Frosting

Frosting

In the dark of the night

comes something bright and white

covering everything

like a layer of frosting.

It's like a wedding cake maker

worked late, but not as a baker,

but as a pure, white frosting icer

making everything look nicer.

Her palette of fluffy white

decorates with much delight

as she pipes

with white.

She has fun with the frosting

as everything she's topping.

It's like she doesn't know when to stop

for everything is now white on top.

She knows when morning

finally comes

someone will delight in her sweet treat

by exclaiming her work is neat.

Her work beautified the earth

while bringing with it mirth

to young and old,

she's often told.

Though her sweet treat doesn't last long

she'll be back again before long

with her special one-of-a-kind, pure white frosting

when you look out the window and see it snowing.

Take time to check out her masterpiece,

that covers with a quiet peace,

as she piped from her pastry bag

decorating with zig-zags.

* * * * *

Here's my recipe for buttercream frosting:

9 cups x-sugar

2 cups shortening

½ cup butter

1 cup milk

splash vanilla

Beat 7 minutes with heavy-duty mixer.

You'll find frosting sweetens life

but not every day of your life

for it's not heart healthy

neither waistline healthy.

Frosting is a sweet treat

to once-in-a-while eat

when you celebrate

a special event.

You'll find another sweet treat

is when encouraging words greet.

Encouraging words lift up

when you find you're in a slump.

Encouraging words are recalled time-after-time

when hope is needed to renew one's troubled mind.

Everyone could use an encouraging word

perhaps written in a note or spoken heard.

Become an encourager today.

Help spread around the sunshine's bright rays.

Everyone needs encouragement.

I know you're in agreement.

How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 119:103

Let your conversation be always full of grace...

Colossians 3:6

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Gathering

Gathering

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing

as friends and family join in one big union

around the table abundantly laden

with the garden's yearly colorful offerings.

But before we partake by dining

we'll offer up heartfelt thanksgiving

by coming together with a connecting

of everyone's hands around the table joining.

There's the large calloused hands of those who labor,

rather fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers,

co-joined with the frail, soft hands of one's great grandmother,

who may join hands with a pudgy-fisted toddler.

There's the hands of the ones who prepared dinner,

perhaps roughened and red from cold weather,

linked with antsy teenagers

who can't wait to eat dinner.

Hands that create

and others that bake

something for dinner tonight

which brings diners delight.

Other times two loving hands connect

though this merging is often too quick.

Fingers wearing rings engraved with "together forever"

and other fingers with scars and stains worn forever.

There are hands dotted with age spots,

lined hands that have seen a lot

of sorrows and joys

as their hands employed.

If only these hands could talk

they'd tell tales that you'd never thought.

Sometimes this familiar joining

is meant to stop fidgeting.

Hands with short fingers still growing,

slender fingers of one blossoming

wearing nail polish expressing

one's individuality often.

Hands that lovingly care,

hands that often share,

hands that burdens bear,

hands daily pressed in prayer.

Hands in all shapes and sizes, eight fingers, two thumbs,

in various shades, belonging to a loved one,

held together for a moment in time -

a familiar tie in which love binds.

Hands joined together with thankful hearts

that one day will no longer park

around this table any longer,

replaced by hands of a stranger.

Yet this stranger one day invited in

becomes family now known as kin.

This gathering around the table becomes

to new family members a heartfelt welcome.

May tonight as you gather together to eat

become a time when hands reach out to greet,

to connect with a loving heart

before dining begins to start.

Holding hands in prayer,

thanking God for His care,

then God's goodness share

through abundant fare.

* * * * *

Have you ever thought about God's hands?

Every day they uphold men and women

and care for His little children

for in God's hands there is a saving plan

to sustain and protect all humans

across all countries and distant lands.

He's got the whole world in His hands...

He's got you and me brother in His hands...

He's got you and me sister in His hands...

He's got the little tiny babies His hands...

He's got the whole world in His hands...

Here's some selected verses from Psalms

on which to quietly reflect on

about God's awesome hands.

Hands which fill us with songs

with grateful thanksgiving on our tongues

giving praise to God to whom we belong.

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

You give me your shield of victory,

and your right hand sustains me;

you stoop down to make me great.

Psalm 18:35

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;

he answers him from his holy heaven

with the saving power of his right hand.

Psalm 20:6

Into your hands I commit my spirit.

Psalm 31:5

My times are in your hands.

Psalm 31:15

If the Lord delights in a man's way,

he makes his steps firm;

though he stumble, he will not fall,

for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

In your majesty ride forth victoriously

in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;

let your right hand display awesome deeds.

Psalm 45:4

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8

You hold me by your right hand.

You guide me with you counsel...

Psalm 73:23-24

Your arm is endued with power;

your hand is strong,

your right hand exalted.

Psalm 89:13

For the Lord is the great God,

the great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth,

and the mountain peaks belong to him.

The seas is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:3-5

Help me, O Lord my God;

save me in accordance with your love.

Let them know that it is your hand,

that you, O Lord, have done it.

Psalm 109:26-27

The Lord's right hand is lifted high;

the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!

Psalm 118:16

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm;

His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:12

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

you preserve my life;

you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,

with your right hand you save me.

Psalm 138:7

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

your love, O Lord, endures forever -

do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138:8

The Day Before Thanksgiving

The Day Before Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving

in this blessed country we're living

our kitchens are a-flutter.

Don't forget the butter.

The day before Thanksgiving

there are pies baking in the oven

with cinnamon and allspice.

Doesn't it all smell nice!

The day before Thanksgiving

the turkey's still defrosting,

butternut squash is ready for roasting

when the pies come out of the oven.

The day before Thanksgiving

there's day-old bread for cubing

to mix with poultry seasoning

causing some to be sneezing.

The day before Thanksgiving

celery and onions are sauteing

to be added to the stuffing,

or do you call it dressing?

The day before Thanksgiving

the refrigerator's stuffed with everything.

In fact, each one's favorite foods for eating,

as everyone is preparing for a day of feasting.

The day before Thanksgiving

the pretty company dishes need a quick washing,

perhaps the tablecloths or linens need pressing

and there doesn't seem to be time for everything.

The day before Thanksgiving

our country is preparing

for a day of feasting

with much thanksgiving.

* * * * *

The day before Thanksgiving

with thankful hearts we're intent on giving

a prayer of gratitude overflowing

for much more than the food we're busy cooking.

We're thankful for our loved ones,

those near and those far from home,

for those added to the family

and those now in eternity.

We're thankful for everyone's health

irregardless of what has been dwelt -

for adversity teaches us to trust,

growing our faith, which is God's good plan for us.

We're thankful for freedom to worship

with others in like fellowship,

to pray for one another,

and encourage each other.

We're thankful for God's Word

which helps keep us moored

in choosing to do what's right,

to stand firm in faith, not sight.

We're thankful for God's Word which keeps us nourished

so that our faith will grow strong and flourish

as God's Word is food for the soul -

sustenance to keep us well and whole.

We're thankful for . . .

(please add what you're thankful for...)

I'm thankful for friends like you
who encourage me all year through
by reading my blog,
which gives glory to God.

Foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving

by those who believe and who know the truth.

For everything God created is good.

I Timothy 4:3-4

Let us come before him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Gold Blanket

GOLD BLANKET

Yesterday's surprise snow storm

covered the ground like a white blanket.

This morning under the maple tree's crown

spread out all around is a gold blanket

for the snow-weighted leaves leaf-by-leaf drifted down

as if quilting a gold blanket on the ground.

One-by-one the gold leaves float

like stitch-by-stitch quilters poke

a quilt to one day comfort someone

after many day's work is done,

piecing together the seams

ensuring corners are reamed.

An autumn breeze might rearrange

like a quilter who rips out seams

but in the end the quilt will please

as the leaves are teased by the breeze.

This breeze also makes the quilt of leaves fluffier,

almost as soft as a downy comforter.

Soon the maple tree will be bare.

The grass covered with angled squares.

The tree's limbs stretching upward toward the dark sky

where the full moon will play peek-a-boo by and by.

Quilts also are known to play peek-a-boo

as they shelter one from the winter blues.

On a perfect autumn day

this gold blanket will be stowed away

when leaf rakes are busily employed

raking a pile to be enjoyed

for someone to jump in

this pile of bedding.

Then it's time for the quilter's quilt to be enjoyed

perhaps with a bowl of popcorn to enjoy.

Piece-by-piece one feeds him/herself

as piece-by-piece the quilt was stitched

with a bit of love in every stitch

as the quilter quilted this gift.

* * * * *

Rather an afghan, a quilt, or a comforter,

we know these coverings provide comfort.

We also know that kind words provide needed comfort.

It costs nothing to be an encourager, to relieve someone's hurt.

Everyone is facing battles unimaginable.

You can encourage them even if you don't know their troubles.

Make it your habit to find something positive in everyone you meet.

Compliment them on their attire or simply smile when you greet.

Perhaps send a note in the mail "just because"

to someone needing encouragement - it does.

A basket of fresh garden vegetables shared

will show someone you know that you care.

Be there as a comforter

or an encourager

through life's many ups and downs.

Turn someone's frown upside down.

Above all, go to God for comfort

when life has caused you troubles and hurt.

If there is a purpose in our troubles,

II Cor 1:3-5 contains the solution for God is able.

You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly...

Ruth 2:13

...a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 12:25b

...how good is a timely word!

Proverbs 15:23b

Their father...mourned for them many days,

and his relatives came to comfort him.

I Chronicles 7:22

...heard about all the troubles that had come upon him,

they set out from their homes and met together by agreement

to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.

Job 2:11b

As a mother comforts her child,

so will I comfort you.

Isaiah 66:13a

Praise be to the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion

and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

II Corinthians 1:3-5

...live in harmony with one another;

be sympathetic, love as brothers,

be compassionate and humble...

be a blessing, because to this you were called.

I Peter 3:8-9

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Weathering the Seasons

This is how my day began:  rosy sunrise!

Remnants of summer:  roses in bloom! (Today's photo.)

As snow in the forecast - tonight, soup on the agenda today:

Cream of chicken with mushrooms and rice.  Vegetable gravy used for thickening:  pureed summer squash, onions, sage, garlic thickened with cornstarch dissolved in evaporated milk.

Trees still wearing their autumnal ball gowns:

Mid morning, snow showers began.  Non stop since.  Leaves are falling faster than snow flakes.  Yesterday leaves were raked and dispersed on vegetable garden.

Yesterday the grass was covered in a gold blanket.  Now exchanged for a white blanket.

Under the treasures of the snow, beauty is still found:

God says to the snows, 'Fall on the earth,'...

so that all men may know his work...

The animals take cover; they remain in their dens.

Stop and consider God's WONDERS.

Job 37:6-8,14

Raking

Raking

Raked yesterday.

Rain late today

makes for more raking another day.

Actually for several more days

for more leafs fall everyday

to be raked one sunny day.

Last night there was a freeze.

Plop, plop, plop, plop, plop more leaves

join the pile of fallen leaves

of golds, rusts, and browns which please.

Listen: the skyward honking V's

of south-going geese tends to please.

Something we can count on

every spring and autumn

are the geese honking - heard overhead, then gone

as they wing their way to greener pastures - so long.

Talking about colors, do notice the sky is the bluest blue

this time of the year (orange opposite blue on the color wheel), it's true.

It feels good to stretch when raking these fallen leaves

though the pile is disturbed if there's a breeze.

This afternoon's breeze

is just a tease

as one rolls up their sleeves.

A-choo!!! is often sneezed.

Before you know it the afternoon is over

for daylight savings time on the calendar

makes nighttime come earlier

and fortunately bedtime earlier

for many gardeners go to bed earlier

as they can't wait to get up earlier.

Not just because raking waits

but because it seemingly takes

much longer to do less when awake -

every gardener seems to contemplate.

So early they rise every morning so they're not late

for much work awaits for them beyond the garden gate.

* * * * *

After much raking

comes Thanksgiving -

a time to recount our blessings

with thankful hearts we're celebrating.

A time to give thanks to the Lord,

for Whom without we cannot afford,

for His faithfulness to us each day.

"Thank you, Lord," we should often pray.

For God's unconditional love to us

despite our lack of faith and waning trust

for His love never, ever wavers.

That's why He sent us a Savior.

For His grace that enables

when it seems we're unable

to remain strong

in the face of wrong.

For God's comfort in trials,

troubles and physical ails

while learning that God can use our troubles

to encourage someone that God is able.

For His forgiveness

when we confess

we've chosen wrong

and made the wrong turn.

For God's patience with us time after time

for God knows we often have fearful minds

yet waits for us to come to the end of our self

then finally call on Him for needed help.

For His continual mercy though undeserved,

knowing there's nothing we can do to deserve

which teaches us to be merciful to others

as God reminds us to “bear with one another.”

For God's compassion

new every morning

ensuring us we are loved

and teaching us how to love.

For these and so many more,

Dear Lord, we are thankful for

our abundant blessings

new every morning.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5

Because of his great love for us,

God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions -

it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4

My grace is sufficient for you.

II Corinthians 12:9

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort

we ourselves have received from God.

II Corinthians 1:3-4

You are a forgiving God,

gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in love.

Nehemiah 9:17

He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,

but everyone to come to repentance.

II Peter 3:9

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin...

You do not stay angry forever

but delight to show mercy.

Micah 7:19

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.