Return to the Mountainside

Today the song of that mountainside again beckoned me.

It sang to me of waterfalls and rushing water.

It sang to me of that yet undiscovered site that had

beckoned me for months now to come, see and hear what I had only just seen in photos

and read about.

So after another fruitless search for that quilt,

a trip to pick up special food for Epiphany tomorrow

and a trip to a little bit of Scandinavia,

we headed up...

And I stood, in the same spot as in June

and drank in the beauty of the waterfall

as I listened to its strong, exhilarating, refreshing melody.

Its melody, spoke to me of Pacific storms,

the forests of the Coast Range

and of love.

It reminded me of the music of Grieg

and

Sissel's clear soprano voice.

I stood and listened as the music of the water

surrounded me

and filled my heart with joy.

But our journey was not yet over--

for there were many voices in that area...

more waterfalls and cascades,

the song of the peaceful, strong mountain and foothills...

the song of the moss--wet in the winter afternoon.

And,

the song I had most wanted to hear...

the song of my long lost, now found historical site!

Though man made,

it had a song to sing too...

and its song brought me much joy--

for it meant the fulfilling end of one quest

but not the end of my journey of water,

forest,

mountain

and song.

Tomorrow I will hear the song of Epiphany calling me...

it will not call me back to the mountains,

nor by the rushing waters--

instead it will call me to bring gifts to the Christ as those Wise Men

from the East did so many years ago.

I will not bring Him gold, frankincense or myrrh--

for He is the King of all creation and does not need them.

I will instead bring Him my heart

and ask Him to fill it with His song

as He filled my soul today with the music of His creation.

~

Blessings on this eve of Epiphany,

Aimee

~

Photos: coast range and foothills of Oregon, including historical dam.

To see other photos of this area taken this last June, see my posts here and here.

Of Quilts, Comforters + Puppy Pawprints

Oh the joy and the pain of shopping for the house--

in this case the Master Bedroom,

better known as Dog-ville, USA.

So many things to consider...

long white fur,

long white fur,

long white fur all over everything.

And yet, I must also consider...

dirty, muddy puppy pawprints

and how that would look against a beautiful white comforter

that would hide all that lovely, long white fur.

It would not be a pretty picture, I am sure.

And black bedding that would hide all those dirty, muddy puppy pawprints,

would show all that lovely white fur--

I know that from our previous experience with a burgundy comforter.

It is days like this when I wish I knew how to make a quilt...a nice multicolor quilt.

Light enough to wash at home, multicolored to hide dirty puppy pawprints

and not show all that white fur too much.

~

I think I've seen at least 100+ bedding combos by now,

between online viewing and store browsing.

Out of those, I like a handful:(

~

Too bad it's more than 1/2 year before the quilt shows start again.

I KNOW I'd find one---or more---there;

in reviewing my photos, I've already found several.

But alas it is not to be...

and I am back to shopping.

Wish me luck -- I will need it.

Blessings,

Aimee

Photos: from the St Mary's Quilt Show, Vernonia, OR

Scenes of the Season: pt 2

The season of Christmas continues...

Thanks to a sweet visitor, I will finally get to eat roasted chestnuts--

although they will be roasted in our oven and not over an open fire.

DDD (darling daughter dog) has done her best to keep Farmer Boy warm this week;

she was very excited that her 'Papa' got almost 2 weeks off:)

Outside the cold weather has taken its effect on the gunnera;

come spring it should be fine and able to resume its 'job' as petal and leaf catcher again.

Lots of seasonal colors outside here--

red leaves on our nandina,

rose pink on our camellia sasanqua (not shown)

and

all of our pieris are adorned in their winter finery too.

~

Outside our garden, winter is evident

as we journey on the many rural, suburban and urban roads

we find, not snow, but beautiful fog on the mountainsides

(of course, the higher mountains are clothed in glistening white snow).

All of the cold, darkness, fog and rain seem to invite extra naps--

or maybe it is all the leftover Christmas candy?

Speaking of sleep...

I think it is time for me to get some.

Night, night.

Blessings,

Aimee

Scenes of the Season

Advent has ended,

the season of waiting is over

and yet the celebration of Christmas has not ended.

Christmas carols continue here in the 12 Days of Christmas--

traditional melodies mixing with contemporary ones.

Simple decorations continue to be added;

memories of times gone by--

they bring a smile to my face.

New memories being made-

time with family,

awesome weather,

wreaths and garland,

special gifts

and

the smorgasbord that was missing the most important, quite essential food--

herring--

forgotten or lost somewhere in my rush to get everything else :)

The memory of a scrumptious, tender roast beef on Christmas Day

and

of course

sweets for the Farmer Boy

and I.

New this year--pizzelle (bought not made),

which reminded me, in ways, of krumkake.

Similar crisp texture,

also with a beautiful design,

equally fabulous taste.

The season has brought some journeys too-

this one up in the hills was on a beautiful foggy day

And lastly this season has been one of light,

and for that I am grateful.

~

How has your Christmas been?

Blessings,

Aimee

Christmas Blessings

The hours are passing moving us ever closer to Christmas.

Seasonal carols and songs are being sung by the St Olav choir--

an annual program on the local PBS channel.

Outside a chill has settled on the land;

inside my mom's rose throw and the heat ward off the cold.

Our refrigerator, cabinets and countertops are filled with food that will soon become part of a Christmas Eve smorgasbord and

then a Christmas day roast dinner, complete with yummy savory yorkshire pudding!

Of course, seasonal treats will be served too--

some for the first time.

Gifts still to be given--my heart is already filled with delight at two received today:

an unexpected extra day off for my hard-working Farmer Boy

and

a card bringing news that a family in need will be receiving livestock given in our honor!!

~
I am so totally touched and incredibly blessed by the thoughtfulness of the gift givers--

words don't seem adequate!

I've already asked God to bless both these animals

and the family that will ultimately receive them;

I know God will bless the precious gift givers too!

And now, I bid you a blessed eve from the Pacific NW.

I pray that you will be filled with the joy and peace of God.

Aimee

Life

I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 KJV

Holidays can be a mixture of good and bad; stressful and peaceful experiences;
family time and memories of times past;
feelings of loss mixed with those of joy.
And so this Advent has been.
But through tears of loss and pain, through times of joy, stress, love, frustration;
I am thankful that Christ came to earth so that I might have life--
and I am reminded, yet again, to keep my eyes--my focus--on Him.

Advent Blessings, Aimee

Photo: from times past; too busy to upload more photos:)

An Advent Journey

I have been on a journey this Advent.

Sometimes I have chosen the right path--
the one that led me upwards and closer to the Light.

But sometimes I have taken my focus off that goal and become lost.
~~~
Recently though,

I found my way back.

I found the way after I realized that I had, again,
been drawn away, by the allure of man-made things--
beautiful things, yes,
but things that ultimately failed to truly satisfy this deep thirsting of my soul and also

things that were quickly becoming obstacles in my Advent journey.

Now, I have learned that the beauty I was seeking this Season
is to be found only in Him and

that if I trust Him and keep my eyes on the reason for the Season,
that He will lead me
by His never-ending grace and mercy.

That He will show me more of the Living Water, if I take time to let Him,

and that when this Season of Advent is over,
I will find that my thirst has been quenched and my spirit blessed.

May you find blessings this Advent also.

Aimee
~
Note: Photos #4 + 5 were taken at the site of a man-made dam that failed decades ago.

December Roses

Jewel colored leaves still on many trees,

late autumn harvests,

days and days of dry weather

and now I present,

for your viewing pleasure and mine..

roses from our garden earlier this week!

You gotta LOVE Advent roses:)

Blessings,

Aimee

A Sunday Drive with DDD

It was time for another drive with dear daughter dog-

after all her older brother is always going bye bye without her.

It all started out well--

excited daughter dog;

avid and equally excited photographer and dog loving mom.

Up-up-up winding, twisty, narrow mountain roads.

Past forests, past scenic viewpoints...

more winding road.

Note to self: DDD doesn't do winding roads;

DDD definitely doesn't do winding, twisty mountain roads.

Poor baby daughter dog--

getting carsick twice is no fun at all

and a doggie cookie will definitely NOT make it better:(

Aimee

December Leaves

Not sure what to think anymore.

Sunny skies day after day are NOT part of late autumn in the PNW

(at least west of the Cascades that is).

And leaves?

Leaves still on some trees?

I don't think so--but this year they are.

All I can say is beautiful...

and amazing!

I wonder what winter will bring;

I wonder if we will have a normal NW winter.

I guess we'll soon find out--

don't let my neighbors know,

but I am hoping for snow.

Advent Blessings, Aimee

Photos: taken this weekend.

Fragrances of the Season

As I surround myself with a little bit of Advent and Christmas everyday (both outwardly and inwardly) my mind turns to seasonal foods and of course two of my favorites--fattigman and Finnish pinwheels.
Awhile back I bought the equipment I needed to make fattigman and some other Nordic treats; this year I hope to be able to put them to use---even though I LOVE any excuse to go to Astoria--home of my fav bakery--I really can't go there everyday (or can I)?

What treats will you be baking this year? Do you have a family tradition of baking during this time of the year (or would you like to start one)? The thought of filling my home with the smells of cardamom, nutmeg and other spices makes me smile and makes me hungry too!

Advent Blessings from my home to yours,
Aimee

Photo: photo taken earlier this year after one of those trips to Astoria. Shown: one Finnish pinwheel (yummy prune filling) and several fattigmann. China tea things and lace 'tabletopper' (which is now being used as a valance in our kitchen) are from my mom's collection. Since her death I have tried to surround myself with special items that remind me of her.

Step by Step

Step by step, little by little. day by day our home is changing--
taking on the elements of the season of Light.
Step by step, little by little, day by day I pray my heart is changing too--
becoming more like Christ--the Reason for the season;
that would be the best gift I could give to my friends and family this year.

Advent Blessings,
Aimee

Note: this almost finished wreath contains three things I LOVE: the colors light blue and white,
reindeer and snowflakes. What are your favorite colors to use at Christmas? What elements do you like to use in your home at Christmas time?