Colors of Autumn

Brilliant gold and reds of God's palate
Brilliant beauty of fall leaves

I LOVE this time of year! I drive around town and the trees are amazing with their intense colors. I know it is not as amazing as the East Coast this time of the year. But I think, somehow, that our colors are better because they are mixed with all the Evergreens that don't change color. So the contrast is greater. I have seen pictures of the colors in the east and it is stunning. But I really love seeing the bright reds, oranges, and yellows against all the green here in the NW. I took some photos today to illustrate what I mean by the beauty of our colorful trees.

October in Oregon

Sunrise over the foggy Willamette Valley - Oct. 12, 2008

Sunset over the Snyder Cherry Orchard - Oct. 16, 2008
Sunrise over the Willamette Valley - Oct. 17, 2008
Banana Squash fully cooked - 10 lbs.
16 cups (4 quarts) Banana Squash ready for the freezer
( Dad will sure be happy since this is his favorite squash)

This is my favorite time of year. The air is so clean and crisp. The colors on the trees and bushes are so vibrant. The sunsets and sunrises are amazing because of the clear air. The days are warm, the nights are cool, and there is a nice breeze to keep things fresh. The harvest in the Autumn is abundant, and so the freezer is full of containers with fruits and vegetables to enjoy during the winter.

Getting Ready for Mom and Dad

Since Mom and Dad will be moving to the NW at the end of the month, I am trying to make sure that their new 'home' will be ready for them.

I went over yesterday and spent about 5 hours cleaning. The duplex was supposedly left 'clean' by the former tenants. However, I have learned that everyone has a very different idea of what 'clean' is. I took my step stool, a bucket, rubber gloves, environmentally friendly 'green' cleaner (hey, this is Oregon), some disinfectant wipes, and a roll of paper towels. The first thing I did was to weed the yard. The grass may be dead, but the dandelions continue to grow even when there is no watering done. I got a very large bag of yard debris. Next, I went into the kitchen and washed out all the cupboards, drawers, stove, fridge, and counters. It fairly *sparkles*. On to the bathroom, which was not that dirty........amazingly! But now it is spotless. My next cleaning chore was to clean the windows, troughs, and sills. My last cleaning chore is to clean the kitchen and dining room floors. I discovered that there are little spots of tar on the floor, which I don't know how to remove without harming the surface. Any suggestions? I did talk to the owner about some things that need 'fixing'. One of the keys does not work in the deadbolt and one of the drip pans on the stove are missing. No big deals. I did find a great - over the toilet - vanity cupboard for the bathroom. Got it half price at Walmart and need to put it together. It will give lots more storage in the bathroom. I will put that together today........maybe. Anyway, things are coming together. I talked to Mom yesterday and she actually said, "I am getting excited about moving up to Oregon". Now that was an amazing thing for her to say! I have prayed over and over that she would do well with this move. I know how the weather affects her moods, and we do have a 'few' days of grey in the winter. But being closer to family is something she is really looking forward to. They put their home on the market this week, and that is great. We need to pray that just the right buyer will come along and that the timing will all work out for them. God is in control and He has orchestrated every step of this move so far. I know all the last bits will fall into place as well.