At the NCS Fall Festival...

 There were some cake decorators...

 And costumes...

 And needles (a.k.a. trinkets) in the haystack.

 There were some pirates (argh!)...

 And dunking...

And morph suits galore!

 There was a trio of friendship...

 And an abundance of candy...

 And a cowgirl with a beautiful smile!

 And there was the cutest little monster you ever did see!

 There were some face painters...

 ...and an abundance of colorful kids!

 There was a hayride...

 And Buttons, the clown!

And there were some winners...

...with an abundance of eyeballs!

 

It was a jolly good time!

Apple Gratitude

I am sitting here with my caramel apple dip reflecting on a happy day.  (Actually, I am tucked away in a corner of the house for fear someone might find me and want some.)

So thankful for this 17 year tradition of climbing trees, spearing apples, 

and "How Tall this Fall?"

So thankful for a beautiful apple orchard, just an hour's drive from our home, cascading down the side of a mountain in Flat Rock, NC.

So thankful for family traditions that make us all smile a little more and laugh a little more and soak up the moments that make life...well life. 

And soak up the ONE who makes life...well life.

So thankful for a beautiful day with a sky so blue, 

a breeze at perfect crispness, and fall color so vivid.

So thankful for a Father who "lifts" us all despite our circumstances...

.... so that we might know the "fruit" of a life filled with Him.

Because He really is enough.

So thankful that we taste-tested our apples before we saw the (new this year!) sign.  (For real, people?  Come on!)

So thankful that it's really fun to be with middle school girls...

despite what we've been told.

So thankful the he carries the apples back up the hill.

So thankful for homemade pic nics and how Caroline packed the 

melamine plates and cloth napkins and plaid tablecloth.

So thankful for Grandmommy and Granddaddy who make the trip and enjoy this FAMILY tradition with us.

So thankful for these three that I get to call mine.

And thankful that, short of licking the bowl, I got to finish every last drop of the caramel apple dip before any one of those three knew!  Yee Haw!

After School Melody

We walk in the door from school, I drop the groceries that were in my arms on the counter and sit down in the office with the mail.  The moment feels weighty, but I choose to be thankful.

The girls trickle in after me with the rest of the groceries.  They had stopped for a minute to speak to the neighbor.  They drop their things and head to the kitchen to put the groceries away.  

I hear them....singing.  (It is a usual after school occurrence.)  They make melody as they do the work.  And this is their song...

"All I have needed, Thy hand has provided.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."

Rebecca (age 7)....after school.

And I thank God for the reminder.

Weekend Riches

Front Porch Pumpkins

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!

Happy Mantle...all thanks to Mary E!

Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.

 

Autumn light:)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Ahhhhh...the projects!

And the peace of God which transcends all understanding (it really does!) will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

She folds.

Finally, brothers and sisters,  whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-

Saturday Rummage Sale finds!

think about such things!

10 cent joy

Put these things into practice... and the peace of God will be with you.

Sunday baking

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Pumpkins and Acorns and Elephants...oh my!

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

Mmmmmm.

And my God will supply all of my needs according to His riches and glory in Jesus Christ.

The sprinkles....oh, the sprinkles!

To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.

They make me laugh.

Philippians 4:4-20