a weekend of color

I'm in the car traveling through roads of color. Large dabs of orange, crimson, rust, yellow, and persimmon clothe the hilly waysides. The faithful evergreens stand amid the array with understated glory.

My husband made these plans to take me "away" over a month ago. We have a few small planned out things on our list to do, but for the most part it truly is just about us as a couple. Our main focus is our relationship and the thankfulness of His provision.

The temperatures are dropping and we are expecting cooler weather. It made for packing the warmer clothing easier, no surprises.

holy words

Daily visits to my mother.

taken on my iphone

This afternoon breathed warmth and sunshine. Charlotte sat on the edge of the her bed and read holy words from Daily Light.

stitching autumn

All it took was a notice in the morning's newspaper that a certain little needlework shop was going out of business. I expectantly hopped into my car that Friday morning bright and early, and the inspiration to begin cross stitching once again was born. Prime on the list was this sash which will be the embellishment on a dress for Charlotte this fall. I was delighted to find the variegated floss that made me think I was stitching autumn.

This was wonderful take- along handiwork when visiting with my mother. She, like her mother before her, is a Southern lady with knowledge and experience in sewing and handwork. She sewed me some of the prettiest things when I was growing up. I sense a certain satisfaction in her when I sit by her and stitch.

Today is liquid gold, oozing with the definition of Indian summer. The sash is completed and the cream colored dress it will adorn is in the works.

I'm off to do a little afternoon sewing!

a scrapbook

The morning broke and because of the cool temperatures, we bundled up in jackets and beach towels to watch its glorious announcement.

The first day gave us the hottest temperatures.

Back in late July, we experienced another loss. This time it was my husband's father.  This particular trip was planned with my mother-in-law in mind.

The temperatures were variable, depending on the time of day. We awakened to mornings in the 40's, but my children spent some part of every day in the water, usually wearing only swimsuits.

snacks on the porch

There were times that it seemed I was like looking at a mural of icebergs on the horizon. 

All suntan products, swimsuits and beach towels have been stored away until next year. We are on to other ventures now.

a good novel in my hand

"Jean was visited by one of her rare moments of happiness, one of those moments when the goodness of God was so real to her that it was like taste and scent; the rough strong taste of honey in the comb and the scent of water."

Elizabeth Goudge

The Scent of Water

 All of Elizabeth Goudge's books are treasures to be hunted in library book sales and old bookstores. Last month I was searching amongst the books at my local library's sale, I never fail to check out the G's for her books. I was not disappointed. I started to read it this past weekend while my toes were burrowed in the warm sand. But for an interlude of time I was in the English countryside enjoying the most delightful characters.

returning

The mini break to the coast was full of:

plenty of sun, with its sometimes playful mood of hide-and-seek behind clouds that reminded me of sky icebergs, 

walks on sandy shores with warm water surfing across bare feet,

 colorful beach chair sittings surrounded by beautiful vistas and coastal sounds, 

 a good novel in the hand,

 several rounds of rummikub played at the kitchen table overlooking the sea, 

 and

of course, food, dining out at restaurants situated on the waterways, or grabbing a simple sandwich at the yellow cottage.

But upon my return trip I had a day of:

photo credit

 Minus the wooden wash tub, thankfully, I had Kenmores that swished and tumbled throughout the day. I would have loved to have worn the blue jumper, instead a pair of blue jeans and a sweater sufficed. But the sun was shining happy outside my windows and I am positive I had that look that seemed to say, "I wish I was still at the beach."