Living in Eucharist

Summer, though not technically over, is giving way to autumn. I've been blessed this summer with one of my favorite things--hiking. Most weekends I've worked in a hike or two, in contrast with last summer when I only got to do one hike. And I love to hike! This is by no means the end of  hiking for me this year, but as the seasons change I reflect on the why's and the where's of my wonderings.

'The Mountains are calling' from GreetsDesigns

The first 'why' is my passion for hiking and nature! Growing up in a small town in western Nebraska may not sound like hiking central, but, quite frankly, what else was there to do? Scottsbluff National Monument and the Wildcat Hills were my childhood playgrounds.

View from the top of Scotts Bluff National Monument

Second, hiking is a great way to spend time with people. It's a wonderful way to get to know folks, just walking in the diverse beauty of nature there is always something to talk about and an ease in the quiet. There is an intimacy created with that beauty paired with the absence of distractions, like electronics, that can allow talks of depth that might never occur otherwise.

Nature cheaper than therapy by OliveandThistleCo

The list of why's could go on and on(there's the exercise thing, for example), but my number one motive for hiking is to live in Eucharist! In the midst of His creation I am grateful. I am nourished and revived in His Beauty. I am inspired to share His Love and Beauty and continue to seek Him first.

As for the 'wheres" here, in chronological order, is a list of my spring/summer hikes:

•  Snoqualmie Falls -- this was part of a special day, the day after our daughter's wedding, with very special folks.

Randy, Karen, me & Jim at  Snoqualmie Falls and Salish Lodge

• Washington Park Aboretum -- our annual Mothers' day hike!

Me & my precious kids

• Twin Falls -- first adventure with our hiking group 

'Ridgers Hike'

• Nisqually Wildlife Refuge -- I did this one twice this summer!

Nisqually Delta

Also got to kayak there

• Mt. Galbraith -- a Colorado hike!

Just outside Golden, Colorado

• Tolmie Peak Lookout and Eunice Lake -- a magical, misty hike

Em on the trail

• Mt. Si -- this summer's toughest hike by far!

Katie took this from the very top(where I dare not go)

• Sheep Lake and Sourdough Gap -- another group hike. This was so much fun, our original plan was to hike Sheep Lake and then we just kept adding on more trails. The burgers at Wally's after were especially delicious!

This is part of the Pacific Crest Trail

• Rattlesnake Ledge -- one of my all time favorite trails and I got to check Twedes off my bucket list

Patty & I on Rattlesnake Ledge

Agent Dale Cooper's favorite pie, this is another reason I love to hike, after hike treats

• Poo Poo Point -- with the kids on a Sunday

Great fun watching the paragliders from the top

• Hurricane Hill -- just last weekend, another family hike

Amazing views 360 degrees from the top

My hope is that each and every one of us pursue our passions, as they are a gift from God, and in so doing live in Eucharist! 

Linda <><

Just Another Day in Paradise

Yesterday my daughter and I loaded the back of the pick-up truck with 7 boxes and 11 bags of discards to take to the thrift store. 

Now there is room in my moms old steamer trunk
for some of my daughters' treasured toys

And today the discarding continues, it feels good. But it also feels good to get out and enjoy this beautiful world. 

Paradise at Mount Rainier with Edith Creek and Tatoosh Range

After another powerful message at church on Saturday night we chose to head for the mountains Sunday morning. Needless to say we did not require long underwear! It was in the 60s and with the sun reflecting off the snow and the workout snowshoes provide we were just plain hot!

You can see the steam coming off the top

We packed a snack for lunch.

Our view for lunch

We've been promised rain for next Sunday, that's fine, we'll be glued to the TV.

A mountaintop 'twelfie'

I hope you, too, can take time out from your everyday activities to celebrate the beauty of God's creation!

Heading back down

And, 

Sing for joy, O heavens; shout, O earth. Break forth with song, O mountains, for the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion upon them in their sorrow. 

  --  Isaiah 49:13

The end!

Linda <><

Honey Ginger Cream Soda

I took one of those online quizzes a friend had posted on Facebook. Supposedly, it would tell me my secret obsession and all I had to do was pick pictures. Simple, right? I just knew, like most of the online quizzes it would be way off. You'll never guess what my secret (not so secret) obsession is. My results concluded that my secret obsession is food! Not, as I might have hoped, love or faith or even nature.

The truth is, those who know me well know how I love food. As a normally reserved, quiet soul I can talk all day about food!

Today I want to share my own latest concoction. If you like ginger you will love it. My ginger loving friends all agree, it's a tasty, satisfying drink.

Ginger is not only tasty, it's got a long list of health benefits

Honey Ginger Cream Soda

About 1 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger,

 pealed and chopped

1 cup coconut milk (or half and half)

1 tablespoon honey

club soda or sparkling water

ice

Place the first three ingredients in a blender (I like the Magic Bullet for this) and blend until good and smooth, about 2 minutes.

Pour through a fine strainer. Put 1/4 cup in a tall glass, add ice and carefully top with the club soda, as it will foam up. Makes about 4 servings.

Adjust the amount of ginger to your liking

I'm a big fan of local raw honey

Straining it makes your drink nice and smooth

Store the remainder in the refrigerator 

As we enter the hectic holiday season don't forget to take time to eat healthy, relax and enjoy the true meaning of the season! I'll leave you with some photos from our weekend hike. A lovely walk on the boardwalks of Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Twin Barns

Boardwalk on the delta

The landscape changes dramatically with the seasons

Jonathon Livingston

Linda <><

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My Favorite Season

Folks sometimes ask, 'What's your favorite season?" I've been pondering this and finally came to a conclusion. My absolute favorite season is the one that presently encompasses me. Like now, the cooling of the days, the brilliance of the colors, the bounty of the harvest. I love fall! But I also love Christmas, hot chocolate and the pureness of freshly fallen snow. Then there is the new hope of spring. And here in the temperate climate of the Pacific Northwest, summers are delightful. How could I pick only one from the beauty of each season?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 Faith Bag by LauriesGiftsBiz

We have had quite a few 'bonus days' this fall with those Indian summer days of sunshine and warm temperatures. Rain is here now and I love it, too. 

Psalm 118:24 instant download by PrintableMotivation

My hope and prayer is that in life, just as in the year's seasons, I can find joy in each one.

Philippians 4:11 necklace by AuthenticallyMade

The following pictures are from a delightful, full weekend of urban and mountain hiking.

Waiting in line for the Seattle REI's garage sale

Silliness in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle

A Sunday hike on the Naches Loop Trail at Chinook Pass.

After hike lunch of cheeseburger and fries at Wally's Drive-In

May this season of your life be filled with Our Gracious Heavenly Father's beauty and blessings!

Linda <><

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 <><