Remember last week I mentioned how much I love to visit farmers' markets in the fall? Well, that's exactly what I did this week. I hopped in my car and went to Farmer Clem's, my favourite market. There wasn't as much straw under my feet as I would have liked, but oh....did I go crazy buying up vegetables for my favourite preserves - beets, tiny silverskin onions, regular onions, peppers of various colours, pickling cucumbers - what fun! (Taking the pictures below was great fun too!)
When hubby came home and saw the bags of goodies he said, "Now I'll be smelling vinegar every day when I get home from work!" That took me right back to my childhood. My sisters and I told Mom every year, "We knew as soon as we stepped off the bus that you were making relish!"
That's what I enjoy most about this season. It brings back some wonderful memories - picking out a new box of crayons for school and the distinct aroma they evoke in my mind, collecting coloured leaves and pressing them between the pages of the family dictionary, going on nature hikes and pocketing acorns and pinecones to make crafts, filling our home with fall decorations (which I did just yesterday), washing the Mason jars in preparation for making preserves (which I plan to do this weekend), raking up piles of leaves and then jumping in them (thanks for your patience, Dad!), feeling my hunger grow on Thanksgiving day as the mouth-watering aromas of turkey and dressing wafted throughout the house (of course, for we Canadians, that happens in early October), waking up to frost edging the last brave blooms, taking a drive on a Sunday afternoon to admire the changing leaves - "Looks like a carpet!", we often remarked as we viewed a hillside vibrant with red, orange, yellow, and green - these are just a few of my fond recollections I look forward to revisiting, and in some cases repeating, every autumn.
Times of reflection are important in our lives. They help us see were we've been and how far we have come. They cause us to think about how we have changed and what we still need to strive toward and achieve. Remembering helps us learn from our mistakes and make better choices in the future. I am grateful to God when I reflect on how different my perspectives and circumstances are today as compared to one year ago. Yesterday, I was praying that I would never forget the valuable lessons I have learned through the experiences of the last few months.
A good verse for me to ponder is Psalm 143:5, "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." Some days I become so busy that I neglect taking time to reflect on how God has provided for me, encouraged me, and how He is directing me day-by-day as I learn to trust Him more completely.
Sometimes our periods of reflection are not so pleasant, perhaps even painful. It always helps me to know that God sees every tear and hears every heart's cry. Nothing escapes His notice and everything is within His power to control. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5b).
Today, my heart is full of joy!
Until next Sunday,
Kathy
When hubby came home and saw the bags of goodies he said, "Now I'll be smelling vinegar every day when I get home from work!" That took me right back to my childhood. My sisters and I told Mom every year, "We knew as soon as we stepped off the bus that you were making relish!"
That's what I enjoy most about this season. It brings back some wonderful memories - picking out a new box of crayons for school and the distinct aroma they evoke in my mind, collecting coloured leaves and pressing them between the pages of the family dictionary, going on nature hikes and pocketing acorns and pinecones to make crafts, filling our home with fall decorations (which I did just yesterday), washing the Mason jars in preparation for making preserves (which I plan to do this weekend), raking up piles of leaves and then jumping in them (thanks for your patience, Dad!), feeling my hunger grow on Thanksgiving day as the mouth-watering aromas of turkey and dressing wafted throughout the house (of course, for we Canadians, that happens in early October), waking up to frost edging the last brave blooms, taking a drive on a Sunday afternoon to admire the changing leaves - "Looks like a carpet!", we often remarked as we viewed a hillside vibrant with red, orange, yellow, and green - these are just a few of my fond recollections I look forward to revisiting, and in some cases repeating, every autumn.Times of reflection are important in our lives. They help us see were we've been and how far we have come. They cause us to think about how we have changed and what we still need to strive toward and achieve. Remembering helps us learn from our mistakes and make better choices in the future. I am grateful to God when I reflect on how different my perspectives and circumstances are today as compared to one year ago. Yesterday, I was praying that I would never forget the valuable lessons I have learned through the experiences of the last few months.
A good verse for me to ponder is Psalm 143:5, "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." Some days I become so busy that I neglect taking time to reflect on how God has provided for me, encouraged me, and how He is directing me day-by-day as I learn to trust Him more completely.
Sometimes our periods of reflection are not so pleasant, perhaps even painful. It always helps me to know that God sees every tear and hears every heart's cry. Nothing escapes His notice and everything is within His power to control. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5b).
Until next Sunday,
Kathy
Joining:
Hi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post!! I look forward to this time of year every year! For all the traditions and memories too... I will be doing some pickling too soon, I have the same memory coming home and my mom in the kitchen, making mustard relish...yum!
Have a great Sunday!
All the Best,
Christine
Just wanted you to know I enjoy your post so much. I always finish reading them with a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know how much I enjoyed reading this post. Not only thinking of childhood memories but for your verses which really spoke to me today. This was a sweet, touching post.
Nancy
Such wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing them with Seasonal Sundays.
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper