September remembered...

Autumn is here....and September has come and gone.  Once again.  How did that happen so quickly?




Let me just re-cap the month of September with a few photos from my files.  

We arrived home from our vacation in northern B.C. as the month began.  As you all know, the fridge is empty and the cupboards are bare when one has been away for any length of time.  Right?  What a surprise to find someone had stocked my fridge and baked up a storm while I was gone.  We ate like kings for days...bean soup, corn-on-the-cob, fresh buns, Greek salad, chicken salad and pie-by-the-yard. Gotta love friends!

The kiddos all headed back to school.  Lucy (our youngest grand) started kindergarten.  The oldest two are in grade ten. Ryder had a most memorable 'first day of school' this year.  Not only did he start fifth grade in a new school...he broke his wrist that day as well.  He will not be playing hockey for awhile!

A good friend was celebrating her milestone birthday this month. We hosted a party and thought it might be fun to surprise her with a new outfit for the occasion.  What fun we had putting together a fabulous ensemble at a local 'thrift store'...from the perfect red hat (modeled by Marg after our successful shopping trip), to a dress off a manequin, a purple boa and all the accessories.  The red bag was an 'old age survival kit'.  She was a good sport and wore the outfit for the evening...and looked smashing in red. She is not quite used to the idea of being sixty and has not given me permission to post any photos.  Yet.  It is always a joy to celebrate the milestones of life!

The corn came off the fields once again.

I watched from my kitchen window!

Or from the road as I went for an evening walk. This particular field was serving as a picnic-ground for the bears and they weren't particularly happy to see the corn crop being cut.  Ryder and his friend were riding along as the last of the field was being cut...and were thrilled when they saw the bears running off to the mountains. 

Guess who else had a birthday? He doesn't always remember exactly how old he is anymore. It gets harder as the years add up!

And a few days later my dad turned 94.  He knows exactly how old he is...and always likes a party!  He came out to the farm on his birthday, rode along in the truck that was hauling the corn, and joined the crew for lunch (including apple pie a la mode, of course)  In the evening, three of us sisters took him out for supper.  And he had pie again!  Every day is a gift...and at his age, a very special gift. 

Before the first day of fall arrived...there was snow on Mt. Cheam.

Let me add a few September evening pic's...the beauty of sunshine and clouds.

 
 Isn't God's artwork just the best?

The month ended with a trip that took us to Indiana and Ohio together with my good friends from Mennonite Girls Can Cook.  We took in a theatrical production with that name in both locations, had book-signings and a cooking show and met so many wonderful folks out there.

To get all ten of us together...anywhere...is not an easy task.  That we were all able to make the trip is quite unbelievable.  It was just the best experience...and so good to have most of our hubbies along as well.

We all met up at the lovely Blue Gate Garden Inn in Shipshewana, Indiana last Sunday and met on their courtyard for 'faspa' (...a celebration of food and a gathering of friends in the Mennonite tradition). The stores and restaurants in the area were all closed as it was Sunday...but we had picked up supplies earlier and were amazed at the spread we came up with. 

 It was just a delightful time!

We so enjoyed our drives through the countryside, our chats with the Amish people, the warm welcome and wonderful food we enjoyed during our stay.  I'll be back with a blog-tour through Amish country one day soon.

Let me close with a photo taken this morning...from 'my back porch' at home.  Home...always a good place to be!

Wishing you all a wonderful month of October!