A Rambly Note

Dear, dear YOU!

Honestly, I was thinking about you today and wondering how you are doing!

I'm in the middle of loving God and just being happy that he promises that through Christ we can do ALL things.  Whatever it is, whatever it takes, when we have Jesus on the inside it's possible to all things through His ability.  That became so real to me again early this morning, and then again just a little while ago, that I started dancing around my bedroom with glee.

You see, earlier today I felt dead tired. Getting up at three in the morning to head off to work with hubby, I didn't feel able to drag myself out another morning this week. But I remembered that promise in the New Testament -- that through Him we can do all things.

And, so it began to unfold as I stepped into the early morning darkness. My first treat was to catch sight of the moon over our heads, still brilliant and surrounded with bold twinkly stars (I'm assuming the really bold one was a planet, but at that early hour I wasn't sure which one).

   
Pause...I'm saying a little prayer for you. I'm just praying that any shock or trauma you or someone you love may have experienced (big or little) this week will be removed from your soul and body.  That all may be restored and well with thee.
 

It's been a beautiful week around here. Very autumny. Warmish with hints of crispness. Mmm....that sounds quite apple crisp-ish, doesn't it? But I do mean the weather in this case. 

Here's a peek at the trio of Swedish aspens in our backyard. Do they not create a marvelous contrast to the blue, blue skies this afternoon? The golden leaves are so bright; this picture just doesn't do them justice.

This evening we're off to visit friends... they're making homemade pizza for supper.  Can't wait.  It's always so yummy!

Nothing like warm sunshine to make anyone, including kitty cats or doggies, to feel safe and cared for. I hope you have beams streaming in somewhere through your windows or in a cozy corner of your garden where you can soak in its warmth.  
 
I'm wishing you a beautiful weekend ahead. If you're wondering if Jesus loves you, I'm telling you HE DOES, no matter what!  He's amazingly, dizzingly in love with us. We're the the apple of his eye!

Hugs,
Brenda
xox

Photos:  (c) Brenda C Leyland, 2013

Autumn Gazing

In my neighbour's backyard...

In my backyard...

Outside my study window.

"Fall is for lovers. If you can honestly tell me you don’t melt a little over the idea of going for a walk with someone through the crimson leaves and talking over coffee in some beautiful little café and cuddling up because the weather is just cool enough to make an excuse to do so, you aren’t human." ~ Brianna Wiest, Blogger

I certainly melt at the idea ...

So here's wishing you lots of your own special autumn moments,
Brenda
xox

Photos: © Brenda C Leyland, Fall 2013

Hot Fudge Sauce Saves The Day

We were just enjoying a quiet afternoon when out of the blue we got a hankering for something chocolate-y. A quick rustle through the cupboard came up empty. And, the freezer held no left-over-from-summer chocolate dipped ice cream bars either.

So I grabbed a small handful of shelled pecans, thinking that might curb the urge, and returned to my lounging position in our sunny bedroom where I'd been reading A Light in the Window by Jan Karon.

You probably won't be surprised to learn that...no...the pecans in that unadorned state did not curb anything. You probably won't be surprised either to learn that we flung back the cozy cover, laid down the book, and went in search of the easy Hot Fudge Sauce recipe a friend gave me years ago.

Five or six minutes later I had vanilla yogurt ice cream scooped into a bowl... poured some hot fudge sauce over top... added a sprinkling of pecans... and grabbed a spoon.  Ahhhhh... much better!

An already lovely day now made completely perfect,
Brenda
xox

  

   

Thanks-Living...

 

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!

O Lord that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~ William Shakespeare



Wishing you all a beautiful day,

Brenda

xox

Graphic source: glittergraphics.com

Autumn Beauty Refreshes My Soul

You don't know how many times over the last week or so I came to my blog to post something, only to find I didn't know what to say -- my heart hadn't followed me to my site.  Er, neither had my brain, I guess.

Perhaps it was the busyness of the last few weeks, what with preparing for and going to the writers' conference, as well as working like a beaver to complete my memoir writing course assignments. When I finally handed in my last piece, I looked up and peered around my world, surprised to see it, as if I'd been away for a long, long time. And, blogging seemed s-o-o-o-o very far away too.

Have you ever felt that way? Where you'd become so enamored or involved in a project or event that you found yourself totally disengaged from the rest of the world around you. And when you finally came back to it, you felt slightly disoriented, as if you'd awakened from a dream and didn't quite remember where you were.

One of my writing classmates said recently after an intense writing session that she needed to step away ... to put some distance between herself and her writing. So we didn't hear from her for a couple of days.

Seems that's what I've needed too ... some time to let the rest of my life swirl back in around me. And, most especially, to take in the beauty of our world now seriously turned autumn.

I look down the street into my neighbourhood and my whole view is aglow with this vibrant yellow. Against the grey sky it makes for a most satisfying contrast. So refreshing too.

Mmmm... it would seem my heart has found its way back. And, it seems we found a post along the way too. Lovely!

Now here's wishing you a beautiful day,
Brenda
xox