Simplicities for October

I realize the month is almost gone, but maybe you can still take advantage of some of these ideas.  Maybe some of them you have already done and can reflect on the joy they brought to you and your family.  Either way, here's to a simple October!

* Plan an outing to a pumpkin patch.  Buy several pumpkins so you can carve, paint and otherwise decorate til your heart's content!  How about buying some little ones to turn into pies?  I cooked several last fall and had baggies of fresh pumpkin in my freezer through the summer. 

* Creat a seasonal table.  And it doesn't have to be the one you eat at!  Maybe use your piano or your mantel or a bookcase.  Angie over at Echoes of Laughter does a BEAUTIFUL job with seasonal decorating.  I get lots of ideas from her.  Thanks Angie!

* Try this fun idea for preserving fall leaves like they did in Victorian times:

                Trim branches from trees when the leaves have just turned and are at their best, before they start to dry.  Split the stems of the branches about 3 inches up from the bottom; stand them in a bucket of warm water for several hours.  If any leaves start to curl, pick them off.  Prepare a solution of glycerine and water by mixing one part glycerine with two parts water.  Glycerine can be found at pharmacies.  Bring the solution to a boil, gently simmer for 10 minutes and then let it cool completely.  Cut the bottom of your stems at a  very sharp angle and smash them with a hammer (wouldn't the kiddos love this part?)  Stand the stems up in the solution and store it in a cool, dark place until all the solution has been absorbed.  About a week to 10 days.  When you first notice tiny beads of glycerine beginning to form on the leaves, they are done!   Take them out of the solution, wipe them down with a damp paper towel and dry thoroughly.  The leaves will stay beautiful and bright for several seasons.  I think this one will have to wait til next season at our house.  Something to look forward to!

 

* Plant bulbs to show off next spring.  Tulips, crocus, daffodils.  How beautiful it will be!

* Mull cider and /or wine on the weekends.  Invite friends to enjoy it with you.  Our family enjoyed this on the first day of Autumn along with some gingerbread cookies.

 

So!

 

Before we get caught up in planning Thanksgiving dinner and all the other events in November, let's remember to enjoy October to its fullest.

 

 



A bit more on Gratitude

(from Through Faith Alone: 365 Devotional Readings from Martin Luther)

"'It is better to look at what is in front of you than to go looking for what you want. Even this is pointless.  [It's like] trying to catch the wind.'    Ecclesiastes 6:9

Enjoying what you currently have is better than letting your heart wander.  You should make use of what is in front of you rather than wandering around full of desires.  This is what the dog in Aesop's writings did when he chased after the reflection in the water and lost the meat he had in his mouth.  You should use what God has placed before you and be satisfied with it.  You shouldn't try to satisfy your desires because they will never be satisfied.  Instead, you should use whatever God has placed in front of you.  All of it is very good. (Genesis 1:31)"


Luther goes on to challenge us to think about one who sees everything in front of him as nothing but a nuisance.  He doesn't use or enjoy these gifts.  Instead he lets his heart roam in discontent, searching for something different.  Maybe a different house, a different spouse, a different job, a different car.  More money, more possessions, more recognition.  And this does nothing but lead us to more despair and discontent.  It is, as quoted from Ecclessiastes, pointless.  It's like trying to catch the wind.  It cannot be done no matter how hard we work at it, how long we try or what methods we use.  We will never be able to satisfy ourselves. 

God has given us just what is needed for our seasons of life.  And, I believe, that when we respect that fact and give thanks for His goodness, He will grace us with even more goodness.   

 

 

 

A Reflection on 1 Thess. 5:16-18

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

I find joy in a garden walk with my mother.  We talk about what she has planted.  We share our gardening hopes and dreams.  She teaches me what she knows.  I benefit from her wisdom.

I find joy in observing my sons.  JoJo teaches Mouse how to hold a baseball bat properly.  He shows him how to "squish the bug" when his back foot rotates.  Bud finds new patience with JoJo and even makes him laugh. The three of them run into the house with shouts of, "That was fun!  Let's play it tomorrow!"

I find joy in a stolen moment of quiet on my back patio where I read in secret.

I pray the Lord's Prayer several times daily; it has become habit now and I welcome that. 

I pray for my family.  For my boys that they may grow in their faith and knowledge of God; for my husband that he may continue to serve the Lord faithfully and rightly.  For myself that I may continue to learn God's will for my life and know the contentment that brings.

I pray for the Spirit to intervene for me during those times I know I should pray, but just can't bring myself to do it.  For whatever reason.  And for those time the words won't come.

I give thanks for my love of cooking and baking, even when I complain about having to do it, for I am providing my family with something good.  And they are thankful for that!

I give thanks for the times Hubby is gone so much, for this makes us cherish the times our family IS together.

I give thanks for an unbearably hot summer, for this makes me relish the long awaited cool morning that brings relief and joy.

I know a bit more about God's will in Christ Jesus for me.  All things are in His control, and held gently in His hands.  I am among those things.  Through the challenges and disappointments this sinful world holds in store for us, God works good.  I learn to trust Him, because He is faithful and He will see me through to the end just as He has done so many times before.  He makes no mistakes and this includes where He has put me.  Staying at home to raise my boys, sending them to school,  bringing them to church, making our home a haven for all who live and enter here, being a helpmeet to my husband...this is where He has put me.  And it is good and pleasing to Him.  As I reflect on these things, I find myself excited and  hopeful about what else He has in store for me; for us.  My anxiety wanes.  I am at peace.

Raspberry Pickin'

I picked raspberries early this morning.  It was a perfect morning when I was out.  Sunshiney and cool.  Birds singing away.  It'll probably get too hot to be enjoyable later though.  I'm glad I took the opportunity to be out in the early morning calm and quiet of it all.  Nice way to start the day.  Now to make coffee!

view from our little raspberry patch