November 7, 2010

As autumn “falls” away…soon comes the winter hush

Posted by ShariCakes under Life, Weekend Fun | Tags: , , , |
Leave a Comment 

 Just a few short weeks ago, the fall season came. With 70 degree days and bright warm sunshine – summer was hanging on. Then all of a sudden autumn rushed in. The trees began to drop their leaves and cool-crisp air with gusto blew in. Wind whipped through the branches and howled with a fierce voice as the seasons changed. The mood was quickly set as Halloween approached. Only a week ago…the air was still, the kids were a buzz with Halloween spirit and the season was still. Then the yellow maple carpeted the lawn with its bright leaves. Eventhough, I knew the winter was approaching, the bright yellow reflection of the leaves was a joy.

“Yellow Maple Carpet”

 The reflection of bright joy and happiness was an excellent segway into this soft, quiet stillness of winter. The seasons approach with passivity and sometimes all at once. There is sometimes nothing to say. One minute it was summer and the next minute fall.

And as soon as those leaves fell – they were raked up and out to the curb for pick up. I love the crunch of the leaves and my dog loves playing in them as well. The leaves are piled high at the curb, the grass is frozen stiff with the coating of frost and we await the Thanksgiving holiday and the December chill.
With so much going on lately, working full time (two part-time jobs) my days are long and busy. I long to savor the season’s changes and brilliance. It seemed like  a rush to get the leaves piled into the street. It made mekind of  sad – I was like they just fell 😦 . It was just more work to be done. I was unable to really enjoy it – jumping and tossing in the leaves and breathing in that cool, fresh air and awaiting the next season – winter as it quiets the earth under its winter white blanket of snow and frost.

What is your favorite season? What do you like best about it? I love each season – even in the extremes, it keeps things interesting.

I pray that the seasons bring the Joy of the Lord to you! With many blessings!

 

October 31, 2010

Fall Family Projects: Pumpkins and Puzzles

Posted by ShariCakes under Life, Special Times | Tags: , , , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

From pumpkin to puree...to pie and bread.

 The last few weekends were filled will fall fun; Halloween Parades, pumpkin picking (at Walmart 🙂 ) and of course baking. I did get some pretty nice size pumpkins for a good price. And between festivities I was carving and baking – not jack-o-lanterns but baking pumpkin into puree for breads, butters, pies, seeds and soup. This tradition (or fascination) started many years ago. I have been making pies, rolls, breads and now butter and soup out of fresh field pumpkins ever since. The fresh puree makes for a very moist bread and yummy pies. And these little pumpkin treasures and treats last very little time in my house or anywhere else for that matter. I enjoy it immensely, they are very easy to grow see Happenings,  Happenings II and Happenings III for the full details on the pumpkin “patch” in my yard. Unfortunately, my homegrown treasures didn’t make it to puree or pie. But is was amazing to see how fast and big the vine grew over the summer.

Yummy, yummy pumpkin nut bread

Puzzle mania...

These perfectly pleasing pumpkin tasks inspired another family project and favorite past time of my mother’s – puzzles. She broke out her 500 piece puzzle collection and we went at it. Frustrating at first – since we had to turn over all the pieces and “organize” them by color and assume where they belonged. We managed to get the border done that night and most of the top. The days that followed were challenging as it takes such a  long time to group together just a few pieces. And it has been bonding as well. And with more pumpkins to carve and ready for thanksgiving our puzzle is almost complete.

Puzzle on the way to completion....

The challenge and the frustration has turned to relaxation, concentration, cheer and pride. Simple projects and pleasures can bring a busy family together it is so nice.

What are some of your family projects? How have they helped the busyness of the season? Drop me a line….

All the best & Happy Fall,