It's called red cabbage, but it looks purple to me! A dear friend surprised me with a beautiful head of red/purple cabbage, and yesterday I decided to make Rotkohl! That's red cabbage in German :) It's a traditional German dish, and one that I grew up with. It was an almost weekly dish at home, and my mom preparing red cabbage is such a picture of home for me. Now it was my turn! I almost hesitated cutting and shredding the beautiful head of cabbage, but so the dish goes. After the cabbage was shredded it was time to stew it for close to an hour. I added some water, vinegar, chopped apples, cinnamon and cloves. I also added peppercorns as I thought that's what my mom always added, but I was wrong. Anyway, no biggie. Red cabbage looks and tastes great, but the smell while cooking it isn't that appealing. That memory of childhood came back, as Daniel asked me, "What are you cooking?" from our next room. All in all it was a taste of home, and we have a few more side dishes of red cabbage to enjoy for another day.
Daniel and I often try to capture the sunset from our rooftop together. Tonight was once again nothing short of spectacular. It's such a special time to remember the blessings of today, and the hope we have for tomorrow. With each sunset there is such hope at God's handiwork and awe-inspiring nature. With each sunset I think of the sun going to wake family and friends across the ocean. With each sunset there is wonder.
Last week a song came to mind as we watched the sunset. I've often taught this song as a sweet goodbye to classes or dear friends. Somehow it always tugs at my heart.
Song Lyrics:
Now it's time for us to say goodbye for just a while
So until we meet again, may God's love make you smile
We'll be friends forever, Jesus and you and me
He binds our heart together and friends we'll always be
Now when you see the sun you'll know, I see the same one too
And when you see the stars they'll say, hello from me to you
Hello from me to you :)
Last week after church Daniel and I were at Chili's in Tienmu. That place is such a little culinary haven treat for us :) We were sitting at the bar (it was a busy day at the restaurant!) and a couple with a beautiful little baby girl came and sat beside us. Their little girl was just darling and she was wearing a "Made in Taiwan" T-shirt. The couple met some friends and the women shared with them that their daughter will be one in Dec. It hit me that this little girl was the same age as Isla would be if she were here with us. Trying not the stare at the little girl too much, I just looked at the picture of the family beside us. They apologized to us for their daughters squeals of delight. Daniel and I just smiled and said it's wonderful to hear. In my heart I thought of the longing I had to hear Isla's yelps of baby delight and discovery around her. Daniel and I may still look like a family of two. But in our hearts we truly are a family of three.
My heart continues to ache for our dear Isla Noelle. This year has been the hardest year of life. What a very different journey we would be on. I have learned a lot through these continued months of grieving. I've learned that grieving is a journey that continues. It's not just something you get over and go on from. It's apart of each day and it still hits me in different ways. There is great joy at thinking of the hope of heaven we have, and we truly have so much to hold on to. But I still struggle. I still struggle with the "what ifs" and "whys", and "if onlys" at times. I continue to battle with disappointment and my own journey with the Lord. Thankfully I know who holds the victory. I do delight in God's presence and His word, but at times I'm numb to it and such pad answers and sayings. May I keep running toward the Lord! I'm thankful for how far we've come, and I know that God still has much more ahead of us.
I've had many purples pepper posts in my mind these past months, and I really hope I can start getting some up again. It's time to purple pepperize again! :)
Thank you for reading (or checking in on the blog again) and for continuing to journey with us.
We got boxes of beautiful pomelos sent to our office by a faithful Studio Classroom fan, and we took a couple home. Last week it was time to open one of these citrus delights up for dessert. And then the pomelo skin hat game began! It's traditional to make a hat out of your pomelo skin. Here are some of our best and dramatic attempts. I'm sure the citrus skin also adds a little refreshing zing to our hair!
It's called red cabbage, but it looks purple to me! A dear friend surprised me with a beautiful head of red/purple cabbage, and yesterday I decided to make Rotkohl! That's red cabbage in German :) It's a traditional German dish, and one that I grew up with. It was an almost weekly dish at home, and my mom preparing red cabbage is such a picture of home for me. Now it was my turn! I almost hesitated cutting and shredding the beautiful head of cabbage, but so the dish goes. After the cabbage was shredded it was time to stew it for close to an hour. I added some water, vinegar, chopped apples, cinnamon and cloves. I also added peppercorns as I thought that's what my mom always added, but I was wrong. Anyway, no biggie. Red cabbage looks and tastes great, but the smell while cooking it isn't that appealing. That memory of childhood came back, as Daniel asked me, "What are you cooking?" from our next room. All in all it was a taste of home, and we have a few more side dishes of red cabbage to enjoy for another day.
Daniel and I often try to capture the sunset from our rooftop together. Tonight was once again nothing short of spectacular. It's such a special time to remember the blessings of today, and the hope we have for tomorrow. With each sunset there is such hope at God's handiwork and awe-inspiring nature. With each sunset I think of the sun going to wake family and friends across the ocean. With each sunset there is wonder.