gather. {the beauty of nature}

Kristin's family had plans for the day and the dinner guests we had invited needed to cancel. The day was crisp and deliciously autumn...not one to fritter away! 

Ron went with a couple of his brothers to an antique car show. His oldest brother Max has restored their father's tractor and it was entered in the show. 

So we girls grabbed our cameras and pumpkin spice iced coffees, and off we went for a Sunday afternoon drive! We rambled around, looking for autumn beauty...and because we are house-y sort of people, we stalked drove through several neighborhoods to see pretty fall wreaths and pots of mums and piles of pumpkins. (More on that later.)

But it was such a gorgeous day, we just couldn't stay in the car. We hopped out and took a walk through the woods, following a path that meandered alongside a stream.

Changed plans became an opportunity to gather some lovely moments in the great outdoors.

This is day 6 in the series gather.  Click ~here~ to see more.

gather. {for worship}

One of the highlights of my week is our gathering with His Body on Sunday mornings. We are so blessed to be a part of a fellowship where God's Word is exhorted faithfully and where there is unity among believers. Our worship together is a beautiful thing. 

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name." Malachi 3:16

This is day 5 in the series gather.  Click ~here~ to see more.

gather. {more pumpkins}

The gatherings from the farm stand made their way to the mantel and the dining room table and the front porch and the back porch and the patio.

Pumpkins in the nooks and crannies.

What are you gathering this weekend?

This is day 4 in the series gather.  Click ~here~ to see more.

gather. {pumpkin}

I have never met a pumpkin I did not like love. 

I love pumpkin spice iced coffee from Dunkin Donut. I love pumpkin muffins. I love Kati's pumpkin cake. (And I'm glad she makes one for her birthday every year). (Yes, the girl makes her own birthday cake.) (Because my layer cakes are...well...not always successful?) I love the pumpkin roll that my sister makes. I love pumpkin waffles. And did I mention pumpkin bread? 

photo by Bekah

Pumpkin candles are the bomb. I buy them on clearance in December so I have a stash when autumn rolls around again.

Do you gather pumpkin flavors and scents too? Or are you like my friend Becky who feels like this...

~ source ~

This is day 3 in the series gather.  Click ~here~ to see more.

gather. {at the farm stand}

We arrived at the farm stand in the early evening. As we carefully considered our choices (who can choose among the bounty?), we paused to chat with the farmer and his wife. We talked tractors and new grandbabies and pinched nerves. The farmer is our brother-in-law; the wife is Ron's sister. 

Between snippets of conversation, we gathered Indian corn, Cinderella pumpkins, and Mexican hat pumpkins and put them in the wagon. More chatting, and then some butternut squash. More talk, more gourds. Ron and the farmer discussed sweet potatoes. The farmer walked over to his plants, crouched down and dug up a few, and handed them to Ron. Bekah chose some Baby Boos for her room and some for Kati who was at work.

The shadows lengthened, we gathered our selections, and headed home for an easy supper of leftover sloppy joes. 

Do you gather autumn bounty from local farm stands? What do you choose?

This is day 2 in the series gather.  Click ~here~ to see more.

gather. {31 days}

I had pretty much decided not to do a 31-day series this year. A month long series is a lot of work. I know, because I have written such a series three Octobers in a row. I wrote about topics that I was passionate about...31 Days to Make a House a Home and 31 Days of Hospitality and CeLeBRaTe!! I didn't think that I could get that excited (31 days worth of excited!) about another topic. 

But then I was shopping a few weeks ago and I saw this plate...

...and it sparked an idea!

Gather. Harvest. Autumn. Hmmm...

Off went my brain in a dozen different directions. Maybe even 31 different directions!

gath·er  /ˈgaTH ər/ (v.) bring together and take in from scattered places or sources

I am going to gather. All month long. 

I'll be "bringing together from scattered places and sources" and sharing what I've gathered. I may even challenge you to gather from time to time. As I gather, I'll actually be touching on the ideas of all three of my previous October series. 

I will be gathering things to make a house a home. 

I will be gathering people and ideas for hospitality.

And I will be gathering things for celebrating. 

gather. will be a simple collection of ideas and inspiration. The posts will be short and sweet...jumping off points.

Won't you join me each day in October and we'll gather together? 

I am joining in with a gazillion other bloggers who are posting for 31 Days! Click ~here~ to visit...

all 31 days...

day 1. you are here!

day 2. {at the farm stand}

day 3. {pumpkin}

day 4. {more pumpkins}

day 5. {to worship}

day 6.{the beauty of nature}

day 7. {even more pumpkins}

day 8. {apple · grape · celery salad}

day 9. {memories with friends}

day 10. {gift wrap supplies}

day 11. {still life photos}

day 12. {a time}

day 13. {the many faces of Ben}

day 14. {to celebrate}

day 15. {pumpkin fool}

day 16. {for morning time}

day 17. {drive-by inspiration}

day 18. {spicy simmering potpourri}

day 19. {His lambs}

day 20. {cozy throws & blankets}

day 21. {a happy package}

day 22. {copycat autumn squash soup}

day 23. {around the table}

day 24. {to clean}

day 25. {teas}

day 26. {the music of Thanksgiving}

day 27. {weekend snapshots}

day 28. {leaves}

day 29. {brown}

day 30. {with family and friends}

day 31. {Gathering the Moments of October}

{Gathering the Moments} September

The month just began (didn't it?) with a little girl's birthday and a visit to a seaside town and a project kind of vacation. And even an ice cream party! It was summer as September began!

And then we were back to school and back to routine. Back to piano lessons and PE class and Book Club. 

We enjoyed the fellowship of precious friends, and fellowship with family.

Autumn began to peek out of nooks and crannies...

There was change...

from computer cabinet to china closet
from vacation to routine
from 7th grade to 8th grade
from geraniums and ice cream to mums and apples
from summer to autumn

And there are big changes on the horizon...big and wonderful! 

photo by Sarah, my sweet daughter-in-law

Yes, they are moving on!

Our son Ryan will have a new position in November (yes!) and our faraway family, for the first time in over seven years, will be not so far away! We are elated! We're already thinking weekend trips and holidays and grands coming for a stay and so on and so on... 

As I gather the moments of September, I am grateful. 

For the changes. And for the fact that our Lord never changes. 

...the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

Again this month, I am inviting you to join me in "gathering the moments." You may wish to share two or three photos, or several collages, or bunches of photos...with words, or without words. The link-up below will be a gathering place for us to reflect and share and connect. (The link-up will stay open for a week, so you have plenty of time to gather.)