A Perfect Autumn Day

This day has been perfect--

filled with beautiful music from my favorite radio station,

filled with sunshine and showers...

my favorite grapes and the first lingonberry of the season!

Surrounded by stained glass--courtesy of the Creator above!

Gifts and blessings every place I look...

the changing of the seasons...

saying farewell to the last gifts of summer-

and embracing with my whole heart the gifts of the autumn.

Thank you Lord for the amazing beauty of the earth--

thank you for Your amazing grace!

Sights + Sounds of Washington: pt 4

After we said goodbye to Mt Rainier,

we drove through Ashford again and I saw this...

of course we turned around

(my friend knows me VERY well)!

But how could I resist this bit of history?

I wonder if my grandparents ever stopped here on the way into the National Park?

I wonder how long this was in operation?

So many unanswered questions on trips...

~

And then another good thing happened-

my friend saw a sign and it said

(I) Huckleberry pie!

We stopped, how could we not?

After all - pie, candy, jam, jelly or ANYTHING made from this juicy 'jewel'

of the PNW mountains--

well it is something we who have partaken of huckleberries before CAN NOT resist!

By the way, the restaurant we stopped at -the Wildberry Restaurant-

is owned by the nicest couple originally from Nepal!

Sad thing--

my mind was SO focused on huckleberries that it wasn't till we were gone that I realized they offer Sherpa Himalayan food items on their menu besides the Yak burger listed on their sign outside.

Next time I will have to try some--I love foods from different regions!

AND I will, of course, order some more huckleberry pie because it was SOOOOO good:)

Another view of beautiful Mt Rainier--

in this part of the PNW you can see the mountain a lot!

When I got home, I found another area with a awesome view of Mt Rainier and a lake too;

we will definitely have to make a trip there too:)

Not too long after leaving Ashford we came to the small community of Elbe,

and my friend tells me she is turning around and THEN I see why!

A gorgeous little church;

another church for my growing photo collection of historic churches...

and this one was very, very special for

at least one of my ancestors was Lutheran and from Germany!

She was an amazing woman who survived so many things--I would love to talk to her!

Kind of off the subject here, but my favorite Communion--ever--was at a Lutheran church--

I will never forget it; it was that special!

Anyway, one of my next statements went something like this

(I) See we never would have seen this if we hadn't been pulled over in the park by the officer!

Of course, there was a beautiful lake nearby--

and we didn't have to cross over a bridge this time to see it!

In fact, we both liked this road the Park Ranger suggested--
beautiful mountain views, small towns, windy roads--no cliffs:)

After a few more pleasant side trips

(at one point we were even headed towards the coast to find another historic church)

and

more food

we arrived home--

tired but happy:)

I'll be back soon--I never can stay away long from my second home of Washington!

Be blessed,

Aimee

Note: a BIG thank you to the owners of the Wildberry for allowing me to take photos in their establishment and post them here! Should you be hungry for pie or something more--

they are located at 37718 SR 706 in Ashford. They have a website here: http://www.thewildberry.net

And now...time for me to get to work:)

Sorry if this post is a little rambling--my left eye is really bothering me today.

Note to Visitors

I will be taking a short blogging break in order to devote more time to the last several days of my spiritual retreat and to get some very necessary projects done. I'll be back on Monday with more photos of Washington state, the Oregon zoo and whatever else God brings my way to share with you...Until then I leave you with one of the more popular photos on my blog (by the way it fascinates me what photos bring visitors here and the nations that visitors are from--there is something about seeing the world's different languages that is very exciting!).

For those who are cat lovers--enjoy! For those who are dog lovers--there will be more dog photos later; when you have three dogs there are ALWAYS more photos of woman's (and man's) best friend:)

Be blessed,

Aimee

Note: this is one of my sibling's 3 cats and as I have said before, my favorite:)

Sights + Sounds of Washington: Pt 3

Good afternoon from the PNW!

Time to continue our trip ...

This is the National Park Inn at Longmire.

I just LOVE this place as I do all historic lodges, from the Old Faithful Inn
in Yellowstone to the lodge at Crater Lake in Oregon!

(the sun just broke through the clouds here--time out to drink in the blessings of today).

Ok I'm back...

our family has never stayed here, that I remember;

we generally stay in one of the nearby communities.

However we have eaten here in the dining room--and that was a lot of fun!

This time, though, we bought sandwiches in Morton on the way here and nibbled on them:)

This is SO neat! In addition to historic lodges I LOVE historic vehicles!

We once owned a 1949 Plymouth--I hated it at the time;

now I would LOVE to have one!

After Longmire the road climbs more as you head up to Narada Falls and Paradise.

On the right side of your vehicle there is a drop off---

after a bridge you would have heard me say something like...

(I) I don't like this,

I don't remember it being this bad (another word for high with cliffs),

we need to turn around,

yikes,

I'm sorry!

So at the viewpoint we did--so close to my goal;

but it was not to be for today.

(I) Why don't you take me back to Longmire and I'll stay there while you go see Paradise just like we did in Mosier? I WANT you to see it; I'll be fine at the Inn! You have to see it!

(My friend) No, it's ok.

(I) I just don't understand this...it wasn't like this last time.

(
(I) Snow walls--that's why!

Last time I was here there were walls of snow...

(I) If it hadn't been for that first road we got on I don't think this would have been an issue

(sigh)

On our way down we stopped to see Christine Falls--

the key word being 'stopped'.

(My friend) He's following us. I'm pulling over.

(Outside) Lights, siren.

(The Officer) Do you know why I pulled you over?

But it all ended well,

with a verbal warning and a (kept) promise that we would NOT stop on the park road anymore!

By the way, we did keep that promise--it seems like Christine Falls is the cause of many park visitors momentarily losing their common sense:)

The photo is of the upper part of the falls;

next time we will hike a bit and get a photo of the whole waterfall!

And NEXT time I will conquer my fear of the road to Paradise and Narada Falls--

with God's help-

just as I did this summer of traveling by a certain mountain reservoir!

~

Are there any fears you have conquered?

Be blessed,

Aimee

to be continued....

Sights + Sounds of Washington: Praise

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy LORD to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!...

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship HIM in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

Blessed + giving thanks on this feast day of St. Francis!

Aimee

St Francis of Assisi, Cantico di fratre sole, Song of Brother Sun (around 1225)

To see all of the words to this well known hymn "All Creatures of our God and King" and/or to see more of the history of its translation by William H Draper and first publication in 1919

please see this website: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/c/acoogak.htm.

Photo: Mt Rainier National Park, Washington autumn 2011

Sights + Sounds of Washington: Pt 2

After 6 or so hours of travel by and over rivers and a lake,

road work, gorgeous view after gorgeous view and more...

we arrive:)

(I) Yea!
We enter under the Nisqually entrance gate, pay our fee ($15/7 days)
and are on our way to our first main stop...

Longmire---beautiful, wonderful, I LOVE it here Longmire!
After a stop at the gift shop for directions to the trail we're off--
with good wishes for a great hike!
Note to self for ALL future hikes: drink more and carry water!

Longmire was homesteaded by a pioneer by the name of-
well I'm sure you can figure that out.
There are many mineral springs in this area
(not surprising in that Mt Rainier is a volcano).
This is one of the springs--Soda Springs.

And this is the forest on the trail--
I LOVE this place:)
By the way, at different places on the trail you will also see
the meadow, other springs, Mt Rainier, a cabin and more!

In the 'shadowy realm' -- my favorite part! When I was here one time in late May all that could be seen up the hill (right side of the photo) was brown; it felt ancient. I will never forget the colors, the light, the dark, the feelings of that day! Today the feelings were different--the forest was beautiful (some trees are over 250 years old) but there was GREEN amidst the brown and there was dappled sunlight!
(I) but it was brown before...

A photo near the end of the Trail of Shadows--
an amazing, not too long hike through the forests and among the Longmire's homestead.
(I) water, water, water...
(My friend) I thought you were in better shape than I.
Note to self: I love it when your friend anticipates your needs
and brings a sport drink for you:)
~
I leave you with my favorite quote of the day--
"Trees recieve a most beautiful burial.
Nature takes fallen trees gently into her bosom-
at rest from storms".
John Muir
~
Thank you God for the mountains and the forest;
they are just a portion of what you bless me with each and every day.
Blessings,
Aimee

To be continued...

Sights + Sounds of Beautiful Washington: Pt 1

(I) Ugh! The weather forecast was sunny today.
(my friend) We are by the river, it'll clear up.

(I) I think we're on the wrong road here
(said as we crossed a causeway built over the middle of a lake);
this wasn't the road my dad took--I'd remember this!


(both) Beautiful (or some similar adjective)!

(I) This is NOT the right road
(as we drove higher and further into unfamiliar territory).
(My friend) You got your directions from ------!
I should have known--you can't trust -----for directions.)

After we turned around, retracing our route, stopped at two mini marts, talked to local residents, bought one Washington map, picked up a free map of the local area, texted my poor DDIL that we were lost, found the right route and were on our way again--this time with NO cell phone coverage.
(I) I like this route better; it looks more familiar....well maybe not, but I like it better.
(My friend) Some of the trucks on the other road were being blown around; it is less windy on this road in the valley.
(I) Sometimes my fear of heights is a good thing.

(I) Wow!!!!

To be continued---
Blessings,
Aimee

An Early Birthday Gift

My husband and best friend blessed me with a trip here as an early birthday gift.

It was the perfect day--full of the beauty of God's creation!

Blessings,

Aimee

More photos later;

been traveling all day from before sunrise to well after sunset and I am SO tired.

Time to sleep...night all:)

A Trip to the Valley: Early Autumn

Recently my best friend had a day of errands;

when she mentioned where she was going,

I eagerly invited myself:)

One of our stops was in Mt Angel, Oregon--

this time we got to see the town's Glockenspiel in action among other things:)

My favorite parts were the Gregorian chants and the song Edelweiss;

I had never seen a Glockenspiel at work before-I really enjoyed it!

BTW this photo was taken at the beginning of the 'performance'--

the glockenspiel incorporates features of the history of the area,

starting with the Native Americans.
We also stopped by here--

We left with sausage and strudel; nice people here!!

The strudel came frozen and would be baked that night (it was SO good);

the sausage was for my friend who likes spicy food!
In town we also traveled by the dancing children fountain--

we always do when we go here!

The town, as always, had a lot of flowers--

I love that a lot of towns do now!

Along the way we collected a some produce and photos at a few farms in the valley...

My best friend is taking this home--

YUM!

How about these?

Aren't these artichoke flowers beautiful???

Yum, more harvest beauties--

it amazes me the variety we have available in vegetables...

look at the color of this broccoli!

How about these tomatoes?

In one town we visited,

we found people leaving excess produce from their gardens

on a table for those who can use it.

I really liked that idea;

we had picked up plenty from a farm in our route already

so we didn't need anymore though!

There were more in the trunk:)

More produce: here is a yellow cauliflower;

I'm not sure if I've ever seen one before.

I wonder if it holds that beautiful color when cooked?

Passed lots of onions...

if you look very closely you might also see the Cascade Mountains,

the range of mountains that run north to south in the PNW

and lie east of the Willamette Valley and western Washington.

And last, but not least, we passed a beautiful field of these...

black eyed Susans.

I LOVE this time of the year, don't you?

Blessings, Aimee

~

Notes: if you want to see more of Mt Angel please use the search feature to the right. They have a beautiful abbey, monastery and church there among other things. And a BIG thank you to the Mt Angel Sausage Co. for permission to post a photo of their fine establishment! Here is their website should you be in the area and interested in strudel or sausage: http://www.ropesausage.com/

Flora + Fauna at the Zoo: Pt 2

We are having fall weather today in the PNW--

rain showers at times, wind gusts off and on,

cool and cloudy.

A perfect day to get caught up on some housework...

and bake the DH some cookies!

But if I am going to do that, I must get off the Internet--

so on with the post I wanted to share with you today:)
~

This summer, when my DD and grandkids came out,

the weather was much the same when we went to the zoo-

well minus the rain and wind:)

In other words--it was a GREAT day to visit the Oregon Zoo;

I only wish I had worn my odometer that day and every other day during my DD's visit!

Enough talk--let's walk?

I walked in socks as my sandals were not working for me;

you may keep your shoes on:)

I have a thing about white fur (hence our dogs have white fur), so today's theme is ...

animals with white (or some white) on them.

Our first stop is at the residence of the polar bears;

ahhh, it's nap time:)

Next--some brightly colored flowers;

I shall miss the flowers of summer,

but in a month or so our autumn/winter flowering camellia will be in bloom

and I will be so in love with it, I'll be OK.

Pretty!

In the PNW area, we met this guy (or gal).

Now it would be a dream come true to see one of these Mountain Goats in the wild!

One of my former co-workers has seen them and bear;

she gave me the most wonderful going away gift when I quit my job!

Knowing how much I love the mountains...

she put together a CD of some of her hiking trips for me to have!

I LOVED it and still do; it makes me smile just thinking of it:)

It is one of my favorite gifts ever!

Look at all that white fur!

I think he (or she) looks quite noble, though a bit ragged!

I loved this exhibit--

even if I did, sort of, get lost in here

(actually I knew exactly where I was...my family just thought I was lost.

When I am taking photos, it is all I think about--sometimes).

More flowers---knowing my camera,

these might have been more red then they appear:)

And now,

one of my favorite photos-

taken in their petting area...

I think I'm in love!

Have a blessed Monday!

Aimee

Photos: TY to the Oregon Zoo for permission to post these photos and for all the obvious concern they show for the animals entrusted to their care! I ask that you please respect my copyright on all of these photos and do not copy them unless you ask and are granted permission by me to do so. This is to ensure that the zoo's philosophy re: their animals, which I totally support, is adhered to. Thank you:)

My Hiding Place

Thou

art my hiding place and my shield:

I hope in Thy Word.
Psalms 119:114 KJV

Last night I watched the movie, The Hiding Place-

an adaption of the late Corrie ten Boom's life during World War II.

When I was younger and living in Seattle,

I had the opportunity to see and hear this courageous lady in person.

Her story, is indeed one of courage, love, faith and forgiveness.

And as I watched the movie,

I asked myself...

Would I have reached out to save strangers knowing what it could cost me and my family?

Would I lose my faith had I been the one imprisoned in such deplorable and seemingly hopeless conditions (lice, hard labour, little food, cruelty, crowding, etc)?

Would I be able to forgive my 'enemies' as Corrie and Betsie were?

It is something for me to think about.

Be blessed,

Aimee

Photo: Siletz Bay and two of my five grandchildren:)