Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh


"Trade in frankincense resin once made the southern region of Oman one of the wealthiest in the world. According to the Bible, the three kings presented gifts of frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus and at the time these were considered more valuable than gold." -Oman Explorer.  Frankincense resin looks like small rocks. This photo is from a local souk (market). The vendor has a clay incense burner, a small piece of charcoal to provide the heat and the frankincense resin is placed on the burning charcoal. This creates a fragrant cloud with an aroma that cannot be captured over the internet!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Growing season

Our school had a plant sale last week on campus. The sale displays were colorful and many school kids had money to spend. I cringed to see the little ones walking around with cactus plants and long stemmed roses (thorns intact). As for myself, I bought two plants. My eye caught a table with several African violets. My grandma had a green thumb for African violets, so I bought one with purple flowers. I am trying to remember those care tips that made her violets bloom and flourish. I also found a pretty potted mum that reminded me of Michigan fall. That's on my coffee table!

Now that the hot, hot summer is over in Oman, the growing season has begun. Petunias are growing along the public areas and other flower beds are springing up. There is no rain, so all plants and trees need to be watered. Any ground that is not watered regularly is brown, dusty and rocky. There are many beautiful flowering trees and shrubs that add color, but these are carefully tended by gardeners.

I just noticed my title is "Growing Season". We are all growing in different ways in our new location on the globe. J is growing tall. I think he'll be taller than his dad (who is also my husband). A is growing in independence. She loves the freedom of living on campus and riding her bike around to friends' homes. Dear husband is growing up students who need lots of assistance and nurturing. I am growing to enjoy simplicity and taking each day as it comes. I am so thankful that each day is a new day with no mistakes in it. (quote from Anne of Green Gables?).