Stop and Savor

With a cup of hot tea in hand, I closed the door and snuggled up in a cozy blanket on the porch. Rays of sunshine pour down from above, red maple glows with leaves afire, wind rushes through the tall grass, chimes softly sing. I crack open a book, my icy fingers clasping the warm teacup as its hot vapor curls upward in the frigid fall air.

I drink its sweetness . . .

All too often we fail to consider the big picture; we box up our minds to only see the duties, the tasks, the trivialities of life. Our focus can be so limited, only giving attention to the needs, the wants, the aches and pains, the schedules, and the responsibilities, causing us to lose appreciation for the season God has placed us in. With selfish focus we gloss over the blessings God has given, the work He is doing, the precious memories in the making. We miss the joys of the treasures given here and now.

Stop. Stretch your eyes. Look for the beauty around you. Like a vapor, these things, these seasons, this life, shall pass. Savor. Remember. Worship.

Warmth of Home

Fall brings a cozy atmosphere, illuminating the richness of home. With leaves swirling in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, this season holds a beauty of its own. Blankets stowed in the back closet come out once again, bringing soft warmth against the cold nip of the crisp fall air.

I love days like these -- days to step back, see, and feel the warmth of home. Candles burning with glowing flame, smells of apples and spice, sweaters hanging on the hook, kettle bubbling in the background, hands clasped around a cup of hot tea . . .

Trails of scattered popcorn along the kitchen floor (the only remaining evidence of the tasty popcorn balls I made), delicious and juicy baked apples for lunch . . .


all proclaim the joy of a place called Home.

Signs of Spring

Yesterday the warm, cheery sunshine beckoned me outside. I carefully studied my little garden plot, and look what I found!

The irises already peek from the bed

I found an occasional leaf poking through from the tangled reeds from last year's plant.

Running to the garage, I came back with a trimmer. I clipped and piled up some of the old, dead flower stalks and piled them to the side. As I did so, the sweet fragrance of the dead, dried bee-balm stalks filled the air like a lovely perfume. Underneath the remains of its dried stalks I could see a few little leaves of new, fresh bee-balm plants beginning to poke up from the ground. How amazing think of the many concepts this season illustrates. The concept of old becoming new, death birthing life, and the dead becoming alive (such as Jesus' resurrection celebrated on Easter).

Death.

Life!

In reality, I would not consider myself an avid gardener. I just like to stand back and watch things grow! Perennials give me the most joy since they faithfully come back year after year. Every spring I burst with excitement upon noticing their little heads shoot up from the soil beneath. Despite the cold, harsh winters of the north, they endure the snow and sleet while firmly rooted in the ground, ready and preparing to spring up and flourish when the time is right.

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

~Colossians 2:6-7

Let's cling to Him and keep our roots embedded in the nutrients He offers so we can be ready to flourish in the seasons ahead.

Kitchen Time!

Grandpa and Grandma are here for the weekend, and what a great time we have had! This afternoon Grandma taught the girls how to make Swedish peppakaker cookies. Delicious aromas of sugar & spice filled the kitchen to greet the boys when they returned from a CAP event. Mmmm . . . nothing like baking with Grandma!

Black-Eyed Susans

Sending you a bouquet of sunshiny flowers to brighten your day!

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;

Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD.

-Psalm 96: 11-12

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!”

- Psalm 70:4

Full Bloom!

The lilies have unfurled their lovely petals to proclaim the joys of summer with bright, sunny orange colors!

I also have my own little "garden corner." It always brings me great excitement to see my flowers grow and bloom!

My Bee-Balm flowers have brought a nice splash of color to my garden. As you can see, the bumble bees love them! Their leaves have a sweet, herbal aroma.

The red Bee-Balm plants have become quite prolific! Their flowers remind me of little fireworks.