Autumn Aromas

Okay, so I don't think milkweed has much of a scent, but I just liked this photo and wanted to include it in the post. We had a great time celebrating Kale and Aunt Laura's birthdays this weekend (age 5 and 30 respectively). I still smile that Kale was born on my sis's birthday. I wasn't smiling much 5 years ago when I had 14 hours of intense back labor with him, but was so glad to meet him once he was born! This photo was taken at a disc golf course we all went too. It was so warm, no it was hot, and sunny- a lovely fall day!

The Birthday Duo amidst musty, dusty, crisp brown oak leaks that never seem to stop falling in my parents' yard (adult children convicted at how NOT hard we used to work to help with the continually raking). Endless fun jumping and swinging from strategically-placed hammock to awaiting and overflowing leaf pile. Coughing from leaf "fragrance"; precious moments with each other on the "day of rest" the sweetest perfume of (f)all. Uncle Kirk and Bro's g-friend Sarah also share b-days with these two.

Concord grapes are so fragrant! We had the joy of picking these at a local orchard nearby and turning them into grape juice; delicious. Reminded me of John 15 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who ABIDES in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing" (vs. 5) ABIDE....to remain, to stay. Are you abiding? Are you fighting the vine or fighting being attached to the vine? Do you want your own way, to call the shots, to produce your own fruit? I know my fruit was pretty stinky today....exasperation with the darlings, yelling to try to motivate obedience, trying to do too much, unrealistic expectations of myself and others, etc. Thank You God for grace, beautiful grace among my ugly sin; for redemption, for rest, for reminders all around of Your love.

A harvest of apples from a dear old 98 year old man and his son...made delicious applesauce (Courtlands, Jonathans, McIntosh apples). Fragrant old barn full of apples; inviting, nostalgic, welcoming. God asked me to go back a second day and ask the elderly man if he knew Jesus. Honestly, ashamedly, I didn't want to. Not because I didn't care about him and his salvation, but because I felt annoyed, embarrassed, frustrated; and also very convicted that I don't do these kind of things more often (telling others about the Savior). Oh what a sinner I am (the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak)! I changed my mind though and decided to obey...an opportunity to teach children (about sharing the good news and also about my weakness and struggle), opportunity to grow, opportunity to plant seed. Arrived at barn, old man not there, his son was...asked if they knew Jesus (he said "yes" his dad did and "more or less" he did). Shared how much Jesus loved him, simply, brief; tried to communicated His love and care. Thank You God for Your patience with us...help us to obey without tantrum; knowing that You are good and desire us to share Your good news with others- as You lead, even when it is uncomfortable at times. The apple barn experience was sweet, not as hard as I thought, brought joy- I've missed opportunities before, haunting; not this time, hopefully, not next time either.

Sweet & Spicy Taco Soup! A fall favorite for sure...confession, I am a creative cook (I am not a big fan of following recipes exactly- unless I am baking), I use what I have on hand and like to add my own portion of spices. Mind you, I have had some big blunders in the kitchen, but feel like for the most part my family is learning to be braver when I throw the word "Surprise" to the end of a dish (ex. Burrito Surprise for dinner last night- basically throwing together whatever I have (that makes sense) into a tortilla- last night it was drained pinto beans, chives from the yard, handful of spinach leaves, chopped green pepper, part of a can of chili verde (green) salsa, a bit of monterey jack cheese, taco-seasoned meat, dashes of hot sauce and a little sour cream. Top with more filling, taco sauce, salsa, and bit of cheese).








Now, back to the taco soup...
One 64 oz. can of Tomato Juice
One can of corn (drained)
2-3 cans of your favorite beans drained (black, dark red, red, garbanzo, pinto, etc.)
One can baked beans (drain just a bit then put it all in)

2 tablespoons brown sugar
One cup of your favorite salsa
One can diced tomatoes (or one large tomato cut up)
One pound seasoned taco meat cooked
Add some of the taco season to the meat also (however much you like)
(see picture above for my sis-in-law's homemade taco seasoning recipe)
Put in crock pot on low for 4 hours or so
Serve with shredded cheese, crushed up tortilla chips, and sour cream on top.

Zucchini Muffins make a great side with the soup or for dessert (or use corn bread for a delicious side). Two summers ago, as I read the following verses, I felt impressed to start building up a food supply in the summer, for the winter (freezing food, canning food, and buying extra canned goods to start an emergency/winter supply). "Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-8).
I admit I did not do much that first summer...but this summer we had a garden, made strawberry jam, grape juice, froze jam and applesauce, and froze veggies from the garden. A lot of work, but a lot of fun too! This muffins were made with some of the zucchini we froze from the garden. I use the recipe found in the traditional Better Homes and Garden cookbook. I used coconut oil (melted) instead of regular oil and a bit less sugar.

Savory Squash and Carrot Soup
This is how I made it today...
Few tablespoons of cooking oil (previously infused with fresh rosemary)
4-6 cups of water
3 tsp of beef base
Dashes of dried rosemary/thyme/sage spices, celery salt, marjoram, cumin, coriander, sea salt, pepper
Bits of fresh basil, sage, and rosemary
Chunks of 5-8 peeled carrots
One large cooked butternut squash cut up in chunks
Boil all ingredients on medium high for awhile, then run it through a blender. Soup will be like a puree. Serve as is or top with a sprig of fresh herb and/or sour cream.

Had to end with a few photos from our impromptu Fall photo shoot the other day. Anna joined the darlings and we had fun coming up with different poses and angles. I hope you are all having a fantastic Fall- hasn't it been beautiful?! May your Fall be fragrant with: wonderful and delicious aromas, an appreciation for God's bountiful blessings all around, opportunities to share His Good News, and thanksgiving for so great a salvation!



"But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings." -Hebrews 2:9-10