LEAVES OF AUTUMN.

As summer turns to Autumn

The leaves begin to turn.

About God's love and beauty

This is the time to learn.

Just look outside your window

At colors bright and bold.

Leaves of red and orange and brown

And some look like pure gold.

You say you don't believe in God?

I say, how can you doubt?

When you go to your window

And simply just look out.

Outside my kitchen window

A tree grow's strong and tall.

It brings such joy and peace of mind

To watch leaves of Autumn fall.

It sways in winds but never falters.

And from it's pattern never alters.

It must be God no man can say

I made that tree to look that way.

The sun rays form a halo

Around that big strong tree.

And there's a voice that seem's to say

Look up and think of Me.

~~By Carrie Reger.~~

I always feel sad saying goodbye to Summer...but I love to welcome the Fall

Making new Memories... crisp air...colorful leaves...the smell of woodsmoke in the air...cider, spices-cinnamon, nutmeg... apples, pumpkins, s'mores and bonfires!
It's a time of year that is cozy and homey...and, it puts me in the mood to cook!

FALL PROMISE.

Trees arrayed in gowns all bright,

Geese that honk in southern flight,

Nippy nights and brisk fall days -

Earth with beauty is ablaze.

Farmers gather in their yields

Children play in leaves fresh raked,

Begging fall's last apples baked.

Earth is fired with gold and red,

Though she soon will be put to bed.

God gives vivid promise true -

Spring will see earth born anew.

~~By Louise Pugh Corder.~~

I hope you have a blessed Fall season in your home. :)

Autumn Apron Giveaway!

Emily Elizabeth over at My Life Belongs to Him is giving away this lovely "Acorn Apron" and potholders that she crafted!

Deadline for entering is Monday, September 28th at Midnight (EST)
...and the winner will be announced Tuesday, September 29th around lunch time.

Hurry on over and enter!

Summer Shotz

"Grow old with me! The best is yet to be." - Robert Browning

Well, who knew the day that the picture above was taken... that 22 years would fly by so fast?

Our life together has been a blessed one, no doubt about it!

I married the best man in the world! :)

Thank you honey for 22 of the best years of my life--I look forward

to sharing the ones  with you that are just around the corner!

Here's the whole poem:

GROW old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

The last of life, for which the first was made:

Our times are in his hand

Who saith, ``A whole I planned,

Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!''

Growing Older!

Yes, it's true. I'm sporting more birthday candles on my cake than ever before! :)

Today I turned another year older!

But boy, was it worth it!

My day began with a lovely breakfast in bed-prepared by my wonderful daughter (who also made me a delicious birthday cake, a fabulous collage and a dear birthday card!)

Then, my son (recovering from wisdom teeth removal) made my bed, left me little notes, set up some Christian music to play for me, made me a great birthday card, and hung birthday banners up in my honor...

My sweet husband brought me a lovely bouquet of flowers, a delicious seafood dinner-yum, and a lovely card.

My dear friend sent me lovely salt and pepper shakers and a glass oil dispenser all painted with apples! (my fav!)

My mom gave me b-day money and a lovely ornamental pepper plant (so cute!)

I also received many sweet phone calls, lovely cards and birthday wishes in the mail, and via internet!

Oh yeah, I am blessed indeed! God is so good to me! My heart runneth over!

Blessed, blessed, blessed!

Today, my son had surgery to remove his wisdom teeth.

Tonight, I have a heart full of thankfulness to post about!

1. God has graciously allowed me to be a Mom (my life's dream and desire)

2. He has gifted me with the wonderful privilege of staying at home with my kids all their lives!

3. He has given me friends that pray for me when I need it

4. He answers the requests!

Brad made it through his surgery-despite a couple of complications...and is doing great this evening, although they did tell us to expect a possible rough day tomorrow.

Thank you to those who prayed.

Thank you to the One who answered!

You know, no matter how old they get...no matter if they tower over you...LOL...they're still your kids, and you're still concerned about them!

Hope you are feeling like your old, wonderful self soon Brad!

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Our dear friends served this recipe to us recently in their home--and we all loved it so much that I shamelessly hounded her for the recipe! :)      Several of you have asked me for it, so here it is!

Slow Cooker Lasagna  (serves 6-can be doubled in a large crockpot)
1 lb. ground beef or turkey , browned and drained
1) 26 oz jar spaghetti sauce
1) 8 oz can tomato sauce
1) cup water
1) 8 oz box no cook lasagna noodles
Spread 1/4 meat sauce in ungreased 5 quart crock pot.  Arrange 1/3 no cook noodles. (break if necessary)

Cheese:
4 c. shredded Mozzarella
1 1/2 c. sm. cottage cheese
1/2 c. grated Parmesan
Spread 1/3 of this cheese mixture over the noodles.

Repeat layers twice.
Top w/meat sauce, cover, and cook on low 4-5 hrs.

Thanks Nancy and family! You're a real blessing to us! :)

Sweet Summer Snapzshotz

Grand Slam Double Header!

I posted some pics of some of our company last weekend...but here are some pics from our Saturday company! These are some dear new friends, that feel like "old friends" already! Kindred spirits!

These dear friends drove 2 hrs. to come and visit with us for dinner and fellowship--what a blessing that was to us.

We had a wonderful time of fellowship last weekend--a real time of refreshing.

Having likeminded Christian fellowship is like a little foretaste of heaven! :)

We are blessed indeed!

Good Times!

We were blessed to have a wonderful weekend of fellowship last week! I have been so busy though, that I haven't had a chance to post about it! Soooo....here are pics from our Friday night visit with our wonderful friends!

We aren't able to get together often, but when we do, it's always so much fun!!!!!
Thanks guys for making time for some fellowship..we love you! (Even Tam!) LOL

End of the Season Shots...

Yep, the gardening season is winding down...both of the food variety, and the flower. I thought I'd post some of the lingering flora and fauna.

Great Find!

I really wanted some dishes with roses on them....Lo and behold, I walked in to my fav store (Goodwill) and there these were!

Just waiting to be discovered! (Actually, I found the platter first) I think it's lovely!

Isn't God good? Just gave me exactly what I wanted--I didn't even really need them, just thought they would look pretty with the rose theme in my livingroom! :)

BTW, the whole set...$7! :)

Gotta love GW!