Giving Thanks

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100

Tonight we enjoyed a homemade apple pie! Julia peeled and sliced every apple that filled this amazing pie. Thank you Kristine for sharing the recipe you found:)

GRANDMA OPLES APPLE PIE
Indgredients

1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie (we used the ready made pie dough)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water
8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

Directions

1. Melt butter in a sauce pan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add white sugar, brown sugar
and water; bring to a boil. Reduce temperature, and simmer 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, place the bottom crust in you pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly.
Cover with a lattice work of crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust.
Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
3. Bake 15 minute at 425 degrees. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees, and continue
baking for 35-45 minutes.

Harvest Hymn

Whoever fails, Thou dost not fail;
Whoever sleeps, Thou dost not sleep;
With fattening shower, and fostering gale,
They mercy brings the time to reap;
Man marks each season and its sign,
And sows the seed and plants the tree,
But form, growth, fullness, all are Thine,
--Lord of the harvest, praise to Thee!

O God! it is a pleasant thing
To see the precious grain expand,
And the broad hands of Plenty fling
Her golden largess o'er the land;
To see the fruitage swell and glow,
And bow with wealth the parent tree;
To see the purple vintage flow
--Lord of abundance, praise to Thee!

Praise for the glorious harvest days,
And all the blessings that we share;
For the unbounded sunlight praise
And for the free and vital air;
Praise for the faith that looks above;
The hope of immortality;
For life, health, virtue, truth and love,
Maker and Giver, praise to Thee!

~~John Critchley Prince (1808-1866)

Knitting

I'm new to the art of knitting. After practicing some, last night I decided it was time to really make something that can be useful to warm a special person. My first Christmas gift started! This Christmas will be one of giving handmade gifts.

Julia and James love to make gifts. Last weekend when I sick in bed they made me several bookmarks, so thoughtful, as they see that I have a stack of books at my bedside just wanting to be read! They made their daddy mazes on his birthday cards last week. Every morning before the sun shines they are ready to create. I love the warm thoughts they have for us and others in their readiness to make something to give!

This morning Julia woke and noticed my knitting had begun...


She wanted her little scarf to look longer like mine, so early in the morning she made her scarf grow!

I know it will bring such joy and pleasure for the children to make handmade gifts for Christmas along with me. We will each be blessed with being together, laughing, loving, talking, and singing the hours away as we create with our hands for that special loved one, making warm memories. We want to give as our Father in heaven has given us His own Son.

There is a prayer I like from Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart...

Lord Jesus, help me to learn this Christmas what it means to be humble. If You could be born in a little manger among barn animals, then I can be content with simple things too. Help me not to want a lot of "stuff" this Christmas; instead, I want to be happy with my family and friends and whatever You choose to give. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.

For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Psalm 149:4-5

And look what my little man can do!

Wrap the left side of yarn around the front of your thumb and put the needle through...

Julia taught James how to "cast on" this evening! He will be knitting very soon with his sweet little fingers.

The yarn on the right wraps behind the needle and then around the front...

Now, hold on to everything so the yarn doesn't slip off. OK, flip the yarn that is on your thumb up and over the needle. Now pull the yarn on the left side. You did it!!! My amazing little man that just turned four:)

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2

My Little Man Turns 4

Happy 4th birthday to my little love! You had such a lovely weekend digging with your new shovel, eating your very own blue cotton candy ice cream in a waffle cone, pulling up your sleeves to make hamburger patties, and having birthday cake with your loved ones.


THE BIRTHDAY CHILD
by Rose Fyleman

Everything's been different
All the day long,
Lovely things have happened,
Nothing has gone wrong.

Nobody has scolded me,
Everyone has smiled.
Isn't it delicious
To be a birthday child?

Nature in the Mudflats by the Sea

Slide down the hill and wade through the stream...

Cross the bridge...

Climb a tree...

Chisel some wood...

Found, a pepper tree to season food...

Celebrate a fairytale birthday...

Make a trail through the marsh land...

Found autumn seed...

FOR A CHILD

By Fannie Stearns Davis

Your Friends shall be the Tall Wind,

The River and the Tree;

The Sun that laughs and marches,

The Swallows and the Sea.

Your prayers shall be the murmur

Of grasses in the rain;

The song of wildwood thrushes

That makes God glad again.

And you shall run and wander,

And you shall dream and sing

Of brave things and bright things

Beyond the swallow's wings.

And you shall envy no man,

Nor hurt your heart with sighs,

For I will keep you simple

That God may make you wise.