Queen Of The Autumn Garden

Last weekend, we passed a house with just one dahlia in the front yard. I was excited, I have never seen a dahlia before! They are known as "The Queen Of The Autumn Garden", and I can see why. This bloom was about the size of my head, and notice how the petals have almost brush strokes on them. The dahlia is the official emblem of Mexico, because it was first cultivated there by the ancient Aztecs. They used the roots to treat epilepsy and many other ailments. And until insulin was discovered, diabetics were given a substance made from dahlia tubers. There are more than 30 species and 20,000 cultivars. They are presented at engagement parties and weddings because they symbolize an everlasting union between two people.

"I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing."

John 15:5

Gone Batty!

Today Ella and I made these bat cupcakes, I think she liked them. The next to last picture is Phil with bat ears in the science museum. In the last picture, Ella is hanging upside down to show you how bats sleep. When I was a little girl, I was out at twilight and a bat swooped down on my head. They aren't really attacking people when they do this, it's more likely that they are going after an insect near your head. They can catch well over a thousand insects an hour, mostly mosquitoes. That's why a lot of people around here have put up bat boxes. But a recent article in the paper now says that's not a good idea. Bats can inhabit your attic, they only need a quarter inch to enter, and they return to where they were born year after year. I say they should stay in their caves.


"I run to you, God; I run for dear life...
You're my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb.
Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide.
Free me from hidden traps; I want to hide in you.
I've put my life in your hands.
You won't drop me, you'll never let me down."
Psalm 31 -  The Message

Hidden

This evening on the way to church, we pulled off the highway so I could snap this sunset. I never got a full view of the sun, parts always remained hidden. Notice the top right of the sun in most of the pictures, it is a double sun again! So even though I didn't get the full sun, or a really colorful fall sky, there was still a bonus! Here is someone who has all things hidden in him, from whom nothing is hidden, and who will reveal all things hidden to us. Now that's a mouthful!!

"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Colossians 2

Heirlooms

What kind of tomatoes do you eat, have you tried the Heirlooms? I just read in the paper that Heirlooms taste better and are more nutritious. Apparently, the big red pumped up tomatoes that are specially bred do not take up as much nutrition from the soil. But the Heirlooms are kind of the original tomatoes, only bred from seed and not messed with in any way. To be considered an Heirloom, a tomato must have three things: It has to grow from seed saved from the plant, the seeds must have been available for over 50 years, and it must have it's own folklore. So they cost a bit more, but are worth it for the taste and added nutrients. I guess the more ugly and less perfect it looks, the better it is!!!


"The Lord does not look at things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7

Straw Roof

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One afternoon we were out driving around with Ella, and she said she wanted to eat lunch at the place with the straws on the roof. What? Visions of a straw thatched cottage came to mind. But when we passed McDonald's, see said this was it, and so it was! See the straws on their roof? And if you think the straws are big, look how huge their drinks are now, you can't even fit them in the building! The header is our old Mcdonald's, but my other pictures are from our new fancy one. Gone is the big arch sign. Inside modern paintings are hung along with a flat screen T.V. A stylish cafe bar with stools and stone wall interior. But know what? The food isn't near as good as our old McDonald's! Some has been in such bad shape I have had to throw it away! The atmosphere may be all prettied up, but the food is no good, so I'll continue going to our old one. The last picture shows Ella's use for a Happy Meal! I read somewhere that the average person eats fast food about three times a week, how much do you? What is your favorite fast food place and thing to eat? Mine is Chick-fil-A.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness."

Matthew 23:27

Only Sleeping

Please don't wake me, no don't shake me
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping

Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise
Sleep pretty darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullabye

The Beatles- From "I'm Only Sleeping" & "Golden Slumbers"


I find that one of the greatest pleasures of having very small children around is when they sleep on me. It is an almost spiritual experience, and I don't really know why. I love the soft sounds and the smell of the hair. Being touched with youth and pure innocence, perhaps I can soak it up and some will transfer.  I have had arms and legs go to sleep, ache, and feel like they would fall off, still I would not move them. Have you experienced this? I enjoy enticing tired little ones to my lap with soft lullabies. It seems like an almost magical experience to me, but after all, they're only sleeping. See you on Tuesday!



'My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip-
He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep."
Psalm 121:2,4

Paper And Iron

Look what I got in the mail today! A package from my blog friend Ann at SnapEditScrap. She is a wonderful crafter, and specializes in quilling. This is an art form using thin strips of paper that are rolled around a quill to make designs. During the Renaissance, nuns and monks used this art form to decorate book covers and religious items. They copied the designs of metal filigree, because the paper was much cheaper than precious metal to use, so it also became known as paper filigree. It often imitated the current popular ironwork designs. I had asked for this pumpkin and the cute cat and mouse, and she even threw in a magnet of her adorable doggie Duke and a greeting card she made!!! And speaking of iron...


Let my cry come right into your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word. Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise. Put your hand out and steady me since I've chosen to live by your counsel.  Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul. And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me! I'll recognize the sound of your voice.
Psalm 119

So Late So Soon

How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's June.
My goodness how the time has flewn!
How did it get so late so soon?
Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

Fall really snuck up on me, it came several weeks before I thought it would! So it is with real sadness that I bid a fond farewell to summer. I will miss it's stunning and abundant light, it's beautiful flowers, and seeing the fireflies in the sultry twilight.  Most of all I will miss the light, as the title of my blog testifies. But I am glad that I am still here to enjoy the nip in the air and the brilliant leaves. And let's not forget the hay, they can do wonderful things with it now, don't you think?


"O my soul, bless God!...Beautifully, gloriously robed, dressed up in sunshine and all heaven stretched out for your tent. You set earth on a firm foundation so that nothing can shake it, ever. You make grass grow for the livestock, hay for the animals that plow the ground."
Psalm 104:1

Foolishness

We passed by these celosia yesterday, and they screamed at me to turn around and take their picture! The reds were so bright that the camera really couldn't capture it. The name celosia is from the Greek, meaning "burned", because of the brilliant red of some of them. But they come in all different colors. There is even one called brain celiosa, because they look like brains! To see my pictures of them, click HERE. In many places, these are cultivated for their nutritious leaves, which taste like spinach. To some, this flower represents a certain kind of foolishness, what an odd meaning!


"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Cor. 1:18

Bees On Pink Zinnias

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.


This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise
the morning light, the lily white declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world: He shines in  all that's fair;
in the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
Maltbie D. Babcock