet iced tea. (holdover from being around southerners last month, bless your heart)

Get up early. If you need more rest, grab a lounge chair outside.

• Ride a bicycle.
  
• Hike a trail.
  
• Visit an outdoor evening concert. Preferably by a lake.
  
• Savor fresh veggies and fruits from a local farmer’s market.
  
• Spend time with friends.
• Barbeque often.  

To put this plan into action, we will probably purchase a new temporary gazebo this weekend. The old one is worn out from much use. It is worth the cost to add this “extra room” into our yard for our short…summer. I encourage you to plan now whether you are traveling or spending time at home.

Repeat after me: “I will SAVOR the short months of summer.”

Then when August days are closing, you can walk among the mutterers, exclaiming to yourself (softly) “What an awesome summer I had!” 

How will you SAVOR your summer?

Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference 2016 – Nine years and counting and I keep coming back. There’s just something about Ridgecrest and this special week in May that is a continual draw. Every year is a discovery and I always leave knowing I have learned something new and valuable. Yes, from the classes, workshops and devotions.

But also from the people: from the faculty to the numerous and friendly volunteers and from the first time newbie to the veteran agent.  I also learn something about myself each time I come. This year’s lesson? I’m holding on too tightly to my comfort zone. I wimped out this year. Ouch. Honesty can be painful.

The conference is and always will be a stretch for me. I’m not an extrovert and by the end of the week, I am totally needing my quiet time. But even with this stretching, I have been carving out my own safe path. Wondering why too many classes sound familiar. Duh. I’ve been sticking to the same topics.

Time to branch out into new territory. Face up to the social media and marketing end of the business. Choose some classes that wouldn’t normally draw  my attention. On the plus side, I did choose more “down” time this year and actually spent time in the beautiful new coffee shop. Which led to a lovely conversation with Becky Gansky and Latan Roland Murphy. Becky, you encouraged me in my current status as a newbie pastor’s wife. And Latan, I love your profession of interior decorating and how God is using you to minister in that area. Beautiful.

As I think over this year’s conference, I am prepping for next year, determined to make some changes. And yes, to walk with confidence out of my comfort zone. I pray we will all return with a renewed confidence and determination to allow God to use this writing gift He has placed within us.

Are you already planning for next year’s conference? Is there something you would do differently?

Will you step out of your comfort zone?

A WORD: Nest – Noun (from Wiktionary)

nest ‎(plural nests)

1. A structure built by a bird as a place to incubate eggs and rear young.
2. A snug, comfortable, or cozy residence or job situation.
3. A retreat, or place of habitual resort.

My husband moved the new nest from our porch light so we wouldn’t disturb the birds going to and fro. He placed it in our old Christmas wreath on the garage. (the wreath had many different types of greenery so when it dried, I kept it)

And it worked…the birds are content to come and go and they like their new location. It is interesting to notice the changes in the nest as they continue to bring twigs and nest-building material to decorate their new home.

Following their example, I am also in Spring mode and adapting my own cozy nest to welcome the warmer weather and brighter days.

What do you do in your home when Spring finally arrives?

• Lace curtains?
• Bright, colorful throw pillows?
• Beachy decor?

Please leave a comment to share your suggestions for creating a sweet Spring-time nest.