Autumn's Beauty

Suddenly summer gives birth to autumn, an event missed by many.  Autumn tends to reveal itself slowly until its crisp breezes pierce our summer clothing, and we stop and notice the transformations taking place all around us.  When the last fruits and vegetables have been harvested and the trees begin displaying patterns of crimson and gold that we begin to internalize that fall has returned.

Autumn is invigorating and a time to gather our thoughts.  It ushers in shorter days, brilliant foliage, southbound geese honking overhead, and the arrival of a bountiful harvest.  Internally we begin to slow down and take stock of our lives.  Dormancy, not death, is the hallmark of fall.  Your priorities may change as nature flares into sunset brilliance and lapses slowly into slumber.  Remember to rejoice in nature's beauty where each finale serves as an overture for a new beginning.

                                                            Harvest Apple Cake

 Ingredients:

3 eggs, 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 2 cups finely chopped, peeled apple, 1 cup chopped pecans

Caramel Glaze:

20 square caramel candies, 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar, 2 Tablespoons apple juice

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 10 to 12 cup bundt or tube pan; set aside.

In large mixer bowl, beat eggs, oil and vanilla extract.

Add flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Beat until smooth. Batter will be thick.

Stir in pecans and apples. Pour into prepared pan.

Place pan in oven on insert rack.

Bake 60 - 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes then invert on rack to cool.

For glaze, microwave caramels and apple juice in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 45 seconds to 1 minute or until caramels are completely melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in confectioners' sugar. Drizzle over cooled cake.

 

Today we usher in the beautiful month of September.  It brings with it the scents of autumn - bonfires, apple cider, pumpkin anything, colorful fallen leaves, slow cooked soups and all things earthy. It's the rite of passage from summer into fall - shorter days and cooler nights.

September is also a wonderful time to pause and take a deep breath.  Draw in all the events of the past months, before all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season begins.  Sip a cup of hot apple cider or pumpkin latte while you reflect on whether you shed light or darkness in the world.  A person of light is filled with self-awareness and contentment.  While a person who sheds darkness is dissatisfied and wants others to feel their bleakness.  

The longest relationship a person will ever have is with oneself.  Your personal self-talk can either be positive or negative and becomes your personal mantra.   A life of joy begins with a seed and must be cultivated daily.  Plant it deep within your heart and nurture it by watering with positive affirmations - not just daily but multiple times each hour of each day.  

We become what we think, so think on-

"Whatever is True, Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely and Admirable.  If anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think on these things."  Phil 4:8   

                                         ENJOY THE BLESSINGS OF AUTUMN🍂

Happy Father’s Day❣️

 Being a good father doesn’t suddenly happen nor does it come naturally.. It takes a heart filled with love and patience, and a pinch of grace, a lot of sleepless nights and a special kind of understanding to lead, guide, direct, hope, and inspire... Happy Father's Day Friends ...... Enjoy this special day honoring the men that have blessed your life💙

    ♡♡♡♡♡

     Nanner

Spring Anew

 Spring - when our external clocks are moved forward; when nature begins anew; and when we clear the clutter from our lives physically and emotionally.

No need to keep sweeping the emotion clutter under the rug.  Take that rug laden with emotional clutter and give it a good shake outdoors!  Shake out the hurts, the hate and any negative thought.  Your thoughts take your emotions for a walk down a path.  You will find yourself packing down the dirt and trampling some of the underbrush every time you hike that path.  As you continue using this same path you begin to feel emotions - sad, depressed, overwhelmed or disappointed.

The good news is we all have the ability to chose a new and different path.  When you have a thought about a circumstance in your life, make a conscious effort to stop going down the negative path and get your emotions on a new positive path.  You do not have to believe everything that you think.  If a thought about a circumstance is not serving you then just let that thought go by shifting it to a positive thought.

Now that your thoughts are on a more positive path, it's time to clear out the physical clutter. All physical clutter accumulates based on what we think or feel.  There are many psychological reasons why we keep things, but you have to get rid of things you no longer want to make room for the things you do want.

The more you release things that you no longer use and no longer bring pleasure, you will have more energy and prosperity. Start with the most cluttered area that is overwhelming and clear clutter in small bursts of 15 - 30 minutes daily.  Make this a daily habit so that you're clearing space to manifest more energy and prosperity. By donating items you no longer use/need you are giving them new life and purpose and meeting the needs of another person.

Spring your life forward by starting anew this Spring season!

Oh Christmas Tree!

 As the song goes - 

"O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How lovely are thy branches!"

Christmas 2020 will have a different meaning and depth than years past for many of us.  Not being able to  celebrate with our dear family and friends will take on a different meaning during the pandemic and social distancing environment we are currently experiencing. The holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day has traditionally been a time to celebrate with those we hold near and dear and reflect upon the past year.

Many of us will find ourselves celebrating within our own homes and not gathered together with others.  We will need to go deep into our souls to reflect upon the great memories of past holiday celebrations.  Some of us will have to literally force ourselves to get out the decorations, trim the tree, hang the lights, bake the traditional cookies/breads, sing carols, mail the cards, shop on line, take selfies and setup the Zoom room.  

After we complete our holiday preparations, let's take some time to prepare our hearts for celebrating the birth of our Lord.  Thank God for the lives of those no longer traveling this journey with us.  Their beauty and love still surround us in the traditions we continue.  Thank God for His merciful blessings - the painted sunrise/sunset.  Thank God for the gift of hope - trust/desire for our future .  Thank God for His infinite grace - unmerited favor.  Thank God for eternal life through the birth of His Son - Jesus Christ!

As the song continues - 

"Let us all remember in our gift giving and merriment

With our family and friends and loved ones

The real and true meaning of Christmas

The birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!"

THANKSGIVING 2020

As we pause on this Sunday of Thanksgiving week, to begin our reflection  of gratitude, it may seem difficult during this chaotic time.  Individually and collectively we have experienced drastic change in how to interact with one another.  We continue to be unable to mingle freely with our family and friends in an effort to protect each other.  And for many, all of these changes has not kept them from experiencing the loss of a loved one or of their own health.

I would encourage my family and friends to reflect on fond memories of celebrating Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving and continue on with the hope and anticipation of being all together again - when we will love each other more fiercely and deeply.

“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.” – Henry Van Dyke

10 Ways To Boost Your Immune System

Our country is experiencing a new wave of COVID-19 cases, perhaps due to more mobility by school attendance, eating out with family/friends, attending public events and cooler temperatures.

While we are all getting weary and restless with the confinement, it is important to stay the course and not be an ostrich. Our ancestors endured many hardships that most of us cannot even fathom-try watching “Hell On Wheels” on Netflix and you will get a glimpse of life on the prairie.

Let’s all stay the course and commit to taking care of one another by, helping one another to keep hopeful during these trying times. Call, text or email family, friends and neighbors - tell them you are thinking of them, miss them and do they need anything. Make an effort to helping others stay mentally healthy and you will be healthier too.

Press onward by remembering these healthy steps:

1. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap for 20 seconds

2. Wear a face mask when in public 

3. Stay home if you aren’t feeling well 

4. Eat lots of fruit high in vitamin C-oranges, grapefruit, sweet red bell pepper, strawberries, kiwi and kale.

5. Eat foods high in beta-carotene- carrots, spinach or sweet potatoes.

6. Eat foods rich in vitamin E - nuts, seeds and avocados.

7. Eat foods high in vitamin D - tuna, egg yolks, milk and yogurt.

8. Drink lots of Green Tea that is full of antioxidants

.9. Exercise-walking and yoga help your immune system.

10. Meditate - focus on all the blessings in your life.