Lunch date

Today, and every other week, I have a lunch date with Patrick at school. I decided that as long as he was willing to see me at school I would have to take advantage of this opportunity, especially since there will come a day when he's too cool for mom.

You have to have a strong stomach for fourth and fifth grade boy lunch room conversation, but it is certainly worth the time.

Sunset on River Cove Road

Contentment

Regardless of our circumstances, we are called to make the best use of every opportunity that God gives us to serve him—what the older translations call “redeeming the time” (Eph. 5:16; KJV). This means embracing whatever God has for us in every season of life.

This poem was written by a 14-year-old boy, and was originally published in "Who Gets the Glory?" by Dr. Charles R. Swindoll (author of one of my favorite books).


It was Spring, but it was Summer I wanted:
The warm days and the great outdoors.
It was Summer, but it was Fall I wanted:
The colorful leaves and the cool, dry air.
It was Fall, but it was Winter I wanted:
The beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.
It was Winter, but it was Spring I wanted:
The warmth and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child, and it was adulthood I wanted:
The freedom and the respect.
I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted:
To be mature and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted:
The youth and the free spirit.
I was retired, but it was middle-aged I wanted:
The presence of mind without limitations.
My life was over,and I never got what I wanted.

Autumn colors and an amazing sunrise this morning

Vermont fall colors are just getting started.

An afternoon in the kitchen

I really enjoy baking, however, most of the things that are baked do not appear anywhere on the "approved foods" lists of low-carb diets.

Jörg and I have been folllowing the Dukan diet since we returned from our Montana trip in July. The diet is going well, but I miss being able to bake.

Fortunately, my children, while eating what we eat most of the time, still get sandwiches for lunch (home made bread), muffins for breakfast, and an occasional chocolate chip banana bread treat for an after school snack.

Ready for date night! (the first in quite awhile)