There will never come a day when I don’t miss the majesty of the mountains where I grew up, a place where it was always possible to stand on top of the world and marvel at the beauty and vastness of it. Although my current home comes with considerably less epic hiking opportunities, Indiana affords its nature enthusiasts every reason to look up, especially in the golden, glowing month of October. I hope everyone is able to fully celebrate this week as we honor and pray for our beloved dead.
Throughout our childhood my mom seeded her German roots into our lives with little phrases or terms of endearment like this one. We were her little butterflies and I hope to pass on the tradition and the title to my own kids. While out for a sunny afternoon walk, my own little schmetterling and I enjoyed chasing the butterflies.
I’m happy to report that thus far we are successfully raising an adventurous hobbit to loves to be outside treading new paths even more that we do. She is constantly crying for fresh air and sunshine and long walks under in the shire like landscapes of Northern Indiana. Thanks be to God.
The brilliant pinks and purples or spring and summer blooms are giving way to the burnt red and golden hues of autumn. The temperatures have begun to drop and with them the veggies ready for picking from our little garden. We finally nailed down a date for our annual apple picking adventure at a local orchard (a first for our baby girl) and we’ve had a quiet week of cozy rainy days. What a blessing to savor each season in its’ turn.
Although we minimize our trips into Chicago as much as possible, it is always entertaining to spy the city floating over Lake Michigan on a clear day while hiking at the Indiana Dunes. Only faintly visible in the blue haze it stands like the lost city of Atlantis, making you question if it’s even there at all. God blessed us with many sunny days like this one throughout the summer.
Although afternoon strolls through the neighborhood are now a daily occurrence for me, there’s a new sense of urgency about them to keep the stroller moving. On this particular sunny day, baby girl was fast asleep so mommy got to stop and smell the flowers. Indiana summers are truly blessed.
They say time flies when you’re having fun. This summer definitely sped by as we welcomed our daughter into our lives and the fun is just beginning. What a beautiful, blessed life.
I spent the entirety of my upbringing hiking and camping with my family. Happily, God blessed me with a husband who is happy to carry on these outdoor traditions with our own family. This summer we did just that and our baby girl got to have her very first campfire.
Tireless, saintly church ladies aren’t the only ones with a heart of gold. Even on rainy days nature flaunts its’ true colors. We need only stop and smell the flowers.
Although I’m hardly a fan of the midwestern swarms of mosquitos, Indiana is also the land of many other far more fascinating insects including the tiniest of dragons. These two blessed me by stilling their delicate wings long enough for me to snap a photo.
Blessed in the Midwest 