What a Riot!

On the hill at Martin's Retail Store: Pumpkins galore. (September is going out dancing in a riot of color and October promises to come waltzing in with only more splendor!)

Summer's Last Bursts

According to Jim Bishop, "Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons." And I say it gets some of its coins from Summer waving goodbye.

Library Art

Last week I finally got to see Countryside School's new library look, which includes this lovely and poetic piece of wall art painted by my niece Tory. If she designed the painting to make its viewers wish to sit down and read a book right there, she had success with me!

Herry Bird

Ever see a whiskered heron? I took a photo of this fish-stalker at the edge of our pond, and afterward I realized the shot makes the bird look rather scruffy!

Happy Birthday, Dear Kayleen!

This li'l charmer is all grown up now, and she isn't even at home to celebrate her birthday. But that doesn't mean she's no longer a delight or that she can't be celebrated. Our world is brighter and better, Kayleen, for having you in it!

Misty Morning

When the sun is fixing to come up these mornings, a mist rises in the "valley" behind our house where a creek runs through the orchard. I take the peaceful scene as a call to worship its Creator.

Pair of Runners

These two young men ran a marathon together this morning! Well, they each ran a half marathon, anyway, and I applaud them for their courage and endurance. I know our sons will also continue running well in the race of life, and this brings us parents even greater joy. Bravo, Rolin & Ricky!

Happy Fall!

Although most of the trees haven't donned their autumnal robes yet in our region, I was happy to see there's a hint of color on this third of the season's first day photo series. For the first day of spring pic, see here and for the first day of summer's, go to this post.

My Style

Thanks to the person who invented this method of cutting watermelon. It's a lot less messy to handle the pieces and that's a plus, in my estimation. Watermelon sticks almost seem to taste better than the ordinary cut - I think it's because they're just plain fun!

Autumn's Arrival

Yes, Fall must be the season up next, if the Martin's Retail Store décor is any indication. The beautiful bounty (or is it bountiful beauty?) of the store is noteworthy - there are harvest items to delight both the eye and the palate.

My Cup o' Tea

I don't drink tea from this cup in the mornings, but I do drink in its soft light and think sweet thoughts of my twin sister who gave me the unique gift.

Undergirded

Apparently, it takes an awful lot of beams, bolts and angles to support a train. Similarly, the network of God's Word, His Spirit and His people are a strong foundation under me.

New Title Bringer

Yay - I finally got to see him! This adorable munchkin, named Kai Evan, brought the Parent title to my niece Tamara & Ian when he arrived 10 days ago. He made some other relatives grand and great, too, including Ken and me. Would you believe it? We are Great Aunt & Uncle!

Balloon in the Bushes

I had to check out this incongruous object when I saw it among the weeds bordering our side road, because not just any day one finds a helium balloon that has been launched from who knows how far away. Turns out this one floated only about a mile before its attached papers weighted it down; a church on the edge of Waterloo was advertising some new programs they are launching. Could I say that "that went over like a lead helium balloon"?

Span of Ages

Last night we went to a nursing home to sing for a few of the elderly people in our church family. When the 104-year-old lady held the 4-week-old baby girl, I thought of these verses:  "Listen to me (says the Lord)...you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born...even to your old age and gray hairs I am he...I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you..." (Isaiah 46:3&4 NIV)

Vienna Day

I spent this brilliant end-of-summer day with Ken at his work in the Vienna orchards. (Ontario boasts a little Vienna of its own, near Lake Erie) We saw acres and acres of trees laden with superb apples. After the poor crops we've had in recent  years, the numbers in this harvest are staggering - a good kind of "overwhelmity" for my fruit farmer husband.

Mr. Toad

It's hard to say which one of us was more startled when we met this afternoon; me weeding the flower bed and he out grocery shopping at SpiderMart, I suspect. I think I can tell you which one of us stayed more frightened, though. Pretty sure his little heart was a-thumpin' as he watched me continue to raid and rearrange his store shelves.

Late Bloomer

Evidently a seed from a spent bleeding heart bloom this spring lodged in the flower bed not far from the parent bush. It took root, soaked up enough water and nutrients from the soil in spite of very warm and dry stretches of summer, and sent forth instructions to bloom where it was planted and when: mid-Sept. This throwback to spring makes me smile.

Through the Grapevine

While out on a stroll tonight, Ken & I saw not only groves of apples along Apple Grove Road, but also charming drapery of wild grapes on the fence lines.

Celebrating Four Decades

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" was the motto for the occasion. Grace Church celebrated its 40th anniversary today with memories, thanksgiving, laughter and tears, food and fellowship. Pictured are the four couples who are currently in the ministry at Grace: Howard & Barb Bean, Earl & Lucille Koch, Rich & Cor Bean and James & Janalyn Byler.

Guatemalan Flavor

Tonight we had a lovely dinner at the Gingerich home in Linwood. We had been anticipating this ever since purchasing a certificate for a Guatemalan meal at last year's Turkey in the Hole event at our school. Our hosts served us chicken and potatoes in a perfectly-spiced tomatoey sauce (I'm pretty sure it was called pollo guisado), rice with carrots, black beans, avocado slices and, of course, homemade corn tortillas. Dessert was tres leches cake (the recipe calls for 3 kinds of milk) and Guatemalan coffee. Spanish music played in the background as we ate and visited. It was a delightful evening. Me gusto mucho!

                                                                 (Photo credit: James Gingerich)

Change of Plans

We got this far on our date night, and stalled. The plan was to watch a presentation by Ken Ham on DVD, but the player got stuck and you think we could "unstick" it? Temporarily, with a bent hairpin and table knife, but nothing was a permanent fix. Oh well, the popcorn was just fine. And my date man is the best, so what have I to complain about?

Coming Harvest

These apples (Red Delicious) won't be picked for another month yet, but they are gorgeous already. I love the orchard scene right now!

FDoS Car Wash

Yesterday: first day of the last year of school for the youngest family member; time to spruce up the transportation.

Picnic in the Park

Yesterday was a holiday, and we celebrated with a picnic lunch in Victoria Park. All the picnic tables we could see were occupied, so we set up on the grass. The chicken burgers in the frying pans on the camp stove on the cooler on the grass turned out just fine. The geese and bees wanted to share the meal, but they were turned away. It was a fun picnic with family and friends on a gorgeous day.

Labor Dayers' Dish

Labor Dayers are different than Laborers, I suppose. I didn't labor too much on Labor Day, but I did concoct an eggs/potatoes/bacon skillet for our breakfast. With those fresh tomatoes to top it off, it was quite delectable, if I do say so myself.

Future Farmer

This little fellow got his shirt wet from "soodling" around at the water cooler after church. Someone distracted him from his dampness woes by asking about his daddy's tractors. Anything that brrrms sparks his interest.

Personalized Package

When the grocery shower is for the brother and his wife, it's so much fun to add one's own touch to the items. When asked what the second name entry represents, the sister replied that it's the French. Okay, then. :)

Heap 'O Color

In keeping with yesterday's statement about the colorful season... These items display the variety in the crop of peppers our garden yielded this year.

Pink Morning

The earth seems to be full of color these days as we lean in toward harvest. September awoke in that mode here at our place.