"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" --Psalm 8:3, 4
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Full Moon
There was a beautiful full moon tonight...
"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" --Psalm 8:3, 4
"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" --Psalm 8:3, 4
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Northeast Kingdom
My daughter and I took a road trip this past weekend to explore the upper Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. While our primary objective was to visit the Abenaki Clan of the Hawk grounds, we were also hoping to catch sight of a moose or two, but the only wildlife we saw was a rafter of turkeys.
We took Sally along, which made the trip a bit more adventurous.
We stopped at this spring water access to refill a few water bottles. The water was cold and refreshing. Notice the date of 1892 on the side of the concrete reservoir. Vermont has several public water accesses along its back roads.
We passed by this quaint little country store and just had to turn around to check it out. Everything, from food items to a wide array of collectibles and antiques, was displayed in a folksy and artistic manner.
The Amish peaches smelled too wonderful to resist, and they were the best tasting we've ever had.
They also offered homemade cakes, pies, and cookies, as well as jams, pickles, and even free range eggs.
There was no cell phone signal, and we didn't bring a GPS, so I took a couple of wrong turns. But we might have otherwise missed the majestic view of Lake Willoughby had we been less adventurous.
After getting back on track and stopping by a large general store that was akin to a country Wal-Mart, we finally found our way to the Clan of the Hawk grounds where the Abenaki hold an annual pow wow.
No one was around, but the property is open to the public. We briefly stepped into the Welcome Center cabin, peeked into the locked Chief Looking Glass Museum, browsed the non-denominational chapel and bookstore, and walked across an open field to the stone labyrinth. The labyrinth is considered a sacred place of healing. There was also a small altar where people can place a small offering to the Creator. There were pouches, glass stones, bracelets, tokens, and a small wooden flute.
We noticed some small red pouches hanging in a tree nearby as well. The pouches are prayer bundles that people hang to leave their prayers in the sacred place.
There seems to be something about having a tangible place or person to go to in order to have our spiritual and physical needs met, or going through a ritual to make things more 'real'. We tend to be drawn to the mystical. It's one of the reasons some people have difficulty with Christianity. It's not mystical, and although some people call a church building 'the house of God', it in and of itself has no power to heal or transform, nor does it magnify any spiritual energies. And as much as we'd like to think we can and must do something, there is nothing we can do to earn our way to Heaven or appease an angry god. Jesus Christ offered Himself up as a sacrifice in our place to pay the penalty for our transgressions. He has done the work. All we must do is have faith and believe the things He has revealed. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9). I'm so glad He sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.
We took Sally along, which made the trip a bit more adventurous.
We stopped at this spring water access to refill a few water bottles. The water was cold and refreshing. Notice the date of 1892 on the side of the concrete reservoir. Vermont has several public water accesses along its back roads.
We passed by this quaint little country store and just had to turn around to check it out. Everything, from food items to a wide array of collectibles and antiques, was displayed in a folksy and artistic manner.
The Amish peaches smelled too wonderful to resist, and they were the best tasting we've ever had.
They also offered homemade cakes, pies, and cookies, as well as jams, pickles, and even free range eggs.
There was no cell phone signal, and we didn't bring a GPS, so I took a couple of wrong turns. But we might have otherwise missed the majestic view of Lake Willoughby had we been less adventurous.
After getting back on track and stopping by a large general store that was akin to a country Wal-Mart, we finally found our way to the Clan of the Hawk grounds where the Abenaki hold an annual pow wow.
No one was around, but the property is open to the public. We briefly stepped into the Welcome Center cabin, peeked into the locked Chief Looking Glass Museum, browsed the non-denominational chapel and bookstore, and walked across an open field to the stone labyrinth. The labyrinth is considered a sacred place of healing. There was also a small altar where people can place a small offering to the Creator. There were pouches, glass stones, bracelets, tokens, and a small wooden flute.
We noticed some small red pouches hanging in a tree nearby as well. The pouches are prayer bundles that people hang to leave their prayers in the sacred place.
There seems to be something about having a tangible place or person to go to in order to have our spiritual and physical needs met, or going through a ritual to make things more 'real'. We tend to be drawn to the mystical. It's one of the reasons some people have difficulty with Christianity. It's not mystical, and although some people call a church building 'the house of God', it in and of itself has no power to heal or transform, nor does it magnify any spiritual energies. And as much as we'd like to think we can and must do something, there is nothing we can do to earn our way to Heaven or appease an angry god. Jesus Christ offered Himself up as a sacrifice in our place to pay the penalty for our transgressions. He has done the work. All we must do is have faith and believe the things He has revealed. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9). I'm so glad He sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Sweet Sushi
My daughter's creative juices were flowing the other day when she thought of making a dessert that looks like sushi. She wondered if anyone else had ever done it, so she googled and found they had. Then she proceeded to make some herself. Aren't they cool? And very tasty, too!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Morning Thistle
While out walking my daughter's puppy at dawn a couple of days ago, I noticed some thistles along the edge of an open lot. After making our way back home and grabbing my camera and tripod, I was able to get in a few shots and take advantage of the soft, early morning light before the sun peeked over the mountain tops.
This is a macro of a bull or common thistle, also known as Cirsium vulgare. I'm not sure, but I think the liquidy and crystallized droplets are either its nectar or pollen. Isn't it cool? I used my Canon EF 100mm macro lens. I love macro photography! It's like peeking into a whole new world within God's amazing creation!
I was inspired to add the colored panel and flower name by one of my fellow Flickrites, AlexEdg, who does gorgeous work.
This is a macro of a bull or common thistle, also known as Cirsium vulgare. I'm not sure, but I think the liquidy and crystallized droplets are either its nectar or pollen. Isn't it cool? I used my Canon EF 100mm macro lens. I love macro photography! It's like peeking into a whole new world within God's amazing creation!
I was inspired to add the colored panel and flower name by one of my fellow Flickrites, AlexEdg, who does gorgeous work.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Grape Jam
The Lord has blessed us with a bountiful crop of grapes. This morning, my daughter and I harvested a small batch to try our hand at making grape jam for the first time.
Even though my daughter is allergic to grapes... even handling them is very irritating to her skin... she wore rubber gloves and picked some with me after she captured a few images with her camera.
This shot of the grapes in a basket is my fave! Isn't she a wonderful photographer?
I found a recipe for Concord Grape Jam on Epicurious.com. I didn't follow the recipe exactly, because I wanted to use my Vitamix to pulverize the whole grapes, seeds and all, to get the most out of them.
It seems to have turned out well, and it sure tastes good on buttered toast. Yum! :)
Even though my daughter is allergic to grapes... even handling them is very irritating to her skin... she wore rubber gloves and picked some with me after she captured a few images with her camera.
This shot of the grapes in a basket is my fave! Isn't she a wonderful photographer?
I found a recipe for Concord Grape Jam on Epicurious.com. I didn't follow the recipe exactly, because I wanted to use my Vitamix to pulverize the whole grapes, seeds and all, to get the most out of them.
Boiling the grapes made the house smell soooo good!
It seems to have turned out well, and it sure tastes good on buttered toast. Yum! :)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
As a Flower of the Field
 |
| "As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth." --Psalm 103:15 |
Time passes by so quickly, doesn't it? I captured this image over a month ago while taking a walk up the street with my daughter and her puppy. Has it really been over a month?
There was another flower I had wanted to capture because of it's unique design and beauty, but alas, when I searched for it this morning, I was surprised to find it had already faded away. Summer is fading fast, too.
Have you found that when you reach a point in life, you begin to appreciate the many ‘little things’ about it, that time seems to go into ‘hyperdrive’ and events pass us by in a blur. But... there are still 24 hours in a day... there are still 365 days in a year. How does it seem to pass by so quickly and, if it does, where does it go?
Before we know it, snow will be floating down from the sky. How many times have you said or heard, "Wow, this year has gone by so fast"? Let's make the most of the rest of the year before it passes by quickly, too.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Rock Hopper and Beach Comber
A few days ago, my daughter and I took her puppy, Sally, to a park, situated next to a brook, and yesterday we took a trip out to the ocean. We've been experiencing some record high temperatures for this time of year, and I didn't want to let this summer pass by without going to the beach.
Because Sally is still in training, she was kept on a retractable leash and had to be untangled a few times.
She liked wading in the shallow parts, but seemed a bit timid about venturing into the deeper, moving water. She loved hopping on the rocks. She was so cute and quite adventurous, sometimes making leaps two or three times her body length!
While exploring the brook further downstream, we discovered this beautiful wildflower. It is Gentiana Andrewsii, also known as "Andrew's Gentian" or "Closed Bottle Gentian" because it never actually opens.
The beach was very crowded yesterday. We were surprised considering most of the schools in our area have begun. But it was a gorgeous day to be on the beach nonetheless.
Doesn't this grouping of rocks standing firmly in the receding waves give you a sense of... strength and tranquility? Our Creator is the Master Artist!
Instead of making our way down to the rock jetty as we usually do, we went in the opposite direction until we came to a 'wall' of rocks and boulders... the perfect place for a 'treasure' hunt.
We found bits of pretty drift wood and a couple of shells, and I came across a tiny red crab. My daughter was actually a little grossed out when I touched it, because... well, it was no longer among the living.
We also came across a sunglasses graveyard or a kind of lost and found. One had a stem missing and another had a bit of dried seaweed hanging on. I found it curious that one of them had an elastic band still attached. Perhaps the high tide absconded with them and then stashed them among the rocks. Speaking of tide, it was coming in fast, so we didn't tarry too long lest we find ourselves in a predicament.
The waves were beautiful but very powerful. Red flags, caution signs, and constant blows on whistles signaled the danger of riptides.
Several people had to be rescued by lifeguards. The woman on the left was rescued after being caught in a riptide. Another group of teenagers was also rescued after daring to go a bit too far despite the shrill warnings.
The 'big guns' were finally called in. Waverunners don't get tired. Wouldn't it be cool to have his job?
Some people were smart enough to heed the warnings and stay closer to shore. You can't see it in the photo, but three or four other people weren't as fortunate to catch the wave like this guy.
Despite the fact that my daughter was developing a sore throat and earache 1-1/2 hours into the trip, which was halfway there, we still had a wonderful time feeling the sand between our toes, cooling off in the salty ocean waves, shopping on the boardwalk, and eating junk food. Isak Dinesen, a Danish author, once said, "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." I would agree... almost. My daughter is still not feeling well today, so could you offer up a little prayer for her? Thanks...
Because Sally is still in training, she was kept on a retractable leash and had to be untangled a few times.
She liked wading in the shallow parts, but seemed a bit timid about venturing into the deeper, moving water. She loved hopping on the rocks. She was so cute and quite adventurous, sometimes making leaps two or three times her body length!
While exploring the brook further downstream, we discovered this beautiful wildflower. It is Gentiana Andrewsii, also known as "Andrew's Gentian" or "Closed Bottle Gentian" because it never actually opens.
The beach was very crowded yesterday. We were surprised considering most of the schools in our area have begun. But it was a gorgeous day to be on the beach nonetheless.
Doesn't this grouping of rocks standing firmly in the receding waves give you a sense of... strength and tranquility? Our Creator is the Master Artist!
Instead of making our way down to the rock jetty as we usually do, we went in the opposite direction until we came to a 'wall' of rocks and boulders... the perfect place for a 'treasure' hunt.
We found bits of pretty drift wood and a couple of shells, and I came across a tiny red crab. My daughter was actually a little grossed out when I touched it, because... well, it was no longer among the living.
We also came across a sunglasses graveyard or a kind of lost and found. One had a stem missing and another had a bit of dried seaweed hanging on. I found it curious that one of them had an elastic band still attached. Perhaps the high tide absconded with them and then stashed them among the rocks. Speaking of tide, it was coming in fast, so we didn't tarry too long lest we find ourselves in a predicament.
The waves were beautiful but very powerful. Red flags, caution signs, and constant blows on whistles signaled the danger of riptides.
Several people had to be rescued by lifeguards. The woman on the left was rescued after being caught in a riptide. Another group of teenagers was also rescued after daring to go a bit too far despite the shrill warnings.
The 'big guns' were finally called in. Waverunners don't get tired. Wouldn't it be cool to have his job?
Some people were smart enough to heed the warnings and stay closer to shore. You can't see it in the photo, but three or four other people weren't as fortunate to catch the wave like this guy.
Despite the fact that my daughter was developing a sore throat and earache 1-1/2 hours into the trip, which was halfway there, we still had a wonderful time feeling the sand between our toes, cooling off in the salty ocean waves, shopping on the boardwalk, and eating junk food. Isak Dinesen, a Danish author, once said, "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." I would agree... almost. My daughter is still not feeling well today, so could you offer up a little prayer for her? Thanks...
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