Tuesday 9 February 2010

A Tapestry . . .



There once was a woman who could no longer stand the chaos of her existance. One night, in a dream, an angel showed her a beautiful tapestry. It was the tapestry of her life.

"Oh my," she exclaimed. "That is how is should be!"

"That is how it is." replied the angel, and with that she turned the tapestry around . . . revealing the confusion of coloured threads that made up the completed picture. "You're just looking at it from the wrong side."



How amazing our lives are. From our earthly perspective we may think that they are filled with sadness, and despair from time to time . . . and they are. They are also filled with joy and hope, and love. They are a collection of a great many things and we may look at them and wonder at the purpose of them and the worth of the journey. We do not see the whole picture though . . .

But the Architect of all life does. He is up there helping to weave our scattered threads and orchestrate them into a beautiful tapestry, that is . . . our lives.



From here below we see only the tangle of coloured threads that make it, hundreds of tiny threads that sew our lives together and look a mess . . .

It is from above that we will be able to see just what a beautiful picture we made, created with stitches of love . . .



When life starts to get us down, and it will from time to time . . . let us remember that we can't see the whole picture, but that there is One who does. He will never let us down as long as we have faith and trust in Him.

"For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." ~1 Cor.13:12

Oh, what a day we had here yesterday, with snow falling here and there, and sleet and rain. It was a real mixed bag, and very cold. It seems that winter is not ready to lessen it's hold on us just yet! But here and there through the muddy earth that is our garden, snowdrops and crocus are pushing their heads through and we know . . . it is only a matter of time before spring, well . . . springs! In the meantime though, cold winter days call for comfort foods . . .

I made us a lovely Curried Tomato Soup for our lunch. I just love this recipe. It is so very quick to make, and requires very little effort, but the taste . . . wow, you would think you had slaved all day over it! It is absolutely lovely. The curry is not overpowering, with only the merest hint of spice. I made little cheese toasts in the shape of snowflakes to float on top, but it would go great with grilled cheese sandwiches as well for a more substantial meal. (I used a cheddar with roasted red peppers in it, yummo!!)




*Curried Tomato Soup*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Oh my but this is a good soup. Slightly spicy, comforting, and very, very quick and easy to make. I like to make little cheese toasts to float on top, but it's not necessary. A good old fashioned grilled cheese sandwich would be just as tasty!

3 TBS vegetable oil
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 TBS curry powder
1 can (28 ounces) chopped tomatoes in juice, undrained
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup milk
1/2 cup double cream
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste



Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring until softened. This should take about five minutes. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring until very fragrant, 30 to 45 seconds. Add the tomatoes and baking soda. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook, partially covered for about five minutes to blend the flavours. Stir in the milk and cream. Using a stick blender, puree until creamy smooth. (alternately you can do this in a regular blender) Re-heat to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.




Here's what we had with it, a delicious Herbed Cheese Bread. Available in The English Kitchen.


13 comments:

  1. Good Morning Marie,

    I love today's story. What a unique perspective. I will try that recipe when our weather cools.

    I hope you feel much better.

    Hugs and love.

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  2. Hi, Marie! Wonderful story for today... as always! Hope you're keeping warm what with the snow... The snow has stopped here--if only for the moment--LOL! I just LOVE your soup today--have to try, and soon! I love anything curry, anything tomato... Do hope to catch you for a chat this evening! Will look out for you on MSN Messenger. Happy Day, dear friend--LOVE YOU HEAPS :o) ((BIG HUGS))

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  3. We have yet another big snow storm coming our way today. I love tomato soup and will have to try your recipe. I hope your Tuesday is terrific!

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  4. Oh YUMMY to both recipes and love the thoughts here...always so up lifting! Love ya! :D

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  5. A very apt story for me at the moment Marie thank you! Hope you are starting to feel better now - Kitty xxx

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  6. Lovely story... very thought-provoking. And a yummy, hearty looking soup. I will have to try it.

    Thanks for the comment on my Fruit Fools blog. they were really easy and quite delicious!

    I so enjoy your blog.

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  7. Hello dear friend,

    Thank you for your stories. I always love hearing them. That soup looks so delicious and warm.

    I hope you have a wonderful week!

    XOOX
    Jen

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  8. You once again stirred my soul. It is so true and most of the time we don't understand why things happen in our lives. It brings peace to know that Heavenly Father does though. You my sweet lady are weaving a beautiful tapestry.

    I am concerned about you. Do you have a secondary infection from your cold? I am on my third week of being ill from the common cold which first turned into a sinus infection and now bronchitis. My sweet husband is at the pharmacy to get a stronger antibiotic and cough syrup. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please get better.
    Thanks for strengthing me through your constant testimony.
    Love, Beth

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  9. This is a delightful post. The story is wonderful the picture so gorgeous and the soup looks delicious. I'm a fan!

    And two of my very dear friends in my Monday meeting told me they adore your blog too. They don't post comments often but I have told them about you a lot and they have been stopping by more and more.

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  10. this post is SO TRUE(ok, ALL of your posts are:) we need to always try and look at the big picture in life. thats the only thing that will get us through!

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  11. I also love that story. I hope that I am weaving a nice tapestry with my life. It is hard to tell sometimes from our perpective....I try but I know that I could do better.

    I am sure that your tapestry is a beautiful one. You share so much with others. I think that it is wonderful how you take time to post each day and touch all of our lives. Thanks you dear Marie.
    Hugs, Lura

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Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!