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<!--Generated by Squarespace V5 Site Server v5.13.159 (http://www.squarespace.com) on Thu, 23 May 2013 19:25:18 GMT--><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><title>Home</title><subtitle>Home</subtitle><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/</id><link rel="alternate" type="application/xhtml+xml" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/"/><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/atom.xml"/><updated>2013-05-19T20:45:59Z</updated><generator uri="http://five.squarespace.com/" version="Squarespace V5 Site Server v5.13.159 (http://www.squarespace.com)">Squarespace</generator><entry><title>Rescuing Foinn - one year ago today</title><category term="Foinn"/><category term="Love"/><category term="My Favourite Things"/><category term="Photographs"/><category term="THANKSGIVING"/><category term="dogs"/><category term="happiness"/><category term="joy"/><category term="me, myself and I"/><category term="rescue"/><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/19/rescuing-foinn-one-year-ago-today.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/19/rescuing-foinn-one-year-ago-today.html"/><author><name>by Nics</name></author><published>2013-05-19T20:34:08Z</published><updated>2013-05-19T20:34:08Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-GB"><![CDATA[<p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/storage/Foinn%20327.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1368995672562" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 700px;" src="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/storage/21081_10151581540822557_2088747428_n.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1368996010896" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p>One year ago today we rescued <a href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2012/5/22/foinn-cahill-sweet-shot-tuesday.html">Foinn</a>. &nbsp;</p>
<p>He settled instantly with us and has brought much happiness to every member of our family.</p>
<p>The bond between man and dog in inextricable, if you are open to it, it will come. &nbsp;With Foinn he has become firm friends not only with every member of our family but with our cats, my brothers dog Roxy and our friends.&nbsp;</p>
<p>What a great wee fella he is, what a blessing to our lives.</p>
<p>We are thankful for him everyday.</p>
<p>If you are thinking about getting a dog - think about rescuing one.</p>
<p>That's it for now ...</p>
<p>Nics</p>
<p>Salt &amp; Sparkle = Life Remarkable</p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Don't Stop ...</title><category term="Mojo"/><category term="My Favourite Things"/><category term="Queen"/><category term="don't stop believing"/><category term="dreams"/><category term="journey"/><category term="lies"/><category term="me, myself and I"/><category term="music"/><category term="stolen"/><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/14/dont-stop.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/14/dont-stop.html"/><author><name>by Nics</name></author><published>2013-05-14T17:55:23Z</published><updated>2013-05-14T17:55:23Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-GB"><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 750px;" src="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/storage/il_fullxfull.427848882_fsgo.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1368555028243" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pDMjgckNlz0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VcjzHMhBtf0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Sometimes putting songs like these on <span style="font-size: 300%;">REALLY LOUD</span>,</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 200%;">reminds me not to stop</span>,</p>
<p>And, that&nbsp;<strong><em style="font-size: 120%;">others can only steal your dreams, if you let them.</em></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 200%;">SOMETIMES JUST BELIEVING IN YOURSELF, IS ALL IT TAKES</span></span></p>
<p>What songs remind you not to stop, that the world needs your voice?</p>
<p>That's it for now ...</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Nics</p>
<p>Salt &amp; Sparkle = Life Remarkable</p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Place of Grace</title><category term="Breathe"/><category term="CFC Blog"/><category term="Love"/><category term="My Favourite Things"/><category term="grace"/><category term="love"/><category term="me, myself and I"/><category term="place of grace"/><category term="writing"/><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/14/place-of-grace.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/14/place-of-grace.html"/><author><name>by Nics</name></author><published>2013-05-13T23:15:10Z</published><updated>2013-05-13T23:15:10Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-GB"><![CDATA[<p>Terror. Abuse. Heartbreak. Rejection. Violence. Neglect. Cruelty. Exploitation. What had driven this woman to risk her life?&nbsp; What pain, had she experienced at the hands of others to take a chance for a moment of pleasure?&nbsp; Something that would take her away from her life and its sorrow, even for a stolen instant - which might lead not only to the end of her life, but also to her death in a manner so brutal &ndash; stoning?</p>
<p>Today I am writing<a href="http://thisiscfc.com/blog/view/the_place_of_grace"> here,</a> about the power of living from a place of grace, I hope you will join me</p>
<p>What is most important to you about the place of grace?</p>
<p>That's it for now ...</p>
<p>Nics</p>
<p>Salt &amp; Sparkle = Life Remarkable</p>
<div></div>]]></content></entry><entry><title>What the Human Heart was not made for ...</title><category term="Erwin MacManus"/><category term="human heart"/><category term="love"/><category term="violence"/><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/13/what-the-human-heart-was-not-made-for.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/13/what-the-human-heart-was-not-made-for.html"/><author><name>by Nics</name></author><published>2013-05-13T17:35:56Z</published><updated>2013-05-13T17:35:56Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-GB"><![CDATA[<p>&ldquo;The human heart was not created to be a container for hate.</p>
<p>When we allow bitterness, jealousy, envy, racism, lust, greed, &amp; arrogance to fuel our souls, we create an environment within us to be agents of violence.</p>
<p><span>We live in a time when the most terrifying bomb is not a nuclear one, but a human one&hellip;.</span><br /><span>When there is a vacuum of love within your soul, hate, bitterness, envy, &amp; racism rush to fill the empty space&hellip;.</span></p>
<p><span><strong>Love embraces and leaves no room for violence.&rdquo;</strong></span><br /><br /><span><a href="http://mosaic.org/leadership">Erwin McManus</a>&nbsp;'The Danger of Loving Nothing' (Soul Cravings, entry 5)</span></p>
<p><span>That's it for now ...</span></p>
<p><span>Nics</span></p>
<p><span>Salt &amp; Sparkle = Life Remarkable</span></p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Ain't No Stopping Us Now - a Victory song for a Friday</title><category term="Ain't no Stopping Us Now"/><category term="BCGC"/><category term="Bart Millard"/><category term="Jesus"/><category term="Marie Lacey"/><category term="My Favourite Things"/><category term="Victory"/><category term="concernt"/><category term="music"/><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/10/aint-no-stopping-us-now-a-victory-song-for-a-friday.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/10/aint-no-stopping-us-now-a-victory-song-for-a-friday.html"/><author><name>by Nics</name></author><published>2013-05-09T23:36:47Z</published><updated>2013-05-09T23:36:47Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-GB"><![CDATA[<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qeZhOP2T23k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<div></div>
<div>I am in love with this song!</div>
<div></div>
<div>If you'd like to hear it live performed by the amazing <a href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2011/6/15/livin-the-dream-interview-with-marie-lacey-director-belfast.html">Marie Lacey</a>, her son Jonny and the <a href="http://www.bcgc.biz/latest_news/the-vision-behind-bcgc/">Belfast Community Gospel Choir</a>, then book tickets for <a href="http://www.bcgc.biz/latest_news/aint-no-stoppin-us-now/">Ain't No Stopping Us Now</a>.</div>
<div></div>
<div>That's it for now ...</div>
<div></div>
<div>Nics</div>
<div></div>
<div>Salt &amp; Sparkle = Life Remarkable</div>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Why Death has not won.</title><category term="Bishop TD Jakes"/><category term="Love"/><category term="Whitney Houston"/><category term="bullying"/><category term="death"/><category term="funeral"/><category term="hardship"/><category term="identity"/><category term="life"/><category term="love"/><category term="me, myself and I"/><category term="standing"/><category term="won"/><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/8/why-death-has-not-won.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/8/why-death-has-not-won.html"/><author><name>by Nics</name></author><published>2013-05-08T22:36:50Z</published><updated>2013-05-08T22:36:50Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-GB"><![CDATA[<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lLvDN07O5M8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Life can be tough. &nbsp;It certainly has been for me of late, but it is at times like this, when strength seems to ebb more than flow. &nbsp;I know I for sure, the need to remember, death has not won and we have someone to look to. Tonight I spent some time listening to excerts from Whitney Houston's funeral, and these words from Bishop TD Jakes spoke to my heart, it is my hope they will encourage you too.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 120%;">Death has not won. Love is stronger than death. And, I know some of you today feel death has won, but that is not true. 2000 years ago love rolled into the ring and said&nbsp;<br /><br />'Wait a minute death, you have been bullying people for a long time, but I want to set the record straight. Love is greater than death.'&nbsp;<br /><br />He rolled up his sleeves and they fought all over Jerusalem, and wrestled all through&nbsp;the cross, and the fight went down to the grave&nbsp;<br /><br />and death said 'See I did to you, just like I did to the rest of them.'&nbsp;<br /><br />And death started having a party on Friday night. It was one of those weekend parties, lasted all the way through Friday night, and all through Saturday. It looked like death had won.<br /><br />But early. Sunday morning love rolled up his sleeves and said&nbsp;<br /><br />'wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, and he snatched death and took the sting out of death and the victory out of the grave.&nbsp;<br /><br />Death has not won. Your tears may flow, your pain may come, the flowers will wither, don't you dare think death has won. Death has not won. People that you love may leave you outwardly, but they never leave you inwardly.<br /><br />May the love of God and the peace of the Holy Spirit and The sweet communion of knowing you are a child of the King keep you through in this period of life when it might appear as if death has won, but it is a lie.<br /><br />LOVE WILL LAST FOREVER FOR GOD IS LOVE.<br /><br />BISHOP TD JAKES, at Whitney Houston's funeral, February 2012.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">How does it make you feel to know death has died, and LOVE HAS WON? &nbsp;I for one know it is something I stand and hold onto.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span >That's it for now ...</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span >Nics</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span >Salt &amp; Sparkle = Life Remarkable</span></p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Buddy Miller - it's a Buddy kind of day</title><category term="Buddy Miller"/><category term="Love"/><category term="My Favourite Things"/><category term="Summer Madness"/><category term="country"/><category term="important musicians"/><category term="me, myself and I"/><category term="music"/><category term="music"/><category term="producers"/><category term="roots"/><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/2/buddy-miller-its-a-buddy-kind-of-day.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/2/buddy-miller-its-a-buddy-kind-of-day.html"/><author><name>by Nics</name></author><published>2013-05-02T22:27:59Z</published><updated>2013-05-02T22:27:59Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-GB"><![CDATA[<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/udycaUgET4M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TtTJOM9_9ew" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TtTJOM9_9ew" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dPTZHMUGk-o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dPTZHMUGk-o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>I shook Buddy Miller's hand on a cold Irish summer afternoon.</p>
<p>He'd been singing with his wife Julie in the middle of a field in County Armagh for Summer Madness Festival.</p>
<p>His music / their music sent chills down my spine. &nbsp;I knew I was in the presence of greatness. &nbsp;</p>
<p>It was years before I knew just how important he was in the music scene. &nbsp;But that day, this music touched my soul and nearly two decades later it still does.</p>
<p>That's how I got to Memphis ... what a song ... I wonder how I will get to Memphis. &nbsp;How did you get there?</p>
<p>That's it for now ...</p>
<p>Nics</p>
<p>Salt &amp; Sparkle = Life Remarkable</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Do it. Do it. Do it. Don't hold back</title><category term="do it"/><category term="don't hold back"/><category term="just do it"/><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/1/do-it-do-it-do-it-dont-hold-back.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/5/1/do-it-do-it-do-it-dont-hold-back.html"/><author><name>by Nics</name></author><published>2013-05-01T22:26:47Z</published><updated>2013-05-01T22:26:47Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-GB"><![CDATA[<p><img class="iphone-image" src="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/resource/iphone-20130501232647-0.jpg?fileId=22615742"/></p><p>That's it for now ... </p><p>Nics</p><p>Salt & Sparkle = Life Remarkable </p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>How I feel today</title><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/4/26/how-i-feel-today.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/4/26/how-i-feel-today.html"/><author><name>by Nics</name></author><published>2013-04-26T14:27:35Z</published><updated>2013-04-26T14:27:35Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-GB"><![CDATA[<p><img class="iphone-image" src="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/resource/iphone-20130426152735-0.jpg?fileId=22548802"/></p><p>That's it for now ...</p><p>Nics</p><p>Salt & Sparkle = Life Remarkable</p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Borrowing v Inheritiance</title><id>http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/4/22/borrowing-v-inheritiance.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.saltandsparkle.com/home/2013/4/22/borrowing-v-inheritiance.html"/><author><name>by Nics</name></author><published>2013-04-22T23:03:34Z</published><updated>2013-04-22T23:03:34Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-GB"><![CDATA[<p>We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.</p><p>Native American Proverb<br /></p>]]></content></entry></feed>