Random 5 Friday

Linking in with Nancy at A Rural Journal

1. Molly and I are feeling much better - thank you for all your good wishes :-)

2. In the past few days I've received so much happy mail - I have been spoiled! 

You can see photos here.

3. I recently discovered Stella Homewood, and promptly bought both her albums 
(and yes, I fell for the gorgeous artwork on both too!) 

4. I found this all-time favourite film secondhand on DVD - I had the original video - 

was it really made in 1991?!?!

5. And here's this week's Giveaway

Go to the Giveaway post here to see more photos and more info to leave a comment to enter Sunday's draw, or click on the Celebration Sundays button in the sidebar.

First Thursday of Lent

Be still, and know that I am God. 

Psalm 46.10

*****

Rest and be thankful.

William Wordsworth

*****

There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest.

Use both and overlook neither.

Alan Cohen

*****

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

*****

Thou has made us for thyself and restless is our heart until it comes to rest in Thee.

Augustine of Hippo

First Wednesday of Lent

John La Farge, Visit of Nicodemus to Christ (1880)

Poor Nicodemus... sadly, old age doesn't guarantee wisdom... *sigh*
To be born of free-blowing Spirit, that is the key...

The only way that we can rest at peace in our minds is when we live the fullness of now, or what some in the Christian tradition called 'the sacrament of the present moment'. Otherwise life is just endlessly rehashing the past and rehearsing the future, neither of which create rest.

Richard Rohr in God for Us, pp. 35-36

WOYWW 249

New to Wednesday's desk hop? All is explained here :)

In the past week, I have received wonderful happy mail from Italy and Australia  - thank you so much!!

First of all, lovely Letizia sent these gorgeous papers and ephemera from Italy 'just because'...

Look at the gorgeous swirls and bubbles in the corner of the envie! And here's a close-up of the zentangled card - she's so talented!

Thank you Soul Sister!

Then, two from Oz - first these exquisite tags from fellow-desker Judy...

Too, too gorgeous - thank you so much!!

And lastly this from Jenny Wren - I actually remembered to get the camera for the opening of this one :)

A stunning calendar, card and bookmark, some Aussie teabags and special Aussie spices! Anyone for a barbie??

I have been SO spoiled! Thank you so very much!!

And before I wander off to poke around on others' desks, here's this week's Giveaway...

... a beautiful silver ginkgo necklace. You can learn more on the Giveaway post here, where you can leave your name to be entered into Sunday's draw, or you can click the Celebration Sundays button on the sidebar :)

First Tuesday of Lent

Salvator Rosa, Christ Expelling the Money Changers from the Temple (1660s)

A haiku

Drive out distractions.

Make a temple, most holy,

Within and without.