Apples and Pumpkins

 

What is my favorite fall activity to do with my family?  Pumpkin and apple picking!  With having such a busy schedule it took us until the end of October to make this happen but we got it done.  With more apples than we know what to do with and a pumpkin for each of us, with the exception of Bri - who insisted on getting two.  

How do you get the apples at the top of the tree?  These two had the brilliant idea to shake it.  A few fell so it kind of worked.  

But the apples that are low enough for us to reach are so much better.  

Then it was time to find the perfect pumpkins.  

Success!

And when I saw this beautiful yellow pumpkin sitting all by herself I knew she had to go home with me.  

Aside from some of the usual spouts of arguing between us and the kids it was a pretty good Sunday, starting with a great church service beforehand.  

Sew What?

 

I was sitting in the waiting room at my daughter's dance studio when one of the other mothers asked if I'd like to help sew feathers on the demon costumes they'll need for the December show.  

At first I was thinking - Sew?  Me?  I can sew but it never looks well.  Now I have to sew for what needs to look professional for a professional dance performance.  

Then I asked out loud - Wait, did you say demon costumes?  I thought this was a Christian studio?  

But it did make sense.  The show they are doing is called Messiah and it is about the life of Jesus.  The show will have everyone from Mary mother of Jesus, Joseph, Mary Magdalene, the 12 Disciples, Jesus, angels and yes ... demons.  From what I've been told this is a beautiful show.  

I'm not quite sure I did the best job but it was nice to be able to talk with two others mothers and find out more about this studio.  It's a different feeling from the last studio she danced at and as the new people it can feel a little overwhelming.  But it was nice to talk to a mother who has been here for many years who assured me that we will become more understanding and comfortable to everything.  For Brianna, she's been slowly adjusting and the both of us have questioned if this was really the place she should be.  

In my experience, there are many times when I feel God is calling me to do something and then I'm suddenly questioning if it was really God at all leading me into that situation.  I'm also indecisive and have trouble figuring out which way I want to go and what I want to do.  Bri had been at the last studio since she was 4 and we really pictured her there until graduation.  She had her friends and was well adjusted to the point it felt like home but she also had to deal with several bullies and the expense was becoming too much.  When we were told about this other studio, which centered around Christ and was a bit more affordable it seemed like it would be a good choice.  We prayed about it and I let her decide.  She said she wanted to go but since then it's been question after question if it was the right decision.  How could we feel it's wrong when it's a company that has a love for Jesus and shares the faith with others?  I feel guilty about it but I'm slowly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  

I'm told the week of showtime and the actual showtime will make her and I both feel a lot better about being there.  So, we'll see.  For now, I guess I'm a seamstress!  I kept telling them after they see my work they'll probably end up firing me.  They laughed and said, "Oh no, we won't.  It's okay!"

Yeah, we'll see if those feathers come apart and fall off while the girls dance on stage.  

Have You Looked At the Sky Lately?

Has anyone noticed how beautiful the moon has been this week?

This photo certainly doesn't do justice but my daughter took it on our way to youth group on Wednesday evening.  It's a Super Moon called Hunter's Moon.  On the way back from dropping her off at the church I was able to catch a glimpse of the comet that was expected to appear while still daylight.  This morning I was able to see the International Space Station that passed by while I was in the school van.  Unfortunately, I did not snap a picture of the comet or the ISS but it was pretty amazing to be able to see both.  Also, unfortunately, I was not outside when our area was able to see the Aurora Borealis last week but some of my friends were able to get some great snap shots of it.  This morning the moon, so full and large, stayed in place at 8:00 AM even though the sun was shining brightly on the other side of the sky.  

One of my favorite things I enjoyed learning as a child was astronomy.  My father bought me a telescope and several books on the planets and stars.  When I was little I would lay outside and look up at all the twinkling stars covering the night sky.  Even now I'm still fascinated with just how beautiful and detailed God's creation is.  I'm in awe of His perfection.  

What Autumn Brings

We anticipate the arrival of autumn and then the cold air sweeps through and it becomes a debate if it's too soon to turn on the heat in the house.  The sky gets darker earlier and it confuses my mind into thinking it's time for bed when it's only 6:00pm.  The chill reaches my bones and makes me want to nestle under a blanket where there is warmth to be found.  I'm not a cold weather person; however, I appreciate the beauty that's to be found in the Pennsylvania autumn season with its changing colored leaves.  

And with fall comes the much need for a hot cup of coffee to start the morning. 

And a craving for a hot bowl of soup in the evening.

As I was warming up the school van this morning the radio announced that by this weekend temperatures will reach back up to the 70s.  Halleluiah!  I'll take it.  One thing we have yet to do as a family so far this October is a traditional pumpkin and apple picking.  I'm hoping we can squeeze that into our schedule.  

How are you enjoying these cooler Autumn days?  

Hello Sunshine

 With the many days of constant rain I was preparing to look up Noah's blueprints on how to build an ark when suddenly this beautiful yellow ball of brightness appeared in the sky.  One of my students I drive to school looked out the window and spoke the exact words I had been thinking, "Look there's the sun.  I haven't seen that in awhile."  

Thank you Lord for all the rain that came after a summer drought here in Pennsylvania but I am most grateful for the sunshine that has now appeared reminding us of Your goodness.  

With the sunshine and dried grass came the sounds of many lawnmowers in the neighborhood.  I had to put the wheels up as high as it would go but I did get the job done in the front yard.  Tomorrow I'll navigate the back.  When my husband and I bought our house about twenty years ago I told him I wanted to be the one to mow the lawn.  With his arthritis I decided to help him out.  Plus, it gives me a reason to keep my body moving while getting some Vitamin D.  I've always loved being outdoors.  

Now let's pull some weeds.  Anyone have any ideas on how to permanently keep these prickly things from growing?