The Artist's Paintbrush

"My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. 

Let every creature praise His Holy name for ever and ever." 

Psalm 145:21

 Back in September, while Travis was away for work, I took the kids to a park near our house for a little while to play.  I decided to bring my camera along, wondering if the trees were beginning to show some color and I'm so glad I did.  As we approached the park, it appeared a whole line of trees had been set on fire...

 The tips of each tree had begun to burst forth in color and it was so beautiful to behold. 

 My kids were there to run like mad and shoot their dart guns, but I could not keep my eyes off those trees and the glorious unfolding that was taking place. 

"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise..." Ps. 145:3a

 The game of darts was in full swing and the players were engaged, but I was so caught up in what was around me.  

 "...His greatness no one can fathom." Ps. 145:3b

 The whole world and all He has made in it, our playground. 

 It was as if the artist had begun transforming his masterpiece, one stroke at a time. 

 Ribbons of color painted through the trees with his divine paintbrush.  Tips of leaves on fire. 

 And I happend to be there in the most beautiful light as the sun was an hour or so from setting.  

 Even Walker couldn't help but take it in.  

"All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you." Psalm 145:10

 Such vibrant pops of color, dotting the landscape, one transforming leaf at a time.  

"They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom." Psalm 145:11-12

 "The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." Psalm 145:13

 "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made." Psalm 145:8-9

"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations." Psalm 145:13

Just a few days prior, these bushes began their amazing display of color...

We thought they were amazing and with each morning we marveled at how they changed. 

 But on this night, as we returned from our walk we saw just how much they had turned, even within that one day.  Just amazing!!  And PINK!!

Which thrilled my sweet Ava, my little artist in the making.  She has a marvelous Creator who is in the business of transformation from the inside out.  His works are not too lofty that they escape the eye of a 5 year old and yet not so insignificant that we miss them.  In Minnesota, the trees and the lakes and the trails sing with praise for the splendor set before them and we join in because it is too marvelous to ignore and too important to pass by.  What a slow and unfolding, gorgeous Fall the Lord gave us this year!  

"My mouth will speak of praise of the Lord.  Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever!" 

Psalm 145:21

Three Little Pumpkins

Every year we buy our pumpkins from the same place, a darling farm store right next to our Church.  I buy my bedding plants here in the spring and some vegetables in the summer.  When the pumpkins start sprouting on the vines in September, my kids get so excited!  They know that the pumpkins will be ready in October which signals Carter's birthday AND our annual trip here to pick out their pumpkins.  It's fun for all of us, but especially their Mom.  This place is my happy place and thankfully we picked a gorgeous day to go! 

 They were all decked out for Halloween.

 It was this little cutie's first trip to the pumpkin patch! 

Next year he'll be running all over the place and getting a much different view. 

 Second only to choosing their pumpkins is their dream of jumping in the giant inflatable pumpkin!  We drive buy this thing nearly every day for a month so their excitement level build-up was quite large!  

 They love this thing and they spent quite a bit of time jumping around in there!  

 Trav took these of them playing in the little haunted house they have as well.  

My little jail birds! 

 Meanwhile I walked around taking in all the beauty and hilarity of this place!  Loved that old truck, it was a beautiful shade of navy blue in person, but I wasn't so sure about the howling, caged monkey in back or the skeletons in the front seat!  Personally I think the back of that truck would have been more appealing filled with mums, pumpkins and hay bales.  

 All of which, they had plenty! 

Bathtubs filled with pumpkins, this place just gets me! It's so quirky and beautiful all at once.  

 And these warty pumpkins get me every time!  I love them! 

 Walker enjoyed looking at all of it with me.  

That face was definitely the most darling thing I looked at however.  

So cute!

 After all their jumping, Carter was ready to go searching for the ultimate pumpkin. 

 There were rows and rows to choose from, making the search a big task for little eyes.

 Choices, choices, choices.

 So many pumpkins and thankfully all the time in the world to look them over.  

After they narrowed their choices, Daddy did the heavy lifting!

 Success!! Three (dirty) perfect pumpkins to take home and decorate. 

 Carter was enthralled with the giant, moving spider!

 And Ava was all about the boxes and boxes of miniature pumpkins and gourds. 

 So thankful for a third pumpkin to love this year! 

 He wasn't quite feeling the photo opp. like his mother was...

But he came around.  I could not pass up a shot with an old stove the background and pumpkins galore! 

 My persistance paid off because then we got this one! 

Of all the pumpkins in the patch, these three are my very favorite.  

In the spirit of full disclosure, it took us 10 minutes and 100 bloopers to get this shot!  And yes, I did photoshop the scratch off Carter's nose.  This one was too frame-worthy not to! 

But as I like to remind Trav, I don't give up easily when it comes to pictures and as he likes to remind me, he doesn't run out of patience when it comes to pictures, although he certainly could  :)   

 As we checked out, the ladies behind the counter got our kids with their giant fake spider!  

Can you see it? 

 Once they figured out what was happening, they loved it! 

Oh how we love you, Marshall's Farm Stand! 

See you in the Spring!