Wednesday:) What’s Cookin’ Miss Toni?

“Roses do not bloom hurriedly; for beauty, like any masterpiece, takes time to blossom.”

― Matshona Dhliwayo

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Today, being Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent, I had many plans for the day. Just like New Year’s resolutions, Catholics usually make resolutions during Lent to give up something important, fast, abstain, make sacrifices, or add generosity of time or alms.

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the placing of repentance ashes on the foreheads of participants to either the words “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or the dictum “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

When I arrived at church at noon for ashes, I was surprised that the parking lot was packed. I thought that in the middle of the day, everyone would be at work or school. I brought my heavy craft bag with me because the Women’s Craft Ministry meets next door in the cafeteria at 12:30. It would be a busy day.

No, the Pope wasn’t at St. Gabriel’s to dispense ashes, but his cardboard double was in the craft closet taking a rest. Of course, I needed a selfie.

After working on some crafts with the ladies, I stopped in the sanctuary to light a candle and place a donation in the poor box. Then, I ran some errands, stopped for gas and went home to take a nap. I was up till almost 3am last night, working on the first coat of my glass painting for Empty Bowls, and a dozen wine glasses, so I was tired. Also, catching up on a few hours of sleep would pass the time on a day of fasting. Just water for me today. I could have slept all day, but I napped about three hours and went upstairs to paint.

Well, I finished the second coat of paint on both yellow rose bowls, and all the glasses. The second coat is pretty tricky because I had to make sure each brush stroke landed exactly on each previously painted petal and leaf. Tricky.

They turned out pretty darn good, if I don’t say so myself. So, that’s what’s been cookin’. I just need to bake them in the oven.

Everything’s coming up roses today. I hope you’re having a good day too.