J is for Joy

 

April A to Z

J is for Joy

My April A to Z posts have been centered around “Things that Make Life Better,” and most days I’ve written about small, tangible things—dinners with friends, books you can’t put down, simple comforts that brighten ordinary days.

But today feels a little different.

J is for Joy.

Joy isn’t something you can pick up at the store or plan on the calendar. It doesn’t require a reservation or a special occasion. And yet, it might be the very thing that makes the biggest difference in how we experience our lives.

I used to think joy and happiness were the same thing. But over time, I’ve learned that happiness often depends on circumstances—things going right, good news arriving, plans working out.

Joy is much deeper than that.

Joy shows up in the middle of real life—the messy, imperfect, sometimes hard parts. It sits beside us in hospital waiting rooms, walks with us through uncertainty, and somehow still finds a way to whisper, there is still good here.

For me, joy often looks small.

It’s the sound of the Diet Pepsi early in the morning . . . when I first twist the cap.

For Mark, it is the first sip of coffee when he wakes up.
A text from a friend at just the right moment often brings joy.
Laughter around the dinner table brings joy to my heart.
Joy is often a sense of peace that doesn’t quite make sense given the circumstances.

These are the kinds of moments that don’t demand attention—but they change everything.

I think joy grows when we notice it.

Not when life is perfect, but when we pause long enough to recognize what is still good, still steady, still full of grace. It’s less about chasing something new and more about seeing what has been there all along.

And maybe that’s why joy makes life better.

Because it doesn’t wait for everything to be fixed. It doesn’t require us to have it all together. It simply meets us where we are—and gently reminds us that even here, even now, there is something to hold onto.

Today, I’m grateful for joy.

The quiet kind. The unexpected kind. The kind that stays.

What has brought joy to your life in the last week?

I is for In Season Fruit

 

April A to Z Challenge

The Letter I

I is for In Season Fruit

I know that one of my readers doesn't eat fruit, so this post might not be interesting to her. But life at the Elliott's house is made better by fresh fruit. Mark and I and our kids and grandkids all love fruit.

Last Easter, I made a fruit butterflly for our oldet granddaughter. I used kiwi, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and cuties (mandarin oranges).

For a neighborhood event, I made a beautiful fruit tray with grapes, strawberries, pineapple, watermelon, and papaya.

It is not an uncommon sight in our house to have lots of bananas! I enjoy them when they are yellow with no hint of brown. Mark loves them when they have LOTS of brown.

A few years ago, two different friends made a watermelon birthday cake for me! Watermelon in the summer time is one of my favorite treats.

In Alabama, blueberry season is in June. Back in 2020 (you remember what was happening in 2020, right?) Mark and I went to the blueberry farm and picked berries. I cooked some of them and made a blueberry "compote" for our Kodiak waffles. Yum! Yum!

We have great Farmer's Markets in Alabama and one farmer actually drives his truck to Birmingham twice a week (beginning about this time of year) and parks in a local church parking lot. I love buying fresh produce. I evidently bought a "haul" on the day below. Fresh ripe Alabama strawberries are hard to beat.

For some reason, I don't have any pictures of Chilton County (Alabama) peaches. They are like candy. I particularly like the Freestone ones - the peach doesn't stick to the pit!

In season fruit (and sometimes out of season fruit!) is delicious! What are your favorite fruits? What fruit is grown in your state?

H is for Handwritten Notes

 

Let's continue with April A to Z.

Today our feature letter is H and

H is for Handwritten Notes

Did you know that some schools are not teaching children how to write in cursive? They also don't know how to read a letter written in cursive. Handwritten notes make life a little better, but I'm worried they are on the way to becoming a lost art.

I love going to the mailbox to see if we have received anything fun like a handwritten note or letter. One of my Great Nieces (or Grand Niece? - I've asked that before) is a wonderful writer of thank you notes. When I've sent gifts for her children, she always writes a note.

Our favorite handwritten notes are from our young adults. Over the last 16 years, we have hosted hundreds of young adults on Tuesday nights for dinner and Bible study. The notes they have written to us have a special place in a drawer in our dresser. 

Have you ever heard of Discovery weekend for middle schoolers or The Emmaus Walk (for adults)? Both of those are spiritual weekends and at the end of the weekend, you are given a stack of letters written by your loved ones. Those notes are so special, too!

I actually have really nice handwriting and enjoy writing when I have time, but I have noticed that the older I get, the more quickly my hand tires out. Anyone else have that problem?

Do you like handwritten notes? Do you still write notes? Do you send thank you notes?

special notes taped to my desk at work

I'm Late . . . I'm Late . . .for A Very Important Hodgepodge

 

Normally, I pre-write the Hodgepodge almost as soon as Joyce posts the questions. That obviously didn't happen this week! I'm sliding in at the last moment.

1. Egg on your face, putting all your eggs in one basket, a good egg, walk on eggshells, nest egg, or a tough egg to crack...which eggy idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain. 

I guess "egg on my face." I've been teaching adult Sunday School and facilitating small groups for over 30 years and I feel like I know a lot about scripture. One of my courses at Samford University this semester is New Testament. I had a mid-term exam on Easter Sunday and I made the lowest grade that I've made since I started classes at the community college back in January of 2022. I made an 82.8. It was so hard! To get that 82, I made a lot of good guesses! Yes, I studied but I also worked a bajillion hours last week and hosted our family for Easter lunch. Egg on my face - yep. He has posted an extra credit assignment and I completed that this afternoon. He said he would apply the extra points to our mid-term grade. After he grades it, I will post what I wrote.

2. April 7th is National Beer Day...are you a beer drinker? If so do you have a favorite? Beer battered fish, beer bread, beer can chicken, beer brats...which one sounds good to you? Have you made any of these? 

I am not a beer drinker, but Mark is. Mark's favorite is Old Black Bear Scottish Ale in Madison, Alabama. He also loves Smithwick Red Ale, along with Oscar Blues Scottish Ale out of Austin, Texas. He is sitting beside me so I asked him! He said, "who are you telling?" I said . . .well, I'm writing on my blog . . .I think beer can chicken sounds good . . .or beer battered fish? When we were young (newlyweds), I made beer battered mushrooms quite often. They were a delicious appetizer! I fried them in my "Fry Baby." Did anyone else have one of those? Or maybe you had a "Fry Daddy"? I also made a horseradish sauce to go with them. I wonder if I could make them and cook them in the air fryer??

3. Do you have siblings? What's the best thing about being your sibling? If you don't have siblings, what would you say are the pros and cons of being an only child? 

I am the youngest of three "girls." My oldest sister died in November of 2024. She was in poor health and was on dialysis three times a week and she was miserable. She was 13 years older than I and our middle sister is 8 years older than I am. I don't know if there is anything good about being my sibling. Our oldest sister told me that I was spoiled haha! My middle sister and I are close even though we live many hours apart. Becky and I lived together after our mom died and our daddy was often at work at night. We talk Monday through Thursday while I drive to work! She is a really good big sister and has put up with a lot from me over the years.

4. How do you feel about floral scents in products? Do you have a favorite? 

Nope. I don't do anything scented. I have fresh flowers in the house and they have to be ones that you don't smell. I don't wear perfume. I can tolerate peppermint oil and lemon oil. A previous co-worker used Diva detergent and smelled like lavender. I want to like it, but it sends my allergies into overload.

5. What's one thing in your home that begins with the letter G that you would say is a keeper, something you'll hold on to? Tell us why. 

I have diet Ginger Ale (Canada Dry) and I really love it and I have Gingerbread muffins/doughnuts (pound dropper recipe) and those are both keepers. but I don't hold on to them. I consume them. I will hold onto my gas stove. It is a Wolf and I love it!!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Mark had his follow up visit with the surgeon today and it was a weird cyst -- not cancer! They took the ginormous cast/bandage off and he now has steri-strips. He has been "released." Yay! Thank you, Jesus!!

G is for Good Neighbors

 

We are on Day 7 of our April A to Z - and our letter of the day is G!

G is for Good Neighbors

Good neighbors a thing that makes life better!

Mark and I live in the greatest neighborhood. We have white picket fences. Seriously! We have parks and green spaces. We have a great pool less than two blocks from our house. We have a pond. The neighborhood is awesome, but the thing that makes it really great is our good neighbors!

Our good neighbors on either side were so helpful when our house burned back in July 2022.

We were on our next door neighbor's porch as our house burned! Our cat was at the other neighbor's house.

A neighbor sent food to the hotel for us.

Our neighborhood has several fun parties throughout the year where we are surrounded by Good Neighbors like Theresa and Rob and their grandkids.

We live on a circle around a park and one of our neighbors had a wonderful Christmas party this year.

All of these ladies are our good neighbors!

Lu and Dave are our travel buddies and they are good neighbors in every way.

Lu and Dave on Santorini

Dave, Lu, Mark on the boat on the Sea of Galilee

the four of us at the Mt. of Beatitudes

I would be remiss if I didn't mention our Good neighbors who participate in neighborhood supper club. We meet once a month and we are shuffled around so that we get to meet more neighbors. I love that our neighborhood is a mix of old and young! The couple on the right is the age of our children and the couple on the left are in their late 80's (I believe).

Here is another group at our house -- the man sitting to Mark's left is Tommy and he and Mark work at the Hub every week (food bank). The blonde lady on the right middle is Sherri and she organizes all of these events and does a wonderful job!

Here I am with more neighbors at someone else's house!

So far, I've shared about Good Neighbors who live in my neighborhood, but our church saying is "Hey Neighbor" because everyone is our neighbor! All of you are my neighbors, too, and I think you are really GREAT neighbors! Please tell me about your favorite neighbor!

F is for Fresh Flowers

 

April A to Z Challenge - today is "F" day . . .not that kind of "f"!!

I'm writing about things that make life better -- some of these things are very small!

F is for Fresh Flowers

Many of you know that I have TERRIBLE allergies. I'm allergic to practically every growing thing, which is very frustrating. I give myself two allergy shots every week. I take zyrtec and singulair daily. I use a sinus wash twice daily. I have an inhaler. The list goes on and on.

I don't get to be outside during the spring as much as I would enjoy, so sometimes I have to bring some spring into the house (year round!) with the addition of fresh flowers.

I love Gerbera Daisies and you can see the bright yellow ones in the photo above. I had those on the table at one point during Mardi Gras.

I love these waxed Amaryllis bulbs. I just saw an online advertisement that Wrapsody, a local store, has some for Easter!!

We received an arrangement of flowers in December from dear friends we met on our cruise in October. I added and reworked those flowers and greenery into our table centerpiece through Christmas.

At Thanksgiving, I had mums in a pumpkin!

To me, fresh flowers are a little splurge that makes life better.

Mark volunteers two days a week at the Hub, our church’s outreach center. He serves as a “food rescuer” and also helps sort and bag items after pickups and Food Bank deliveries. One of the stores that partners with us each week is Trader Joe’s, and they often include bunches of flowers that are no longer store-perfect.

Every now and then, Mark will bring a bouquet or two home. I unbundle them, remove the wilted stems, trim them up, and—nine times out of ten—I can still create a pretty arrangement for our table. The Young Adults in our Tuesday night Bible study group notice that I take the time to make the tablel pretty for them.

The volunteers are encouraged to occasionally take a small item. It’s a simple practice that reminds all of us that we’re not divided into “givers” and “receivers,” but are part of the same community. There’s a shared sense of care, dignity, and mutual respect in the way everything is offered and received—and I love that.

So tell me about fresh flowers at your house. Do you enjoy having fresh flowers on your table? Do you have a favorite kind of flower in an arrangement?

Holy Week and Easter 2026

 Historically, our church has hosted Holy Week noon day services on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week. Over the years, we've had some interesting speakers at noon followed by a quick lunch prepared by our church chef. I've been on staff at Trinity for over 20 years and a member for more than 40 years, so I've attended lots of noon day services.

Due to my job, I am always one of the greeters for these services. Our staff photographer caught this photo of me hugging a good friend. Just FYI - I'm not a "hugger" with just everyone, but this is one of my close friends.

This year was extra special. Rev. Dr. Jonathan Dean from the London District of the Methodist Church was our preacher for Palm Sunday through Wednesday. Oh my goodness. He is an amazing preacher and an even more amazing person. He is a good long-time friend of our Senior Pastor. Since I work for the Senior Pastor, I was able to have several conversations with Jonathan. I was excited to find out that we will get to see him again when we are in London in the fall!!

I worked the Welcome Desk on Thursday night for the Maundy Thursday service but didn't attend. Mark was still recovering from the surgery and his hand was swelling and I needed to get home and help him find an ice pack, etc.

Our Good Friday (night) service is one of the most powerful services. If you ever find yourself in Birmingham, Alabama on Good Friday, please come and join us.

The service is somber and gorgeous and gives me all the feels. Even the cross is shrouded in black.

Our sanctuary choir and chamber ensemble sing and scripture is read. One of the traditions is that our youth choir sings "Draw Me Nearer" while standing around the base of the cross. At the end of each "word" and song, one of the acolytes snuffs (is that a word?) out a candle, and the lights are lowered until . . .

The sanctuary is in almost total darkness (for safety, exit signs are still functioning). Our Senior Pastor holds the only candle that hasn't been extinguished and preaches from the center of the chancel area. At the end of the sermon, a big Bible is slammed shut and the timpani beats 33 times and that last candle is carried out of the church . . . and the light of Christ is gone. Even though I know that Sunday is coming, my heart breaks anew each year. The darkness of Good Friday makes the resurrection on Easter Sunday so much more powerful to me. Our sanctuary was packed with well over 800 people.

Mark and I invited our neighbors to go with us to the first Easter service, which is actually at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday night. I didn't take a single photo!! I just went to worship and it was glorious. We grabbed a bite of dinner after church.

On Sunday morning, I was at work by 6:45 a.m. ready to greet the masses. I took a selfie while all was quiet.

Marie's son took the photo below of the two of us.

On Easter, Brian (Senior Pastor) brings the light of Christ back into the sanctuary. I can't wait to see our attendance numbers for Easter. Even with a rainy Sunday morning, people came to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus!

Our flower committee (not a professional florist among them) makes the altar arrangements every week and they outdid themselves this year. Can you see the cross to the right of the altar? That is the cross that was shrouded in black on Good Friday. That cross even has flowers. This is Children's Moment at one of our services. Pastor Laura did an amazing job.

Our oldest granddaughter loves Highland Cows, so when Gran saw a stuffie . . .I bought it. 

After church, we had all of the in-town immediate family over for lunch. We served Honey-Baked ham, rolls, Asian slaw, potato salad, Copper Pennies, fresh fruit, deviled eggs, congealed salad, and Boston Cream Pie with strawberries. Everyone brought something which made it easier.

I even folded our napkins like bunny ears!

Mark is at the end of the line and his twin brother, George, is in front of him. Bob, brother-in-law, is in the gold vest. Wynn, our "extra" son is in front of him. Our nephew Thomas and our son, Glenn are next. Our daughter-in-law, Lauren, and Mark's sister Susie are in front of the stove. Our oldest grand is to the right of the counter standing with our sister-in-law (George's wife) is on the far right.

The photo below is my favorite photo of the day. The younger generation was all on the screen porch enjoying the pleasant weather (we had rain in the morning, but the afternoon was lovely).

Laura sent a photo of her girls before they left for their church. I bought the Lilly dresses at our church consignment sale. I never would have paid full price for them, but snatched them up at the sale. Mark and I facetimed with them on Sunday evening. Their Easter baskets were filled with sand and water toys. We are planning a family beach trip in June.

Our daughter-in-law, Lauren, shared this one on social media. The three of them attended their church on Sunday morning before heading to our house for lunch.

How was your Easter weekend? Did you eat with friends or family or did you savor some time alone? Does your church have special services throughout Holy Week?