Love… One Sip At A Time // A Valentine Tea Party
I started hosting tea parties in an older home propped as pretty as you please on the corner of a quiet street. A family of four in a two-bedroom, one-bath home made for a tight fit, and tea parties felt downright snug, but no one would change a thing. Some teas were scripture-based, and others celebrated holidays, but every time, the room filled with the scent of scones, floral tea, and...
The Fragrance of Love: Poetry, Mary Oliver, and Owls
by Cathy Baker I LOVE poetry, Mary Oliver, and yes, owls. So imagine my delight when all three loves were realized in one particular poem. Whether you're a lover of poetry or not, I encourage you to read Mary Oliver's poem slowly. Simply find one line that you enjoy, one description that makes you smile. Little Owl Who Lives in the Orchards by Mary Oliver His beak could open a bottle,...
The Fragrance of Love: Rituals and Routines
by Cathy Baker I LOVE structure. In fact, it's a necessary component to my day. And apparently I'm not alone. As mentioned in yesterday's post, Cynthia Owens is currently helping me structure my time wisely. One book she mentioned early on was Mason Currey's Daily Rituals...How Artists Work. In it, you'll find rituals from over two hundred artists including writers,...
The Fragrance of Love: A Sweet Revelation
by Cathy Baker I LOVE sweet revelations. Brian: "What would you like for Christmas?" Me (without hesitation): "Time management sessions." Brian: "No, really." Me: "Really." Little did he know I was referring to sessions with one of the sharpest women I know, Cynthia Owens, of Go With Vision...Simplifying Work and Life. We've been friends for years, she leads our...
The Fragrance of Love: Community At Its Best
by Cathy Baker I LOVE my local writer's group, CrossNPens (led by Cynthia Owens), as well as my online group, The Light Brigade (led by Lori Roeleveld.) I didn't realize how blessed I was to be part of such amazing groups until my first writer's conference at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference. When discussing our critique groups, I was the envied one! And rightfully so. Being...
The Fragrance of Love: Chicken Soup…Giveaway
by Cathy Baker I LOVE giveaways! Last week, I shared in this post how God's redeeming power took a seemingly hopeless situation and brought forth a story thirty years later that I pray will inspire others. Today, you have an opportunity to win a copy of this story, included in Chicken Soup for the Soul's most recent release, Hope and Miracles. To enter your name in the giveaway...
The Fragrance of Love: Pandora
by Cathy Baker I LOVE Pandora. Yes, this is an instance where the word "love" is used a bit frivolously but we don't have a month o' likeness, so here goes. Do you listen to music while writing, doing crafts, reading, etc? There are moments I crave silence but when I hibernate upstairs in my writing nook you can be sure Pandora is playing on my laptop. My go-to writing music is George...
The Fragrance of Love: Redemptive Power
by Cathy Baker Ah, the fragrance of God's redemptive power. Breathe in deeply for its potent scent is costly and its deliverance, swift. It redeems souls, gives trials eternal purpose, and hope in what seems to be a hopeless situation. I should know. Almost thirty years ago, a miscarriage left me with a multitude of questions and seemingly nowhere to turn for the answers. But God came to my...
The Fragrance of Love: Loving the Lonely
by Cathy Baker Flowers will be delivered, chocolates devoured, and dinners dimly lit by candlelight will be enjoyed. Others will enter empty, hushed homes Saturday night. And it's here where my heart stirs and longs to reach outward. Oh yes, His presence is there with them, but we are His hands and feet. In years past, I've made cards to send to those without a Valentine but this year I...
Cathy Baker
Join the Creative Pauses Facebook Community
I Recommend Fistbump Media!
