Happy Fall, Y'all!

"O,it sets my heart a-clickin'
like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin
and the fodder's in the shock."
James Whitcomb Riley

Autumn is such a beautiful season. We've had a Harvest Moon the last few evenings--awesome!! The leaves will soon be turning colors, geese will be flying south, pumpkins and mums are everywhere. The smells of wood smoke, burning leaves, hot spiced apple cider, and pumpkin pies baking make fall special,too. At my house on the edge of a small town,the sounds of fall are: farm trucks heading to the elevator full of corn or soybeans,snatches of the announcer and band from the football field at the other end of town,and the honking of geese as they fly over.(we're near Quivira National Wildlife Refuge)
Enjoy this season with those you love!! It's time to "cozy up" your world--see Home Matters blog for more on that.

This is also a good time to:

-carve jack-o-lanterns with your kids--or just by yourself.
This can be a great lesson for kids-cut out the eye, nose and mouth openings and then scoop out the goopy stuff and seeds--explain that this is like sin in our lives and the light of God's love can't shine very well in us with all that mess inside.Save the seeds,wash off and roast in the oven with a little salad oil drizzled over and some salt. (You can sprinkle other seasonings over the seeds,too) This is a good way to teach kids the verse that says "You are the world's seasoning(salt)to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world?" -Matthew 5:13
The Bible also tells us we are the salt of the earth. Salt adds flavor,stops decay or preserves, and heals(soaking in salt water).

-make pumpkin pancakes,cookies, pies, bread--yum!

-Take a quilt outside after dark and look at the constellations. The big dipper will be just above the northern horizon.

-Serve warm apple juice or cider with cinnamon stick stirrers and a pinch or brown sugar and cloves.

-Go on a "fall gathering" walk--collect leaves to press,and weeds to dry--make arrangement or display.

-Go for bike rides--roads out in the country are great,or around town to check on the prettiest trees.(Wear your bike helmets)

-Roast hot dogs, brats and/or marshmallows over a grill--or better yet,a small fire in a fire pit. I grew up having lots of fun roasting lots of hot dogs and marshmallows, as my family enjoyed eating outside-- and in southeast Kansas,there's always wood that needs to be cleared and burned. I always wanted a fire pit and my husband got me one for Christmas. We have had such great times sitting around a small fire in our backyard,talking,singing and roasting marshmallows for s'mores. We invite the neighbors or friends and there is a feeling of warmth from sitting together around the fire that doesn't come just from the burning wood!!

-Let your inner cheerleader out-Go to a football,volleyball game,cross country meet, school play or musical, church youth group function and cheer them on!! We all need support and recognition, someone to recognize our efforts and accomplishments--you can be that someone,a cheerleader, for people around you--especially young people!
I just read the book Our Boys by Joe Drappe,the story of the Smith Center Kansas Football team and their winning season(s). (if your class 2A high school football team is good enough, you will eventually play Smith Center in playoffs--my son's team did in 2008--a lot of character was built by our players that game!)The author explains what those of us in small towns already know: kids are encouraged by the support of the people around them--win or lose! Many years ago, our town newspaper had a letter to the editor by a newcomer who was pleasantly surprised by the townspeople who cheered on the teens in town instead of complaining about them.

-Plant some spring bulbs--tulips or daffodils--to remind you that beauty comes in some pretty unusual packages--teach your kids this also.

I know that our theme is Changing Seasons of a Woman's life, but God wants us to enjoy each and every season--with those we love. Enjoy Fall!!

"From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature...Romans 1:20