Burlap + Kindness

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This morning I took on a challenge.  Well, I attempted to anyway.  It's been on my heart and mind to tackle a project in my kitchen and that being to make curtains out of burlap (I'm using burlap coffee bags).  A friend let me know recently a source where I could get me some... and whalaa!!!  IT TOOK FOREVER - to find the right "coloring" that I wanted.  So... here we are.

It was a beautiful morning, sunny and cool - sitting outdoors - ripping seams.  A simply wonderful time to just sit and pray and reflect.   Why these flowers?   I added them to my table just to tie everything in - for the photo's sake.  Let me tell you a story.

Every morning, before school, I try to read a story of value (tying in Scripture, too) to my kiddos.  This morning it was about kindness and that when you give it away - more will come back to you!  Did you know... that these flowers... zinnias.. are like this.  The more you cut the more they come back.  So, de-head often - and their beauty will keep on coming.  Same is true.. if you give away an act of kindness; a word spoken in love or care; a thoughtful deed... it will come back to you.

I remember saying this often to my kids - 

You can't have it till you give it away.  Love doesn't live in a selfish place.

***

Well, I started this post awhile ago, like as in last year, sometime.  It's been in draft mode ever since.  :( 

 I'm about to wrap up the last of the curtains - it'll be a valance for over my double window at the kitchen sink. I'm hand sewing the seams, for the casings, using the jute I'm pulling out.  It certainly has been a project, one I'm proud of, for sure.  Not hard - just time consuming.  One of the reasons it took me "so long" was I really cared about what kind of day I could be outdoors to do the task.  AND... burlap is a messy thing to work with - especially when it is cut and it frays.  I love the look, though.    And... I'm grateful for the beautiful chance I took on waiting for just the right color/texture of burlap.  

The only thing missing this year are the zinnias.   I didn't get any planted.

But.  Let kindness, love and patience continue.

Fall Favorite Recipe {Bavarian Apple Tart!}

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This has got to be one of my most favorite apple recipes to make in the fall. Several years ago, I made this dessert for my hubby to take into work, and when I got a phone call from one of his co-worker's, later that afternoon, asking me for the recipe, I was a little bit surprised!  Then again, I shouldn't have been.  It IS rather amazing, if I can say so myself.  

And... because it is my hubby's favorite now, too, I make it pretty often this time of year.  I promise you'll fall in love with this simple but decadent (rustic) dessert.

My sister asked me to bring something for dessert for Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow, so of course I decided to make this one...for sure!  I apologize - the lighting in my kitchen isn't so great!

~ Bevy's Bavarian Apple Tart ~

1 cup all-purpose flour (sometimes, I use half whole wheat flour)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup cold butter

* Mix together with pastry cutter, or two knives,  until crumbly.  Press firmly onto bottom and up (1/2") sides of 8x12 baking dish.

12 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1/4 tsp. each of vanilla and (pure) almond flavorings

* Beat together, and spread carefully over pastry.  Leave some of the crust showing.  This can be tricky.  I use a small icing spreader.

4 cups, peeled and thinly sliced apples  (SOMETIME:  You have got to try this recipe using Fresh chunked Peaches - Absolutely divine!!!)

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

* Combine and spread over cheese mixture.

1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

* Spread over apples.

Bake at 425* for 10 minutes.  Then reduce heat to 375* and continue baking for 25 minutes.  Cool for 5 minutes then cut around the edge of pan with knife to loosen.  Cut in squares.  Great, served warm or cold!

:: Enjoy!  Especially with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream, a hot cup of coffee and of course, your soul mate.  It's great for a "FALLing-in-Love" sort of combination!! ;)

***
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Ordinary

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Your ordinary, real, everyday....
is the best gift you have.
Don’t miss it.


I sit here thinking what it must be like for an acquaintance friend of mine, a mother to 5 or 6, to rather recently "lose" her spouse... she's grieving today - but he is safely HOME!!

For another - the news reels dictate a change in weather patterns, "later tonight!",  that could ultimately change everything for their week away.  But as of today, this moment, the sun is currently shining hot and bright!! 

Our circumstances can change as fickle as the weather - but as sure and as certain as death. 

Dear reader, did you know that your friends and family are waiting on the hope your story can bring?  Oh, it's beautiful.  Why does it have to be perfect?  Why is the "fear of man" rising up?  It shouldn't.  Be brave.  Be courageous.  Don't withhold!

Tell your story! 

The nitty-gritty of your each and every day could be a game-changer; a life-changing moment, for that certain someone who is following in your shadow.

Proverbs 3:27-28   ---  Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.  Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later, I'll give it tomorrow" -- when you now have it with you.

Determine to make this ordinary come alive with a little extra!!  Make it extraordinary... but, keep it real.  Because - it is!!

 May your day be blessed and filled with hope!!

fmf | Ocean

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You might simply flip when you read this next line, but It's true.

Our kids have never walked the shores of the ocean.  

They've never seen its massiveness nor smelt its salty smells.  They have seen plenty of shells and have heard many a story, but to experience the hot sand between their toes and to hear the constant lapping of waves....?  Well, they haven't.  Not yet... anyway.  That actually may change later this summer... as we, Lord Willing, head to NC and VA for a week of much anticipated vacation.

***

Our kiddos have been enjoying a week of Vacation Bible School at their Grandma Rhoda's church.  Last evening, we had some time to kill.  Mind you, we live 40-45 minutes away from her church - but due to another time commitment we were actually early (for a change!)... and we needed something to do.  Honestly, someone needed to use "the facilities"- QUICK!! ... and this is what immediately came to mind.

It was an easy choice.  The Fishing Pier of Lake Nockamixon.

Now... we've been here before, but its been awhile.  There definitely was a fresh draw and an intense awe.  If you know what I mean?  You would have thought we had found a "treasure chest"...everywhere we looked.  From skipping stones, to finding "seaweed", shells, spotting a heron, and fish bone/skeleton ... oh, and the fistful of flowers... are always a treasure in and of themselves.

Enjoy the photos of our brief visit to the lake/"ocean".  I wish I had gotten a few more photos with the kids in the frame...but, we'll take what we got!

The moments sped by and we needed to head off to VBS.   Where we continued to learn more about God's Creation.   Oh, the depths of his love....

PS:  Do you know how many times I heard the begging to go back to the water, again...today?!??

***

Joining up with Five Minute Friday - on the prompt word : Ocean.  

Thank you for reading my thoughts here, today!!

October Blessings

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That time of year... when the weather is funky.  Cooler in the morning (or, should I say - down right cold-ish?) and warmer in the afternoons.  The sun sets and rises differently.  There are different smells to the air.  Even the heart of the home (the kitchen) finds itself busier than usual.

Dishing out comfort foods, yummy breads and other fall festive fare.  Reasons to get together with family and friends.

And...so!  The warmth of the season is here.  Full of changes.  Full of Blessings.

I love October!!! 

((Shhhh!!   I know.  We're half way through the month and I'm just saying this all now? You know...I'm just trying to slow it all down.  If only I could.))

Simple Thanks!!

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"Some days just call for escape.  When restlessness or loneliness or just the stickiness of life in a fallen world makes the wall of your home feel a bit close, the remedy may be an adventure..." 

- Sally Clarkson | The Life-Giving Home

When you have friends that ask to take your kiddo's for the WHOLE day, for a second play date, with events similar to this one (homemade popsicles and water fun!).... you have kiddos' that wake up super early; eagerly excited, who can hardly eat breakfast, because their anticipation of a fun, fun day is about to begin!!! 

 

 I'm so, so grateful for willing friends.  Friends..who are willing to take time, to take on more, so that I can have less (stress); that I can tend to an agenda that's been awaiting me...

Some days, I don't know what to say!!  But, thank you!!

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Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.  ~ John Muir

Good-bye September. Hello October!!

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I meant to do my work today ~ but a brown bird sang in the apple tree, 

And a butterfly flitted across the field,

And all the leaves were calling me,

And the wind went sighing over the land,
Tossing the grass to and fro and a rainbow held out its shining hand

So, what could I do but laugh and go. 

 ~ Richard Le Gallienne

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These photos were taken in September and here we are in October almost halfway through- my favorite month and time of year!!  I guess it's time to set down and enjoy what's left.  Right?

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How are you enjoying this season??

Proof that vibrant life is still happening in and around our home!! :)

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Just to prove that life is still in "happening" form and fashion here on our little homestead...

(sigh) 

Oh, it's been such a good summer and it's all about to end!

We've had playdates (with our new little cousin) and lots of family time.  Sewing opportunities, and flower picking.  Crickets to capture and bunnies to chase. :)  Baking and preserving...

What else..

Proud Auntie Bev!

While life still happens from week to week strung out upon the laundry lines... oh the stories it could tell.  Did we have company over?  Or, did we go swimming...?  Each day rolled into the next...full of much!

Mush disappointment. Tears and heartache...
It's part of life, too!!
We've had places to go and people to see!!  Things to anticipate..

And, someone special is about to turn FIVE!! Tomorrow is her big day!!

We're looking forward to celebrating her life, around our table, in our own special how-we-do,

 sort of way!

I cannot believe my baby... will be heading off to Kindergarten in just a few short days!

Oh, changes.  Like seasons.  We need to them!! To stay refreshed and vibrant...

A heart at peace gives life to the body. 

~ Proverbs 14:30

Stay, stay at home my heart and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow