Autumn Glory...

While I love photos where the
grandeur of the color takes your
breath away, there is also something
to be said for those little moments.

The spots of color and details that
surround us every day.

Yesterday I found myself with camera
in one hand, a warm chicken egg in the
other wandering our backyard and just
a little beyond into my mother-in-law's
space...just to see what I could see.



Curious about the egg?
Our youngest chickens have just
begun laying. We are gathering
them as quickly as we can so they
don't get broody on us.

I got there just after an egg was
carefully left for us and it served
as a wonderful hand warmer...sorry!
I hear someone saying "Ewww!"
Don't knock it until you try it!
I say that with a smile!
It is a bit wierd...I was just too
into what I was doing to stop and
take the egg inside.



Oliver was so very happy
that I was outside with him.
The poor cat is so conflicted.
He loves to be outside but he also
loves attention. So when we are outside
he is thrilled that he can have it all!



Waiting for an impromptu bonfire...



All ready for a fire in Georgia's fireplace.
Love those crackling wood fires.
They smell so good!




Love these evergreens that border the
properties...



So wispy and beautiful.



Hopefully one of these days the
rains will stop long enough for
us to dispose of the leaves...





but for now, I think they smell
so good and look so pretty.







Sharing these photos is so much
fun but I have just been "paged"
back to the real world.

Time to attend to a few things.
Making bread, brownies and more
for the weekend and a birthday
celebration.

My brother is turning FORTY!!!!
We are celebrating tomorrow.
Yippee!!!



So ...
Have a super day!

Go Ahead...Take a Sip!

Vanilla Ice Cream
Hersheys Chocolate Fudge
Coffee Syrup
Milk
Whipped Cream

Yummmm.......

Fire in the Neighborhood

We went to bowling yesterday
only to have my head start
acting up within five minutes of
our arrival.
No.
Not like you are thinking...
lol.

Like the onset of a migraine.
My right eye had only partial
vision and I had trouble saying
what I wanted to say. My depth
perception and balance were off.

Scary.

So...I called the Doctor's office
and they recommended getting home
to lie down for a while.
Mikey drove.
Thank goodness!

After a couple of hours of sleep
a neighbor dropped by. As soon as
she left something caught our eye.

Fire trucks...one after another flying
down our little street. We rushed outside
and saw smoke coming from a farmhouse just
out of our sight.

Neighbors joined us as we huddled in another
yard and worried, wondered and prayed.

A little girl who lived in the burning home
came running down the road to us crying and
so very upset. Her uncle's dog was in the
house. Unfortunately we found out later that
this dog did not survive. My heart breaks for
these two families who shared this house.
It was divided into two residences.

They have family in the area so were able to
stay with them last evening but the house may
not be available to live in for a long time,
if ever.

Things were made more complicated for the
firemen as it has rained and rained over the
past month and everything is just too muddy.

At least one truck sank to its belly.
A huge tow truck was brought in to get it
out. Another woman got her car
stuck in the field in her attempts to
get out of the way of
the trucks.

In the end, as Warren came home much later
there were fire trucks lined up in front of
our home. This gave him quite a scare until
he figured out that we were in no danger.

This was in the reverse of what had happened
earlier that morning. A friend from work, who
happens to be with the fire company, called asking
if Warren had left for work yet. I responded that
he had. He asked when. My heart sank.

He told me he had reports of an accident on a
road that Warren uses daily and it was just
about at the place I would have expected him
to be at that point. There were some minutes
of anxiety as I waited to hear from Warren that
he wasn't in the accident. Finally, he called.
He had come up on it right after the fact, but
was not involved.

Emergencies, happening all around.

It is only grace when we are not involved.

Thankful for God's hand of protection on
our neighborhood and its residents yesterday.

My head is tender after the migraine yesterday,
but I am hoping that with TLC and Tylenol it will
be ok.

Here is a photo of one of the trucks outside
our house as they waited for the tow trucks to
remove the other stuck vehicles.



Looking forward to a much quieter day.
Georgia is making stuffed peppers for
our family dinner tonight. Yum!!

Hope you have a blessed and
wonderful day today.

Young Helpers Make it Fun...and other chatter!

On Saturday Warren, Mike and Jeremiah
had some work to do at our church.
I stopped by to make the bulletins and
found this...



Cracks me up.

Jeremiah's little guys were being all
the help they could be.



Climbing up and down the ladder to the
crawl space and chattering away...nonstop.



So cute, I tell you!

As for today...
I had intended to head over to Longwood
Gardens this morning, but it is pouring
rain. So... I guess I will head over to
the church again and do some painting.

There is never a loss for things to do.

I'll also be making up a second web candle
order. Thank You, Ladies, for placing these
orders. I hope you will love your candles!!

If you haven't looked yet, I do hope you'll
stop over at my candle blog. I encourage
orders by the dozen because it is your best
value and originally I thought it would be
easier to ship this way. However, I am very
happy to sell you candles by the piece. Just
email me for price quotes with shipping.

I have a candle delivery to make to my Amish
friend, Rachel. She is a very faithful
customer and I always look forward to her
orders. This means I get to visit at her
home and see the new plants and gardens in
progress. Rachel is a lot like my Mikey.
She loves plants of all kinds and, as she is
single, works at a large plant farm.
Soon enough, I imagine, Rachel will get
married and settle in a home of her own
with little ones to care for.


Hope your day is bright...
even if you, like us, are faced
with liquid sunshine.

Blue and Pink Overhead...

This is a Blue Monday Post hosted
by Sally, at the Smiling Sally Blog.
Thanks, dear friend, for your faithfulness
in posting, commenting and hosting this
weekly party.

I did not enhance these photos.
This pink was fading to gray so
quickly as I raced to capture it.
But, even so, you can see the pink
in the white cloud.



After a good day together as a family
at church and then with friends at a
park we headed home as the skies changed
constantly overhead.
Unfortunately I had no camera with me
so rushed into the house immediately
to grab it and then I ran down the road
for a better view.



The evening was coming on so quickly and the
light fading into this amazing blue hue.




It made it nearly impossible to get clear
pictures as the shutter stayed open so
long. A tripod would have helped a lot.
But, I loved this shot
of the blue, moon, trees
and clouds!
Fuzzy and all.

Finding Joy...

Just a "few" references to this
wonderful word...JOY...
and the source of our Joy!



But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11



You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11



The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 19:8



The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 29:7

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
Psalm 30:11



Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Psalm 33:1



The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.
Psalm 65:13




My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you... I, whom you have redeemed.
Psalm 71:23

There is a child's song that says,

"I've got joy
down in my heart.
Deep, deep down in my heart.
J-O-Y down in my heart
Deep, deep down in my heart!"

Hope that JOY
bubbles to the surface and
shows itself in praise and
testimony!

Have a very joy filled day.

C-H-A-N-G-E

Why is it that things that
are so good for us can be
so very difficult?

If we are blessed to find
a life partner and marry
there is a period of adjustment.
I remember very early in our marriage
I was struggling one evening because
Warren was late for dinner,
having worked late.
I called my parents, they said
they were not getting involved.
I was a married woman and I
was to take my issues up with
my husband. Very wise and sound
advice. We worked through those
changes and I love Warren more
today than I thought I did then.


We feel it when we have
children. A huge blessing
that brings with it such
varied emotions.
Maybe that is just the
sleep deprivation...but
I also remember the knowledge
that this was a lifetime
commitment.
A very good change.
Forces one to grow up...
fast!

There is the change that comes
with a move to a new area.
We have done that more than once.
Sometimes with excitement,
other times with a bit of
resentment.
I would say this move to Lancaster
was a bit rough for me...but God
knew what He was doing and it has
been GOOD!

And the reason I am writing this
particular post...Change in our
fellowship and worship.
The life of the church.
For nearly ten years
we have attended a very tiny church.
It was not our intention.
We had been a part of a small church and
I saw our move as a way to find a larger
church to get lost in. But, this was not
to be. We ended up in a church even smaller
than the one we had enjoyed back in Centre
County, PA.

Over the past eight of those ten years I have
known my role in this church. It was pretty
clear that if certain things were to get done
they would be my responsibility. Others worked
and had other duties that they were faithful to
in our church body.

But over the past year, God has blessed our
tiny church with growth and new friends.
I do, indeed, treasure them.
And I don't just have to say that because
they read this blog.
I love them dearly.
But, with the growth, inevitably comes change.
No longer can I possibly continue to do the
things I was accustomed to doing.
Hosting weekly get togethers, providing all
of the food for those events.
Working with Pastor Mike on all of the music
and each special event.
That really just scratches the surface.
It was a joy!!
It really was the second most important "job"
I had other than educating my children.

But, as others have come in we have been very
excited to see them step up and offer to help
in this way or that. Their homes have often
been opened up to the Fellowship. I am very
grateful for all of this...but still...it is
change.
One I have been at war with.

This week, God used some very special people
in my life to break down some walls.
Walls of resistance.
They have been a huge source of peace and
joy to me in pointing out that even as
things are changing new opportunities are
just around the corner.
Now, that gets my attention!
I love new opportunities!!!

So...I write today to say...
I am so sorry, God, for resisting
those wonderful things You have
for me. I simply want to serve You
and Love You in whatever way it is
You want me.

To my Friends who may have felt the
distance lately, I am so sorry.
It is not about you.
It is about God needing to do some
pruning in my life.

I don't want to be that "old lady"
in the church who refuses to embrace
new and different. This is what we
have prayed for and sought for all these
years.

Funny, isn't it?
God answers our prayers and I
respond with a big tantrum.

Oyyyy!!!

Glad He is faithful and doesn't
give up on us.

Here is hoping for another ten
years in His service.
Wonder what HE is up to next???

Humbly,

In The Beginning...

God...


The Andromeda Galaxy

Once upon a time I heard those
whom I love and respect talk of
a different time period for the
six days of creation.

They said that science seems to
show an older world than one of
six to eight thousand years.
Therefore they concluded that the
time God referred to as a day was
really a large expanse of years.


Full Moon over Laguna Beach

But, I had to take issue with
that. Respectfully.

Genesis One, the beginning of
God's Holy Word, says evening
and morning...One day.

This was during the time I was
teaching our three young children
about Creation.

You know, as opposed
to Evolution. They are
not compatible.

It seemed to me that
if "day" did not mean "day" in the Bible
what else would we be able to change up
if it didn't fit our understanding?

How would I explain that to the children,

"Well, I know it says it was six days, children,
but a day wasn't really a day then and God just
expected us to understand that...now lets talk
about salvation. When He says...he means..."

Nope, I couldn't believe that the very
first chapter of His Word
would have to be manipulated.

Things like this become important when you are
dealing with young and literal minds.
But we are also told that God's plan of salvation
is such that a child can understand it...so...

Mark 10:15
I tell you the truth, anyone who
will not receive the kingdom of God
like a little child will never enter it."



Full Earth Showing North America (With Stars)

My conclusion,
If Genesis One says it happened in
six days...God did it in six days!

It's right there!

No if's, and's or but's about it...

He spoke!
We...
and all we know...
happened!

Very Awesome!!!!

I did not make this up.
The text is right below my signature.
Go ahead, read it...
what does it say?

Again, I have to say...Awesome!




Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:5
5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Genesis 1:6-8
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

Genesis 1: 11-13
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

Isn't it cool??????
You can find the rest of the story here.

Ten Things You May Not Know...

It happened again!
Katie at Hummingbird Chats
has honored me with the
Honest Scrap Award.

Thank You, Katie!
It was fun to read your answers!

What caught my attention
about this award is that part
of the acceptance "speech" is
to try to come up with ten
things you may not know about
me. After two years of blogging
I have to wonder if there are
ten things left that I haven't
disclosed.

Well, I am game to try...
obviously some of you will
know these things.

1. I am terrified of spiders. A preacher once
used a story of a deadly spider to make a point
and it terrified me...I hate the things!

2. I have killed a snake. My brother and I were
playing when we were kids and it appeared.
A hoe was handy...shudder.

3. I have lived in three states.
New York, Nebraska and Pennsylvania.

4. Most of my emergency trips to the doctor are
related to a rescue animal. I either end up bitten
or with some other malady thanks to the little critters.

5. I have always wanted to do every job possible,
just for a while, to see what they are like.

6. I love to learn. The status quo bores me.

7. I am very insecure at times. Sometimes I feel like
a teenager all over again when it comes to what I think
people are thinking about me. Uggghhhh.

8. My biggest fear these days is that our Mikey
would get seriously hurt or killed on his motorcycles.
Trying daily to remember that God is totally in control
and that nothing can happen to us but that God allows it and
will give us the strength to get through it.

9. It is still, after four years, so fun to make candles.
It was incredibly difficult to limit the Fall/Christmas Fundraiser
choices to just 8 fragrances.
Horrible to choose!
I love so many of them!

10. One day I would love to travel all over this country,
with my dear husband, Warren, poking around historical sites
and meeting lots of interesting people.
He is a great travel companion!


Now, you know me well enough to know that I am not going
to follow the instructions and choose seven people to pass
this on to. But, it is fun to think of little known facts
so if you are game for that...I pass this award to YOU!

Dogwood on a Fall Morning

You know I love this dogwood tree...
I've shown it in every other season,
now the Fall.














Happy Outdoor Wednesday!
Hosted by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.