A few weeks ago we stayed for a couple of nights at a mountain ski resort and attended a music festival that was billed as a “tent revival.” The air was clear and cool. The mountains were majestic. We took a tram and then hiked to where there were still abundant wildflowers. We saw a moose and some deer. The festival was great. There were local gospel choirs who sang with conviction about their love for Jesus. There were some more well-known groups whose enthusiastic performances had the whole audience clapping and dancing. We participated in a shape-note singing demonstration. I didn’t have to prepare meals for two days. I could see the stars at night. It was a short vacation, but I left feeling renewed, body and soul.

I like to make things. There is something very satisfying about learning the process required to make something that you would normally buy, and then doing it! Here’s a partial list of things I have made: hand-dipped beeswax candles, beeswax lip balm, hand soap, lotion, sourdough bread, whole wheat bread, pita bread,  and lots of other kinds of bread, paper, tempeh, soy milk, jam, salsa, needlepoint pillow, cross-stitch hanging, yogurt, home cleaning products, mozzarella cheese, pillowcase, granola, water kefir, Dutch oven meals. I thought I could think of a lot more, but my mind is blank. Some of those things I may never make again. Others are such a feast for the senses that I look forward to doing them many more times.

I have a pretty insistent sweet tooth. For example, a perfect snack is a handful of chocolate chips. It used to be that dinner wasn’t complete without a bowl of ice cream to finish it off. I’ve had to try to rein in my appetite for sugary treats, however. One’s body becomes less forgiving of such indulgences as one gets older.  The other day I made a dessert that I can feel almost self-righteous about eating: frozen yogurt. The recipe called for plain yogurt with the whey drained off, then one-quarter cup of sugar to every cup of drained yogurt, and a little vanilla. That’s all! Freeze it  and then be amazed at how delicious it is. It has a creamy, rich texture, and a tangy, just-sweet-enough flavor. Yes! I can feel good about eating dessert again!