Giving Thanks: November 10

I had a dream and yesterday it became a reality.

It was a dream of walking along the bank of a river.

It was a dream of seeing the waterfall there.

But the reality was so much better;

for in my dreams I had not imagined the

beauty of the rock walls which surrounded the falls.

In the dream I had not imagined the beauty of the fallen leaves which carpeted the ground

and were scattered over the rocks.

In my dream I had not imagined the tranquility of the pool below the falls

nor the beauty of this tree I found nearby.

A tree sculpted by the Creator.

Nor the ducks flying to warmer locales.
Yes, yesterday a dream come true;

a dream SO perfect it must have been given me by God.

Blessings, Aimee

Photos: taken along the Little Luckiamute River and near Baskett Slough NWR

Giving Thanks: November 1-3

I LOVE the month of November

and I LOVE the holiday of Thanksgiving!

In fact, to tell you the truth, I can hardly wait for October to

end just to get to the month of November.

Thinking of November brings up many happy thoughts and one of these is being thankful for all the blessings we have in our life and that is just what Lime (one of my fav Norwegian bloggers) and some of my friends and family are doing. For the whole month they are posting something they are grateful for each day...because, really, we should be thankful daily.
SO I am going to try my best to do the same thing,

but, as usual, I am a bit (ha, ha) behind--having lost myself in the colors of this day:

the blue of the sky (in places), the color of the dogwood outside my window, a friend's adventures, my daughter's texts to me, the music on my favorite radio...

that's it!

November 3:I am SO thankful today that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me!

I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

Refrain:

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

Though I forget Him, and wonder away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms do I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

(refrain)

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

(refrain)

Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

(refrain)

In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blessed;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.

Yes today, and everyday, I am SO thankful that-

Jesus Loves Even Me!

And to catch up on my thanks-giving...

November 1:

I am SO thankful for a husband who God has blessed with SO many talents,

especially this week when our kitchen faucet handle broke off . TY Farmer Boy:)

November 2:

I am SO thankful for having been blessed with a mom who called Jesus her Friend, her Savior and her Lord. I am SO thankful to have been blessed with a mom that made her family and her God her priority. I am SO thankful that her legacy is written, not on some stone monument but on hearts and souls that will live on eternally. TY mom--we will never, ever forget you:)

Do you have anything you are thankful for today?

Blessings, Aimee
Notes on Hymn: Jesus Loves Even Me, Philip P. Bliss, 1870

For the entire lyrics and tune to this well known song, see this link: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/l/jlovesem.htm

Be blessed--

and now I am on my way to our kitchen to make cookies to bless my Farmer Boy with this evening.

Autumn Morning: pt 2

After awhile I went outside...

to stroll amidst the many bamboo,

to feed my soul with the beauty of God's creation.

To drink in the beauty of the season...

and this crisp autumn morn.

To savor the peace and serenity to be found in the garden.

Thank you Lord for autumn;
thank you Lord for life.
~

He has made everything beautiful in its time...
I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere Him.
Ecclesiastes 3:11a, 14 NIV 1984

Be blessed,
Aimee

Note:
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica. Use of either trademark requires the permission of Biblica.

Autumn Morning: pt 1

One morning, last month, I woke up in a place not my own.

A place of angels and bamboo.

A place of warmth.

~

But I wasn't alone.

Someone else was there

and they

were watching me.

And I don't think she liked my camera.

Or could it be she is more an afternoon person, like me.

Good morning kitty; good morning to you too:)

Blessings, Aimee

~

Photos: at my sibling's.

Finding Balance: Update Healthwise, Home

I am LOVING Momzoo's weekly schedule (having a specific focus in the home each day). Even though I have had to modify it slightly to fit my schedule and to play 'catch up' with household chores, I am getting more done and I am happier and feeling more balance in this area!

Regarding finding balance healthwise-I am eating less, trying to stop when I am full. Since I cannot use my treadmill here yet (that room is being used for storage right now), and since I do not want to go to a fitness center or walk along our road, I plan on using my sibling's recumbent bike and strength training equipment when I stay at their home twice weekly to watch dad while they are out of town. I did use it for about 10 minutes while over there earlier this week, but need to adjust it to my height:)

Progress on my other goals:

1. Ascertain the last date of labwork, bone scan, physical; take online health assessment (all regular screening done, 2004 + 2005; health assessment done).

2. Increase my steps to a minimum of 2,500 a day (see I told you my steps/day were BAD). If I remember correctly 2,000 steps=1 mile, but I will check on that. I'd like to see it at 5,000 steps but I can always work up to that and I don't want to set myself up for failure...baby steps, baby steps:) Research online programs for both weight loss and fitness through our health insurance (have not been tracking my steps since posting but will start that again soon. Have been researching online programs).

3. Increase the amount of vegetables and fruit I eat. Decrease the amount of sugar I am eating. Possibly eat more frequent, smaller meals as I have a problem with hypoglycemia and tend to go for the high carb foods when I feel hypoglycemic. Watch portion size (not much change in amount of veggies and fruit yet but have cut down on refined sugar and portion size. Need to increase consumption of water--as always).

4. Resist the urge to procrastinate. Be consistent! (trying).

Be blessed, Aimee

Photo: Oh does this room look different now---it will definitely be a major project for me to turn it into a craft/fitness room. Baby steps, baby steps...

Finding Balance: Healthwise

The other day I signed up to access my medical record online.

Imagine my shock when I found out that it had been decades since I had tests that are considered vital for women's health.

Now because I have my health concerns addressed through two different health systems

(one private pay, one through our health insurance), I am not sure that this information is 100% accurate--but still I believe that it has been way too long since I have had a physical. No, I KNOW it has been.

I would have to confess, that with everything going on around me that in spite of my DH's not too subtle urging for me to go to the doctor, I have been putting this part of living in balance at the bottom of my priority list; it is time for this to change...

Another step in finding balance for me will have to be in the area of weight loss.
By the usual standards I am not a lot overweight (or maybe I am)--about 20 pounds or so--but my knees, feet and back are feeling the extra strain.
I know what to do about it--I know what it takes to lose these pounds. I know it will be a matter of choosing long term goals and gratification (better health, more energy) over instant gratification (sugar, high calorie foods). I know these things--so how much longer will I put it off? 6 months? 1 year? Things will only get worse; the time is now. And -- for me it is a matter of stewardship and obedience to God also.

Another area which must be addressed is fitness. Awhile back Patty, http://www.morningramble.blogspot.com/ addressed the use of a pedometer and how few are steps are daily as compared to those who work the land without the help of modern technology (the Amish). My sibling had an extra pedometer so I tried it out and was shocked, shocked, shocked at how few steps I take in a day...MUCH less than I did when we were tracking our steps through a program at work.
This got me to thinking---my sedentary lifestyle is only going to get worse if I don't take active steps to change NOW.
Relaxation is important, but we were made to be active--and if I want to keep healthy enough to travel to such beautiful places as these, I need to not put this aspect of living a healthy, balanced life off any longer.

So what will my next steps in this area be (let's say for the next week).
1. Ascertain the last date of labwork, bone scan, physical; take online health assessment.
2. Increase my steps to a minimum of 2,500 a day (see I told you my steps/day were BAD). If I remember correctly 2,000 steps=1 mile, but I will check on that. I'd like to see it at 5,000 steps but I can always work up to that and I don't want to set myself up for failure...baby steps, baby steps:) Research online programs for both weight loss and fitness through our health insurance.
3. Increase the amount of vegetables and fruit I eat. Decrease the amount of sugar I am eating.
Possibly eat more frequent, smaller meals as I have a problem with hypoglycemia and tend to go for the high carb foods when I feel hypoglycemic. Watch portion size.
4. Resist the urge to procrastinate. Be consistent!

Any suggestions?
What works for you?
Have you blogged about matters of fitness and health?
Feel free to leave a link to your blog if you'd like.
Be blessed,
Aimee

Word on Wednesday:
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

Zechariah 4:6 KJV

This is the verse that came to mind recently as I was praying about a matter that was troubling me greatly. I tend to try to do things in my strength, especially in areas I feel strongly about.

I think God is letting me know that I need to realize it is not by my might or human power that this matter will be taken care of, but by His. I pray that I can 'rest' in this WORD and rely on Him.

Photos: Lee Wooden Park near Jewell, Nestucca River area (near Beaver).

Finding Balance: At Home

For awhile now, I have had the growing sense of being out of balance--

as if I had wondered off the path I should be on.

When I was working, outside the home, my day had more of a pattern, more of a rhythm to it.

I had a huge amount of responsibility and I knew,

almost unconsciously what had to be done,

how it had to be done

and when it had to be done.

I worked 4 days a week and had 3 off;

it was a great work schedule.

And I was grateful to my employers for allowing me to have it.

But I missed being home--

so finally, after much prayer and my DH's agreement,

I left my job.

It was the right decision and I don't regret it!

I LOVE being home--

I love being free to talk and text with family and friends

when there is a need or just a desire to.

But, on the other hand,

I also left behind my innate sense of discipline as regards to work,

and that has left me increasingly stressed and unhappy.

I hope that makes sense.

Despite the many challenges I have in my life right now,

I just cannot put it off any longer---
I need to regain a more disciplined life again--

at home, because that is my work now.

Yes, I can and will still have freedom to stop and chat,

photograph a pretty scene, travel, smell the roses, etc;

but I think, no I know,

I will appreciate these things even more if I develop more discipline at home.

And this is where fellow blogger, Momzoo (Aimee) comes in.

I have been following her for quite awhile now and have found,

over these years that

I appreciate her honesty and kindness,

the genuine love she has for her family and country,

her down to earth manner

and her willingness to share her God-given gifts of cooking

and other homemaking skills with others...

Recently she posted her weekly schedule

and it fit SO well with my life and was SO simple,

that I knew this was the answer I was seeking...

and I began to have some hope again in regards to taming my beast (this house).

So...I have begun to follow her schedule,

albeit with a few modifications

due to the challenges I am dealing with right now

(staying twice weekly at my sib's home,

when they are out of town,

to watch my elderly father;

dealing with our house issues;

some fear/anxiety over certain circumstances in my life right now;

playing catch up).

I hope that soon I will be living a more balanced and

a more disciplined life

at least as far as work is concerned:)

Next task: Finding balance health wise.

Blessings, Aimee

Note: I know I've already thanked you Aimee (momzoo) on your blog

but I truly am grateful for your transparency and honesty and want to do it again here :)

Photo: peaceful sunset at Neskowin.

Autumn Leaves

The trees

obey the call of the Creator to put on their autumn display.

And I

respond in grateful admiration.

Thank you God for the beautiful season of autumn.

Blessings, Aimee

Peace + Forgiveness

Yesterday did not start peacefully;

it started with angry words and untrue accusations.

It started with pain--the kind that only humans inflict on each other.

But then came peace--a walk alone in a forest.

A drive on a quiet rural road.

The blessing of God's creation.

Time by the sea.

Crossings over peaceful rivers on their way to the sea.

The relaxing sound of the surf.

Today I battle my heart to be able to forgive the offender.

To obey the Word of my Creator and not stir up the pain and anger I feel

into the flame of resentment;

the firestorm known as bitterness--

a firestorm not easily quenched.

It is not an easy fight,

for everything within me shouts out against the unfairness of it all,

as tears threaten to break to the surface.

But yet I know so well --

peace cannot be mine again unless I can find the grace to forgive as I have been forgiven.

Blessings + Peace, Aimee

"...Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. "
Matthew 18:21b-22

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors...But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Matthew 6:12, 15

"Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness."

Col 3:12-14 ASV

~

Photos: Upper Nehalem Valley, Cannon Beach, Nehalem River, Rockaway Beach, Tillamook area

Almost + Just Because

It's almost

time to pick our lingonberries

and our blueberry leaves are a gorgeous red!

My cut artichoke flowers are still gorgeous

and I love to look at them in the autumn light.

~

Sorry I know this is a repeat

but I just LOVE the red of our blueberry leaves this year...

actually I LOVE their color every year!

And this is one of the pears which is now sitting in a glass baking dish waiting for me to

decide if it should become pear sauce, along with the Asian pears

or if my son, a gourmet cook, has a better idea:)

I wonder if he has any exciting ideas on how to use our lingonberries...

Do you?

Temporarily unable to work on my task of the day due to our 'lovely' weather,

Aimee

Note: the lingonberries pictured above are of the Balsgard variety.

Not sure what type of pear this is...possibly a Comice pear.

I am hoping I didn't wait too long to pick it...

Lazy Days of Summer; BUSY days of Fall???

Seems like every pretty well every autumn is the start of my DH's remodeling/building season and so it is this year...fortunately the current project is not stressing me out quite as much as some of our past projects have been known to and come winter I will be very, very happy with it!

Besides the DH project, which in a way is my project too, I am currently harvesting apples, pears and Asian pears (this whole growing season has been very, very strange) -- my neighbor used some of our Asian pears to make a chunky fruit sauce out of and so I am very excited to try her recipe out. Most likely with everything going on it will be done in the crockpot. Additionally the lingonberries will soon be ripe--they will go into the freezer until I decide what to do with them (LOVE lingonberries)!

Time to get working.

Blessings,

Aimee

Photo: a Columbia River Gorge waterfall. Probably the most viewed of all my posted photos--given that it was taken from a moving car, I am glad people seem to like it:)

I will try to have some photos later this week of our garden's bounty and possibly more trip photos--just too busy to do it now.

Journey in the Land of Vineyards: Kiwi

Two years ago, a friend and I made a trip to the land of vineyards to see a real kiwi farm--

it was there I saw, for the first time, how kiwi are grown (the farm has several types) and it was there I had my first baby kiwi!!

Now, I am sure most of you are very familiar with fuzzy kiwi--

the kind you find in supermarkets.

They are delicious, of course

and we grow them at our home...

but baby kiwi are a bit different.

They are small, pop in your mouth, no need to peel

totally delicious fruit-

and once I had tasted them,

I knew I would have to return to get more.

So as part of our visit the other day, we stopped by HB & K Farms,

located in the Dundee Hills.

and picked some of the baby kiwi to take home.

After not too long our two buckets were full--

enough for both of us to share with some other family members!

These are mostly not ripe yet-

but in just a few days of sitting at room temperature on my counter they will be.

Besides our wonderful 'catch of the day' (the kiwi),

we had a great time chatting with the owner and two young people from the Portland area.

And now I am dreaming of all the things I can do with my baby kiwi...

if I have any left over that is:)

Be blessed, Aimee

Photos: taken at HB & K Farms located in Dundee, Oregon (SW of Portland) at 10794 Worden Hill Rd. There are signs in Dundee giving directions. Sorry I forgot to get the phone number...knew I should have picked up a business card:)

A BIG thank you to HB & K Farms for allowing me to take and post photos here! For those who are interested and live within driving distance of the farm, they expect to have baby kiwi available until the first freeze--early to mid November. I am going to try to make it back myself for another 'catch'!

Note: oh how I giggle when I reread my less than perfect grammar and oh how I wonder just what I was doing at the time I was writing:) :) :)