What To Do

How many times in you life have you been left wondering what to do? When you're looking for concrete answers and they don't seem to come He provides. 

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. -- Jeremiah 6:16

This beloved verse came up in my reading the other day. I've been doing a read through of the Bible this year. I admit some days are more difficult than others; all those begats and atrocities. But most days either a single verse or a story speak to me. I am grateful for the time to attempt this.

Another cherished verse came to me from a friend in Bible study. I am forever grateful to her for this answer and I pray it will always come to mind when I don't know what to do.

Trust in the Lord by Graber's Graphic Designs on Etsy

It's so comforting to know that the burden of answering that age old question is not mine to carry. I hope and pray that you, too, find the answers today.

I love the sofa in the picture. It reminds me of the one we just ordered. We sold our old sofa at a garage sale early this month and then spent the better part of the month furniture shopping. We calculated we've now bought five sofas in our 34 years of marriage. I was thankful when number five was ordered Friday so we could get on with some summer fun.

I'll leave you with some reminders of our Sunday hike at Suntop Peak.

Linda <><

A Three Tree Fourth

Reminiscing over half a century of July fourths I've come to realize I've been blessed with many sweet recollections. With the cousins, as a child, I recall riding in the back of the pickup truck to Courthouse and Jail Rock and Bridgeport's evening rodeo with fireworks to precede our own sparkler fun. Then there was the honeymoon 'fourth' in a sweet cabin on Puget Sound and later with friends watching our kids do their own parade in Georgia. Most recently we've succumbed to letting the now grown kids do their own thing, while we clean the garage and watch the neighborhood fireworks. What a treat it was to spend this Fourth of July at Three Tree Point with our dear friends, Suzanne and Ty and family!

Three Tree Point is a close knit beach community on Puget Sound. For around 30 years they have been celebrating Independence Day right. It starts with a bugle call at 8:30 AM, then breakfast is served from 9-11 AM. The afternoon is highlighted with a flag raising ceremony, a children's parade, a small carnival, a treasure hunt and a kayak parade. Before the fireworks show a band plays and there's dancing in the street! The fireworks display was big, but sitting on the beach watching a 180 degree plus light show around the sound was spectacular. We've already made plans to join them again next year!

Here's our day in photographs.

Our home for the fourth

First, unloading the kayaks

Morning view up the street

Time for breakfast

View from the water

More from the water

Kids' parade

Kayak/paddle board parade and Mount Rainier 

How do you keep the critters calm?

Food is an important part of the day

Time to party

Dancing in the street

Mount Rainier overseeing the festivities

The night ended with a boom

And a bang!

To think such celebrations were taking place from sea to shining sea warms my heart. I am blessed to live in a country where we're free to celebrate or protest if we choose. This day I witnessed joyous celebration!

Patriotic Decorative Pillows by RyensMarketplace on etsy

I brought the potato salad! I love making it. Most folks say they love eating it. Next week I'll tell the story behind it and how it's made! 

Summer officially begins in the Pacific Northwest on July 5th. Happy summer to all!

Linda <><

In the Blast Zone

This week's hike took us into Mount St. Helens' blast zone. We were searching for sunshine again, but we didn't find any. We never even found Mount St. Helens!

Rainbow at Norway Pass

What we did find  was the beauty of rebirth in an area completely devastated by a volcanic eruption 33 years ago. The area we hiked has been protected to return to it's natural state. It was simply fascinating and beautiful. 

Snow on Mt. Margaret trail

It was also rainy, windy and even snowy at the height of our climb. I can't wait to go back when Mount St. Helens is not hiding behind clouds!

Spirit Lake from Windy Ridge

Have you ever felt your life was nothing less than a blast zone? I have. But I believe when we let Him, God can bring beauty for ashes not just on a mountainside, but in our precious lives as well. 

To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
~Isaiah 61:3

Since we will be falling back soon and any time change messes up our inner clock I want to share my favorite energy smoothie. I don't drink coffee or caffeinated tea, but this really does the trick when I get drowsy.  

Love Chocolate Energy Smoothie

1 banana

1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter

1 tablespoon maca powder

2 tablespoons cacao powder or cocoa

1 teaspoon cinnamon

about 1 cup milk

(almond, soy or cow's milk)

ice

Place banana, peanut butter, maca powder, cacao, cinnamon and about 1/4 cup of the milk in a blender and blend until smooth. Add ice and fill with more milk. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

This makes one smoothie. I like to use the Magic Bullet, but you can use any blender. All of the amounts can be changed to your liking and some sort of sweetener can be added.

Linda <><

When the Sun Comes Out to Play

Autumn on my street

Puget Sound was socked in with fog all week. I'm not complaining, I think the fog magnifies the already vivid fall colors! And for the most part it's business as usual. Great for photography, a moisture treatment tops off my run, no real excuses to stay in. It does get a bit dreary though.

I've been working on a big custom order; thirty-one personalized Mason jar cozies. One of the things I love about crochet is that I can take it anywhere. 

Mason jar cozy fun

I also have a set of CD's accompanying my current Bible study. Did I mention I have a driver I adore? So yesterday we took a quick trip east to find some sunshine. It was really less than an hour away. What a joy it was to emerge from the fog into the warmth and beauty of Mount Rainier.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?" Psalm 121:1

After listening to Louie Giglio speak on the Creation story we were immersed in the glory of God's creation.

Tipsoo Lake

While surrounded by this beauty the question was posed: will I be the biggest part of my own small story, or a small part of His story? 

Crag Field

As I am blessed to soak in this sun I choose to be part of His big story. When I'm stumped at just what that means to me I recall Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
 and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he shall direct your paths."

Jim and I at the end of a glorious day (Mount Rainier in the background)

Once again I am inspired to find my own small place in God's big story.

Linda <><