For the past few days we have been enjoying much warmer than normal temperatures here in the D.C. Metro area. On Sunday and yesterday it was above 90 degrees–quite rare for the month of April. I had to drag out the AC several weeks if not a month earlier than usual because it’s been just too hot to sleep. Today we are forecast to see a break in this pattern as we are expecting thunderstorms and rain starting this afternoon and into tomorrow, which is only forecast to reach the mid 60’s–closer to normal late-April temps.

I took full advantage of this beautiful morning and did my morning devotional outside in the park. We live just steps away from a lovely National Park, which has lush, green rolling hills and beautiful trees. I found a grassy spot at the top of a hill and sat there and read a little bit from Michael Beckwith’s new book, Spiritual Liberation, and then a bit from the Bhagavad Gita. Just last week I finished reading a verse a day from the Tao, and the Gita was the next spiritual text on my list. I meditated for awhile and then did my morning pages.

The park rangers on duty all waved friendly ‘”Hellos” and a then man showed up with his dogs that he was running off-leash on the fields. One of them was a miniature poodle who came bounding up to me and then stopped short. He checked me out, but was too shy to let me pat him. He turned on his heels and went tearing back across the field to his owner. Soon that cool breeze was beginning to die down and the sun was growing hotter and hotter, so I decided to head back home.

I am grateful for the time I was able to spend out among the trees and just enjoying this beautiful earth that we have been blessed with. I am grateful for the words of wisdom written down thousands of years ago and some more recently that shed light on the spiritual path that I have embarked upon. I am grateful for the faithfulness of Holy Spirit who has kept the promise never to leave me nor forsake me. He is teaching me and guiding me and inspiring me and comforting me as I slowly wake up from the dream.

I was listening to the Gayle King Show on Oprah & Friends on xmradio this morning when I heard her mention that today is National Pastry Day. Somehow, my inner pastry chef/goddess knew of this obscure food holiday because this morning I felt compelled to whip up a quick batch of oatmeal cookies. I was packing lunch for the girls when I noticed that we were out of snack items. “Why not whip up some cookies real quick?” And so I did and they came out really good. There are not many things more wonderful than the smell of oatmeal cookies baking in the morning. “Can I try one?” asked my youngest child, Jordan. She proclaimed as I was making them that she really didn’t like oatmeal cookies, that she would really rather that I make chocolate chip cookies or brownies. I agreed with her, but said that we did not have any chocolate in the house. When the cookies were cooling on the rack in front of her as she ate her breakfast, I think the smell got to her, and she decided to try one. She took the tiniest of bites, gazed at the ceiling as she contemplated the flavor, and then declared, “Yes. I like these cookies, Mommy.” and she grabbed a few to add to her lunch. Leila, my ten-year-old, popped one in her mouth and then also put some in a bag to go with her lunch.

In honor of National Pastry Day, I am sharing a link to the recipe for this culinary classic, the Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, from Quaker Oats. This is the only recipe that I have used to make basic, garden variety oatmeal cookies for my entire life. My mom used to use this recipe when I was growing up as well. It can be found on their web site, or, conveniently enough, inside the lid of the ‘old fashioned’ Quaker Oats box. So, make some pastries, or buy a pastry, celebrate these little bits of heavenly goodness and be happy.