Monday, October 28, 2013

Blustery!

My goodness! The wind is howling out there today. It's still blowing now at about 45-60 mph gusts. Lots of power outages along with it. The beautiful leaves are falling off of the trees in amazing numbers although ours are still hanging on tight. I know it's not anything like our friends in the U.K. are experiencing though and my prayers are with all of you.

Here is what the trees looked like yesterday.

Such beautiful colors aren't they? Apparently our area also had it's first dusting of snow within a short distance of our home although we didn't have any here. More than a dusting had fallen on on Mt. Spokane when I ventured outside this morning and snapped this picture.
Just a bit of snow, but I'm sure there will be more soon. Our middle son lives in Helena, MT and they are in the middle of a winter snow warning right now. Ick. Ick. Ick! It's coming, no matter how much I would like to stop it. Becaue I know this, I went to the tire shop this morning and had my snow tires mounted. Did I say Ick?

Hubby and I went to the trailer on Saturday just for a few minutes to check the charge on the battery. The battery is fine but the pump still doesn't work. Not good. That means next spring we'll be springing for a new pump or at least a repair on the one we have. While we were there I snapped this picture of Canadian geese on the lake.

Not much else is happening here. It was cold and blustery yesterday too, so we hibernated in the family room with a cozy fire in the gas fireplace and my knitting all around me. I finished a pair of worsted weight childrens socks and several more pair of mittens. Yeah! I'll have finished object pictures later in the week.

Chloe and I spent the morning at the church emptying, scrubbing out and refilling the baptistry. It's a big job and one I do about every three months. In between these big cleanings I put spa/hot tub chemicals in it to keep the water clean. Before anyone asks-Yes. I took my dog to the church. Yes she came inside with me. Everyone there loves Chloe and she's a very well-behaved dog so it doesn't seem to be a problem. She stays right with me and just lays on the floor watching me scrub away.  People seems surprised by that when I say she goes with me. I think God loves animals too or he wouldn't have created so many different ones.  :-)

I think this afternoon I'm going to make another Pumpkin Cake. It's funny. I had never seen this recipe before Mandy gave it to me a few weeks ago and now it's all over the internet! I think it tastes even better after being refrigerated a day or two. Even if Hubby and I have a bit tomorrow evening, there will be plenty for Bible Study on Wednesday night.

The countdown has begun. Nine days until we leave for Japan. We face-timed with Alex on Friday evening after my blogging friend Taci texted me about a 7.3 earthquake just off the coast of Japan. I hadn't heard about it before her text and I'm grateful that she thought of Alex. He said it did wake him out of a sound sleep at 2:10 his local time Friday night. All was well though. No damage and nothing broken in his apartment. The buildings there are built very well to withstand earthquakes. I was amazed when I went over there two years ago after the big earthquake to see that very little damage had been done by the 9.+ quake. Most of the damage was from the tsunami. We're very grateful that he's okay after this latest earthquake.

A congratulations to my lovely blogging friend Gracie who has a new Granddaughter, Rose. I can imagine your happiness to have a new baby in the house.

Have a wonderful week my friends.

Blessings,

Betsy

"Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples." Psalm 96:3

15 comments:

  1. Oh the trees are so pretty decked out in their Fall splendor! Love them. :)

    Yay, you are getting so much closer to Japan with each passing day. :) So glad Alex was ok during the quake. Very scary.

    I am so glad you take Chloe to church with you…why not, she is one of God's creatures , too. :)

    It's kind of cool to think that one day in Heaven you will see hundreds of people there who will say to you, "Thank you for cleaning out the baptistry". I do believe what we do here on Earth will be counted for in Heaven. So be of good cheer sweet friend, for you have blessed so many with your hands and heart with all the wonderful things you do (all those mittens, too). Bless you!

    Hugs to you and Chloe, too…and blessings always sweet friend.

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  2. I think that same storm is supposed to come through NM later in the week; they're showing much colder temperatures and wind in the forecast. I think it's over Halloween too; better bundle up my kids!

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  3. Hello Betsy, your Autumn leaves are very pretty... I am glad all is well in Japan after that quake.. Safe and happy travels to Japan... I reckon the snow flurries would already be flying in your North Country.. None here yet. Hugs Judy

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  4. Hi Betsy, I also was worried about your trip to Japan and your son when I heard about that last earthquake. Be careful over there! Isn't it exciting about Gracie's new GD? Maybe we can see her soon. Enjoy your cozy times and your trip. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. I am glad your son wasn't hurt at all in the earthquake they recently had.
    I had no idea how they keep baptisteries clean, but it makes sense now:) I too see nothing wrong with you taking Chloe with you. She sounds like she understands she is in a special place!
    Blessings, Aimee
    PS: Very neat news about Gracie!

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  6. Hello my dear friend, I'm so glad your son is doing well and was ok. I was relieved when you texted me that he was well. Beautiful trees around you.
    I'm glad you take Chloe with you to church. I'm sure she loves being close to you. It's no fun to stay home by herself :)
    Hope we can see each other son. :)

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  7. Hello my dear friend, I'm so glad your son is doing well and was ok. I was relieved when you texted me that he was well. Beautiful trees around you.
    I'm glad you take Chloe with you to church. I'm sure she loves being close to you. It's no fun to stay home by herself :)
    Hope we can see each other son. :)

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  8. Hello my dear friend, I'm so glad your son is doing well and was ok. I was relieved when you texted me that he was well. Beautiful trees around you.
    I'm glad you take Chloe with you to church. I'm sure she loves being close to you. It's no fun to stay home by herself :)
    Hope we can see each other son. :)

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  9. Hello my dear friend, I'm so glad your son is doing well and was ok. I was relieved when you texted me that he was well. Beautiful trees around you.
    I'm glad you take Chloe with you to church. I'm sure she loves being close to you. It's no fun to stay home by herself :)
    Hope we can see each other son. :)

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  10. Thank you for celebrating with us, Betsy :) We are thanking God for Rose's safe arrival...and are now trying to catch up on some sleep and establish a new routine :)

    I'm glad to hear that Alex and the area around him are ok, and pray that you have a safe and happy trip to Japan.

    Cheers for you and Chloe for getting so much done!

    Sorry about the pump :(

    Gracie xx

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  11. Betsy, I just love reading your posts. I would love to be sitting right there with you in your cozy family room knitting and chatting. Your trees are so beautiful, hopefully some of those gorgeous leaves will withstand all that wind. Hurry for the countdown, you are in single digits now. Glad your son is okay.

    Sending you a hug,
    Meredith

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  12. We were very lucky yesterday as the storm didn't come as far north as predicted. Some sad stories, including the young girl (17) killed when a tree fell on the caravan (trailer) she was living in whilst the family home was being renovated. Heartbreaking.
    Love the trees this time of year but what a lot of leaves we need to clear!
    Carol xx

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  13. Betsy I think it is wonderful that you can bring your Chloe anywhere and she is well behaved! Such is not the case for us, I am afraid!
    Is it your son that is in Japan? Wow...what trip that will be for you. I will pray for your safety, and no more earthquakes!!!!
    xo KRis

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  14. Hello sweet friend..e-mail me and I will give you more info about the magazine you asked about. :)

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  15. I think it's wonderful that you take Chloe to church with you. Years ago, we had a couple at church who trained dogs for the blind. They got back one of thier dogs when she was too old to work anymore and they brought her to church every Sunday. She slept at their feet during the sermon and greeted and say good by to everyone with the pastor. She was a lovely dog and always brought a smile to my face when I saw her.

    Hugs,
    Grammy

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