Tag Archive for: Fall

Fall Colors and Holiday Caramels

Autumn is my favorite season of the year.  I enjoy seeing the fall colors and watching farmers harvest their crops.  

With the days growing shorter and the air brisker, autumn has another appeal.  I’ve always loved that it leads into the holiday season.  Thanksgiving and Christmas have special activities and family get-togethers that are highly anticipated.  In addition, I’ve always looked forward to seasonal holiday foods.

This picture was taken about a half mile from my grandparents’ place.  It’s been a number of years since they were here to enjoy the season with us.  Yet, that time with them was always special.

What you may not see is how the road leads over two streams.  Like the old Christmas song says, “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go.”  The writer forgot to add “… and up the huge hill”.  But, I suppose that they didn’t know the way to my Grandma’s!

One of my favorite seasonal things my grandmother made was her caramel candies.  They were rich, sweet and creamy!  Actually, creamy may be an understatement.  I suppose that is because those candies started when Grandpa used to haul milk.  They continued long past that, since Dad works in a cheese factory.  So, there was always sweet, rich cream in those caramels – nothing diluted there!

Now that my grandmother is gone, my wife continues that caramel tradition.  Grandma didn’t leave her recipe to anyone, so my wife found one that was very similar – just for me!  

Looking at this picture and thinking about those caramels, reminds me of the importance to slow down and “enjoy the scenery”.  Life is too short, and in the end, the things that are most important are our loved ones and the memories that were shared with them.

I’m also reminded of the beauty with which the Creator has painted His universe.  Thinking of that, and Grandma’s caramels, I remember the passage in Psalm 34, where we’re told to “Taste and see that the Lord is good…”

This autumn, I hope that you’ll take time to enjoy the beautiful fall colors.  Along the way, I hope that you’ll take time to remember years past, and look forward to what lies ahead.

Have a great day!  😀

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Pumpkin Wagon

Pumpkin patches and displays are a feature of autumn. This wagon sits at a farm that I drive by often that offers pumpkins and other decorations for sale.

On a weekend ride to see the fall colors, my family drove by this. Since I was driving, my wife took this picture for me.

I must admit that I’m already partial to the combination of green and yellow. Add the orange of my favorite season, and this wagon stands out against the weathered shop building behind it.

Think about the stories that this old wagon could tell. It may share tales of the people and loads that it hauled or the places that it visited – leaving scars as reminders of its years of use.

Each pumpkin shares its own story – one of perseverance, struggle and growth, from small seed to harvest.

Likewise, we all have stories. Think of your scars, and how they helped you to grow. The same Creator who watched over those pumpkins also cares for you and me. He’s lovingly watching over us to help us grow and mature into the “finished” people that we’re intended to be.

Autumn offers many opportunities to see beautiful colors painted across the landscape. Over the next few weeks, I hope that you’ll enjoy the scenery as you experience the Creator’s love for you!

Have a great day! 😀

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Mum’s the Word!

As summer fades into fall, autumn decorations become common to see. Corn shocks, pumpkins, gourds and mums can be seen outside of many homes and businesses.

Fall displays have always been something that I enjoyed seeing. After a busy summer, it’s fun to see the rewards of a good harvest. Autumn decorations also mean that the holiday season is just around the corner – with all of its fun festivities and get-togethers.

These blooms offer a splash of color during harvest time. With these flowers, we realize that the weather is going to be growing cooler. Decorative displays like this allows some warmth before the long, gloomy days of winter set in.

We live in a world that’s full of competing voices. Perhaps, we are missing out on the golden nature of silence. It’s in that quietness when we can hear our Creator and the needs and concerns of those around us. Remember, “Mum’s the word!”

Have a great day! 😀

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Journey Down a Dirt Road

I came across this picture that I had taken some time ago. Many thoughts about dirt roads and old barns came to mind as I looked at the photo. 

As I continued to look at this scene, thoughts of work came to mind. After all, dirt roads and old barns seem to bring up memories of hard, manual labor – you know, an honest day’s work. 

Today, we live in a world that seems to grow more hectic by the minute. The technology that was supposed to make our lives easier has often just made us busier. We’re in a hurry to get places, but we don’t take the time to enjoy the ride. This is many of our lives. But, is that what life is really about? A constant rat race from birth to death? 

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that there’s joy in the journey – not just at the destination. Along the way, we’ll experience bumps and bruises – and, you and I will hit some pretty big potholes. Yet, like a great meal that’s been left to simmer, the best things in life are often found on the roads that are least traveled. 

Old barns, houses and fences tell their own stories of love, laughter, trials and hard work – the kind of life that leaves a person exhausted and yet contented. These feelings are robbed from us when we’re too busy to slow down. 

Pictures like this remind me that the best things in life often occur when we take our time. Not only do we make fewer mistakes, but we may experience and enjoy what really matters – time with God and loved ones. 

So, let me urge you to find a dirt road. Slow down and see where it may lead. You may be surprised to find the destination to be a place that draws you closer to your Creator and loved ones. 

Have a great day! 😀

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Autumn Backroad Adventures

My wife and I both love autumn. One of our favorite seasonal activities is to take drives to see the fall colors. Around every turn and over each hill are new views to enjoy.

These backroad adventures allow us to slow down – if no one is following. It’s here when we are given a chance to witness the brilliant colors and handiwork of the Master Creator.

We live in a world that seems to be constantly on the go. Yet, these drives to enjoy the autumn splendor give us another chance to pause and see that the most important things in life are our relationships with God and the people who He brings into our lives.

Each season offers new opportunities to be enjoyed. Yet, it’s in those drives to see the vibrant, unique color palettes that we find a sense of thankfulness and rest.

Have a great day!

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Experiencing God

We live in a world that is always in a hurry. In the process, we often lose focus on what really matters: God and people. As a result of this misguided view, the rest of our lives, work and many of our best intentions become mediocre.

What if we took the time to experience God and listen to others? Perhaps, if we order our lives in a slower more orderly way, you and I can then say that we have given our best.

(Photo Credit: My wife.)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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A Path of Leaves

Like many people, I love to see trees display the changing fall colors of their leaves.

However, leaves often lose some of my interest once they have fallen off of the trees.

As they dry and decay on the ground, their vibrant colors fade.

I realize that the brown, shriveled remains make for a good compost and ground cover for gardens. Fallen leaves also provide the fuel for an autumn bonfire to be enjoyed with family and friends.

Yet, they also serve as a reminder that summer is over.

It was recently while making a delivery when I saw these newly-fallen leaves.

The fence helped them to form a type of path.

Still wearing their bright colors, they serve as a reminder that peace, and even joy, can be found in nearly every circumstance, regardless of where life seems to lead us.

These leaves help to remind us that when we keep our eyes on the One who colors them, then we will always find hope in every season and situation that we face.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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