Autumn

My favorite season has arrived (according to the calendar).  The quote below sums up some of my thoughts as well.  I thank the Lord for the diversity He gives.

 Don't you love them?  

More and more I am beginning to appreciate the seasons and the unique purpose of each one.  Fall is definitely in the air...some rain, some cool nights and mornings, orange pumpkins, and falling leaves.

Summer is such an incredibly busy time, with wonderful harvests, preserving, family gatherings, visitors, events, and so much more.  Although the cold wet rainy season has it's challenges, I think we are all looking a bit forward to having a somewhat slower paced autumn and winter!  -- This is from Joyful Keeper at Home blog

Life continues on in the Pacific Northwest.  Cooler nights and sunny days.  Praises to the Lord for the beauty He surrounds us with!

Long-awaited Liebster Award Answers

I was blown away to be a recipient of the Liebster Award!  Thank you, Julia from Writing for His Glory :-)  Here are the answers to the questions she presented:

1.             If you were in outer space and your friend started drifting off, what would you do? “swim” over to her and grab on; we will go together.

2.                   What is your least favorite blog?  Hmmm, I don’t know.  I usually search for my interests so don’t run into unsavory blogs – at least not on purpose – lol.

3.                   If you had nothing to eat would you, eat grass, flowers, tree bark, or dirt? Flowers

4.             If you were woken up by a screaming sister telling you that your older sister was badly injured and bleeding, what would you do?  I just took a CPR class :~)  Have her call 911, go and put pressure on the wound until help arrives.

5.                   What post did you laugh the post at on my blog? Not a laugh but a “who knew” – May 14, 2014

6.             Have you ever climbed on the roof of anything? (like garage, chicken house, etc). No, I am afraid of heights.

7.             Do you wear a promise ring? (Or purity ring)  That wasn’t something that was used when I was growing up (late 70s/early 80s).  I am currently single (was married) and have no prospects.  However, I believe in the idea as it would be a visual reminder.

8.             Do you have a favorite meal to cook, from scratch? No boxed meals, ladies! ;)  Tex-mex Quinoa Salad and biscuits with a peach cobbler for dessert.

9.                   Have you ever tried to break a broken egg against something? Haha – nope.

10.          If a stranger walked up on the streets, handed to a note and it said "Don't look at that car". What would you do? =D   Human nature – turn and look :~)

11.          If you could clean a house (even the bathrooms! ;) )  with 5 bloggers, who would they be? Mandy@Biblical Homemaking, Gloria@Amish Reader, Olivia@Fresh Modesty, Mary Ann@A Joyful Chaos and you (Julia)@Writing for His Glory ~ of course.  However, there are many others that I would include in this group :-)

Veggies

I have decided to change my eating habits from vegan to vegetarian (lacto-ovo).  In all honesty, it will both be easier for others and me when dining out, at a friend or family home and I miss yummy quiche with eggs, cheese and Morningstar sausages (veggie).  I will continue to focus on vegan fare while occasionally partaking of dairy and eggs.

Summer is winding down here in the Pacific Northwest.  We have moved down into the 80s from mid to high 90s.  I have heard from a few people that the forecast is 90s through October.  I do not believe it.  Autumn is my favorite time of year and if we have summer weather through October, I will miss my season of color!

Summer Heat

(taken within the last 24 hours)

Whew ~ extremely warm temperatures for the Pacific Northwest.  Mid to Upper 90s going on two weeks.  I am not a fan of the summer heat; hence, I do my best not to complain of the cold, snow and rain we get the rest of the year.  Currently, there are some fires around the area and the air is smoke-filled which is bad news for those with asthma and other respiratory illnesses.  My prayers go out to those near the wildfires, all the firefighters and those affected by the fires.

Other news, I recently went on a mini-vacation to visit family in Oregon (near Portland).  It is always so relaxing and enjoyable.  I helped with some yard work and outside organizing (they are on a couple of acres) in the mornings and visiting in the afternoons.

Freedom

As Americans, we are privileged to have more freedom than many other countries.  I give thanks to God for the military and the everyday people that have worked hard for our liberties.

As children of the Living God, we have freedom – even more than living in America gives us.  We are free of the constrictions of this world!  How awesome is that  :~)

I thank the Lord daily for His holy love which is shown in His mercy and grace for all of His children.

Car-Less

So long, farewell, au wiedersehen, goodbye
(heehee - love that movie!) 

I am officially ‘car-less’.  I haven't driven my vehicle since May 5th.  On Friday, (yep, the 13th) I had a fabulous experience with CarMax.  They do an appraisal on your car and give you a written offer that is valid for 7 days.  This offer is for a sale or trade-in.  Both the appraisal day and the sale day (yesterday) went quickly and smoothly.  I would recommend CarMax to any and all.

My biggest thanks to the Lord as He is good!  I left the outcome in His hands without a worry and it turned out fantastic.  After the car loan was paid, I received a check for the balance.  Thank you to everyone who kept an ear open for buyers and to those who prayed about the sale of my vehicle.

No More *Dumb* Phone

I am now the owner of a smart phone.  I couldn’t resist the free iPhone 5c that was offered to me.  I just activated it this morning and will be getting familiar with it this evening ~ through the weekend.

Happy Friday!