The Day After the Storm

A day in the life on the day after Sandy...

It rained in the morning.

I got in the kitchen early and made a couple of meals. One for the freezer, one for dinner.  I always cook with dogs in the kitchen.  The LITTLE galley kitchen.

Then I spotted blue sky out the window and headed outside.

Patchy blue... some sections were still quite gray.

While other sections had become quite blue!

A look at the mountain... and the lilac tree still has green leaves.  Isn't that odd?  After yesterday's wind, it still has leaves, and this time of year, they're green.  Hmmm.

A peek in the opposite direction.

The "creek" is still dry.  Last year, Irene had this roaring like white water rapids.

Haha... just one remains.

I filled the bird feeders while I was out there.  Whoa.  Did that ever make the birds happy!  See the little visitor?

I liked this assortment of colors and shapes that landed here on the chair.

I went back inside and swept the floor (just keepin' it real).  I had done this less than 24 hours prior.  This is a daily occurrence; I sweep enough fur to cover small animals.

I noticed the Christmas cactus has buds.

And it appears I grew two pumpkins (the first one I discovered a couple of weeks ago was a surprise - I thought all the pumpkin seeds had failed)!  I gathered this with the acorn squash.  At the time, it was mostly green, and while I thought it odd that it didn't have the "valleys" of the acorn squash, the idea that it was a pumpkin never occurred to me.  I didn't think it would turn orange off the vine.  Hmmm, again.

Booboo giving kisses to Riley.  Doesn't Riley have the most precious face?

Meanwhile, the flurry of activity outside at the two feeders was insane!

In all the excitement and activity taking place with arrival of fresh seed, this little fella hit the window and knocked himself out.  He fell straight to the ground, not moving.  By the time I got out there, he had opened his eyes. That was encouraging.

"...yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care." Matthew 10:29

I held him for a while and guarded him from the strong breeze.  He didn't seem afraid.

"Yet not one of them is forgotten by God." Luke 12:6

And it seemed as though He and I had partnered together to see that this little one's fears were put to rest.

It took him about 10 minutes to gather himself enough to fly to a nearby branch, but fly he did... with strong wings and in a straight path.  And I felt like I had done something really important with Someone really mighty. 

He stayed there, happily in my line of vision, and rested for another 10 minutes, or so, before flying off with his chickadee friends.

That made me happy.

Later, I had company in the kitchen again while I made and packed Joe's lunch.

Zeila decided it didn't appear I was going to share anything good (sometimes they get lettuce - and not everyone agrees that's worth sticking around for).

Oh, back again... hopeful.  "So - how about some of that roast beef?"

And the day after the storm draws to a close...


I'm thankful that the storm was very mild for us... Vermonters.  The effects of Irene last year were devastating and it's a relief that folks don't have to face that again so soon. 

Keeping those to the south of us in prayer as they pull themselves together and assess how to move forward.  Having experienced many hurricanes when we lived in Florida and witnessing (sometimes first hand) how powerfully damaging those storms can be, I know the heart-sick, chest-heavy, overwhelmed feelings they surely have.  Praying they'll know His peace and find rest Him as their place of refuge and hope for their future.

In the Quiet

So, I mentioned on Friday that I was a bit under the weather.  Joe, too.  We both just relaxed around the house.

When the sun decided to come out, though, I had to get up off the couch and head outside.  Not quite up for a hike, I decided just to sit on the front porch.

Right here, in this seat.

Armed with my camera (video, too), my laptop for music or maybe reading, and my crocheting, I was ready to stay a good long while and soak it up.

The sun, filtered through the trees, warmed me just enough to appreciate the cool seasonal change of a crisp autumn day.


And I sat still, just relishing it; the simplicity and yet the magnificance of wind passing through mostly leafless trees and them swaying against an October sky.

I felt small under their extreme height, and yet somehow very significant.






I watched for a long while, pondering and thanking.

When I turned to my computer to find music, I checked a few regular cyber stops first, and found this from Ann Voskamp.  The first from her new study.


When she says, "I enjoy reading stacks of books, baking bread, spending time with my kids, working in the garden, and snapping photos of my family and my world" that resonates with me.  I do, too (you could have probably guessed).  And how she seeks to give thanks and find joy in the simplest of blessings; I appreciate that, and aspire to do the same.

This is just a two minute trailer...





But if you want to spend a bit more time, just about 25 minutes, this is Session 1.




"Change takes real intentionality..."

I'm going to enjoy this study.



I stayed outside until the sun dipped too low to provide a comfortable temperature, and apparantly, the quiet, the sun, the wind, the thanksgiving... it was just what the doctor ordered. 

That nasty head cold is all gone and we were able to spend some time with the kids on Saturday and Sunday.  Stay tuned for a pumpkin-carving post!



We're expecting a storm tonight and tomorrow... and throughout the week, apparantly.  Sandy is making her way in our direction.  We're already feeling wind gusts, but the eye isn't expected to pass over us until Thursday or Friday.  Some are saying that it could be like Irene was; a steady, prolonged rain, only add wind gusts to the constant deluge.  Oh, I hope it's not like Irene.  Vermont was impressively resilient (latest motto is to be Vermont Strong!), but it was devastating. 

One never really knows until it arrives how strong it will be.  We're prepared with propane for the grill and plenty of candles and water in case we lose power.

Whatever happens, we'll be fine. The wind and waves still know His voice...  But it is so surreal to be preparing for a hurricane IN VERMONT two years in a row.  Really thought hurricane preparedness was behind us when we left Florida!


Here's a link to The Vermont Standard for updates on the storm in case we lose power and, therefore, internet.  In that case... be back when the power is on!!

Thankful for ~

• changing seasons
• quiet moments
• birds at the feeder
• the power of His name
• peace, therefore

 

 

Sunday Psalms

My Favorite Finds

First, I discovered a blog today via the Homestead Revival blog that I think I'm going to enjoy visiting.  It's The Way Grandmama Does It and today's post is a soup-making blog hop.  Since I love soup, I'm going to participate and discover a whole bunch of new soup recipes!  While we didn't have soup this evening, I'm reposting a favorite of ours (I'm new to the blog hop... I hope that's permissible!). 

So, along with the weekly Favorite Finds, you may just find a Saturday soup recipe here from time to time as I join the blog hop!  Here goes:

Hearty Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 6 Potatoes, Large, Peeled And Diced
• 2 Carrots, Washed And Diced Small
• 1 Onion, Peeled And Diced
• 3 cups Chicken Stock
• 1 cup Milk
• 1 cup Half-and-half
• 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 2 cups Diced Ham
• 1 cup Sour Cream, Divided
• Desired Toppings: Shredded Cheddar, Chopped Bacon, Sour Cream

Preparation Instructions

Saute onion and carrot till onion is translucent. Add chicken stock and potatoes, simmer for about 45 minutes. Add the half-and-half and the milk; heat through. Add cheese, ham, 1/2 cup sour cream and heat through till cheese is melted. Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with desired toppings: shredded cheddar, chopped bacon, the remaining sour cream.

Mmmm mmmm good. It was a hit with Joe, too... the guy who will usually pass up the soup went back for a second bowl.

I've noticed, though, that the recipes I take the time to post are not figure-friendly. Ah well, they're tasty.

At the bottom you'll find links to others who have posted their soup recipes. Go get inspired! 

Okay, on to this week's faves...

A video devotional on the deceptive heart by Beth Moore ~






In the Kitchen ~
Thank Your Body:  A "healthy fruit snack" recipe for Mamas (and Grammas) who like to serve up fun snacks (that really do seem more like fun snacks than health food), but keep it healthy.


For the Home ~
The Prudent Life:  Two days after posting the blog about table salt vs. sea salt and my personal commitment to switch to sea salt for consumption, I stumbled upon this blog about 10 uses for table salt.  Now, that's timely!  No need to try to justify using up that new container of table salt in the cupboard before the conversion!  And I have duly noted that not one of the 10 things has anything to do with ingestion!


Frugal Living ~
Mooberry Farm Homestead:  Doing this... Thought I might do it before this publishes so I could offer my comments, but I came down with a head cold and didn't feel like it!  I'll let you know what I think about it when I actually give it a try.  (she also posts a tip)


Good Advice ~
Miz Boo (2012):  Take a Picture with your Honey 
Miz Boo (2009):  Snap Out of It!  ...get in the picture.
     "So here’s the deal…
     1. In five years you will look five years older….you WILL look young in the pictures you take today!
     2. Ten years ago I thought I was fat. Oh my goodness….I should have taken pictures THEN.
     3. Your children look at you all day long. THEY know what you look like. They won’t care how you look in the picture.
     I really don’t like how I look in pictures. It pains me. I still want to look like I did when I was 25 years old. And really I’m shocked that I don’t."


I can relate.  I'm NOT photogenic (and I surely don't look 25 anymore!). I don't like how I look in pictures, either.  It's painfully scary... unless Kristiina helps a mom out by using her Photoshop skills... but then, that's vainfully fake.  Ugh.

But... I'll try to heed Donna's advice and get in the shot a little more.  The images might be precious to someone, someday.  I'm thankful my dad realized that.  He used to hate his picture taken, too.  But in those last few years, he didn't groan when the camera came out.  He knew we'd treasure our photos of him.

Oh, we do!

One way or another, we're going to try to enjoy the last sunny-ish day for more than a week today, so the forecast states.  It looks like next week we're in for a doosie of a storm!



The Blog Hop crew...

Shoe Shopping!

After MOPS last Friday, we ran a few errands.

And Sweet Baby Girl had her first shoe-shopping experience.

"Not your brother's dirty old shoe, Aria!"

Drooley drooler!

"Mmmm, how do shoe boxes taste, anyway?"





She had her foot measured, and everything!  She's almost a size 3 and went home with two pairs of pretty little soft-sole shoes from mommy, and this darling pair of warm boots from gramma.

The boots look gigantic, don't they?  They really are her size with just enough room for warm socks.


Today will be a lazy, lollygag kind of day.  Joe and I are both a bit under the weather.  Head cold for me, achiness for him.  So, we plan to just take it easy.

Miscellaneous Treasures

... in the form of videos. {grin}




Just me and this sweet little boy hanging out in the truck and talking about our trip to the orchard.





Kingston and I went to the park while mommy and Aria stayed home.





And this is from the day we went to the pumpkin patch and went for a hayride.





Pretty baby girl just turned 11 months old.





Thankful.

Serenity

This was yesterday; Kennedy Pond.

This pond is easily visible on my route home and I often see canoes or kayaks.  It always makes me feel wistful.  Isn't it lovely?

I'm happy that we have sunshine in our forecast the next few days.  With highs in the upper 50s and lows in the upper 30s, it's brisk and invigorating.


I took Blaze for a walk to "our" pond the other day (okay, not ours per se... but just across the road from us).  He's a sweet dog and so well behaved on our walks.

He likes to stay nice and close, which is usually a great thing, unless you're trying to take his picture...

Of course, I can get him just fine as long as I don't make eye contact with him and he can sense that I'm still close...

Oh!  There we go, snagged one!  "Hi, handsome."

He was good about sitting with me and just gazing at our beautiful surroundings.

He did it time and again!

"Alright, good boy, let's go home."

Sunday Psalms

My Favorite Finds

RZIM Ministries:   "Like Abraham who looked for the city of foundations and the housekeeper who sang of unseen things, we are strangers to our own lives, setting out in the dark to look for the country we were meant to know, guided by the Spirit who wants us to see."


American Family Association:  "Pray that tens of millions of people will read this personal reflection from Dr. Graham and heed his call to vote."  Be sure to click on the picture to view full size.


Ann Voskamp:  "No matter the jarring, a jar of fresh water can’t spill filthy water. When you’re upset, you upset what’s really in you." and "You can become everything that once undid you. I’m right tipped, upset and know who I really am and what really spills, and here is why I’ll never stop being a grace beggar, a wild Cross-clinger."




In the Kitchen ~
Freezing Apples:  I peeled, cored and froze my 1/2 bushel of apples last weekend.  Whew. What a job, but now I have several gallon-size bags of frozen apple slices stuffed full and ready for baking whenever I want! Yay!

Redfly Creations:   A chocolate/oatmeal cookie recipe to try. 


For your Health ~
Small Footprint Family:  I love salt... I'm definitely going to have to switch from table salt, though. Check this out!!  A long, but worthwhile, read.  I knew sea salt "was better," but I didn't know why or how much better.  "Sea salt is better than table salt, by a wide margin. In contrast to refined table salt, unrefined sea salt is naturally harvested and dried in the sun, and contains a wealth of trace minerals and electrolytes that are easily assimilated by your body. Unlike refined salt which contains only 2 or 3 elements, sea salt contains about 80 mineral elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and more) that are essential in small amounts for a variety of functions in the body."


Crafting Inspiration ~
Homestead Revival:  Baker's Twine... "Perhaps it's the simplicity of it all that I love so. Or maybe it's because the candy cane stripes just seem so festive. Either way, I present my humble ode to baker's twine for your enjoyment today... "



"... did I point to You enough to make a mark on things..."





Enjoy your weekend.  We're expecting sunshine today, so after tidying up inside, I'll be heading outdoors to tidy up the garden beds.

Then who knows what fun we'll find to do.

From the Office Window

I'm fortunate to have windows, floor to ceiling, on two walls of my office.  From there I can watch the  comings and goings of students and other visitors to the building, AND I can watch the comings and goings of the seasons (and the sun!).  I'm grateful for my little office.

This was just a few weeks ago.

And this was just the other day (okay, I'm not seeing this through the window -at this angle, I'm in the parking lot).  Those trees are completely bare now.

Every Thursday morning we have a staff meeting.  This was yesterday from the conference room.  This is actually the 2nd floor.

The building is built into a hill. (This shot was actually taken in August... you can tell by the green leaves still on the trees I'm standing under!)

Here's what it looked like from outside. I went out to to fill the bird feeder and couldn't resist that October-blue sky.

The days are getting shorter, and this is what it looks like just before I leave for the day.

This is the other side of the parking lot from the long row of now leafless trees, taken 15 minutes before I left yesterday.

I love large windows and I'm very grateful our building is full of them!

I'm off to MOPS today with Kristiina and the kids.  Enjoy your Friday.