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:)

Welcome Autumn!

I know this is a day late but ...

have a blessed Autumn (or spring if you are in the southern hemisphere)!

Blessings, Aimee

Photo: couldn't resist this little guy on my recent trip to the Quilt/Craft Show--I just love his little cordoroy pants and all:)

Paint + Pray

First day of autumn-sunny + warm.

A day made for painting; a day made for praying.

'Powdered snow' on bare fir boards--protection for late autumn + winter storms.

Beauty and light for the coming darkness.

Prayers raising upwards to heaven; a weak child talking with her strong Father.

Asking; receiving.

Fear turned to peace.

A beautiful autumn day filled with heavenly light and heavenly gifts.

Be blessed,

Aimee

Photo: despite appearances, this is a gorgeous shade of white and I love, love, love it:)

For My Daughter Dear

Dear Daughter Dear,

Someday, if dreams really do come true.

I will live by the peaceful bay

and you by the sea so blue.

We will laugh together as we watch the birds of the air;

we will dance like children under the colorful kites so fair.

We will drink in all of God's gifts to us--

blessings of the land and of the sea.

We will enjoy each others company daily --

if this is the dream God meant to be.

But whatever shall come, always remember, my beautiful one--

that dad and I love you--

from setting sun to setting sun.

~

Be blessed my daughter,

Aimee

20 Days + Counting

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 KJV

20 days into my spiritual retreat and I am seeing that when I divert from my original plan--

• decreasing TV time


• increasing time spent reading (currently: Luke (NT) + other Christian books)


• listening to music (mostly from my favorite radio station or CDs)


• spending time in silence (just enjoying the sounds of God's creation)


• prayer


• Biblical meditation

that the results are not what I really, really want for the rest of my life's journey. Additionally, I am (still) researching into the practice of Lectio Divina -- although this method sounds similar to Biblical meditation, I recently read that some Christians have concerns over the contemplative prayer part of this practice so I just want to make sure that it in no way disagrees with what we find written in Scriptures before engaging in it. I am also rethinking (and praying) about some of the books I originally selected to read during my retreat for this same reason and finally I am still prayerfully considering an organized retreat during this time.

Well, now it is time to bake my DH some carrot cake cookies (sorry, from a mix), make a bouquet for me and clean, clean, clean!

Be blessed, Aimee
Photo: coast range waterfall--it, obviously, needs more of our 'refreshing' PNW rain:)

Yesterday

Yesterday was a gift-a gift from start to finish

(of course every day of life is).

It saw a friend and I sharing our love of quilts and good food,
peaceful lake views,

the beginnings of a changing color palette,

never ending coastal views of beauty,

~

some refreshing mist and rain,

and the joyful conquering of a long held fear.

It was a very, very good day:)

I hope yours was too.

Be blessed, Aimee

Photos: Vernonia, various coastal river valleys, the coast range and Oregon's northern coast

Of Quilts, Crafts, Food + Love

Ah! The joys of autumn...the calendar doesn't say it,

but we in the Pacific NW all know it because the signs are there:

leaves starting to put on their colorful fall finery, pears ripening on countertops,

apples nearing harvest time, rain, autumn flowers like these beautiful crocus...

and

a quilt + craft show in one of my favorite little towns--Vernonia, Oregon!

BTW, I also found out there is a lot of love there--

in this little church;

because I had the opportunity to see love in action while there...

Love was evident in all the quilts of every imaginable color, size and design,

created by hands that wanted to bless their church home

(and I think) bless those that would come through the doors of the show.

Love that put together an asssortment of birdhouses

(I was sorely tempted to buy the red one; I loved it!),

Love that put together other crafts and Christmas items,

love that did a lot of the things that go to making an event like this an enjoyable one--

things like the great lunch which we were soon to enjoy!

Quilts,

crafts,

plants

and lunch among the many, many, many quilts.

What could be better?

Yum!

Autumn--soup, craft shows,

a warm quilt or comforter at night,

rain,

autumn flowers

and love!

I think I like it:)

~

Blessings to my 2 'angels' of Vernonia

and blessings to all of you!

Aimee

~

Note: If you love quilts (and I do),

if you love crafts (ditto above comment),

if you are hungry for a good lunch

and you like small, mountain valley towns with great parks and more,

you might like to pay a visit to St Mary's Quilt + Craft Show!

You have three more days:)

~

Here is a link about the show:

http://www.vernoniachamber.org/community/events/7-st-marys-quilt-fair

Note 2: Should you want to see more of Vernonia---I have quite a few photos from there taken last year. Feel free to use the search feature located in the right sidebar. I will also soon be doing a post on the Blue House Cafe there---awesome Mediterranean food, friendly staff!

Flora + Fauna at the Zoo: Pt 1

Earlier this summer my very beautiful daughter and my very charming

(and very cute, very athletic)

grandsons paid us a visit for a whole week!

It was a week of good food, great fun and never ending surprises:)

It was also a week of travel--

trips to the coast, trips to an aquatic park, PIZZA (my daughter's favorite)

and

-of course-

a trip to the Oregon Zoo!!

Maybe you would like to accompany us?

It was a perfect day-

not too hot, not too cold

AND it wasn't raining

(just like today).

OK, go ahead and grab your best walking shoes,

because you are going to need them!

Let's go!

~

Another short trip---

(sort of)

and we are here.

After a nice, calf-building walk from the last parking place in the lots

and we are here...

at the wonderful Oregon Zoo!

Now, I have always loved the animals at the zoo--

well actually at any zoo, wildlife refuge or even our backyard.

But this time, I found myself falling in love with all the

flowers, bushes, trees and ground covers there too!

I LOVE white and cream colored plants. They stand out in the garden--even at night if there is any light. Unfortunately I don't know the name of this particular plant or I would be tempted to buy one and plant it.

But I do know the name of this particular animal; I'm sure you do too:)

By the way,

I LOVE this photo because it makes you take a second and maybe even a third look!
~

Another white plant that I LOVED but again that I didn't know the name of.

Help, if you can please!

Although not one of my best photos because of the reflection--

is that one of my grandkids?

And now another animal--I will let you know the name of this one. This,

ladies and gentlemen, is a caracal and I LOVE him (or is it a her)?
More---white flowers.

Again no name but I would love, love, love to plant some of these at my home.

And who do you suppose I caught eyeing me?

And I, of course, was eyeing him:) Just amazing, totally amazing!

And with this last flower photo I will bid you goodnight and peace.

I just heard something I couldn't believe; it was NOT a good thing:(

Blessings, 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:)

Photos taken summer 2011.