There was more....

The last of the previous post shared a single picture taken at the local Senior Center.  There are more displays for the season there.

It is apparent that there is a good storage closet at the Senior Center!  The staff does a good job of keeping the surroundings festive.

Not overly festive here, yet, but we're working on it!:-)

Have a good Tuesday!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Snippets from the week-end....

The first full week of October begins today.  Do you have something good planned during the week?

How was your first October week-end?

We watched a baseball game on Friday night.  The St. Louis Cardinals were in Los Angeles to play the Dodgers.  When I was growing up, a local radio station had coverage of many of the Dodger games, and I became a fan.  That was when they were in Brooklyn, though, and when they moved to LA I sort of lost touch.  The score of Friday night's game?  St. Louis - 10; LA - 9.  The Dodgers did win the next one on Saturday.  

A blogging friend, Beth, from Day by Day with Beth Marie, is a Cardinal fan, and I know she was happy with that Friday night score.  By the way, Beth will begin a series of radiation treatments soon, and I know she would appreciate our thoughts and prayers.

Saturday afternoon we watched a football game on TV.  The University of Tennessee Vols hosted the Florida Gators.  Final score of that game - Florida - 10; the Vols - 9!  See any similarity in the score from the baseball game on Friday night?  

Our area Homebuilders Association has begun the annual Parade of Homes.  The Husband and I went touring a few of them on Sunday afternoon.  It is difficult to find newly-constructed homes on one level, and stairs are not something I seek out these days.:-)  We built this one-level house ten years ago, and I think it is time to give a few areas a facelift, perhaps.:-)

Also, it is time to pull out the October "trimmings" and set the mood for what is ahead this month.  Viewed at the Senior Center recently was this:

I think they are in the mood!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Sunday, October 5, 2014....

Today is World Communion Sunday, and it is observed in the United Methodist Church.

Once again from Apples of Gold, compiled by Jo Petty, we have these words.  You will undoubtedly recognize them.

                    "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

                              the courage to change the things I can;

                                    and the wisdom to know the difference."

Reinhold Niebuhr is the author of these words, the beginning verse of what is known as the Serenity Prayer.

From the United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar for 2014, today's Mission Focus is Israel/Palestine:  Wadi Fukin Community Development Project, West Bank.  Janet Lahr Lewis is the missionary, General Board of Global Ministries, serving Palestine.  From page 83 in the Prayer Calendar, we are given this information:  As part of the Global Ministries sponsored Community Development Project in the village of Wadi Fouqin (Fukin), a joint basket-weaving project has been embarked upon with women from Sindyanna of Galilee in Israel coming to instruct the local Palestinian women the traditional art of basket weaving.  An interfaith initiative funded by international Christians for Muslim Palestinian women in the occupied West Bank, an organization administered by Israeli Jews is also a partner in this endeavor.  The baskets are items available in tourist shops, and the income from their sale will help provide much needed income to the families in Wadi Fouqin who are living under occupation.

I have been referring to Apples of Gold regularly in recent months.  The book takes each of the characteristics mentioned in the fruit of the Spirit reference in Galatians 5:22-23 and gives quotes that elaborate on each of these - love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.  This is particularly meaningful to me as this has been my Conference United Methodist Women theme for the past two years.

So, my wish for you is that you may be surrounded by love, joy, and peace on this day. 

Recent views.....

On a recent trip to North Carolina, this was seen at the Welcome Area.

As you can see, colors of fall were at a minimum.  After this rain that we have had already this week-end - and the cooler temperatures that are predicted (38 degrees for a low temperature on Sunday morning) - more color may begin appearing in the leaves on these very green trees.

It is difficult to know whether we should follow football or baseball at this time of year.:-)  Which is your favorite sport?  Do you have a favorite team playing this week-end? 

Sending wishes for a good week-end to you!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Taking a break....

....from the usual Friday book posts to share some pictures with you from near Asheville in North Carolina.

These flowers were in bloom along I-40, just to the west of Asheville.

There were some interesting clouds around, and a drizzle of rain was their "gift."

The beauty in the median of Route #276.

The signs of autumn's presence were spotty, though mornings were cool.

How is autumn progressing where you are?

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.  

When in Asheville....

....don't miss the chocolate!

These truffles are from The Chocolate Fetish, a bright, sparkling shop filled with other truffles - and other chocolate treats.

From French Broad Chocolate Lounge comes this chocolate cake with olive oil as an ingredient!  It came with a cup of strawberry sauce!  Delicious!  The cup of dark hot chocolate disappeared before a picture could be taken!:-)

What is your favorite chocolate treat?

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Finally....

....there is some soup in those special bowls!

It was time for Vegetable Soup, and that was a perfect choice to "christen" these pumpkin bowls for the season!

VEGETABLE SOUP

3/4 cup chopped potato

2 cups vegetable, chicken, or beef broth

1 can sliced carrots, drained and rinsed

1 can zucchini with tomato sauce

1 can tomatoes with basil and oregano

- Cook potato in broth until tender, about 15 minutes.  Add other ingredients; heat to a simmer.  

Four generous servings!

You may have seen this recipe from me before - or something similar.  I have often used canned potatoes (which I chop), but this time I used the potatoes we had from the garden.

I am having just a bit of difficulty making it on my blogging rounds, and I hope you will bear with me until I am able to get back to keeping up with you!

China - Vineyard by Noritake, now discontinued

Pumpkin bowls - Williams Sonoma several years ago

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.