Around Town

The photo above is the view from my living room window. Perhaps just an okay view but I was surprised by how pretty the leaves were. It's been raining the last couple of days, so I knew the leaves would be gone soon, I wanted to get some photos.

When I went out yesterday I decided to grab my camera. I had some errands to do, I would be out anyway, the sky was overcast so why not get some photos too.

I was enjoying driving around looking and thinking about the beauty God had created. I couldn't get over how pretty everything was. The rains had made everything look fresh and the overcast sky made everything seem to pop.

Occasionally I would come across a house decorated for Christmas with a wreath or some garland. Our attempt at making something pretty and festive...not saying anything is wrong with that, we are doing it too.. but I was struck with how pitiful our attempt at beauty was compared to what God was doing with his creation.

Appreciating today, the beauty that God has created for our enjoyment.

Fall Moments

It's beginning to feel and look like fall and we've been taking care of the things that need to be taken care of during this time of year.

The little one in our church that had been so sick went home to be with Jesus not too long ago. The parents trusted the Lord throughout the journey, focused on eternity and encouraged others to do the same. The affect on me has caught me a little off guard, (I only knew the family slightly) and made it hard to blog, it seemed unimportant in light of things eternal.

In the end I realized that how we live our lives (including blogging) can bring glory to God. Through the blogs of others, I have been encouraged, reminded of biblical truth and learned how to do so many things that have helped me in the role God has place me in.

We also successfully helped Sweet Lady through her hip replacement surgery. The surgery had been weighing on me heavily. My SIL has some special needs and all kinds of scenarios of how this might go were playing in my mind. The conversations I would have in my head often went like this " what if she isn't able to go back because of, fill in the blank, complication " followed by "if you trust the Lord and you believe he is sovereign, then whatever the outcome, it's part of his plan" or "he will give the grace you need when you need it whatever the outcome" I was talking to myself a lot during those weeks leading up to the surgery.

In the end everything went well, she came through it like a champ. She had surgery Monday and went home yesterday. A defining moment for me came, after I dropped her back at her place. It was a long ride from the hospital, almost an hour, and she walked the long hallway to her room with a small rest midway. I was tired so I knew she had to be. I settled her in and told her I'd be right back after I went to the pharmacy. I figured she'd chill till I got back. Imagine my surprise when I met her in the lobby when I returned. She was on her way to the dining room to let her friends know she was back. I wanted to cry right on the spot, I knew then, that she was going to be okay and that we had made the right decision about moving her last summer. She then told me to go home, that these folks would take good care of her. The Lord has been faithful to us even in our doubt.

Now that the surgery is over I can start thinking about our next little adventure, going to be hugging some Grands soon, Lord willing!

November Gathering The Moments

Can it be November is over, and Thanksgiving is now behind us?

These photos give you a little window of what our month looked like. We spent a bit of time outside cleaning up flower beds, planting pansies and storing summer items.  I was sad to see the hammock put away for the winter, but thrilled that we found on small greenhouse on sale.  Husband had the challenge of assembling it.

The leaves have been beautiful and we made some excursions to get some photographs,. I am really thankful for these opportunities.

I had dreaded Thanksgiving because neither son was going to be home (remember I love a full house) but in the end it turned out to be very enjoyable (and relaxing) And it gave us an opportunity to better know some friends of ours. (and yes, I was well for Thanksgiving)

Even though it was just the two of us we took our family photo for the year this past weekend.

What my husband and I are beginning to see is, there are things we would not have been doing and opportunities we would have missed had all of our family been here. Still miss them but learning to find the blessings and the grace moments in this new season.

 

                                       Joining  Cheryl  in Gathering the Moments

Celebrating Veteran's Day

Anyone who has followed my blog for very long knows that my husband and I love to visit Williamsburg. On Veteran's Day they offer free admission for Active Duty and Retired Military and their families, it's a sweet deal, and one we try to take advantage of when we can.

Williamsburg has lots to offer besides the Colonial area, there are several parks, shopping and is home to the College of William and Mary....so lots of College Students and eateries that cater to them...think coffee shops.

Our time in Williamsburg was pretty low key. We had packed a cooler for lunches, it was full of things like bread, apples and peanut butter. When you take a cooler, you can do some "tailgating" just about anywhere.

We did lots of strolling and lots of picture taking and ended our visit with paying honor to those who have served. On Veteran's Day, if you have served you are asked to parade down the Duke of Gloucester and following the Fife and Drum Corp to Courthouse. Lots of Vet's participate with many VFW's represented. The group of Veterans's was led by two gentleman in wheelchairs that were being pushed, they had to be in their eighties. Thankful to those who have been willing to serve this would include my dad, my FIL, many friends and my sweet husband.

Around Our Neck Of The Woods

I never used to like fall. When my children were young, fall meant school and an end to the carefree days of summer. Schedules were busy and the weather was soon to turn cold. Our camping trips were done for the season, and there was homework and sports and music and busyness, lots of busyness. We didn't spend many afternoons (or mornings) looking for the changing foliage in those days.

I now enjoy fall almost as much as I do spring. I enjoy walking in the crisp air with a sweatshirt or sweater pulled tightly around me, with my hands in my husbands pockets because I forgot my gloves. I love the smells and I love the colors and textures that are associated with fall, it's beauty that points to a Creator don't you think.

The weather was beautiful this weekend, so we left the chores undone at home and headed outside to catch the beauty of this season. The leaves are just beyond peak but still pretty. I take the time to look these days, more aware at how fast time flies. The chores will still be there when we get back, but the leaves will be done for the season by next weekend. Make the most of every opportunity, no matter what that opportunity may look like.

More Fall Color

Our weather has turned cooler and with the time change it really is beginning to feel like fall. I have enjoyed the changing colors this year, and couldn't resist sharing more from my drives around town this week. The above photo was taken at a local park. I had stopped to pick up a few things from the Farmers Market that is set up there, sadly their season will be ending soon.

Same tree, different angle, the fenced in area behind the tree is for horseshoes

Beautiful reds and oranges along the parkway

It was a rainy day when this photo was taken, but was still pretty 

This tree almost seemed to glow in the sunlight.

This is what fall looks like around our neck of the woods, it's beautiful isn't it? Hope you have enjoyed.

Celebrating Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, Colonial Williamsburg offered free admission for all active duty and retired military for the three day weekend, it was called " Celebrating Service to America" Hard to pass up free, so we decided it was the perfect weekend to go and visit.

Williamsburg is one of our favorite destinations, and fall is one of the prettiest time of year there. When we visit we seldom do anything but walk around and explore the quaint little shops, but with the Veterans Day special we were able to experience all Colonial Williamsburg had to offer.

My husband and I enjoy all things historical, so this was a lot of fun for us, but what made it even better was, friends that we don't get to see nearly enough, were able to join us.

We spent the day together going through the different trades...my favorites included the Weaver, I was fascinated by the looms and the spinning wheels, the Cobbler, and the Millinery Shop. The people that work in these shops are true craftsmen....they are skilled at what they do, many have done it for years.

Because it was Veterans Day weekend there were some special activities going on. There was a Veterans parade with Fife and Drum and a Veterans Salute attended by "George Washington" and "Patrick Henry" My friend tried to chat a little with General Washington, find out how long he had been doing this job etc....the General was having none of it....he stayed in character the entire time.

             In the photo below you can see the parade as it begins to enter the Courthouse grounds

Once the parade arrived at the Courthouse, those in the audience that were Veterans were invited to join those that had already assembled...by the time it was done, there were over three hundred men and women who are/were willing to serve standing on the other side of the field. Thank you Veterans we appreciate you.

They fired the cannons three times in salute to the Veterans

Two of my favorite veterans, my sweet husband is the one in the red.

Don't Miss It

My family and friends all know Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I enjoy everything about Thanksgiving, the planning, the preparations, the smells, the house that is full of noise and activity and of course the food.

Thanksgiving kind of snuck up on me this year, I think I just realized about a week ago that I needed to get with the program. It's not like I haven't been reading all the wonderful thankful posts for the last two weeks, but somehow I thought I had more time.

This is my favorite holiday of the year, but I have been so preoccupied with other things that I almost missed the simple pleasures of preparing for the holiday that I enjoy so much. The Lord showed me that I have been spending so much time in the worries of tomorrow that I was forgetting to live today. I still have a week, I didn't miss out, still lots of simple pleasures to enjoy in preparation for next week.

One other note, I love all your comments, they are so encouraging and appreciated. Many times a comment will be just what I need to hear. The Lord used a particular comment the other day to show me my heart, (and todays blog post resulted) thankful to that friend who was willing to share what was on her heart, God used it to change mine. I am thankful for all of you, those I know and those I don't (but I feel like I do) what a blessing you all are.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus  Philippians 4:6-7

To Paint or Retreat

My husband and I have a long weekend coming up. The weather looks to be perfect, sunny with mild temperatures. We have a decision to make, what do we do with the time.

I have a kitchen that has been in the process of being redone. Wallpaper was pulled off the walls two weeks ago. Paint has been purchased and my husband has even begun taping around the windows and yet we are at a standstill. My kitchen is still quite usable so there is no pressing reason to get it finished....and that's the problem.

Back to my original dilemma, three day weekend coming up, we could get so much done around the house, yet feeling the need to retreat, the need to get away, to spend some time together away from the demands of everyday life.  Feeling very weary and sense it in my husband as well. What ever we decide to do, just having some time together will be nice. We shall see what happens...this is pretty typical of us.... indecisive to the last minute. Should be a no brainer right?

On another front I continue to weave through the medical maze, with appointments that are starting to stack up like cord wood. I won't be through them all until the beginning of December. The good news is my most recent MRI was negative for cancer...thank you Lord! I still don't like having to do them but I have accepted the fact that it's going to be a part of the routine. Being reminded daily that the control I think I have over my life is an illusion...continuing to learn to trust the Lord.

I have asked for friends to pray that I would have peace and that is exactly what I have experienced, that unexplainable peace, that peace that passes understanding, so thankful for that.

Decision will be made tomorrow on what our weekend plans will be...I think we did this very same thing last year...last year we ended up staying close to home to get things done...ended up being a good decision but it was a very different time.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus  Phillippians 4: 6-7