Blackberries!

Check out our blackberry post over at Barry & Christy to see what we've been doing with the bountiful blackberry harvest this year!

Included is a recipe for blackberry scones!

An Unexpected Visitor

This Sabbath was a lovely day up in the mountains.  And during potluck, we had a inquisitive furry visitor.  A young black bear with beautiful white markings on his chest.  No, he wasn't after my blackberry pie, delicious as it was.  (Sorry, no pictures!  It got eaten too quickly!)  He was after the bird feeder.  Our church has wide windows that we keep open during summer Sabbaths so I was able to get some close-up pictures while still being in the relative safety of the church.  Needless to say, there were a few times that he was within 6 feet and could have easily jumped into the window had he wanted to.  Thankfully, he was more interested in the birdseed, although I'm sure it was hard for him to resist the tempting smells of potluck that were wafting out the open window.  We eventually scared him off because he was getting too comfortable being around humans.  But even so, he just ambled off and laid down beneath a tree behind the church, no doubt making plans for another approach.

Howe Kids

Storm Light

My absolute favorite colors and lighting situation comes right before or after a storm.  There must be green trees and blue water.  Dark sky and bright sunshine.  And wind.  These elements create my favorite conditions.  I cannot describe the awe I get when God creates scenes such as these.  There was one such evening at the Howe home that was just glorious.  Here are two pictures that attempt, but don't come even close, to the beauty that was present.