Lookin' Out My Front Door

After days of 100 degree temps, the weather "broke" a little last night. We had hours of thunderstorms which made the dog tremble and hide her eyes under the covers so as not to see the lightening flash. First the Independence Day celebration with loud, scary noises and then three hours (on and off) of thunderous boomers. What is a little white dog to do?

It may seem like a strange choice in the heat, but I had a hankering for minestrone this morning.  I bought a London broil at half price manager's special and cooked it in a slow cooker with half price, store brand dry onion soup mix and water for dinner last night. Superb and the kitchen doesn't heat up.

I made the minestrone with some of the leftover beef which I shredded vs. the traditional ground beef and set it in the slower cooker for dinner this evening.

All my windows are fogged over this morning and it looks like the temperature will be 6 degrees cooler today. I'll take that.

About this time each year, I refresh some of the tired looking plants and do something new at the front door. Bruce found the empty bird's nest. Using thrift store finds and some plants on sale, I made a happy place right next to the entrance.

The ancient Hebrews of the Bible mentioned front door posts frequently. Gpd commanded them to place a small receptacle (called a mezuzah in Yiddish) at the front door area. A mezuzah contains the 10 Commandments. I have one on the other side of the door jamb.

The door post area was considered important, I think, because it reminded ancient people who they were in God and let others outside their faith know the same.

My front door and porch area are important to me.  I hope that the pretty things from nature arranged out there are a witness to others who pass by. Above the new arrangement, I have a little chalk board on which I've written, "God is love."

Those black-eyed Susans also remind me that God expects me to be productive, create, and to bring beauty into my home.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up...You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.