And from the September archives, Part 2

Just a handful more (okay, maybe two handfuls) of posts from the September archives.  I couldn't resist ...

From 2010, this Roasted Squash Medley is so delicious!  I plan on making this again very soon!

Photo from Taste of Home

I think I've shared this one before, but the Fall tea wallet, from 2011, is my own spin on someone else's design (link shared in post) and is such a fun project, I had to share again.  If you need a little gift for someone this fall, make one of these and fill it with fall-flavored teabags!

From 2013, a fun repurposing project was making my own padded mailers.  This was such an easy and enjoyable project.  Older kids could do it, too.

And from 2014, From the Hand of the Master Artist tells the story of a unique leaf I found. 

Saturday spiritual sustenance was a post from 2015 and might encourage you any day that you might have a longer amount of time available to spend with the Lord.

A wonderful weekend tells the story of 2015's ladies' retreat.  Retreats are always a highlight of my fall ... such a blessing!

 And that's it!  Hope you'll find a post you enjoy among this mix!

From the September archives, Part 1

Better late than never!  I'm finally taking time to highlight some posts from the Kitchen Table archives from past Septembers.  In no particular order, here goes ...

Apple Crisp Pizza, from 2015 (and probably other years as well) is one of those recipes I must make every fall.  I'm planning to make one tomorrow, in fact, for a get-together with friends.

Photo from Taste of Home

Could you please repeat the question?, from 2007, is a somewhat humorous account of a political "poll" I supposedly participated in.

Delightful graphic from Little Birdie Blessings

 2 Favorite Freezer Recipes  

This is a post from 2005 and shares two of my favorite recipes to stash in the freezer for the busy holiday season ahead. 

 A fun fall getaway
 is from 2008 and tells all about a wonderful getaway to the far north of our state.

 Praising God
 This is a wonderful thought for your quiet time.  From 2008.

Graphic from Baptist Bible Hour

 Little library tote
 

I posted about these little totes (made from dish towels!) in 2009.  Since then I've made many.  A fun little sewing project!

Fall flower lights

These lights were a project I did with my granddaughter in 2010, and most years I bring them out in the fall. 

Hope you find some recipes or ideas that are new to you!

I found loads of great ideas in September's archives, so watch for another installment tomorrow.

September 27 Hodgepodge

Gorgeous autumnal graphic from Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

Another Wednesday!  Truly, the weeks fly by so fast.  So it's time again for the Hodgepodge with Joyce and friends at From This Side of the Pond.  Head on over and get the questions, answer them on your own blog and then on back over to Joyce's to link up!  Now, for this week's questions ...

1. What pets did you have while growing up? Tell us a little something about them.

Just one, a dog, and she wasn't really my pet.   She was technically my brother's dog; if memory serves, a combination of husky, German shepherd, and wolf.  I was unable to find a picture of her here at my home, though I know there's one at my dad's.   We all loved her, but it was our dad she really bonded with, riding in the passenger side of his work truck and surveying the view with the air of a queen in a motorcade.

2. What is one thing you absolutely must accomplish today?

Soaking my husband's work clothes.  He's a logger and his work clothes become absolutely filthy. I pre-wash them in hot water, soap, and Simple Green on the heavy duty cycle.  Then I soak them for a couple of days, again starting with hot water and the same cleaners.  Then I spin that out and wash on the heavy duty cycle again.  They never get completely clean.  Too many oils and fluids get on them.

3. Where were you ten years ago? What were you doing there?

Not sure of the exact dates, but ten years ago this fall, I was in Florida!  We went by train to visit friends and ended up being surprised by our youngest daughter and her 1-year-old.  If you are interested, I blogged about it here: What I did on my vacation.

4. September 26th is National Dumpling Day. Did you celebrate? 
 
No, I had no idea there was a National Dumpling Day and may not have celebrated it had I known.

Apple dumpling, xiao long bao (steamed Chinese dumpling), chicken and dumplings, pirogi, matzoh balls, or gnocchi...which dumpling on this list would be your dumpling of choice? Have you ever made homemade dumplings of any kind?

Yes, I have put homemade dumplings on top of beef stew and chicken stew.   Not for a long time, though.  We do enjoy pierogies, but seldom have them.  From that list, I'm pretty sure an apple dumpling would be my favorite.

5. 'There are two kinds of adventurers: those who go truly hoping to find an adventure and those who go secretly hoping they don't.' William Trogdon

So which kind are you?

Hmmm.  Good question.   A little bit of both, I guess.  I don't mind adventures, but I'm not overly adventurous.  I like visiting new places but I usually prefer to know where I'm going.  And I never like to do anything too risky.

Balanced Rock, Castleford, Idaho

Dierkes Lake in Idaho (yes, that splash was made by someone jumping off that cliff.  Certainly not me.  But one of my people.)

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our weather this month has been downright odd.  Someone commented at church that it seems as if  August and September had switched places.  So true ... we needed a fire in the kitchen woodstove in late August, and now September is warm (make that hot) and humid.  95º yesterday!

So ends another Hodgepodge.  Happy Wednesday, everyone!

A blessed Fall to all!

 It's fall by the calendar, though really we don't have much of any seasonal color up here yet.  It's just beginning.  Our weather has been unusually warm, too.  Thus, the photos in this post are nearly all from previous autumns.  There are just a couple of individual leaves that I've found and scanned this month.

Road  near my dad's

At The Wilds of New England

On one of Mr. T's job sites

Shed at my dad's place

Bittersweet

Multicolored leaves against blue sky

 Now for the aforementioned leaves:

 The tiny red leaf was found in my driveway.  The very unusual brown leaf (which looks to me as if it has been decorated with watercolors) is one that I found near the path by my cabin at The Wilds of New England last Saturday.

Wishing each of you a truly blessed and productive autumn season.  That's what I'm praying for myself, too!

Paperless Post -- a review

Lovely image from The Graphics Fairy

Recently I was given the opportunity to try out Paperless Post, a company that offers the capability to create one's own unique online and paper stationery.  There are many attractive designs for cards, invitations, and much more that can be completely customized to reflect one's own personal style (or, in the case of cards, the personality of the recipient).  According to their About page, since 2009 Paperless Post users have sent out over 85 million cards for all occasions.

I was interested to try this out because I often send e-cards for birthdays and other occasions.  It's been getting more difficult to find cards that I like everything about.  So the opportunity to customize my own digital cards with photos, personal messages, and more, seemed like a very good one.

Although I have only begun with seeing what Paperless Post has to offer, I like it so far.  I decided to start by creating some birthday cards for some of my grandchildren.

There are many, many birthday cards to choose from, and you can find them by going to Paperless Post and choosing the birthday cards option. Not all of the cards would be to my taste, but then -- not all of the cards in stores are to my personal taste either.

I chose a cute design and got started.  The cards are completely customizable -- one can change the wording, change typefaces, text colors and sizes and much more.  These aren't at all like e-cards I've sent in the past where the design, greeting, etc. are put together in advance by someone else and I've just added a simple personal message.

First there's the card front -- as mentioned above, there are many great designs to choose from.  The message on the front can be changed if you wish, the font made larger or a different color, etc.  Next, you can choose an optional backdrop to complement your card.  This isn't necessary, but it's fun and there are many backdrops to select from.

Next comes the back of the card -- the place where the greeting is found.  You can use their greeting or write your own, choosing the font, the font color, size, spacing, etc.  The envelope back is the next step; you can choose your color of envelope to coordinate with your card and then add an optional envelope liner which is lots of fun.  Again, loads of choices for these.  For the envelope front, you again choose a font, etc. for the address.  You can choose a postmark and a stamp for your envelope.

The whole process was quite easy and fun.  It actually reminded me of the photo calendars and books I've made online, with the many options for personalization.  There is the option to send a card right away or to schedule it for a later date and time.  I have four birthday cards already scheduled for four of my grandchildren.  I love the way these cards can be customized to suit the recipient and it's been such fun to choose designs that the kids will enjoy.  I also love the option to schedule the cards, as I am very prone to forgetting the dates and then scrambling to get a card sent.

All in all, I've greatly enjoyed customizing birthday cards with Paperless Post, and will be looking forward to personalizing and sending more of their cards to family and friends.  I would definitely recommend this site to my readers who might be interested in something like this.

This post was written in partnership with PaperlessPost and Anagram Interactive, but obviously all opinions are my own and reflect only my experiences.   I've also started customizing a few Christmas cards and will be posting about that over on my Christmas blog.

September 20 Hodgepodge

Graphic from CrossCards.com

 Another Wednesday!  Truly, the weeks fly by so fast.  So it's time again for the Hodgepodge with Joyce and friends at From This Side of the Pond.  Head on over and get the questions, answer them on your own blog and then on back over to Joyce's to link up!

Yesterday was a crazy busy day and I was out of the house for most of it, so my hodgepodge answers are likely to be short and sweet this week!

1. What's something you'd rate a 10/10? Tell us why.

Hmmm.   In the interest of quickness, I'll say the Italian cream sodas at Cool Beans, the coffee shop at The Wilds of New England.  I had two this weekend -- a pineapple/coconut one on Friday evening and a peach/pineapple one on Saturday afternoon.  So refreshing!

2. What job would you be terrible at? What makes you think so?

I could never be a taxi driver!  I detest city driving, parallel parking, curbside parking/parking garages at airports and hotels.  Plus they have to drive in all kinds of weather and make conversation with all kinds of people.  Not a job I would ever even attempt, and for that the traveling public ought to be grateful.

3. When did you last take a fall? 

 About a year ago I had a scary fall down our cellar stairs.  No broken bones, but a severely bruised leg that still isn't back to normal, and a banged-up elbow that thankfully healed very quickly.

What's something you're falling for (in a good way) these days?

 I've been having a great time embroidering a fall themed dishtowel, using this embroidery pattern: Pumpkin Spice Latte, found at an Etsy shop.  It's an instant pdf download and such fun to make.  Other cute designs in the shop as well, so check it out!

4. According to the Travel Channel here are some of America's best fall festivals-

National Apple Harvest Festival (near Arendtsville PA, close to Gettysburg), Harvest on the Harbor (Portland Maine), German Village Festival (Columbus Ohio), Wellfleet Oyster Fest (Cape Cod), and Wine and Chile Fiesta (Santa Fe NM)

Have you ever been to any of the festivals listed? Which one appeals to you most? Does your hometown have any sort of fall celebration, and if so will you make it a point to attend?

I haven't  been to any of these.  Looking at them, the one which appeals to me most is the National Apple Harvest Festival.  That would be interesting to attend sometime.

5. What is your goodbye message to summer?

"Come again when you can stay longer."

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Fall retreats are so refreshing! So thankful I can take advantage of the ones at The Wilds of New England!  If you live in New England and have never been to TWNE, you owe it to yourself to check out their fall retreats.  Beautiful surroundings, wonderful music, excellent Bible teaching and just unlimited opportunities to relax and be refreshed.

Taken at last year's couples' retreat

And so ends this simple Hodgepodge.  Enjoy the rest of your week!

Quote of the day

Beautiful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

 Part of the process of cleaning out a house that has been lived in for nearly seventy years involves sorting through things -- sifting out the things with sentimental value; the the things that might be used or donated or sold; and the things that can simply be thrown away.  At my parents' home, one category I am encountering often in the sorting process is books.  Hundreds of books.  There were and are books in nearly every room of their home.

Many, of course, are books I am familiar with, but some are books that my mother bought or ordered for various reasons -- maybe because they were inexpensive or simply looked interesting.  There were even boxes of books bought for very small sums at auction.

One book that I found in my sorting was called Pages from a Journal, by Joyce Butler, a well-known Maine writer.  Pages From a Journal is a book of essays, nearly all of which had previously appeared in the author's newspaper column of the same name.  The book has been on my nightstand for several months as I slowly worked my way through it, reading a bit each night.

Fairly early in the book I came upon a paragraph that I knew I wanted to share with my blog readers.  These words are from an essay titled "Grammy B." which alluded to the death of a loved one, and some of what our grieving may include.

Readers may remember that my dad passed away at the end of May.  When I first read these words, I was thinking of him.  I'll just share them now:

"We grieve for what is gone, but we ask too what is left.  It is surprising how much.  What a human being has given of himself to others in kindness, encouragement, cheer remains and gives meaning to the fact that he lived.  Those of us who lived close to him discover that he has also left us a legacy of attitudes, traditions, example, and the measure of wisdom which comes out of the experience of losing him.  And perhaps that is where the healing begins.  We become for a time a little more gentle and wise, and we grow a step or two into maturity.  And some of us, having asked ourselves what part of his life was important, are able to make of our questioning an equation to the meaning and importance of the life we ourselves are living.  Then for us the gauntlet is down and this too is part of the legacy." -- Joyce Butler, from the essay titled "Grammy B." in the book Pages from a Journal.

I've been meaning to share these beautiful thoughts for months, but I see now that the time was not right.  Now it is.  In the past three weeks, Mr. T and I have lost four friends to death, one of them violently.  Oh, we know we will see each of them again in heaven.  But we will miss them.

And this quote has become even more meaningful to me as I consider the folks who have passed away recently.  One of them was an elderly pastor from whom we had learned much over a period of years.  One was an old friend, a member of our church and a neighbor of my husband's family.  He epitomized many New England values -- again, a person from whom much was to be learned.

This week, though, I've been pondering the lives of two women who have passed on.  Both were personal friends of mine.  And the legacy of example they left behind is truly priceless.  Both were incredibly gracious women who loved God and others supremely.  Both had Scripture stored away in their hearts which often revealed itself in wise, godly speech and character.  Were they perfect?  Certainly not, and they would be the first to tell you so.  Is their example of love for God and His Word and for others worth pursuing in our own lives?  Absolutely, and I am seeking to do just that.

Times of refreshing

It's so important, in the busyness of life, to take time to refresh our souls.  That's what I'm doing right now at the Wilds of New England.

Outside the coffee shop

And inside the coffee shop

What a  wonderful weekend!

September 13 Hodgepodge

Wednesday again!  Time for the Hodgepodge with Joyce and friends at From This Side of the Pond.  Head on over and get the questions, answer them on your own blog and then on back over to Joyce's to link up!

1. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.

I think that it could be, depending upon the picture.  There are some pictures that tell such a story that it would take more than a thousand words to describe all that is happening.

2. Have you ever driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway? If so what was your favorite stop? If not, is this sort of trip on your bucket list?

We have never driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway.  I think that this sort of trip may be in the offing when Mr. T retires.   Our daughter and son-in-law would like to take us on such a trip sometime when we are visiting them.

3. How do the changing seasons affect you? As the seasons change do you find yourself looking more forward or backward? 

 I enjoy changing seasons and am happy I live in an area where there four distinct seasons.  As the seasons change, I usually find myself looking more forward.  I think about the upcoming season and how I'd like it to look in terms of what I accomplish and what my walk with God looks like (and more).  I'm learning to set goals for various seasons and I think that's very helpful for the effectiveness of my life in general.

From Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

Which season-season transition bothers you most? Why do you suppose that is? 

No question, it's fall to winter that bothers me most.  I love fall; it's my favorite season of all.  I also love Thanksgiving and Christmas.  But cold weather, ice, freezing rain, winter driving -- just not my favorites.  I celebrate the arrival of fall with a bit of a shiver, for I know what's coming afterward.  It does help a lot, though, to keep in mind that it's God who changes the times and the seasons.

4. It's your birthday and you get to pick the dinner menu. What are we having?

As a child, I chose hamburgers, potato salad, corn fritters, and iced tea for my celebratory meal.   My birthday's in January so I liked this taste of summer for my birthday.  Nowadays, I guess if I could pick a meal from any time of year and eat it any place I would love to go to the Cabbage Island Clambakes and enjoy a delicious lobster dinner with fish chowder to begin, and blueberry cake and coffee to end.

Since that wouldn't be possible in January, I'd settle for our local seafood restaurant.

 Do you ever lie about your age?

No.

5. What's a life lesson you've learned recently?

Hmmm.... I actually learned this one awhile ago, but I'm continuing to learn it:

     "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

  (Proverbs 27:1)

Another by Abby

We just never know.  And sometimes, what a day brings forth is completely inexplicable.  Thankfully, God does know, and somehow He allows inexplicable things for purposes of His own.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.  

My mind is incapable of any rational thought right now, I'm afraid.

And one more ... yes, by Little Birdie Blessings

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Carol's Apple Spice Mix

Every year when the apples are ready in our local orchards, this fun recipe comes to mind.  Right now, according to one nearby orchard, the following are available in their store: Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Honey Crisp.  Only McIntosh are currently available as pick-your-own.

One autumn when our friends Carol and Larry visited us, they brought a jar of this delicious spice mixture, and Carol wrote out the recipe for me.  This mix is delicious (no pun intended) with fresh apple slices as a snack.  Carol says she has also sprinkled this on baked apples or on apple salad.

Spice Mix for Apples

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp fennel seed
1 tsp caraway seed
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix and enjoy!  Amounts can be varied according to taste.

(I would think this could also be buzzed in a blender to make the seeds less obvious and maybe spread their flavor throughout the mix a little more.)

Now go get yourselves some nice crisp apples to go with this mix!  My favorite is Honey Crisp, but those Ginger Golds are delicious also.