Apostles Peter and Paul

Today starts the Apostles fast, which culminates on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. We abstain from animal products, and hope that we may draw closer to God.  I picked black raspberries while at the monastery in Hiram, OH.  The monk, Father Nectarios, gave us a tour of the place.

There's the chapel in the back, near the cemetery.  Inside, it's mostly wood and quite beautiful in its simplicity.  We hiked through the woods.

This is the main church.  It has many icons of saints from all over the world covering the interior walls.  My favorites were the saints from Ireland and Wales.

We brought Somalian frankincense home with us.  It was only $20 for a half pound jar.  Large raw chunks that were scraped from a tree and then dry.  Its scientific name is Boswellia Carteri.

I've made more bracelets with olive wood beads and amazonite to sell!  And here is a little icon of the Apostles Peter and Paul that I cut from a catalog and glued to wood.  

Fisher of men

Jordanville, NY has one of my favorite monasteries.  This is the dining hall, with a beautiful mural of Jesus Christ and the fishermen who became his disciples.

My mom at my dad's grave.  Such a pretty day!

Below is Father Theodore, a monk who is from Scotland.  Another monk, Father Paul, gave our youngest some of his bread and then a wood beaded bracelet with a cross.  Many smiles.  Little kind gestures.

My sister's Godmother, Margaret, her son and granddaughter.

After the meal...I talked to many people I haven't seen in a long time, it was nice to see them.

This is Father Iov who drove the tractor while my dad worked here and helped with the farm work.  He's in his 90s, a dear old monk. One of the other monks, Father James, helps take care of him.

My mom with two of her friends.

Yesterday, we had a father's day cookout with friends.

Stewart's ice cream after...the boys rode up the driveway on their father's lap.

That's Pauline holding her baby sister, Edith.

Perfect weather for barefeet. New friendships.  Many good people.

Happy summer to you!

Green

hello June...can you spot the cicadas on our trees?

the chickens have been eating some, but still eating grass and digging in the earth like usual

Our newest sweet little niece, who was born in Alaska!

A month ago, I started taking a barre class and am feeling muscles work and sore the day after, but in a good way.  Also, I haven't worn a face covering in weeks, maybe it's been a month?  I'm so grateful life is pretty much back to normal.
I visited with a friend today and smelled essential oils.  I got castor oil as a carrier and have read that it's really good for your skin and helping get the essential oils absorbed so your body can benefit, but it smells like beans to me.  I'm not sure what I think about it....

We got a mango, turmeric, pepper + pineapple smoothie and matcha and saw Hannah at work!

A lot of rain this week and now sun, so everything is green and growing.  Hope you ave a nice weekend!