The Ever-Changing Sky

We were driving home late this afternoon following our family event in the Niagara area, and I couldn't help but notice the ever-changing sky as we travelled. It truly looked again like the brushstrokes of an Artist presenting a slide show for the world to see. I captured a few photos through the car window but they don't do justice to the beauty of the sky. I also thought about my daughter K, who is on the other side of the world in India. She looks up at the same sky and shares the same sun and moon as we do. From a young girl on, she has always loved looking up at the stars and knows all the constellations by name.
These photos are for you, sweetie, knowing that the same God who cares for us here is watching over you on the other side of the world and knows you by name....What a comfort that is!

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him? ... O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:3,4,9

For the director of music.
A psalm of David.
Psalm 19:1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.

(to listen, pause play list at bottom of page)

Nature Study: The Artist's Canvas

It has been a week of glorious weather here in southern Ontario, with temperatures averaging around 14'c or 58'f along with blue skies and sunshine.
One of my favourite activities is to go hiking and to observe nature.
Even better yet is to spend time with my best friend, my hubby, while we hike and enjoy the beauty around us. This past week we had the opportunity several times to go out and explore local trails. Although November is considered a grey and dreary month by many, that description could not be applied to this past week.
The only bird song we heard on our hike were the chickadees as they darted from tree to tree. I couldn't get enough of the beautiful palette of blue, tones of brown including rust and taupe, warm green and moss olive, ruby and garnet...
Although not an object of nature, the colour does fit in...taken for our friend J
Gorgeous warm tones of moss on the tree stumps:

These holes were made by a pileated woodpecker in search of insects:

Milkweed is soft, silky, velvety and beautiful:
Little weavers of the summer, with sunbeam shuttle bright
And loom unseen by mortals, you are busy day and night
Weaving fairy threads as filmy, and soft as cloud swans, seen
In broad blue sky-land rivers, above earth's field of green.

~Ray Laurance

floating seed balloons:

Beautiful shades of brown fungi formed on the tree:

Garnet and ruby-coloured berries
brighten up the brown background
and are a treat for the birds:

Peaceful babbling brooks:

Riverbeds are drying up:

Pausing for a mid-day snack,
this Canada Goose is enjoying her reflection in the water:

Cobalt blues and rustic tones:

Remnants of the harvest season
and brushstrokes of white wispy cirrus clouds
set against an azure sky:

The farmers here have taken off most of their crops
and have been busy plowing up the fields
and spreading manure
as they take advantage of this beautiful weather:

And there is much activity in the way of building houses
as well as barns in this area:

The sheep are so content in their pasture:

Driving home again, this faithful sign
indicates the temperature,
although it felt warmer on our hike:

Even our hens are enjoying the sunshine
as they scratch for food:



These were some of the books we used with our children when they were young, as a tool to the study and appreciation of nature.
We have also used Anna Comstock's Handbook of Nature-Study as well as Charlotte Mason's Companion which is a great study in music, art and nature appreciation.
A study on creation can be found here.
I also wanted to share one of my favourite seasonal books by british author Susan Hill, entitled:
The Magic Apple Tree,
as well as a favourite british artist,
Gordon Beningfield.

"O LORD, how manifold are thy works!
In wisdom hast thou made them all:
the earth is full of thy riches. "Psalm 104:24

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.

Sunday's Simple Joys

My friend Leslie over at Wayside Sacrements often features a special posting she has entitled Simple Joys. She has asked us to share so I thought I would join in.

Some of my Simple Joys today included:

~a beautiful worship service this morning

~my church family who are so special to me

~serving my family who were all home today

~catching up on my reading, followed by...

~a wonderful, much-needed nap

(still feeling the effects of jet-lag)

~waking up to glorious sunlight shining through the window...

~and filtering through the trees

~going for a Fall walk with my girls
~Chinese Lanterns along the roadside
~meeting up with my friend on that road
and discovering that her husband planted the bright orange cheerful lanterns many years ago...thank you! They are so enjoyed!

~sheep grazing in the pasture
~the beauty of the harvested fields
~Queen Anne's Lace still blooming

~the setting sun

~home again with the gathered lanterns
placed in an outdoor urn

~tea and apple crisp made with the first harvest apples

~listening to my girls play the keyboard and guitar as they sing worship songs

~New to me worship song sung at church this morning
(pause playlist below to listen)