Music to the Ears

So the last few weeks have brought amazing fall weather to the midwest. Yes, it's a bit chilly but this is the time to savor before winter hits. So whenever Mom hasn't been in the field or I haven't been out of town for work...we've been horseback. It's so peaceful in the woods this time of year. Pretty much all you hear is the sound of the leather on your saddle as it creeks while your horse makes a path through the timber.

The other day my friend Lisa and I went for a ride. It was just us and our horses. No little kids playing horseback Indians. Not a large crowd of gals just gabbing away. Just us. And it was so peaceful. Sometimes it takes moments like that to realize just how much 'noise' is in our every day world. We are completely surrounded by activity and chaos all day long. Sometimes it is just so nice to 'unplug' from it all and truly enjoy God's creation. And to have a few moments just to relax, breathe, and reconnect with your soul. (that sounds kind of like a yoga teacher, but I really mean it) It's so easy to get wrapped up in the activity of the world, sometimes I just need to remind myself to step back and take it all in.

Pay It Forward

So last month I got sucked in to my friend Sue's 'pay it forward' contest...and I won. Which meant two things 1) she made me a lovely bracelet that matches everything I own and 2) I have to pay it forward by hosting my own contest with my own prizes.

So now it's your turn to win. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and in a couple weeks I will put all the names in a hat and draw 3 (even if I don’t know you that is ok just leave a comment and I will give you my email address so you can email me your address so I can send the gift) If you win you need to continue the PIF by making 3 items and posting the same type of thing on your blog. Don’t worry if you don’t have a blog you just need to make 3 things and give them to others and encourage them to do the same. How fun is that? Good luck! Make sure to leave a comment here.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Everyone that knows me knows the I LOVE the midwest! I've been to 49 states (lived in 3) and 3 other countries...but no matter where I go, I don't think there is anywhere as beautiful as home. Now there have been some amazingly beautiful places...don't get me wrong...but as a whole, nothing can beat the midwest. When I lived in Michigan and Georgia, it was so cool to live amongst so many trees...but often times I felt clostrophobic because I couldn't see what was around the bend! I would get off an airplane in Iowa and just physically feel the breath release from my lungs as I relaxed and said "oh man, I can see for miles!" And this time of year....that means being able to see the sun set as it casts it's last shadow on the bean fields and combines. It's just absolutely gorgeous!

The last few weeks have brought rapid change in the crops and the trees here. Sometimes I am just in awe of the beauty this time of year. And knowing that winter is just around the corner, it makes me wonder if God created the splendor of fall just to give us something to hold us over through the winter until spring comes.