Melkam Meskel, Melkam Lidet

It is near time for Jared and me to head upstairs and retire for the evening. The lovelies are snug in their beds asleep, the kitchen is near clean, and the remainder of the house, minus the laundry spewed across the dining room table, is more or less presentable for the beginning of a new week. There will, of course, be one or two more pieces of birthday cake eaten before bed. A perfect way to end a perfect weekend, from our impromptu attempt to celebrate the Feast of the Elevation of the cross Ethiopian-style on Friday evening to the lazy Sunday afternoon celebrating our Ethiopian princess' third birthday (If asked, she will undoubtedly tell you she is the queen.) at my mom's with family and friends, where an atmosphere of peace prevailed as the adults sipped coffee, basking in the beauty of the afternoon, and the kids ran a muck, launching heroic and daring adventures in the depths of the ravine, thwarting devilish sea creatures alive and unruly in the creek. There is much to be grateful for - unlocked doors at the Oaks of Mamre Catholic Worker House even though no one was home; our dear friend Chris, a lovely soul, born with cerebal palsy, whose singing of the words "Praise ye the Lord" in our pre-communion hymn today took my breath away; being humbled while watching our friend Carol gently place a piece of chocolate into Chris's mouth during coffee hour; Elliot proclaiming that "there were lots of mommys at the birthday and two daddies, Jared and Grandpa Swanson." (I don't doubt that my father was amongst our group - after all, there was cake and ice cream!) And as I drove home from the grocery store and viewed a magnificent sun, enormous and red and amazing, I was reminded again how good this life is: "Glory to Thee for the feast day of life." A peaceful and good week to you all.

Meskel: Johnson style

Building our tiny bonfire, an integral part of Meskel festivities

Celebrating the cross - this pair is from Ethiopia

Of course there had to be cake on her actual birth day

And more celebrating...she loves her new dollhouse 

Thrift store find. ("I'm so happy," she said upon seeing it.)

Mommy made the cake but Daddy saved the day with his frosting expertise.

My sweet and oldest friend Julie reading a very special book. Julie and I have been friends for 36 years. This book is special because it reminds her of how we played together as children. So thoughtful.