Posts Tagged With: Sunday

Spending my Sundays

Posted on May 5, 2019 by emjayandthem

Sunday ~ windows open, birds chirping and lawnmowers buzz in the distance.

3 weeks ago ~ snow; today ~ 70F.

Hubbs hurried around earlier as he readied for golf; I slept in, savored coffee and started a pot of soup. He’ll be back later, wind burnt and sore, happy and tired. We’ll visit over soup and smile at the day.

It really doesn’t matter what season it is, there’s something about Sundays that I love most.

It could be the quiet stillness of the house.

It could be the smell of supper lingering on the stove.

It could be meandering phone conversations with my sister or cousin or none at all.

It could be me starting a new book or reading 5 magazines or sitting on the floor sorting .shoes.

It could be towels tumbling in the dryer and fresh warm sheets on the bed.

It could be me that I spend my Sundays doing whatever I choose.

“Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you’re supposed to. Stay home on New Year’s Eve if that’s what makes you happy. Skip the committee meeting. Cross the street to avoid making aimless chitchat with random acquaintances. Read. Cook. Run. Write a story.”― Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

How do you “spend” free time?
- Do you feel compelled to be productive and get things done?
Are you able to let the day lead you?
- When’s the last time you had nothing to do and a whole day to do it?

Categories: Attitude, Beauty, Blogging, Food, Home, Joy, Life, Opinion, Personal, Seasons | Tags: birds singing, chores, free time, golf, peace, quiet, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't stop talking, Reading, soup, Spring, stillness, Sunday, Susan Cain | 5 Comments

Random 5 Sunday in March

Posted on March 18, 2018 by emjayandthem

It’s a sunny Sunday and time for 5 Random thoughts.

1 Looking up from my desk Friday, I noticed both wall Calendars set to February. It’s March and then some.

The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you’re the Pilot. ~ Michael Altshuler

2 Signs of Spring are everywhere; snow and wind one day, sunshine & smiles the next. Birds and squirrels cover the yard. Snow clings to the fence. Easter in 2 weeks.

Springtime is the land awakening; The March winds are the morning yawn. ~ Lewis Grizzard

3 Week 2 of a personal cell so I can turn off the work one. Habits take practice and I’m enjoying practicing.

Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others. ~ Brene Brown

4 Stretch. Read. Rest. Repeat.

Take rest. A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. ~Ovid

5 Last week I gave away something I didn’t use but another could benefit from. Yesterday I cooked a meal for someone who needed it. The rewards outweigh the effort.

The best way to do good for ourselves is to be doing good to others; the best way to gather is to scatter. ~Thomas Brooks

Shifting horizons, adjusting boundaries and adding in self-care = peace.

What’s new in your world?

related: On Saying Yes

Categories: Attitude, Confidence at any age, Faith, Food, Friendship, Gratitude, Growth, Life, Personal, Quotes, Self Discovery | Tags: boundaries, bountiful crop, Brene Brown, courage and daring are coursing through you, doing for others, It's time to show up and be seen, rest, self-care, Sunday, time flies, time is growing short, unexplored adventures ahead of you, you were born worth of love and belonging | 10 Comments

A glimpse of Heaven

Posted on April 26, 2015 by emjayandthem

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning here in West Michigan ~ crisp, bright and I’m enjoying the sounds of morning songbirds … and lawnmowers.

Soon I’m off to brunch with Hubbs’ family – aunties, uncles, cousins, second cousins, in-laws, and outlaws (ha!). Some I’ve known for years, others I’ve never met before. One I introduced you to here.

Hubbs is off golfing so he’ll go next time. That’s something I love about this family – they pull me in and count me as one of their own. And, living so far from my kin, it’s lovely to feel part of another’s.

Google.images.com

What are you up to today?

Categories: Faith, Family, Food, Friendship, Fun, Home, Life, Love, Opinion, Personal, Quotes, Relationships, Thoughts | Tags: family outings, Karen Sunde, Sunday, To receive love is to receive a glimpse of Heaven | 12 Comments

Sundays and Spring Forwarding

Posted on March 8, 2015 by emjayandthem

It’s Sunday, sunny and bright.

Did you Spring forward?

We did, last night.

Crap, anyways. Image from Newsday.com

It’s Sunday, time to cook and clean.

Laundry’s done, groceries are ready, my guys have spoken, they want chicken spaghetti.

That plus some Poor Man’s and they’ll be all set, and I’ll settle in for my long winter’s ~~nap~~ …nothing. Gargh!

Here’s a picture from our birthday celebration yesterday: Oldest boy and his cubs. Our Grandson is affectionately known as “The Rooster” – his internal clock can rival any alert system ever created. Little lady is known as “The Governor” for her effective negotiating skills. Good times and much ❤ yesterday.

Boo and the cubs. An Emjayandthem(C) photo

So tell me, does Daylight Savings time kick your butt, too? How do you spend your Sundays?

Categories: Attitude, Blogging, Growth, Home, Humor, Random, Rants, Recipes, Seasons | Tags: can we spring forward to May?, chicken spaghetti, Daylight Savings Time, easy family recipes, I hate daylight savings time, Poor Man's Chop Suey, Spring Forward, Sunday | 12 Comments

Share a Sunday

Posted on October 26, 2014 by emjayandthem

Saw this and laughed out loud. 🙂

What a fun weekend we’ve had ~ watching College Football with friends yesterday, we sampled a Chili cook-off and yummy snacks at our local American Legion Hall. We bought 50:50 tickets in support of cute young Marines who were there raising money for “Toys for Tots.” And, we even got up the courage to Karaoke!

When I took the microphone to sing a Patsy Cline favorite, I flashed-forward to my speaking engagement later this week. I realized then that if I can sing in front of 70 friends and strangers Lord knows I can talk to 400.

Here’s the song I chose; if you’re ever find yourself about to sing at a local Legion Hall, you’re well advised to pick a country or rock classic. This song drew dancers to the floor and some chair singers, too.

Happy Sunday, peeps! When’s the last time you pushed yourself to try something new?

Categories: Attitude, Blogging, Confidence at any age, Determination, Fun, Growth, Joy, Life, music, Opinion, Personal, Relationships, Self Discovery, Thoughts | Tags: American Legion, classic country songs, Confidence, Marines, overcoming fears, Patsy Cline, Sunday, Toys for Tots, trying new things, Walking after midnight | 18 Comments

The beautiful moment after the door closes

Posted on October 12, 2014 by emjayandthem

“Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence when you haven’t the answer to a question you’ve been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full of people when someone is just about to speak, or, most beautiful of all, the moment after the door closes and you’re alone in the whole house? Each one is different, you know, and all very beautiful if you listen carefully.”
― Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

That beautiful moment after the door closes is here and today feels like it is mine, all mine.

an Emjayandthem (C) Photo

Categories: Attitude, Beauty, Faith, Gratitude, Growth, Life, Quotes, Relationships, Seasons | Tags: autumn walk, Norton Juster, peace, quiet, recharge, savoring my Sundays, silence, solitude, Sunday, Susan Cain, The Phantom Tollbooth | 16 Comments

Quiet islands

Posted on September 28, 2014 by emjayandthem

I read once that a Sunday well-spent brings a week of content.

I completely agree.

However – having taken Friday off – I actually had Sunday .. yesterday.

Waking to a quiet house – hubbs golfing and youngest boy working – I poured my coffee and took a seat in the screened-porch. Listening to the birds chirp and caw, I reveled in the peace and quiet. Later I meandered back inside to a stack of magazines and let the sunlight warm me as the page flipping began.

When it was time to dress for an evening meal out with friends, I felt as rested and restored as a day at the spa might bring .. without the cost.

I don’t know what all this week has in store for me but I am thankful to have had two Sundays ahead of it.

Do you keep a small part of a Sunday for yourself?

Categories: Faith, Home, Opinion, Personal, Relationships, Thoughts, Uncategorized, Wisdom, Women | Tags: a Sunday well spent brings a week of content, mediation, peace, quiet island on the tossing seas of life, relaxation, S.W. Duffield, Sunday | 21 Comments

Savoring Sundays

Posted on January 20, 2013 by emjayandthem

Today, the wind is howling.

Today, the fence fell down.

Today, the temps are dropping and even old dog is stayin’ inside.

Today, Elvis, Merle and others will join me when I simmer, sauce and sample.

Today is Sunday and it feels like it’s all mine.

“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

What’s your favorite day of the week? How do you savor it?

Categories: Attitude, Faith, Food, Home, Joy, Life, Uncategorized | Tags: favorites, henry wadsworth longfellow, peace, relaxing, Sunday | 21 Comments

The rust of the week

Posted on September 23, 2012 by emjayandthem

Sunday has come around again and I’ve asked it to linger.

Friday night was fun, Hubbs and I had a date night in the garage. We laughed, we chatted, we waited in the rain for the Tigers to play but … no dice.

Yesterday was our “warrior” day – suited with Windex, paper towels, garbage bags and the vacuum, I tore through our bedroom, the one resembling a storage unit of late.
Inspired, Hubbs joined me and together we hauled out bags for Goodwill and loads of trash, too. What a difference!

And now, Sunday’s arrived like the gift she is; the house is clean, the sun’s shining and leaves are swirling down around the house. Hubbs has Lions football and a Tigers’ double-header today, can you say ‘happy guy?’ I’ve got a pot of chili simmering on the stove and old dog waiting to go on our walk.

No offense to the other days, but Sunday can’t be beat. She’s my favorite.

Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week – Joseph Addison

I’m happy Fall’s arrived: image from Pinterest.com

What are you up to today?

Categories: Attitude, Faith, Family, Joy, Life, Uncategorized | Tags: Autumn, Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, gratitude, happy, home, Joseph Addison, leaves, Sunday, thoughts | 23 Comments

on Accomplishing

Posted on August 12, 2012 by emjayandthem

I’m a list maker. Today’s is short: do a bit of laundry, pull some weeds, pop a roast in the oven and read.

I came across this list a few days ago and thought it was perfect for a Sunday.

What do you hope to accomplish today?

Categories: Attitude, Faith, Food, Home, Life | Tags: accomplishments, goals, list maker, lists, personal time, Sunday, to-do | 23 Comments

Beautiful Sunday

Posted on February 20, 2011 by emjayandthem

an emjayandthem photo

Sunday is my favorite day of the week.

It’s become my day.

Generally speaking, all of my hard work is accomplished by end of day Saturday. The grocery shopping, the laundry, the cleaning, the sorting, the tidying, the endless “to-do” list. On Saturdays, I am a work horse. I get up; I survey the day, and tackle what’s ahead. Saturdays, I am a warrior.

Sunday arrives and ah that’s a different story altogether. I get up, but I take my time. I sip my coffee while reading the paper, browsing news sites or just sitting quietly in the early morning sunshine. Sundays mean no particular place to be and plenty of time to get there. When we do attend church, I prefer to go Saturday evenings so I can hog Sunday all to myself. Yes, I’m that greedy with my Sundays.

Unlike harried weekday meals, on Sundays I can take my time cooking. I play my music and flitter in and out of the kitchen. On Sunday, the house sparkles with Saturday’s efforts and I like to fill it with the aromas of my childhood: tender roasts simmering in their own juices, sautéed vegetables, crunchy salads and home-made bread. Sometimes there’s even a freshly baked treat for my loves: oatmeal/butterscotch cookies or my game day brownies. I emulate the women I admire most by preparing fresh, hearty, soul-filling food and plenty of it. When I cook, I pay tribute to my mom, my Aunt Irene and my Grandma F. – the three greatest cooks I know.

Sunday is my day to slow down, get creative and reconnect. It’s a beautiful day.