He Will Rejoice Over You

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love."

Zephaniah 3:17

Last Leaves

These leaves, like the corn, are by now long gone, especially considering the sweeping effect of our many prairie winds. Still our giant cottonwood holds onto its glorious golden tresses.

Who Ate the Corn?

Our farmer-neighbors did it. The corn is gone around our home, and the open view is back!

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Success

I baked a new recipe of gluten free chocolate chip cookies for Dad. They seem to be a hit! Even though these cookies are off limits for me, they were a great treat to make. Oh, the joy of baking!

 

(Recipe from Deliciously G-Free, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, 2012)

Sweet Yellow Watermelon

Vernon is known for his muskmelon growing skills. His son, Joel, is the watermelon expert. Somehow some of that watermelon skill passed up to the father. Vernon's yellow watermelon was the sweetest and most beautiful thing I have eaten in months!

Travel #2: Museum of Marine Art

We hope to visit the inside of the Museum of Marine Art, but until then we have enjoyed their rustic plantings.
 

 The serious photographer kept his shutter busy.

 

 And the amateur photographer did her best.

 

Where's Waldo, er, Maren?

Travel #1: Floating Cabins

I promised scenery from my recent trip to the doctor, so here is installment number one!

 

Floating cabins on the shores of the Mississippi. So quaint and cozy!

Frost on the Garden

 Frost is in the air! Dad, Mom and Maren are faithfully keeping the celery and parsley well insulated.

 

 There have been some casualties.

 

 But the kale stands strong.

 

Regardless of temperature we keep holding on to a bit of summer color. The planters get indoor night lodging until they wear out their welcome.

Apple Day

 There have been two weeks of silence. Perhaps I have felt the silence more than you. At least I felt the sickness. A trip to the doctor always does that. 1 week planning and packing + 12 hrs. driving = at least one week of flu-like sickness. Despite these side affects the scenery was delightful (more on that another day), the doctor was helpful, and we came home encouraged. It was well worth it!

 

Today I am back up and doing, lingering lymph draining massage and travel side affects included. It is a beautiful if somewhat brisk day outside. The robins like the weather, too... not to mention our apples. And so we braved the malice of the robins and picked our winter apples.

 

(Maybe I can make up for my silence with many pictures??)

 

Maren had the high job - picking from the tractor's bucket.

 

Dad was expert-tractor-mover.

 

Mom had the job of cleaning up ugly windfalls.

 

Hannah picked apples from standing and crouching positions.

 

All separated damaged apples from the beauties. Boxes and boxes! Hannah and I counted one hundred and fifteen apples in one medium sized box.

Oh yeah. I helped, too.

We left a couple apples on the tree as a peace offering for our bird friends.

 



At the end of the day, we loaded up the garage with hundreds of perfectly ripe Haralred apples. I'm dreaming of baked apples with honey!