Just a little longer?

 



 Can you spot the bumble bee and the little fly coming in for a landing?

 


 

 

My favorite season

is quickly coming to an end....   

           

   

Yet I cling to it...

hoping to make it stay around

a little longer

    

Daylight is Diminishing

 

     

And a chill is in the air

making me crave comfort foods

and apple pie!

But oh, not yet...please...

I just got used to the heat!

  And...I haven't even used up my little tube of sunscreen! 

I want more

bike rides along

the lakefront...

And visits to the farm

with my best four legged friend... 

 

            

                                                                     

                                             

      

 Corn on the Cob

 

Gazpacho 

made from

fresh garden veggies...

Watermelon...

                              

Refreshment by the stream...

Walks in the park...

Summer fountains...

 Gazing upward

as the moon hangs out with the clouds...

           

And...
                                   

Visits


 from


 a


 hungry


 fawn

Since Labor Day, front doors in the

neighborhood have been adorned with

autumn wreaths; friends are sharing recipes

for pumpkin cookies and fall mums have

been on display in the markets.

But I just don't feel ready...

And my flowers are still in full bloom!

Oh...Please...don't rush me!!! 

               

Is anyone else sad that summer comes

 so late and leaves so early?  



 Or is it just me?                         

I'll miss you summer!  I'll miss eating

outdoors in the warmth and sunshine...

open windows ushering in balmy breezes... 

the freshness of the morning dew and 

the aroma of orange blossoms...
  

the beautiful song

of cardinals

and chickadees








Evenings of cool refreshment

The sound of the owl's call and the crickets

night time serenade... a steady morning

wake up call from the baby wren nested

nearby...the sweet smell of honeysuckle...



The feeling of freedom...



The kind of freedom that makes you feel like

dancing like nobody's watching! 

And Sunsets! 

                                         

Wonderful

Glorious

 

      Sunsets!!!     

                                      

(I'm so thankful that sunsets are year round!)

 

I did recently say to some friends that I'm

trying to embrace the changing seasons so

that I won't miss out on the beauty of the

moment.  Just as I rush out at sunset to see

what the master artist paints for us each

evening, I will also revel in the full spectrum

of autumn color coming our way very soon.

I will embrace each new season...when it's

time...but...for now...until the calendar

says it's autumn...

I'd like



to stay 



right 



here



in


summer!

                

                                      

                                                    

PEANUT SITTING PRETTIES

Something Sweet for Liz!

My dear friend Liz loves these little treats!

They are so simple...but oh so tasty!

I originally got this recipe from another precious friend, Carol years ago.

She made a batch for me while I was visiting her in California. 

I loved them...unfortunately, a bit too much!!! ;)

She ended up having to make more

after I devoured most of the first batch on my own!

When I made these for Liz, she felt the same way. 

Recently, I asked her if I could bring her a treat and she requested these! 

.

.

.

((  Liz's mom Betty Jo and her cousin, Melanie are both going through serious cancer treatments at the moment.

I hope you will join me in remembering both of them in your prayers!  ))

Liz, you are a treasured friend

with one of the most caring hearts I know...

Your friendship blesses me!

Enjoy every morsel of the...

Peanut Sitting Pretties

One cup butter, softened *

1/2 cup light brown Sugar

2 Eggs, separated

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups chopped peanuts (finely chopped)

canned vanilla frosting **

Peanut M&M's

* I almost always use unsalted butter

** I find Betty Crocker "Rich & Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting" to work well for this recipe.

-- Preheat Oven to 350 --

Mix Butter, Sugar, Egg Yolks, and Vanilla

Add Flour & Salt and combine

Form small balls

Beat Egg whites

Dip each ball into egg whites and roll them in chopped nuts

Place approx. 1" apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake Five Minutes

Then remove and press thumb into the middle of each cookie.

Return to oven and bake Five Minutes More.

Remove from oven and cool.

Fill each cookie with frosting and top with peanut M & M's

-----------------------------------

Variations:

(jelly beans, or other decorative candies can also be used for the topping)  (the chopped peanuts can be substituted with almond m & m's, walnuts, pecans, or almonds, etc.)

I like to use different colored m&m's for various holidays (i.e...red & green for Christmas; red, white and blue for patriotic holidays; pastels for Easter and spring...

Enjoying Simple Pleasures

with Treasured Friends!

 

Two Great Examples of Loyalty!

"Greater love has no one than this:

To lay down one’s life for one’s friends."  (John 15:13)



LOYALTY



(to view this 20 second clip, click the link below)...
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7378247n

GOD BLESS

OUR TROOPS

AND THEIR LOVED ONES! 

Eighteen Years!

Eighteen Years Ago

We said "I Do"

Then You said

"Take hold of my hand

And don't let go...

We're going on a great adventure!"

Footprints we left behind in the sands of Maui

and the beauty of the sea and sky above....

Were witness to the laughter we shared...the joy we felt...

the promise to LOVE!

 

Although eighteen years have flown...

Our commitment stands...Love has grown...

Through the trials life brings,

I have a strong shoulder to cry on...

In the triumphs, I celebrate and dance with you!

Your smile is the last thing I see

When I close my eyes at night...

And in the morning, it still shines bright!

Life is more than blessed when I think of our adventure...

And when you hold my hand, It still feels so right!

 

 

Holding hands as we kiss goodnight...

Holding hands in the morning light...

                                                                                                                

                                                                                                               

Holding hands

as our adventure takes flight!

Our Adventure...

Yes, It's great!

Sweet memories we create...

A story all our own!

Though time has really flown

It's true...

But time is just so good with you!



Happy Anniversary

To

My

Loving

Husband!

"Appreciation 

can make a day,

even change a life.

Your willingness to put it into words

is all that is necessary." 

(Margaret Cousins)

There is a true story about a teacher who had asked her students to write something (just one thing) they appreciated about each student in their class. After she collected all the encouraging words, she gave each student a list of the the things their classmates admired about them. It was an excellent exercise in positive reinforcement, respect and admiration, and many lives were encouraged and even changed as a result.

 As years passed, one of the students had served and died in Vietnam. Found tucked inside his wallet was a weathered piece of paper...yes, the list! One of his prized possessions, it travelled with him through the years, through the war, through life and death.

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak,

but their echoes are truly endless"

(Mother Teresa)

Sometimes we become weary, discouraged, worn out from working hard, or just plain fatigued. Then, someone out of the blue compliments us or shows us appreciation in some way, encouraging us and making us feel valued. Our efforts suddenly feel worthwhile...they haven't gone un-noticed.

There are plenty of situations in life, both serious and not so serious when we could benefit from a kind word.

"Gracious words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24)

Whatever we are going through might not be as powerful as the story of the soldier or the classroom filled with changed lives, but every life is important...every word has meaning...and the words we speak (a reflection of our hearts) do make an impact.

 

MAY YOUR WORDS

BE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

TO SOMEONE... ANYONE...

MAYBE EVEN TODAY!

                                         

I continue to celebrate my favorite season as it yields it's freshest fruits! 

It IS Peach Season, all the more reason to smile...

Peaches n Cream 'Baked' Alaska!  
Although I gave in and turned on my oven, it was on for only 3 minutes!  That's it...


A while back, I was looking for something to do with peaches other than pie...something quick, simple and delicious. This peaches and cream dessert is a wonderful alternative to peach pie a la mode! An elegant, yet simple dessert...ready in no time!


• Prep time: 10 minutes; Cook time: 3 minutes; Total time: 13 minutes; Servings: 8


Ingredients:
• 4 Large Peaches (preferably white)

• 4 ounce(s) cream cheese, softened

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup cinnamon ice cream (can use vanilla if preferred)

• 2 egg whites, room temperature


Steps:


1. In medium bowl, mix softened cream cheese with ice cream until smooth and return to freezer to set while preparing remaining ingredients; then preheat oven to 450.

2. Beat Egg whites w/ a pinch of salt on medium until they become frothy. Add sugar, gradually, while continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.

3. Slice peaches in half and remove pit making small well in center if each. If needed, cut just a small slice off bottom of peaches so they will stand evenly.  Fill each well with approx. 2 tsp of ice cream/ cream cheese mixture then top with enough meringue to cover the cream and bake until meringue is set and golden...watching closely (approx. 3 minutes).

Serve Immediately

 and

 Smile!

  

Sun kissed faces glow,

Eyes twinkle from the light,

Balmy summer breezes warm the night -

To my delight -

No other season makes me feel so right!

    

No Baking Required

For a little reprieve from the blistering temps of our mid summer heatwave, we're chilling out with no cook and no bake recipes!

Like this cool and refreshing cake...

No Bake Pineapple Fluff Cake:

• 1 Eight oz. Pkg. Philadelphia Cream Cheese
• 2 TBSP. Light Brown sugar
• 1 Fresh Pineapple, cut into pieces
• ½ stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ½ pint whipping cream
• 1 pkg. instant French vanilla pudding
• 1 and 1/3 cup cold milk
• 2 cups toasted flaked sweet coconut
• One frozen pound cake.

Remove Frozen pound cake from freezer and begin to thaw while preparing remaining ingredients.

Slice pineapple into pieces and place in baking dish.
Dot butter over the top of pineapple and drizzle with maple syrup, and place under broiler for 5- 10 minutes, until just slightly browned and bubbly (watching closely). At the same time, place coconut under broiler (on a piece of foil) just until slightly golden (also watching closely; stirring once or twice so it does not burn).
Remove coconut and pineapple from oven and set aside. *

In narrow bottom mixing bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

In large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Fold whipping cream into this mixture. Set aside.

Whisk together instant pudding and 1 1/3 cup cold milk until it becomes thickened. Fold into cream cheese/whipped cream mixture. Set aside.

Slice pound cake into thirds, horizontally and begin assembly.

Top first layer of cake with pudding/cream cheese/whipped cream mixture;

Sprinkle with toasted coconut;

Add slices of pineapple;

Top with second layer of cake and repeat the same layers;

Add top layer of cake and frost with remaining pudding/cream cheese/whipped cream and spread over top and sides of entire cake;

With spatula, pat remaining toasted coconut into top and sides of cake until evenly covered and coated...
Slice and Serve...(or refrigerate until ready to serve)


* for an alternate way to prepare the pineapple and toast the coconut:  Take it outside... (place prepared pineapple chunks on foil and grill on high for 5 - 10 minutes until slightly browned and bubbly. Place coconut on a second piece of foil and toast on grill along side the pineapple, watching both closely. *

                         ENJOY!

(this recipe was one of my original concoctions for the Philadelphia cream cheese contest last year) 

I sat in stillness under the sweet summer sky; head tilted back, eyes fixed upward. A gentle breeze was orchestrating a display on the canvas above and around me, forming shapes out of cottony clouds, continually taking on new meaning like pieces of a puzzle moving in and out of place.

It was as if God was saying:

"Linger for awhile my child; be silent;

~ remain in me ~

~ remain ~

and I will paint a panorama just for you."

As the shape of two clouds slowly dissolved, a new cloud attached itself to make yet another creation. My eyes locked in on what appeared to become two large outstretched wings, like an eagle with a thicker, perfectly round cloud forming its head. I watched closely as it hovered above me, seemingly watching over me as I gazed back. It wasn't long before this specimen began to drift off and break apart. As it diminished, another puff of white moved in, connecting to the last remnant of  broken wing and a new shape was formed. That one broken wing began to take on the shape of an arm, a wisp of air thinning its end just enough to create separations which resembled an out-stretched hand.

As I re-lived this childhood past-time of naming shapes in the clouds, I said God you speak in such creative ways!  I’ve been still enough this day to be entertained by this ever-changing puzzle in the sky. You’ve removed and replaced pieces of this puzzle, changing its image as you’ve surrounded me with the peace of your presence and the joy of your creativity…just as you’ve done with my life.

Now I sense you are telling me that although I sometimes feel like I’m hindered by a broken wing, unable to fly, you’ll replace my brokenness, and with your outstretched arm, you’ll set me free….free to see and to hear and to embrace your transforming power.

You continue to transform the shapes in the clouds, as you continue to transform my heart into the shape you meant for it to be.

You’ll carry me when I'm weary…

I'll glide on the shapes of the clouds as you renew my strength; replacing my broken wings with new wings and... together we will soar like an eagle across the expanse of the open sky!

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”.

(Isaiah 40:31)

We Gaze At The Same Silver Moon...

And The Same Big Sky Above...

As Our Soldiers In A Land Far Away...

this photo came to me via an e-mail

Long to see the faces

of the one's they Love!

~

Back Home...

Old Oak Trees...

 

Dressed up in yellow ribbons

~

Door Frames...

Adorned with Love!

~

As We Pray and We Wait...

We Fly Our Flag...

And We Celebrate

This Great Land!

H a p p y   I n d e p e n d e n c e   D a y!