Mayonnaise on wood and KIDS DAY

Friday, February 18, 2022

The living room is transitioning from holiday reds to more restful colors for the "between season" of fall in Australia and spring in the North.

We swap the jute rug from the nook

with the living room's woven -stan country rug (Pakistan? Afghanistan? Kajikistan?)

W removes the nook furniture but we find frass on the rug. W poisons the termites chewing their way through one leg of the live-edge bench. He sprayed the other end of the bench last month and that's still clear. Apparently the war continues between him and the critters that sink their teeth into wood everywhere, whether in ceilings, furniture, or walls.

When the nook is reassembled, I put a quilt-in-progress on the Formica-Topped tables. The slick surface is ideal for crafting.

It's a match.

We rehome the jute carpet to the other side of the living room. Ugh, the ancient coffee table has white water stains under the crocheted cloth. It was left behind as a discard by IbuW, the previous owner. I slather the wood with mayonnaise, let the goop soak in for an hour, and wipe it off. Ah, not good enough.

W fetches brown shoe polish. Added to the remaining mayo grease, the wax evens out the color and glows. I wipe and polish. Wipe and polish. Not bad.

After the finish dries overnight, the books and flowers can go back on top. No "doily" tablecloth this time around. 

Could the sofa use something more neutral? Advent, Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Valentines Day have come and gone.

Years ago, I sewed a slipcover from a canvas painters drop cloth. (Thanks, Home Depot Woodinville.) IbuS fetches it from storage and stashes the red slipcover away until next Christmas.

W and I test-drive a new video screen (for relaunch and watch parties) with a movie. The old Beddinge IKEA sofa is still comfy. We enjoy popcorn made with a new hack (add a few drops of soy sauce to the butter, salt, and pinch of sugar.)

Saturday

The neighbor's flowerbed boasts 3 colors as we walk by early in the morning.

A stroll around our own yard yields a little bouquet for over the washroom sink.

We can't attend the wedding of our dear "movie night" daughter, Ratih. So Bella, her sister at heart, sends us this wonderful photo of the two of them on Ratih and Faruq's special day. 

Aren't they gorgeous? There's clowning around on selfies, as always. We miss these two - but what a joy to watch them grow up into their adult responsibilities. Be well - be blessed - be full of love and kindness, is our prayer for the new couple and all who celebrated with them.

Sunday

We're online with KIDS DAY today. BIC children and a few older helpers read and act out the scriptures for BIC Online. Recruited by Leo and filmed by Kat, they lead the community through Ezra and Nehemiah. Check it out! (Their video starts at 25:00.) Way to go!

I stuck my head into the empty hall this week and was reminded of how much we miss everyone.

Soon. We pray that we can meet in person soon. Omicron is going through Indonesia like a freight train. If global trends hold here, we'll be done in a month or so. Praying that everyone stays healthy - or recovers quickly and completely.

Read more:

*Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1

*Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 63:5-8

*Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing – grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God. Joel 2:12-14

*We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true. 1 John 5:20

Moravian Prayer: O holy God, we can know wisdom and truth as it comes only from you. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for opening our eyes and hearts to the truth that will set us free. May you be glorified. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.