Autumn Greetings to You!

I am back again! It is difficult to blog without a computer, as ours was in the shop for maintenance and repairs.
It was also a busy week, so the time flew by and here we are approaching the weekend again.
My camera did work though, so I managed to capture some autumn photos of this past week that I thought I would share with you.
For those who left such sweet/wonderful comments while I was away, I wanted to thank you and let you know that I appreciated them!
Next week I am going to do my series on Friesland, part of the Netherlands...if all goes well!
This morning I thought I would share some Thanksgiving photos as well as more of the Autumn countryside here.
On Sunday we had our family/children as well as my mother and brother over for the Thanksgiving meal and some wonderful time visiting outside as the weather was so beautiful.

On Monday we drove to the Niagara area to spend time with our dear friends, H&M, who served us the most wonderful dinner, along with a lovely afternoon enjoying time spent with them and another special family.
This is what greeted us as we pulled into their driveway. I can't believe that the morning glories are still blooming! It was such a contrast to the autumn trees that I had to share it with you. We have had the most amazing autumn with lovely weather and moderate temperatures.

Looking through the picture window in their living room....
A Room with a View!

And this was taken from the car on the drive:

Back home again, the farmers are still cutting for hay....

I love it!

The sheep are so content in their pasture....such a peaceful setting!

Wish you could see just how beautiful the colours are of the trees in the background, but my camera just doesn't do it justice...they are spectacular!

The farmers are also busy harvesting their soybeans and corn...this is such a busy time for them.

Some farmers are stacking their corn like this:
The spiders are also enjoying this weather....the evidence is everywhere!

Even the grocery stores are embracing this glorious season:

Such a bountiful array of produce:

And in the kitchen this past week I was busy baking for a british tea as I was asked to host a workshop for GEMS, a wonderful program for young girls. They are raising money to help build a school for orphaned and underprivileged children in Africa. You can read more about it here.

The menu for my british tea consisted of scones along with clotted cream, strawberry conserves, lemon squares, madeira cake, buttertart squares, cucumber sandwiches, along with my favourite british tea .

Added: You can host your own Traditional English Afternoon Tea with a group of girl friends.

I found some great ideas for you here and a menu idea here. Enjoy!

And the autumn floral centerpieces for my tables, made by my friend M who did such a lovely job! The evening consisted of a beautiful singer, followed by a motivating speaker, refreshments and six great workshops to choose from. Although the evening was too busy to take photos, I am sure that the GEM leaders were pleased with the great turnout of ladies and the results of all of their hard work and effort.

Well-done girls!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone and remember to enjoy the beauty of the earth.

Fleeting Days of Summer....

We spent another breakfast morning on the front porch before the young adults left for their day at the Farmer's Market with their british friend, giving him a taste of the Mennonite flavour in the rural countryside.
I had to run a few local errands, so I grabbed my camera and captured these scenes along the way...
Shopping at the local hardware store:

The corn is maturing and should be ready for harvest soon. Some of the local farmers have started already. I could smell the scent of corn silage early this morning. When you grow up on a farm, you never forget the smell of each season and each crop:)

Soybeans will be harvested in the next week or two:

Goats and swiss bells...can it get any cuter?

Just so adorable and so sweet...
... and actually very tiny...
...I just want to take him home with me:
How I love the sheep grazing:
Back home again, the last of the summer gardens:
~Turtlehead...a perennial given to me by my friend Shirley...it is so lovely!
~Phlox:
~Geraniums in bloom all summer:
~Rose of Sharon still in bloom:

My daughter is waiting for me as it is lunch time....to the front porch we go....again!
We are enjoying these last leisurely days of summer, before the routines of the Fall season arrive.

Seasons of Life

As the seasons of the year, so are the seasons of life.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven..."
~Ecclesiastes 3:1

Early this Spring, (March 11 to be exact) under the encouragement of several friends and the challenge of my oldest daughter, I began this blog to document the changing seasons through my hobby of photography. Seasonal Hearth represents all that I love: my family and my home, my friends and my faith, the gift of life which is our journey on this earth.
Maintaining a blog has caused me to pause and take notice of the small day to day occurences in my life, not because they are overly exciting, but because they are ordinary moments, a time given to me by God.
When I think back to my younger years, I recall how I was always in a hurry, rushing from place to place as I tried to get as much accomplished as possible. I was a nurturer (still am) and wanted to care for everyone placed on my path. Often family and friends would remind me to slow down and take care of myself, but that didn't seem to be in my nature.
I wanted to be in the fast lane and thought that by doing so, I would accomplish everything I set my hands and heart to.

I am entering another season in my life now as our four children are growing up and becoming independant. I am learning to relax and to rest in the knowledge that God is in control of every detail of my life. I have predominately been a stay at home mom until the past few years, when I slowly ventured back into the work place, having been blessed with a job that I absolutely love. The challenges of work, courses and maintaining the home, have kept me busy, but I am continually reminded to take time for reflection as I pause to enjoy life as a gift from God.

Living in a rural community has also forced me to slow down and take notice of the changing seasons. This is a common sight as the fields are being harvested:

This school bus is a reminder that the glorious and leisurely days of summer are drawing to an end. The Fall season will soon be upon us as the children are preparing to go back to school.

Lately I have found myself fretting over all the things I have to accomplish before the Fall season arrives. We are preparing to take a trip to The Netherlands in September to visit my hubby's family, passports and paperwork have to be in place, and details have to be arranged.
We have doctors appointments and dental visits, back to school shopping, courses to complete and an exam to submit, responsibilities and obligations, deadlines to meet, college and university preparations to consider...
When I find myself getting too busy again, God gently reminds me to slow down and take time to pause and reflect...

SLOW ME DOWN, LORD
Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace. Give me, amidst the day's confusion, the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of singing streams that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking "minute vacations"...slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me of the fable of the hare and the tortoise; that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than measuring its speed.
Let me look up at the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew slowly and well. Inspire me to send my own roots down deep into the soil of life's endearing values...that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.
Slow me down, Lord.

~~Wilferd Arlan Peterson~~

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10

Pause playlist to listen:

The Beautiful Countryside

Although it has been very busy here over the past few weeks, I have made time to enjoy the ever-changing beautiful countryside, and feel just so blessed to live in this part of the world. These photos of the rural landscape were taken recently.
The farmers are almost finished with their wheat harvest, the gardens are producing in abundance, and the roadside stands are everywhere selling both garden produce as well as flowers.
This morning I thought I would share a few images with you. I must admit that I got "just a wee bit carried away" but I am sure you'll understand:)
I won't comment as the photos speak for themselves. Enjoy!
This lovely horse and I welcome you to take the country drive and enjoy a taste of this area with me....
(click to enlarge, double click for full screen viewing)