Goodbye Summer

Summer is over. Fold it  up. Put a ribbon around it, store it in a box.  And the summer of 2012 is only a memory.  It was such a good friend, I don't want to see it go.  Had a lot of company, visited a lot of places, seen a lot of new sights.  Really enjoyed all the visitors....grandkids, great-grand kids, nieces, nephews, friends.  Lets do it again next summer.

We went looking for the fall colors....Everywhere you look is a big splash of gold, yellow, orange and the last of our greenery.     The sky is so blue, the big fluffy white clouds floating along in the sky, the blue and green of the mountains, with patches of the yellow aspens leaves snuggled in among the evergreens.  This is the world (day) the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

1947 Oklahoma State Fair

Perfect Peace

 

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace.  Many artistis tried.  The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them. 

 

One picture was of a calm lake.  The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains were all around it.  Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.  All who saw this picture thought that it was a picture of perfect peace.

 

The other picture had mountains too.  But these were rugged and bare.  Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, in which lightening played.  Down the side of the mountain tumbled foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

 

But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock.  In the bush a mother bird had built her nest.  There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest....perfect peace.

 

Which picture do you think won the prize?

 

The King chose the second picture.

 

Do you know why?

 

Because, "explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.  Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart.  That is the real meaning of peace.

 

 



First Day of Autumn

 

At about 10 minutes until seven, I looked out the window and remembered....this was to be the first day of fall .  When the sun passed over the equinox at 6:49.  So I grabbed my camera, rushed out the door. Barefoot...nightgown and all.  But I was rewarded for this great picture of the sun coming up over the Sangre de Cristo mountains...from my front porch.   It is now officially autumn.      

 

. . .In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,. . .Psalm 19:4-5

   

                                                                                                                                                           

A Sunday Ride

Sunday was such a beautiful day, we  decided to take a ride up to Crestone. Crestone is a small town snuggled in the mountains.  It has a varied population.  Some next door neighbor types, some hippie types and some of various religions.  Seems to be quite a few Buddhist.

As you drive up the little mountain road above Crestone, you will see these little lines of prayer flags on poles.  And in one place there is a big white Buddhist stupa. There is a sign nearby that reads:

 "The symbolic shape of the stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and sitting in meditative posture. His crown is the top of the spire; his head is the square at the spire's base; his body is the vase shape; his legs are the lower terrace; and the base is his throne. The stupa symbolizes the five elements and their relationship to enlightened mind. these are the essential attributes of a fully realized human being. The base of the stupa signifies earth and equanimity; the dome, water, and indestructibility; the spire, fire and compassion; above the spire, wind and all-accomplishing action; and at the very top, the jewel represents space and all-pervading awareness. The stupa is a mandala, or sacred arrangement, containing all those enlightened qualities."

Jangchub Chorten, the Stupa of Enlightenment

  The statue is quite interesting, it's a  brilliant white, with a gold top that shines a beautiful blue as the sun shines through it.

From there you can look out over the valley for miles and miles.

The town of Crestone is quite old .  And it has quite a history, it use to be a gold mining town.  Quaint little shops, not the kind they have in Estes Park or one of the other tourist towns. The town people seem to just trying to make a living  some way or other.  Anyway it is a very interesting place.  We always enjoy our visits.

We plan on checking out some other places this weekend. See the fall colors, the leaves seem to be changing earlier this year.  Hope to get some good pictures.

God is so good.  He has given us so much beauty in our world.  Forgive us Father, how we try our best to destroy it.

I love sitting here on the porch, in the early evening, enjoying the clear blue sky, the green of the hay fields, the misty blue of the sky.  We are rewarded with a beautiful sunset, as the sun goes down behind the mountains.

As the shadows grow longer we hear a dog barking off in the distance, hear the birds in the trees, chattering.  Maybe they are telling each other of the day's adventures, the places they have flown, the sights they have seen.  Next we see a little bunny hopping along in the grass.  We decide to call it a day.   It has been a good day.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your hands. The moon the stars which you have set in place,  What is man that thou art mindful of him       Psalm 8:3


    

What's your choice

10 young virgins going to school, going to parties, having friends…and family. They lived their life, being kind, honest, pure.  They love the Savior…and was waiting for his return.

They visited the sick, gave food to those in need.  They gave to charities, paid their tithe. What more could they do?

Five of those young virgins, gave, helped, shared, prayed.  Then forgot their good deeds.

Five of those young virgins, gave and bragged about it.  Helped if it didn’t interfere with their plans.  Prayed...sometimes.  Bragged about their good deeds.

Here are 10 young virgins.  Waiting for the bridegroom.  The call goes out.  The bridegroom is coming.  The young virgins begin to gather their good deeds to present to the bridegroom.

The five young virgins that gave willingly...were kind, loving, helpful, went in with the Bridegroom.

The other five:

Saw the bareness of their gifts, the unwilling kindness, the selfish giving, their total disregard of others, especially those in need.
 
But didn’t we help collect clothes for the poor?

Didn’t we help out in the soup kitchen?

Didn’t we visit the old in the Rest home?

Yes you did:

All for your own glory, all in your own time

The door was shut.

Their time was past.

Five went in with the bridegroom.

Five were left outside.

On which side are you….or me?    

Matthew 25:13 Therefore keep watch because you know not the day or the hour.

A Trip To Denver

Jason and Jeremy, my twin grandsons, took their biannual trip to the Doctor in Denver  These young men have a rare type of cancer.  The amazing part is they don't dwell on it, they don't let it get them down.  My daughter, Linda, tries and suceeds in seeing that they live as normal a life as about anyone.  They are very devout Christian young men.  But they are so much fun, so knowledgeable about most things.....computers for one thing.  They teach grandma so many things, far belong my limit and age to grasp all this new stuff.  But they keep pushing me...and they have a lot of patience. So here I am at my age...going on Facebook....now my own blog..in fact, I have 2.
   They spent a lot of time this summer at the Hot Springs swimming pool until they have turned a beautiful shade of brown.  Well, the Dr. in Denver said they were doing good..but to continue their swimming at the Hooper Hot Springs pool all winter.  That's a great place to spend and afternoon or evening in the winter, when the snow is softly falling...you can look up and see the mountains in the distance.   I must admit I enjoy that too.
 Jason and Jeremy are ardent Bronco fans...All season they live and die with the Broncos.  Their fellow fan...their grandpa passed away a year ago May...so now, when the game's on they get his Bronco hat and place it in front of the TV....It's a very noisy house when it's Bronco time.....It's a good time for women folk to go shopping. 

  I'm so proud of these two young men.  With their faith in God, they have overcome so much, they have never given into their problems...never complain...they just take life and its problems and refuse to recognize defeat about anything.  God Bless you two and I know he does.

A wise son brings joy to his father.    Proverbs 10:1

September morning

It is a beautiful morning.  I would love to go out and enjoy the bright sunshine.  Take the girls for a  walk.  (My two little chihuahuas, Emily and Sara) But my daughter brought me a box of peaches from the Farmer's Market.  So, I think I had better get busy and take care of them.  They are so good and in the winter, I won't remember the walk, but I will enjoy the taste of delicious Colorado peaches. Some I shall freeze and some I shall make into peach jam.  Maybe I'll make a couple of jars of jam, (if it turns out okay) for a gift.
I have so many projects in mind and started,  but housework, shopping, cooking, cuts into my more fun activities.  I guess that is life.  We do what we have to do first...Or....things get messy, people go hungry..well, you get the picture...Even posting on my blog takes time.    

Well, I took care of my peaches, I have a nice bowlful left to eat fresh.  Here is the results of my efforts. 

         1st ...7 bags ready for the freezer.

The above picture is my three pints of peach jam.  Below 7 bags for the freezer.

My jam turned out so good.  And it was easy.  I must give Martha Stewart credit.  I got the recipe from one of her posts ...so simple.
         
        Peach Jam
8 to 10 peaches    3 cups sugar    1 tablespoon +1 tsp lemon juice
          Pulse peaches in food processor until slightly chunky.
          Put in sauce pan.   Slowly add sugar and lemon juice.  Bring to boil, stir often.  Until bubbly and frothy.  Until fruit rises to the top, and jam sticks to spoon when lifted.  Cook about 12 minutes. Put into  pint jars...it makes 3 pints.  Let cool. Refrigerate.   Is that easy or what!               

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness...
                 Galatians 6:22




 

Recipe sharing

Ever share a recipe with a friend? 

Then later, the friend tells you they made the recipe
but....it didn't taste like yours!
This funny poem about recipes may tell the reasons why it didn't taste like it should

  Funny Poem About Recipes

I didn't have potatoes,
  so I substituted rice.
I didn't have paprika
  so I used anothe spice,
I didn't have tomato sauce,
  so I used tomato paste.
A whole can not a half can
  I don't believe in waste.
My friend gave me the recipe -
 she said you couldn't beat it,
There must be something wrong with her,
   I couldn't even eat it.





  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.    Isaiah 1:19

Things That LIfe Is Too Short For

I came across this writing...and I copied it with a few changes...

Life is too short to ice cakes.  Cakes are good without icing
Life is too short to eat factory baked bread
Life is too short to keep all your floors shiny
Life is too short to nurse grudges and hurt feelings
It's too short for nosey questions, (well, about things that are none of their business)
It's too short not to take a nap if you need one

It's too short to stay indoors when the trees turn color in the fall,
      when it snows, or when the spring blossoms come out...or you just want to take a walk.
Life is too short to forget your morning talk with your Heavenly Father...
It's too short not to thank him for His beautiful world,  his daily blessings, the son he gave us.
Life is too short not to love and enjoy those around you...and tell them
Life is too short not to enjoy the song of the birds, the little bunnies, the love of our pets
Life is too short.....not to love, laugh, cry...share...
It's just too short not to realize how good and great our God is.
Oh, yes....life is short...each day is a gift........cherish it..


                             Each man's life is but a breath.       Psalms 39:5