This was a big family day.  Ron’s birthday is Tuesday and Rachael’s is Wednesday so we had a lot of celebrating to do.  I made Rachael’s requested pumpkin lasagna and baked both a peach pie and a banana cream pie.  Liz made a salad, Sarah supplied lentil soup, chicken, baked vegetables and bread. We exchanged…

I am sitting at the long table in the living room, which is one of my primary work spots. Three items in this room are especially important to me: the fireplace, a stained glass lamp, and an icon of St. Mary. The fireplace is right behind where I sit and during most of the winter…