Look at the beautiful music!

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With a blog title like "Notes in the Key of Life," you have to guess that I love music.

Well, I also love images that have to do with music--musical notes, pianos, violins, harps (which my daughter-in-law Daylyn plays like an angel), basically all things music--so I'm sharing some today that I've run across on the internet.

Enjoy looking at the beautiful music!

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I'd LOVE to have a cup like this one!

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Art by Vassantha


The harp is an instrument that looks as beautiful as it sounds...

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This is from a beautiful blog called The French Larkspur...you have to check it out. Isn't this a cute idea for wrapping small gifts? You can sometimes pick up old sheet music for really cheap at garage and estate sales.

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Have a very musical day!

The Magic Foods for Better Blood Sugar

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OK, maybe with Thanksgiving just around the corner you might not be thinking about eating for good health. But...

I've blogged several times about a book that has really helped me in my battle to manage Type 2 diabetes: Reader's Digest's Magic Foods for Better Blood Sugar.

Just in case you don't want to plunk down money for this wonderful book, I thought I would share with you the list of Magic Foods.

Some of these--like Jerusalem artichokes (?!), I haven't tried yet. Others have become staples of my diet, and I do want to incorporate as many as possible into my eating.

So, for the inquiring minds that want to know? Here's the list (and who knows, you may be able to incorporate some of these into your Thanksgiving festivities!):

(By the way, there's no significance to the varying font sizes--I just did that to break up the visual monotony of the list.)

photo by Alain Chirkov via

apples
avocado
barley
beans
beef
berries

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bran
broccoli
brown rice
Brussels sprouts
bulgur
cabbage
carrots
cauliflower
cheese
cherries
chicken and turkey
cinnamon

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citrus fruits
coffee
eggplant
eggs
fenugreek
fish
flaxseed
garlic
Jerusalem artichokes
lamb
lemons
lentils
melons
milk
nuts
oats

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olive oil
onions
pasta
peaches, apricots, plums
peanut butter
peas
pork
pumpernickel bread
rye bread
seeds
shellfish
sourdough bread
soy foods
spinach and other dark greens
sweet potatoes
tea
tomatoes
turmeric
vinegar

wheatberries
wheat germ
whole wheat bread and flour
yogurt

What murder in a tiny English village has to do with me

The Internet has made our world a much smaller place, and yesterday that fact was illustrated to me with a clarity that I found intriguing and, yes, amazing.

Yesterday, nursing a sinus infection and holed up in my house for the day, I decided to blog.

My book blog, Cindy's Book Club, has woefully few readers (please DO check it out sometime!), and I've been trying to come up with interesting and appealing topics to post.

I decided to blog about a couple of favorite childhood books and how I found copies of them on the internet.

Both books, Red Knights from Hy Brasil and Auntie Robbo, are out of print and fairly obscure, so I was delighted to reclaim them.

You can read more about those books here and here.

Anyway...

While taking pictures of the books, I was struck once again by a sticker on the inside of Red Knights from Hy Brasil.

(My own copy of the book, which ended up being somehow lost, was purchased circa 1965 or 1966 at a small Christian bookstore in Beirut, Lebanon, where my parents were missionaries at the time.)

As you can see, the sticker shows that the book was awarded to Peter Torn at St. Martin's in Owston Ferry, on Christmas 1963. It's even signed by the vicar.

I found that charmingly English, and I could just picture this little British lad being handed the book that I held in my hands 40 years later (I received the book from abebooks.co.uk in October 2003).

So what does all this have to do with murder?

Well, yesterday I got curious and decided to Google Peter Torn, St. Martin's, and Owston Ferry.

Here's what I came up with--a June 2003 article from the Yorkshire Post about the funeral of a girl named Laura Torn:

Almost the entire village of Owston Ferry, near Scunthorpe, turned out to pay tribute to the 18-year-old whose body was found in Misson, Nottinghamshire, last month following a huge search.

Scores of mourners filled St Martin's Church, while the sermon was broadcast over loudspeakers to those who could not get inside the historic building.

...Schoolfriends, neighbours and family held each other and police officers who searched for Laura also turned out in tribute.

The church was packed to capacity by the time Laura's coffin was brought in to the church, followed by her weeping family. Her father, Peter Torn, fought back tears as he held wife Heather and 13-year-old Martin.



Without a doubt, this is "my" Peter Torn. He was 49 years old when his 18-year-old daughter was murdered.

Further Google searches turned up follow-up stories about the case. In April 2004, 31-year-old Guy Beckett, Laura's boss at a local pub, admitted to strangling her to death, apparently enraged when she broke off their secret relationship.

In May 2004, Beckett was sentenced to life in prison.

Even more meaningful...

Reading the story of Peter Torn's loss and grief somehow made the fact that I own what used to be his book even more meaningful to me.

On Christmas in 1963, little Peter Torn was handed a copy of the book that was to be one of my own favorite childhood books, and the book that singlehandedly started my lifelong obsession with Ireland and all things Irish.

Forty years later, just a few months after the death of Peter Torn's daughter, I held his copy of that book in my hands.

If Peter Torn ever somehow stumbles across this post on the Internet, I want him to know that my heart goes out to him and his family for their terrible loss. It's been seven years since he lost his precious daughter, but a parent never really gets over their grief.

My hope is that he finds comfort in the God he learned about as a little boy at St. Martin's Church in Owston Ferry, England. And each time I pick up his copy of The Red Knights from Hy Brasil I will send up a prayer for him and his family.

Thanksgiving Memories

The table ready for Thanksgiving at my mom's house, 2009

Mocha with Linda's Flashback Friday today calls for delving into some Thanksgiving memories...no problem, since Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays!

Thanksgiving during my growing-up years was always a wonderful celebration. Turkey was the star of the show, always made delectably by my mother.

It wasn't until I grew up and moved away that I really appreciated the fact that my mom had to get up early in the morning, while we were all still snoozing, to get the bird in the oven.

Mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie, and my mom's 24-hour marshmallow salad were always featured on the menu...and yes, football was always part of the festivities.

Growing up in a Christian home, we always took the time on Thanksgiving to reflect on our blessings and give thanks to God.



When I got married and moved to Illinois, Thanksgiving almost always meant a Swanson family celebration, usually at the the home of one of my husband's older brothers. My sisters-in-law are all amazing cooks, and any Swanson gathering means some delicious eats.

Of course, the turkey reigns supreme, but pies and fudge and all kinds of desserts offer temptation. One of my favorite dishes at Swanson Thanksgivings is my sister-in-law Gail's sweet potatoes, sauteed in butter.

There are always a variety of delicious vegetable casseroles on the menu as well.

If everyone has enough energy and it's not too cold out, we often make time for a walk to make us feel a little better about consuming so many Thanksgiving calories.

And of course, you'll find many family members watching football on TV.

Many times, I've had a smaller Thanksgiving celebration for my immediate family.

A few years ago, my son and his wife and my little grandson Payton were able to come from Texas. We actually had dinner at one of my sister-in-law's homes, but it was my first Thanksgiving as a Type 2 diabetic, and I made some diabetic-friendly desserts--including low-carb pumpkin pie--that were absolutely delicious.

I try to include at least one or two of these at every holiday meal, so I can indulge without feeling too guilty!

My mom's dining room table

My grandson Payton and my niece Arden at their own little table at my mom's house, last Thanksgiving. They love this table!

This Thanksgiving, my son Justin and my daughter Elizabeth will be home for the holiday, which will make it wonderfully special!

The table in my mom's entryway, decorated for the holiday

Besides Flashback Friday, I'm also linking back to Home Sanctuary's Company Girl Coffee today. Click on either icon to participate!

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Famous People Named Cindy or Cynthia

1) Model Cindy Crawford

2) Actress Cindy Williams

Ron Howard and Cindy Williams


3) Model (?) Cindy Margolis

4) Actress/dancer Cynthia Rhodes

Cynthia Rhodes dancing with Patrick Swayze


5) Actress Cynthia Nixon

6) Designer Cynthia Rowley

7) Politician Cynthia McKinney

8) Former Beatle wife Cynthia Lennon

9) Activist Cindy Sheehan

10) Columnist Cindy Adams

11) (Spelling variation) Singer Cyndi Lauper

12) Christian singer Cindy Morgan

Cindy Morgan

13) "Ferris Bueller" actress Cindy Pickett

"I don't recall him being absent nine times...." Cindy Pickett in Ferris Bueller's Day Off


And a bonus: A song by Tammany Hall called "Cindy"--see this animated version.

Go here to participate in Thursday Thirteen!

The birthday boy...

Happy 1st Birthday, Josiah Daniel!

My little grandson Josiah can get the sweetest looks on his little face

I've been in Texas since last Tuesday night, thoroughly enjoying being with a bunch of my loved ones who live here.

One of the main purposes of my visit was the 1st birthday of my youngest grandson, Josiah Daniel--often called JD.

My older grandson, Payton, will be four in January. It's been wonderful getting to spend some quality time with him!

Here are a few pictures from my trip so far...starring the birthday boy!


Josiah as a newborn--November 2009

Payton is a fun little guy with tons of personality!

My daughter-in-law, Daylyn, made the cutest froggy cupcakes for JD's birthday

I love my little guys more than I could possibly express!

Josiah about to enjoy his very own 1st birthday cupcake

...and totally enjoying it!

The big guy just chillin' in his car seat...what a honey!

Precious Josiah...one year old!

Thursday Thirteen: Very Punny

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Monday was Abet and Aid a Punster Day. I've got to admit, I get a good chuckle out of a really good pun. I even chuckle after I groan after a really bad one.

Here are 13 puns--feel free to groan or chuckle at will! All of these and more can be found at Pun of the Day.com

1. I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down.

2. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

3. Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.

4. The food taster quit his job because he had too much on his plate.

5. There was a sign on the lawn at a drug re-hab center that said 'Keep off the
Grass'.

6. I couldn't quite remember how to throw a boomerang, but eventually it came back to me.

7. I was going to look for my missing watch, but I could never find the time.

8. I used to be addicted to soap, but I'm clean now.

9. I'm inclined to be laid back.

10. We're not getting anywhere in geometry class. It feels like we're going in circles.

11. Deafness is getting to be quite a problem for me lately. I never thought I'd hear myself say that.

12. A bacteria walked into a bar and the bartender said, 'We don't serve bacteria in this place.' The bacteria said, 'But I work here, I'm staph.'

13. Undertakers are nice - they're the last to let people down.

Go here to participate in Thursday Thirteen!



Participate in the Thursday 13

From the Archives: A Hero for Today

Missionary Edgar Feghaly

originally posted November 10, 2008

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A sea-front shot of Beirut, Lebanon, where I lived for two years as a child

When American missionary Clyde Aynes answered the call to go to Beirut, Lebanon as a missionary in the late 1950's, he couldn't have known that a little Lebanese boy would grow up to impact so many lives.

That little boy is now missionary Edgar Feghaly, and I'm privileged to call him my friend.

Edgar was the keynote speaker this past week at our church's Missions Conference. In case you're not familiar with the concept of a missions conference, it usually consists of a few days of special meetings featuring missionaries reporting on their work in various parts of the world.



Edgar accepted Christ as a seven-year-old boy in Beirut, Lebanon. Fast-forward to 1965. My family sailed to Beirut to help in the missionary work headed by Brother Aynes and his family. That's when we came to know Edgar and his wonderful family.

A friend of the family

By then, Eddie (as we called him--and it's hard for me to think of him otherwise!) was a teen-ager. My sister Beverly was also a teen, and she recalls that she and Eddie had a great brother-sister-type relationship. They would argue and bicker, but also had great times together.

Even as a teen, Edgar was a big part of the ministry. He often interpreted for my Dad as he preached, or for my mom as she told Bible stories to the children. I can remember him hanging out with us in our home, even going on a trip with us once.

I was a little girl at the time, but I thought Eddie and his brothers, Ramon and Robert, were handsome and fun. They were always very sweet to me and my younger sister.

Our family lost touch with Edgar after we left Beirut due to Six Day War in June 1967. In the intervening years, Edgar came to America to attend college and married a lovely American girl named Rosann.

He ended up going back to Beirut to pastor there, and he has some harrowing tales of his life and church being spared despite being situated squarely in what became a Hezbollah stronghold.

The gospel to Iraq...and beyond

Now Edgar and Rosann are based in Tennessee, working with The Middle East and African Partnership to plant churches in places like Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Morocco, Liberia, Sudan and others.

Edgar is rather like a modern-day Apostle Paul, helping churches get on their feet and become independent, then moving on...but always making sure those churches are financially supported and checking on them to see how they're faring.

During the missions conference, Edgar told some amazing stories of terrorists and former Iraqi military leaders having their lives transformed by the power of Christ.

He believes that if not for 9/11 and the U.S. military involvement in Iraq, that country would never have been opened to the gospel, and countless Iraqis would never have had the opportunity to accept Christ.

I blogged earlier about one of my favorite stories told by Edgar--about our troops arranging a Christmas party for Iraqi children--here.

Just one life...

Edgar often reflects on what his life would have been like if a missionary had not shared the Gospel with him. He believes he would have either been a terrorist or dead.

Instead, the ripple effect continues. Edgar keeps sharing the Gospel with people, who continue to share it with others. The results will only be known in eternity.

In the meantime, I'm glad to call Edgar Feghaly my friend. He is a true hero of the faith.

You can find out more about the outreach to Iraq at the Gospel to Iraq website.

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Another beautiful shot of the Lebanese coast

Life Made Lovely: Lovely Perfume

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You didn't know perfume can be as lovely to look at as it is to smell?

Any fragrance worth its scent is also going to be packaged and contained beautifully. A vanity or dressing table can be even prettier when adorned with a few pretty bottles of fragrance.

The Coco Mademoiselle given to me by my son Justin last Christmas was packaged inside a dark purple satin drawstring bag that was nestled in a luxurious oval lavender-colored box that looked like something out of the 20s or 30s. The box still sits in one of my bathrooms, just looing pretty.

These photographers have made the most of the loveliness of perfume bottles:

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Perfume AND the Eiffel Tower? Naturally, I can't resist.

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Click on the icon to participate in Life Made Lovely!