From a Seed to a Pumpkin to a Lantern

This was a pretty pumpkin farm where we stopped to have a picnic Our shady lunch spot next to a rock that's great for climbing

These kids are trying to hide behind the big pumpkins - too big! A wagon ride might help weary feet, yet its already too warm outside. So we took a break, then returned fora tractor-pulled hay ride: that dropped us off at the

Let's find our way thru the cornstalks

These tired legs could use a lift:

Our navigator runs ahead to seek and find a way out:

Success! Good bye corn stalks. Hello pumpkin patch Walking amongst the pumpkin plants and vines exploring for pumpkins:

and learning a tidbit about the pumpkin life cycle:

This flower will fall off and be replaced by a pumpkin:

A half orange half green pumpkin attached to the vine, not ripe enough yet:

Back home cleaning out the mushy gushies just like God cleans out our sins.

Toasted pumpkin seeds (almost burnt!)

The kids agreed on 4 teeth and triangle eyes/nose.

Final "take" of the jack-o-lantern = surprise hug!

Apple Harvest!

I was so thankful to be pickin' apples. Pete was blessed by the cool crisp morning air and the gentle breeze that swept the mountainside. The first apples found were out of the kids' reach: So, we came up with an easy way to add at least 60 inches to their height. Carrying them on our shoulders brought them right to the tops! Our younger son said the shoulder-ride was his favorite part of pickin'.Aha! discovered low laying apples on this row of trees:and found itty bitty baby apples too! aren't these cute? My favorite was racing together down the aisles of trees! My next desire was a "posed" picture. Negative. Nope. So, we get what we get.Uncensored love.How God must love us! We are the apple of His eye. That phrase is used in the Bible to refer to God focusing His love, attention, and protection on those who follow Him. [fr. gospel.com]

Deuteronomy 32:10-11: In a desert land He found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest an hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.

The words love, attention, and protection stir up images of parents and children. Better yet, visions of our Abba Father and we, His adopted children.

Stopped off for some apple crumb pie on the way out.

And tradition has it that the kids get an old fashioned candy stick too!

Beautiful

Worship was beautiful today at church especially during the song by Phil Wickham, "Your Beautiful".


Your Beautiful

"Keep me as the apple of Your eye." Psalm 17:8a

This is "apple month" and our older son asked if we could make today a Johnny appleseed day! Sure, why not?

We learned about Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman, who was a pioneer, missionary, and gardener. He planted millions of apple trees during his lifetime (1774-1845).

John Chapman's work was important to the new settlers moving West after the American Revolution - apples were a staple to many families.

Then we enjoyed an apple pastry that just happened to be on hand.Mmmm

Making fresh apple juice:

From the juicer straight to the glass:

How does fresh pressed juice taste?

The verdict is: "Yummy!"

Older brother's turn slicing on his own:

Fresh cut apple slices down the chute:

One apple's juices poured into a cup:

Excited to see if he likes it:

Taste test: Approved!

Cheers!