Time stopped for us - literally - on Saturday morning, October 18th. Dan and I were taking our usual Saturday morning walk together. It was a frosty morning, about 22 degrees. We passed a neighbor whom we often see when we walk, and greeted him with a "Good Morning". Just minutes later, Dan said the frosty air was hurting his lungs and that he couldn't walk any farther. He has mentioned this before when walking, and we didn't think this was odd. But, we turned around to go home when he said he was experiencing some gas pains, and wanted to wait for me to go home and get the pickup, and bring him home. After arriving home, he continued to complain of gas pains and wanted to go to bed. I noted he was clammy and very sweaty, and realized this could be a heart attack. I immediately called 911 and told them I was concerned he was having a heart attack. I gave him 3 aspirin with a tiny bit of water while we waited for EMS to arrive. Dan was still conscious and speaking, and the aspirin eased his pain. EMS arrived and determined he was in serious heart distress, and transported him emergently to the local heart hospital.
It was a very frosty, foggy Saturday morning when our lives changed forever
This year has been one of the loveliest Fall seasons! It is true, I probably say that every year - but this year has really been outstanding. We just got our first frost on Saturday, October 4, and a freeze on the 5th. Most of my garden survived the frost, but the freeze stopped everything in its tracks. I was able to leisurely pick my garden the week before in beautiful 70-80 degree temperatures - almost unheard of weather for this time of year! Now - it is the season of ripening tomatoes in cardboard boxes covered in newspaper, and canning at least 1-2x per week. The harvest season - for us here in North Idaho - lasts well into November.
Is there any flower more heartwarming than a sunflower's bloom in late summer/early fall? This sunflower bloomer was an optimist in my garden this summer. In spite of harsh circumstantial reality, it chose to sprout up inside a small pot planted with potatoes. In true symbiotic rhythm, the potato and sunflowers grew happily together all summer, amazing me, and all who witnessed it! When the potatoes were ready to harvest, we found the potatoes nestled into the roots of the sunflower. After pulling out the potatoes, I repotted the sunflower, and it has grown happily since, after a time of readjustment.
September is the season of harvest time, when foliage brightens the landscape even while clouds hover with cool winds and rain shimmers on the horizon. September's season is glorious, and one I look forward to after the heat of summer! This year has been exceptional. We still have not had a frost yet! My garden's bounty has been astounding, even as I put in a very simple garden this year. For the first time that I can ever remember, I have large tomatoes ripening on the vines, so quickly that I'm having to can either daily or every other day! Still - no frost, and they are happily continuing to grow. I planted tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, lettuce, spinach, and potatoes. All of them have done remarkable, in spite of being planted in grow pots instead of the ground. I have decided that above-ground beds are my next step in life - my body will thank me for not having to bend and weed so much. This year, the weeds were practically nonexistent in my vegetable beds, and it made such a difference for me!
My garden in late September
Sunflowers smile amidst the abundant sunshine we are having!
A peek at my garden from the entrance
For my birthday this year, I asked for more raised beds, and hubby was glad to pick them up for me. I will have four more raised beds to grow food in next year. I can't wait!
The blooms of summer are still amazing to see! Usually, by mid to late September, we've already had a frost/freeze. I am grateful beyond words for this extended summer weather!
This massive tomato is a heirloom Beef Steak variety that I grow from seeds I save from last year's crop. They are so juicy and full of flavor!
Some wonderful friends treated me to a birthday lunch this past week, and afterward we enjoyed a walk around the park where the restaurant was located. This is a beautiful waterfall, man-made, but still lovely to enjoy!
This is a man-made pond in the heart of Coeur d'Alene, and it has restaurants and condos along its edge. It is a beautiful area to enjoy!
The food was spectacular, too. I ordered the steak tacos with rice and beans. So yummy! Highly recommend the Terrazo Waterfront Cafe!
Alanna joined us on the birthday lunch, and isn't she looking adorable! She is 7 months along now!
Canning salsa almost daily now! I thank the Lord for this harvest. Even though I scaled back, the Lord has abundantly provided a harvest for this year that I was not expecting!
The Aurora or Northern Lights were out recently, but our cloud cover was too dense to really see them. However, I did capture this photo, which was still pretty special.
Fall mornings are a little foggy now as the cool earth awakens to the beckoning sunshine.
We've had a couple of fires in our woodstove now to take the chill off in the mornings. Smoky, our Big Boy, likes to snuggle with me as I drink my morning coffee.
Spending time with our little Princess! Danielle found a tote of clothes that I kept from when she was a baby. We had a fun day of trying some of them on Miss Danika. This is an outfit I made for Danielle, and it fits her baby now! Wow!
Danielle wore this dress a lot, too. They both loved the piano - I don't think the "apple falls far from the tree" in this case!
I can't remember if I shared this picture before, but it's so funny to me - Danika will use both her hands AND her feet when she is playing the piano...{smiles}
Well, I'm sure you can tell that I love my precious granddaughter, and come November, I'll have two sweet darlings to love on!
In this wild world we live in, I wonder what it will be like for them as they grow up. I have to give it to the Lord and trust that He will take care of them. I spend a lot of time in prayer, as I walk in the mornings, in my quiet time, and when I'm with my family - praying for the Hand of the Lord to be upon us in all we do.
In light of the ugly and horrific recent events, it lets me know that since the garden, evil has sought to destroy light and truth, but we know that in the end, no matter how the darkness may seem to grow, the light of Jesus will prevail.
Charlie Kirk was killed on my birthday. I also attended a funeral on my birthday of a dear friend who passed away unexpectedly. It honestly was a hard day for me, dealing with two deaths on my birthday. But it was a difficult day for all of us! I'm sure, like many of you, I've struggled with his loss, and I can't imagine how much both the Kirk and Robinson families are grieving today. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers reach out to them daily.
I've thought a lot about how quickly our lives pass with one breath here, and our next in eternity. What gives me hope and peace in spite of these circumstances is my hope in Jesus. One day, all of us will leave this earth to spend eternity somewhere. My peace comes from knowing that earthly things will pass away, but eternity with my Lord is a joy to look forward to. So, I live my days in peace - knowing that no matter what earthly circumstances are taking place, there is hope beyond the darkness of this world.
I hope you will listen to this short video - it is a beautiful instrumental chorus played by Cameron Cody featuring pictures I've taken in August around my home. God's peace is precious to me! Wonderful peace - if you don't have His peace in your hearts today, I invite you to reach out to me. I'd love to share more about how you can have PEACE in the midst of the sorrow, pain, grief, and despair in our world today. It's only in Jesus!
We recently held a baby shower for Alanna and Baby Clara. Oh, what fun we had together! Alanna chose the theme of the baby shower to be "A New Chapter is About to Begin". Each guest was asked to bring a book to help build Baby Clara's library. I loved the theme, and it was so fun to host!
Thank you to all who entered in the two book giveaways! It is a genuine blessing to support authors that I know have written books that will be a blessing to all who read.
So, without further ado, I would like to announce the winners!
Did you realize that August is the one month out of the year - for the United States at least - that has no national holiday? It has no special connotation associated with it, unlike other months. February is the month of Love, July is the month of Patriotism, October is the month of Pumpkins, November is the month of Thanksgiving, and December is the month of Christmas. Poor August! No special holiday for this month. Speaking for myself, I think August is a month of preparation.
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I am an avid hobby photographer living in North Idaho who shares her photography and inspirational writings on my blog
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