The WORD on Wednesday: Advent Thoughts

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Not long ago, I was wondering how I could celebrate

Christmas this year, so soon after my mom had died?

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How could I feel joy in the midst of such a great loss?

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And then it dawned on me...

it is exactly because of this day and this season,

when we remember the birth of Jesus,

that I could celebrate!

You see, I know for sure, that long, long ago

mom accepted this Baby,

God's only begotten Son,

Jesus,

as her personal Savior.

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So, yes, I will feel sadness this season,

because I loved my mom and really, really miss her.

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But I will also feel joy this season,

when I hear earthly choirs sing and see Christmas lights,

because I know with all certainty

that mom is now hearing angelic choirs

and that she is surrounded - forever - by the light of her Lord in heaven.

~ -

And someday, I also know, in God's timing, there will be a family reunion up there-

in a place of perfect love, joy and peace!

~ ~ ~

Lord, I ask that You will be with all who are hurting today

-from loss of friend and family,

-from loss of job and home,

-from loss of health,

and from other losses.

Please comfort them and help them to know just how much You love them.

Bless them especially this Advent and Christmas season and draw them into a closer walk with You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

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Advent Blessings, Aimee

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Note: Bible verse above is John 3:16 KJV

Photo: snow near the upper pond, 2009 or early 2010.

Advent Note: this year I've been following Britt-Arnhild's Advent posts.

You can find a link to her main blog on the right side of this blog.

Very Strange ...

I am not sure what to think but this blog has been getting some very strange hits--a lot of them directed to posts I would not expect to get any hits on. However, I am not getting any spam comments or unusual e-mails. I need to check into this so if you see the blog disappear for a bit, it is temporary!
Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving if you don't hear from me for awhile!
God bless you,
Aimee

Of Ancient Rocks, Coastal Mountains & River Valleys: Part 1

SIGH--SIGH--SIGH

Today-

does NOT look like this!

Nope!

In fact, it's rainy and COLD-

cold enough to turn the heat on for the first time this autumn.

And,

wet and cold enough that I decided any travels today

would consist of browsing through

this autumn's trip photos from the warmth of our home!
(In the PNW you learn to be very flexible with your travel plans--

besides a wet camera and a cold, wet Aimee sounded horrible to me).

So,

I am pretending it is warm and sunny in the PNW

and I'm on the road again.

Want to come with me?

~

Part I: Of Ancient Rocks.

Have you ever passed a sign that captured your interest?

That spoke of times long ago?

Of times when the world was really, really cold they say?

Well I had--

in fact, I had passed the sign to the Glacial Rock several times before while in that area..finally I decided it was time to wonder no more what laid beyond that sign;

It was time to stop and explore!

The trailhead isn't as far as I thought it would be from the main road that goes through the area...when you get there you'll park in a little pull out area across from the trail.

The sign says short trail...and actually it is; only 1/4 mile.

But it isn't a flat, level path-nope!

Well at first it is...

And then the path starts to climb, and after it makes a turn

it gets much steeper!

well at least--for out of shape me--it did!

(My friend thought my moans, groans and strange walking quite funny BTW-

but since she is a really great friend, it is OK. Besides it was funny!)

Finally when you are winded and your legs are telling you -

EXERCISE silly woman

you are there!

And this is what you see!
A 90 ton glacial or 'erratic' rock--moved here by floodwaters, they say,that traveled at 60 mph and carried icebergs that had boulders like this encased in them!

As you can see it is pretty large--this is a photo of my friend next to it

(well at least part of my friend)

Oh yea--

there IS a reason we BOTH took off our shoes and made the trip down

in our stocking feet. It was a LOT easier to walk that way.

Here is a view from the rock itself of the valley with some farms below

and mountains beyond.

Hillside vineyards and trees.

More mountains and valley views.

And last but not least...

a very interesting tree---

I'm so glad we finally stopped here!

Blessings, Aimee

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Photos: Oregon's Erratic Rock State Natural Site as photographed in autumn 2010.

Note: the road signs on the highway say Glacial Rock and are not very large. For more information you can google 'erratic rock' or Oregon State Park

(make sure it is the official site).

Flowers For My Mother

We walk through the field of flowers late one afternoon-
I with my camera; a friend with her clippers.

My friend pauses to check each bloom for quality, cuts them and then places them with others already chosen. Soon these sunny blooms will be arranged artistically with flowers of many colors and types; beautiful flowers for my mother--beautiful flowers she will never hold.

I take in the beauty of the scene before me--trees, mountains and the light on lemon colored petals. A gentle shower of rain begins to fall upon the parched earth as my friend finishes her task and pays for the flowers.

And as we drive away, I know that though my soul feels both numbness and pain now, it also feels nourished by the golden gift God has blessed me with today - a gift of love for His hurting daughter.

Blessings, Aimee

~

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die…

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…”

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2a, 4 KJV

~

Note: this post was originally posted on another blog that I created for my mother. I have decided also to share it here. My prayer is that God will especially bless and comfort those of you are currently experiencing loss in their lives.

Coastal Wanderings: The Conquering of a Viewpoint

Yea, five miners rescued from the mine now!
Can you imagine going from darkness to light?

From being trapped to freedom?

It seems miraculous!

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Now back to the coast...

Near this area--Neskowin
there is a viewpoint.
Now viewpoints (at least in my mind) equal cliffs...
and at the coast,
usually high, sheer cliffs over water.
So the first time we passed here
I suggested rather urgently that we NOT stop!
I really did.
But the second time...
I decided it was time to try...

We approached the viewpoint''s exit really, really slowly.
And parked where the trailers and trucks do--
near this hedge and not in the area closest to--

this wall-
this nice, solid looking, rock wall
behind which you can see only sky.
EEK!
Then
I
stepped up on the sidewalk
and saw this

this

this

and more views of the ocean and hillsides
(but the light was horrific for pictures so I won't post anymore here).
Pretty scary, huh?
Yea, I agree--not at all!
SOMETIMES,
in fact quite often,
fear of something
stops you from enjoying life as God meant it to be enjoyed!
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Sometimes,
as in this case,
fear is simply:
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
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What fears has God helped you overcome?
Blessings,
Aimee
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Not sure who came up with the above acronym for FEAR but it really is a good one:)

Coastal Wanderings: Garibaldi

I'm just a LITTLE (actually a WHOLE LOT) excited right now due to the safe rescue of two three of the Chilean miners, so I hope that my posts this evening make sense:) Oh well--please indulge me as I rejoice, cry and get thoroughly happy over tonight's good news (and continue to pray for the men still trapped deep in our earth).

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And now back to some coast views from one of my favorite towns

(but one I had not been to for a long, long time)--

Garibaldi!

This photo shows the things I love most about this town.

Can you guess what they are?

Another view of the waterfront area.

I so LOVE this bay!

A pier.

Nice lighting this day--I like some clouds,

it must be the Pacific Northwesterner in me:)

You might not know it but there is an area not too far away from here that is considered a ghost town...it was a town built on land between the bay and the ocean.

Any guesses as to the town's name?

Lucky, local residents.

I envy them a bit.

Another local resident-

another bay view.

And another-

I was probably playing with the settings of the camera at this point--

but

even before I had a DSLR I took many photos of seagulls because I've always liked them!

Old smokestack--

I believe there was a mill here at one time.

Did I say I LOVE this area?

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Blessings going out from my home to yours,

Aimee

The Word on Wednesday

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men: Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24 KJV

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I wonder what I would accomplish if I did everything, everyday "as to the Lord"?

I wonder what would happen if I did all my tasks "heartily" (sincerely and enthusiastically, good naturedly, completely)?

Just wondering...

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Blessings,

Aimee

Early Autumn in a Pacific Northwest Garden

Before I continue with more coast pictures--

I feel compelled to post some photos taken in our garden.

Dogwood-these remind me a bit of rose hips,

but I don't know what they are.

Anyone know?

A miniature rhododendron that has started to bloom again--

I am quite happy with that:)

Not quite ripe concord grapes being picked by my DH--
YUM! I LOVE Concord grapes--Niagara grapes too!

A fuzzy kiwi.

Apparently our kiwi thrives on neglect--

we seem to have quite a few this year.

I really, really hope they get ripe in time.

I LOVE kiwi!

What can I say?

The PNW had spring in winter,

(really!)

winter in spring and

a really short summer!

I just hope we get some more ripe ones before early autumn ends

and the freezes begin!

Lavender still blooming--

I believe this is the culinary type.

And lemon balm...

what can I say about lemon balm??

IT SPREADS..

I am SO not kidding!

It has spread out of the pot it was planted in,

spread to the ground nearby,

spread to the barrels behind it.

It obviously LOVES our garden and

since it is pretty and smells wonderful

I don't really mind at all!

Cosmos.

LOVE it!

Would not consider a summer--early autumn without planting some of it:)

One of my miniature roses--

I believe this is Sweet Shirley.

I think it is really pretty!

And last, but not least,

autumn colored Japanese maple leaves.

Only one area on the tree-

and I don't remember them being this orange last year...

BUT I LOVE it:)

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We also have quite a few lingonberries (some have a lot of red on them),

evergreen huckleberries (if the birds haven't eaten them yet),

very dehydrated blueberries (sigh),

one sorry looking Swiss chard plant,

apples,

prunes

and a few yellow raspberries!

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Blessings from the PNW,

Aimee

Coastal Wanderings: Fish & Seafood

After some time in Garibaldi-Tillamook,
we raced southward to the Siletz Bay area (Taft) to find this beautiful view
at the beach there...loved, loved, loved it!

And we also found this view of a school of fish there--

well at least a sculpture of a school of fish!

BTW--I LOVE good public art and am always taking photos of it--

I have several photos of this one,

but I particularly like this picture because of the gorgeous colors behind it:)

And then our evening destination

(well at least for eating that evening)--

Mo's!

Now, anyone familiar with Oregon's northern or central coast,

has most likely heard of and been to-a Mo's

(they have several different locations)

I think this was my first evening visit to this one.

We got a table right by the window facing the bay and underneath these pretty lights!

They are pretty popular and had a good amount of people for a weeknight,

but we didn't have to wait more then a few minutes to get seated.

Mo's is famous for their clam chowder--

you can even buy it frozen at some grocery stores around the PNW.

it is creamy and delicious;

my two guests enjoyed it very much!!

Alas, I am lactose intolerant now and can no longer have it...

so I had a scrumptious salad with shrimp at the same time--
have I said how much I LOVE fresh NW seafood??

Truly I do, and I eat fish and seafood often--

my favs being salmon, shrimp, halibut, cod and crab:)

YUM!

YUM!

And this was my main course--

or at least what was left of it when I decided I should take a photo of it.

It was a good meal---

and thinking about it makes me want to raid our refrigerator and see what I can find there

so...

blessings,

Aimee

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If you are on the Oregon coast and hungry,

or just interested in learning more about the history of Mo's, please see their website here

(they also have a section with some of their recipes)

As per usual---I am in no way assocciated with Mo's in any way--

just a happy customer passing on info to those who might be interested and in their area.

A big thank you to the staff at Mo's for giving me permission to post photos taken there on this blog!

The Word on Wednesday

Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart,
that the LORD He is God in heaven above,
and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Deuteronomy 4:39 KJV
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Why do I sometimes fall into the trap of trusting things or people (things seen) more then the unseen but all-knowing, all-powerful, loving Maker of heaven and earth? These things may be very good things--but when I trust in them more than in God, I have missed the point about faith.

Happy Wednesday!
Blessings,
AImee

Coastal Wanderings: Scones, Lattes & More

As you probably know by now,

I LOVE farmers, farm stands and farm markets!

And so it was with GREAT delight that we found a new-to-me place to stop on the coast---

Bear Creek Artichokes!!

And here are my top ten reasons for placing this market on my list of places I want to return to!

1) The location--

incredible scenery close at hand and

located next to Highway 101

2) The variety of things for sale--

I didn't even see everything till I was home going through the photos I had taken!

3) The beautiful fruit--
here are several varieties of apples, Seckel pears and Asian pears.
So beautiful!
I honestly wish I could shop at places like this all the time
(we used to have one nearby--sigh--then lost it to 'progress')

4) Beautiful plants, birdbath, birdhouses, other nursery items--
even compost!

5) Need I say more??
Everyone in the PNW knows what walla walla onions are--
tomatoes and more!
Can you see the pretty countryside?

6) Grapes--specifically Niagara & Concord grapes!
These are my absolute, all time favorite--
every year I eagerly await my birthday because it means our grapes will be ripe and ready to eat. I need to confess, seeing these---I couldn't wait and we bought some.
They were all gone within a day or two and my DH doesn't eat them:)

7) I am in LOVE with these tables--
love, love, love them
(and those LOCAL green beans don't look bad either!)
I love stir fried green beans and tofu--
yum!

8) And more fresh veggies--
I could make a dinner just from these:)

9) Freshly baked, just out of the oven, warm and incredibly delicious peach scones!
Needless to say these were devoured within minutes--
They also have good lattes and such, according to my coffee loving trip companions!
And ...
10) the LOCAL-to-that area owners were totally awesome!!
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Happy Travels & Blessings Always,
Aimee

Note: TY to the kind owners of Bear Creek Artichokes for giving me permission to post the photos I took there here on AOTM; if you would like to know more about them see their website here. As per the usual--I am in no way associated with them, but thought it a fun place to stop on the northern coast!

Contact Info:
503-398-5411

Located just about 11 miles south of Tillamook.

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Note to Visitors:

First of all, I want to take a moment to say hi to all blog visitors!

It absolutely amazes me to see that people from the different states, Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa have stopped by here! I am humbled by that.

Know that you're welcome-whether you are a one time visitor or a more regular one and

TY for stopping by!

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Secondly, I'm seriously thinking about taking a short blogging break (about 1/2 week) to take care of some things. Will continue, upon my return, with some more photos of the Tillamook-Garibaldi area, our fun trip to Mo's--a well known restaurant on the Oregon coast--and ???

See ya then!

God bless,

Aimee