Sampler

Evidently, some little wild thing approved of my setting up a fall display on our front porch. The morning after set-up, some of the gourds had been rearranged and one of the ornamental corn cobs was missing some kernels. I guess I will just wait for further developments in the mystery; I highly doubt the creature culprit will 'fess up.

Remembering Randy

Fifteen years ago today we welcomed and said goodbye to our tiny baby boy in the space of a minute or two, because he came much too early to survive. It was comforting to go to his grave this evening to share memories, tears and hugs with loved ones we still have with us. I am deeply grateful to know that a tender Father continues to hold us all In His Hands.
                                                                                                    (Photo credit: Ricky Martin)

Ice and Fire

On a frosty (God-breathed) sunlit morning, I found this treasure. It seems as though a poem is hidden here...with words like crystal and molten gold.

Rose After Rain

A rosebud in late October could be called courageous, in my estimation. And, not to mention lovelier for its chilly drenching.

Suit-able Weather

Today was as grey and chilly as last week was bright and balmy. These apple pickers bundled up accordingly. (At least their suits added some cheerful color to the dreariness!) 

Dappled

Those are some big, round red "leaves" among the typical green and yellow ones. I love the mottled variegation they make on the orchard floor. In a word, it's d'apple-d.

More Fall Brilliance

Burning Bush shrubs are in our view to the west (neighbor's yard) these days. They give me a dash of joy every time I spot them in the present fallscape.

While It Lasts

The driveway into Martin's Retail Store is flanked on one side by a row of maples, alternating in an every-other-tree orange and burgundy pattern. It's a signature fall scene here on the farm. The prettiness of autumn has lingered longer than usual this year, at least in my estimation. I will soak it up as long as possible!

Anniversary Roses

It has been said that a person gives pink roses to show someone thankfulness, admiration and happiness. In that case, I should be giving Ken an anniversary bouquet like this, instead of the other way around. And, if it means showing gratitude, may my life be a cluster of pink roses to God... 

Anniversary Jaunt

Today I had an amazing time with my man, celebrating our 28th anniversary. We meandered through the countryside exploring different sites in the Port Burwell, Ontario area. The autumn scenery was astonishingly beautiful, and my companion topnotch. Here we are, pausing on a hike along the Lake Erie shore.

New Wooden Bins

It's wonderful to have spiffy new personalized bins in which to put this year's phenomenal apple crop.

Reminiscent Combination

At our wedding 28 years ago (10-22-88) we served peanuts and corn candy in place of the pastel pillow mints that were common favors back then. Every year since, when the third week in October rolls around, we have this snack on hand. In fact, it is a annual family tradition to have a meal much like the one we had at our wedding. (Which is easier to copy than some wedding meals would be, since it was a simple lunch of hot ham-n-cheese buns and potato salad.)

Flowerbed Advertisement

Fancy finding this reminder among rose bushes and creeping jenny while tidying the backyard flowerbed before winter. Perhaps the President of Martin's scatters his business cards in unique places. Or maybe the apple card fell out of a pocket and landed there when the First Lady hung up laundry on the neighboring clothesline. In any case, it was a fun little note to pop up during my task.

Russel of the Tossels

Looking down this cornfield aisle brings to mind some lines of James Whitcomb Riley's poem called "When the Frost is on the Punkin", particularly these: The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn, And the raspin' of the tangled leaves as golden as the morn. Riley may not have gotten the spellin' right, but he surely mastered description!

Rural Sale

Our neighbors offer this inviting merchandise in the sunshine at the end of their driveway. Customers may help themselves; it is understood that the payment goes in the sour cream container on top of that one half-bushel basket.

Woodside Treeshells

As seen on a Sunday evening stroll in the "bush" with Kerra: shell-shaped fungi on a fallen log. 

Bread Horn of Plenty

My SIL Rose has plenty of baker's skill and plenty of creativity. She made this lovely, tasty addition to a soup-n-salad lunch shared today by ladies of Grace. We had plenty of admiration and plenty of gratitude for it!

Mum's the Word...

...is a phrase that means to keep quiet about something but this mum is not going to be silent about the beauty of these mums. Martin's Retail Store offers these colorful chrysanthemum mounds for sale right now, while adding to their gorgeous outdoor Fall display.
Incidentally, the mum phrase comes from a Middle English word "mum" which means silent. Very likely humming mm-m instead of saying words developed into the word mum. Also, a mummer is one who pantomimes (why not pantomums?), or does acting without speaking. This all probably has nothing to do with chrysanthemum flowers, but I find it fascinating, nonetheless.

Leaves Me Sentimental

Flaming orange and yellow autumn leaves invoke nostalgia for me. They're an invitation to wander near, breathe in their sharp, cinnamon-y, earthy smell and stand under their branches to worship in a vivid cathedral. On the other hand, I just may go dancing or dashing through the heaps of crunchy color-bits already fallen.

Pickers in Pink

Another one of my picks of the Apple Picking pics: Older niece Trish shares an apple moment with younger niece Zoe in the orchard on Thanksgiving Day.

Basket Case

During our Martin Family Apple Picking Event yesterday (Canadian Thanksgiving), my 6-year-old niece asked if I wanted to see her apple man. I saw three apples of various sizes in her basket, but I didn't get what she meant until she stacked them up like they were snowballs. Of course, an appleman!

Happy Thanksgiving

John 1:16 seems an appropriate message for this Day of Thanks in Canada. My heart is full!

Woman of God

Clara is my young-at-heart missionary friend from "up north". I want to be like her when I grow up. She's a woman of prayer, a woman of the Word and a woman of song. Here she has just sung her youngest grandchild to sleep at the end of a Ladies' Tea.

Unique 'Shrooms

I found this pair in the lawn at Beaver Lake Camp, while I was gathering items for a rustic centerpiece on the table at a Ladies Tea. The mushroom cap on the right had a dainty curled fringe with dark brown "strings" dripping from it as if it were drizzling chocolate on the foliage below. All I can say is that the North seems to produce fascinating fungi!

Helping Hands

Today I had a great time joining some new friends in a project that one of the visiting ladies had brought along to NYP. I helped to make and sign little greeting cards that will accompany cookies in Christmas packages for those in prison.

Up North

Since Ken is on the Council of Reference for NYP, he came to Dryden, ON for a few days to attend some meetings. I am privileged to be along for the ride, to meet some new friends and to hang out with old ones, as well as to take in the stark beauty of The North in October.

Jay's Team

While many people in Ontario are talking about the Blue Jays, this team showed up in our very own backyard.

Plastered

This geranium is so tight against the wall, it looks as though it's blooming out of the bricks instead of reaching out of a hanging basket. In any case, I welcome its cheer when I go out on the front porch.

Canning Psalm

These jars of pears on the kitchen counter signify that I'm on the home stretch of Canning 2016. Praises be to the Giver of a bountiful harvest. "Seal"ah.

Hold Them Dear

Seventeen years ago today our brother and sister-in-law Sandy & Bonnie were called Home so suddenly. We think of them more often and miss them more poignantly around this time of year. We also remember to hold our loved ones a little dearer while they're here...which is why I take pictures like this one: family gathered for supper at Ricky & Jasmine's "new" apartment on a Saturday evening in October.

Sister-Share

It warms my mother heart to see these two catching up during Kayleen's first visit home after starting her college term at Faith Builders. In my opinion, the teapot between them (Kayleen's birthday gift she had just unwrapped) only adds to the coziness of this scene.