At the Break of Day…

We left McPherson, Kansas heading north on our Land That We Love Tour on Friday before dawn and then we turned West heading for Colorado. The majority of our drive was heading west today.

We saw the sunrise through the rear window of our car and the rear view mirrors.

Some Kansas views speeding by at 75 miles per hour.

We found some color in Colorado.

We ended our travel day in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

We are so thankful for another safe day on the road.

On the road we listened to a couple of sermons from 1 Peter chapter 3 today and then listened to a book on CD by Louise Penny.

A small portion of the sermon we heard on 1 Peter 3:13-17 by John MacArthur in 2013;

“I can’t tell you precisely what’s going to come in the future against us, but it’s going to come and it’s going to escalate. For how long? I don’t know. And in what forms? I’m not sure. Persecution is going to come against you as an individual, if it doesn’t already come, because you’re an outspoken Christian. Here you are in the world, an alien and a stranger, and your task is not just to survive, your task is not somehow to defeat the enemy, your task is to win the enemy to your side. You do that by keeping your behavior honest and excellent. You do that by being a shining light in the world so that men can see your good works and glorify your father in heaven. You do that by proclaiming the gospel and loving your persecutors and showing kindness to them. You do that by doing good, having a passion for goodness, being willing to suffer, focusing on Christ, looking to eternal glory and keeping your conscience pure.”

On the road in Kansas…

On Saturday we travel from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Billings, Montana.

Hello Fall Hodgepodge

Thank you to Jo for coming up with the questions for the weekly hodgpodge! Click over to From This Side of the Pond to join in.

This photo of JJ and Addy covered with leaves is from last Fall after the leaves fell.

1. It’s fall y’all. What’s something you love about this season and also something you don’t?

Fall clothing is something I enjoy. I really can’t come up with something I don’t like about Fall. Fall might be my favorite season of all.

2. When you think of the colors of fall, which one is your favorite?

Hmmm…I think I like the combination rust, gold, olive green, maroon, and brown. If I had to pick one I’d pick olive green.

Is there somewhere you could easily day trip to see the leaves in all their glory?

There are lots of great drives in our area where we can enjoy fall colors.

Will you? Yes, we will.

3. What’s one thing you’ve let ‘fall’ by the wayside during this season of staying home and staying away?

We aren’t taking as many roadtrips as we have in the past.

4. If you’re wearing a sweater is it most likely a cardigan, crew neck, v-neck, or zip up hoodie?

Most likely a cardigan.

5. What’s your secret to dealing with change?

It’s not a secret but sometimes we forget that God is sovereign, that He is in control. Reminding myself that I am not in control takes the pressure off when change happens.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Each Thursday until we have gone through the alphabet I’m hosting Truth from A to Z Bible Verse Challenge. Tomorrow we are on the letter C. If you’d like to join in you can add a verse in the comments on my post tomorrow or let me know that you posted a verse on your own blog. I’ll add a link to your post or add your verse from the comment section onto the Thursday challenge post. The word/words that start with C can be anywhere in the verse. It can be a key word or not. Not a lot of rules just an exercise that encourages you to search the treasure we have in the Bible.

Fall Colors to White Out!

The Western Larch trees are in their glory.

We had a power outage at 3PM on Monday the 28th of October and I sat in our recliner in front of our family room slider and took the photo above. The wind was really blowing. The power came back on just after 4PM and then we were surprised to see the snow blow in.

The wind died down and the snow stopped falling. Such an interesting day. We’ll see what Tuesday holds.

Interrupted Hodgepodge

1. What does/did Halloween look like at your house this year? Did you decorate? Pick pumpkins? Carve pumpkins? Expect trick or treaters? Wear a costume to a party or event? Make a costume? Feel glad you didn’t have to come up with a costume? Cook a Halloween themed treat? Eat all the leftover candy?

Minimal decorations on the front porch that I’ve collected over the years. Not much but enough for me. I’m working on this post in between the doorbell and knocks and shouts of “trick or treat”. So far we’ve had 35 costumed cuties.

We went to the pumpkin patch a couple Sundays ago with the newest member of our family and she was the cutest pumpkin in the patch.

This is the closest we came to costumes this year. We were at a favorite garden store today and they had these props to take photos with.

2. What are you waiting for? Elaborate

We are in the process of replacing counter tops, sink, cooktop, and back splash. All the old back splash has been removed so things are looking a bit untidy around here as we wait on the quartz guys to template and prepare and install the quartz for us. Then dear can get to work on the back splash. (Is that two words or one?)

We’ve now had 40 trick or treaters at the door.

3. Do you wish you were friendlier, braver, more creative, more athletic, or something else? Explain.

How about skinnier. I’ve put on a lot of weight since I hit 60 and I don’t like it much.

4. When it comes time to paint are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire someone? What was the last paint job completed at your house? What room most needs painting now? How do you feel about wallpaper?

Dear’s father had a house painting business and Dear was trained well. Dear does all the painting at this old house and any of the houses we’ve lived in. No room in this house is in desperate need of painting. After we gut our master bath that will be the next room that will get a fresh coat of paint. We haven’t wall papered anything in any house since our 2nd home in 1976. I can enjoy wallpaper but hate removing wallpaper.

44 trick or treaters so far and #44 really needs to go home and go to sleep, just a little cranky.

5. What is one specific thing you felt gratitude for in the month of October?

I am so grateful for our first annual family hunting trip at our son, DIL, and Addy’s home in northeastern Washington. All of our kids, spouses and our little grand were together under one roof for a few nights and we had a great time.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We have so enjoyed the fall colors this year in our area. So thankful to God for all the seasons of the year and the beauty that we can find in each one.

Dear and I walked the river trail on Sunday afternoon and I have a lot of photos to share from that walk. The reflection of this tree in the river was beautiful.

Thank you to Joyce From Across the Pond for asking the questions for Hodgepodge Wednesday. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my posts. I appreciate your visits!

Just when I thought cranky #44 was the last trick or treater we had another wave and we are up to 51! It’s after eight and all is quiet in the neighborhood so I think I’ll turn off the lights and call it a good night with 51!

Before I could turn out the lights 4 tall teenagers came by to grab a handful of candy so our final count was 55!

Discovery Park Seattle

We woke up to a beautiful day on Friday November 6th and decided to explore a part of Seattle we had never been to before. Discovery Park is located in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood, and is the largest park in the city. Entry is free. The Discovery Park Loop Trail is a designated National Recreation Trail, 2.8 miles long with an elevation change of just 140 feet. It passes through both forest and open meadows, offers extensive views, good prospects for bird watchers, and can be hiked or jogged year-round.

We walked to the highest point on the Loop Trail. A sign points right toward a viewpoint near the old chapel that looks out over the South Meadow. What you see from this viewpoint is the Puget Sound, The Olympic Mountain Range and Bainbridge Island.

The little white World War II chapel perched on the hill at Discovery Park has been given historic landmark status and given a second chance to remain standing on a spot that overlooks Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Before there was a park here, this area was Fort Lawton and it is thanks to the fort that this large park is available to Seattlites who wish to explore an urban trail.

While Fort Lawton was a quiet outpost prior to World War II, it became the second largest port of embarkation of soldiers and materials to the Pacific Theater during the war. The fort was included in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure list. Fort Lawton officially closed on September 14, 2011.

One of our goals while at Discovery Park was to see the light house on West Point. We stopped at the visitor center and asked about driving to the lighthouse and we were happy to learn that since we were 62 or over we could get one of 8 special parking permits to park at South Beach close to the West Point, otherwise we would have had to hike there. If we were prepared it would have been easy enough for us to take the South Beach Trail and walk/hike but on this day we were happy to drive.

The West Point Lighthouse has a Victorian-era Beacon. It was built in 1881.

North Beach on Shilshole Bay.

South Beach on the Puget Sound looking towards the West Seattle Bridge with Mt. Rainier barely visible. Squint and you can see it.

This last mosaic is a photo of South Beach with a couple navigating the rocks on the left of the photo. I zoomed in on my photo to get a closer look at them. When I took this photo I didn’t realize we’d have a nice encounter with this couple. They had hiked down to the beach. When we made it to our car and started back to the visitor center to hand in our parking pass we saw them starting their walk back and we decided to roll our window down and ask them if they wanted a ride back. They were happy to accept and we learned they had just arrived the day before to the Seattle area from Milan, Italy. They were here for a very short time to see their daughter who was attending a special course at the University of Washington. We were happy to share our experiences in Milan with them. They were navigating our city by bus and other public transportation.

We would like to visit Discovery Park again in the future to see more of the park in a different season.

I’m linking up to Mosaic Monday with Maggie at Normandy Life. Click over to see more mosaics from around the world.

We have enjoyed a quiet weekend with a mix of rain, high winds and a little sunshine. We were home mostly except for church this morning and have eaten all of our meals in. Why do I feel like I need a pat on the back for that or that you even need to know that? Hope you had a good weekend in or out!

Welcome Fall…

…looking forward to what you have in store for us. In the meantime here are some favorites from the end of summer and the very beginning of Fall.

If you missed the recipe for my Pear and Almond Tart on MGCC click away and get it now. You can make this with canned pears.

Our hydrangeas are waning nicely with their colors fading in a pretty way.

Colors are changing on our plants and the leaves are changing and falling.

Our neighbor Pat died this summer and a couple weekends ago there was an estate sale in her home. I ended up buying her drop leaf tea trolley to remember her by. I waited till the last day of the sale when everything was half off to make my purchases. We found a spot for it and we have plans to make a few changes to it. It cost me $20.

Early fall shots of our home from the back of our property. We do welcome Fall/Autumn at this old house.

Thankful for Autumn and all it brings like new colors to enjoy, comfort food, cooler weather, cozy fires, and new adventures.

Thank you Lord for who you are and your love and care over us.

Joining: Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday and Everything Else, Five on Friday with Amy at Love Made My Home and Friday’s Fave Five with Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

Hello October!

On this first day of October I was out on the road running errands getting ready for our company and events this weekend. Fall is showing itself nicely here in the Pacific Northwest!

On the road to our big box home improvement store and office supply store this great burst of fall met my eyes.

After I bought my ink cartridges for my printer I headed to Whole Paycheck, that’s what my dear dil Laura calls Whole Foods, to get some organic corn tortillas for my sister in law, Leticia. She’s on a restricted diet. We are making chicken fajitas for the cabinet installers on Friday evening. Letty is our family’s expert on all things in the Mexican culinary world. The least I could do was to buy the right ingredients for her. She will also be making her special Spanish rice and beans.

When I got home I experimented with a new pumpkin recipe for dessert that I’ll share in October on the Mennonite Girls Can Cook Blog. If you click over today you can see my Mocha Toffee Parfait.

Since I’m up late today waiting for our guests to arrive at this old house I had time to complete this post. Our son Josh is picking up his uncle and aunt at the airport and delivering them here late tonight. Tomorrow we hit the ground running. I’ll check in with all of you in the quiet moments…if there are any!

Quality Time Together…

Last Thursday Dear and I loaded up the car and headed East to enjoy some quality time with our kids. Our son-in-law Andrew wasn’t given time off of work to be able to join us and we missed him dearly.

On Friday (Halloween) we had a great hike on and above our son Dan’s property.

Our sons, Dan and Josh.

A Selfie from Josh and Laura.

Our daughter Katie and daughter-in-love, Laura.

Laura took this photo of Katie on our hike with her phone.

We had some great views and enjoyed lots of fall color.

My son shared some apples from his trees with the deer.

We enjoyed hiking, shooting, shopping, eating, and playing games together. We marvel at the world God created for us to enjoy and the people He has put in our lives to love and encourage us on our journey.

Dear and I stayed at a farmhouse close to our son’s home so the kids could enjoy staying up late and sleeping in while Dear and I tucked in earlier and woke up early each day. On Saturday morning all the kids came over to the farmhouse to enjoy a meal that Dear and I prepared for them. We bought some local made sausages and Dear made his fabulous Swedish pancakes and we added eggs to round off the meal.

Later on Saturday Dan and Jamie made us their famous fish tacos with their home made cabbage salsa. Dinner was so delicious. I’ll share the salsa recipe soon on Mennonite Girls Can cook. I’m so sad I didn’t take one photo of all the good eats we had.

We enjoyed three sunsets in Eastern Washington.

Dan and his girlfriend, Jamie.

Before we headed back over the Cascades to Western Washington we enjoyed brunch together.

We consider any time we are able to spend with our kids quality time.

I’m linking this post to ABC Wednesday for the letter Q. Thank you to Denise Nesbitt and the ABC crew.

Q is for Quality time spent together with family.

O is for October!

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” from Anne of Green Gables

October…one of my favorite months of the year. It’s when colors begin to change.

It’s when the regular season of MLS soccer comes to an end and when playoffs loom ahead!

In October we love to visit our middle son in Eastern Washington. The photo above is taken on his property.

When there is still a little color in some Autumn plants and the leaves are falling.

Oh my…the leaves keep falling.

At this old house I wouldn’t have to mow again except for the fact that I use the mower as a vacuum for the leaves.

I do love October even though it brings more yard work at this old house. The tree that drops all these leaves isn’t even our tree.

I’m linking up to ABC Wednesday that was started by Mrs. Nesbitt and continues on with the help of a great team.

The Year Is Swiftly Waning ~ Hymn

The Year is Swiftly Waning

The year is swiftly waning,
The summer days are past;
And life, brief life, is speeding;
The end is nearing fast.

The ever changing seasons
In silence come and go;
But Thou, eternal Father,
No time or change canst know.

O, pour Thy grace upon us,
That we may worthier be,
Each year that passes o’er us,
To dwell in heaven with Thee.

Behold the bending orchards
With bounteous fruit are crowned;
Lord, in our hearts more richly
Let heavenly fruits abound.

O, by each mercy sent us,
And by each grief and pain,
By blessings like the sunshine,
And sorrows like the rain.

Our barren hearts make fruitful
With every goodly grace,
That we Thy name may hallow,
And see at last Thy face.

Words: William W. How, 1871.

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage

Tag Archives: Fall Colors