Mount Rainier, seen from Alder Lake. We see this amazing and awesome ( in the true meaning of the word) view from many perspectives all around our home and as we travel to town to shop, or drive practically anywhere. It becomes very easy to take this view for granted, but I don't. To see this mountain and the surrounding country-side only makes me cry for the beauty and ponder the God, my God, who has created it.
To me, more precious than the beauty of the mountain, 3 of my granddaughters sitting on the dock of Alder Lake gazing out at the lake and mountain. God Himself considers the little ones precious. I hope in this busy time, this summer time, you too have time to ponder and give thanks to God for His gift of a beautiful and awesome creation...the amazing forests, oceans, deserts, mountains, and even simple meadows and flowers in your own backyards. Even more precious, the children God has blessed you with, be they your own children, grand-children, nieces & nephews, or little ones God has placed in your lives who need an appreciative voice, a caring voice, someone who will love them and pray for them no matter what.
"Do you not know, have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired, His understanding is inscrutable, He gives strength to the weary..." Isaiah 40:28,29
This summer has been one of great joy, but also much busy-ness and activity.Balancing home duties, caring for my animals , crafting with my wool to provide weavings and rugs for upcoming bazaars, and remembering to take time to actually enjoy my family , especially my grandchildren, before they grow up so very quickly, as quickly as my children did...well,this has left me little time to blog.My head is swimming with things to write, and the urge to write has been bubbling up within me. My body though is screaming "SLEEP!". So, the flesh is weary and giving in to sleep which enables me to wake up and enjoy another wondrous day with grandchildren who will grow up too quickly. Summer is coming to an end, the granddaughters will return home and to school. Already the scent of autumn is in the air, the leaves are turning red and yellow. My favorite season is so close and as summer quickly turns into fall I will miss the 4 little girls who giggled and laughed and kept me and the washer & dryer humming all summer long as they spent their summer here on Cedar Pond.
Summer at Alder Lake with two granddaughters keeps coming to mind as Autumn , my favorite season comes quickly, very quickly. "People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy." Anton Chekhov
This Granddaughter and one of her sisters camped with us early this summer and the memories of this joyous time keep coming back to me. This is one of the granddaughters playing on the Big Toy at the Alder Lake campground... my thankfulness for this time brings tears to me whenever I remember. This little girl has endless energy and joy for life. She is also as agile as a little monkey! "The world is as many times new as there are children in our lives." Robert Brault
"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." Angela Schwindt
"The soul is healed by being with children." Fyodor Dostoevsky
One of these times I might write a post telling how very true this quotation is, but later, when the telling is not so painful.
Being with children, whether you're related to them or not is a chance to be in a world with a fresh perspective. Children have a way of seeing things as they are and accepting them,all at the same time. Children are also practical and dreamy at the same time too. When I am with children I glimpse the hope and excitement of all life might give us and the down-to-earth realities of the restrictions of life. For a child the restrictions are bed times, chores, and the usual "don't s" childhood is full of. Children dream of so many more possibilities in spite of the "don't s" and are happy because of their dreams. "There are no seven wonders in the eyes of a child. There are seven million!" Walt Streightiff ...And don't forget, being with children is fun!
We've been camping! We went to Alder Lake which is near-by. Alder Lake is a favorite spot of mine. This particular view across the lake is one I could just sit and gaze at for a very long time. Actually, I HAVE done just that.In sunny weather, in rainy and cloudy weather. In cold weather.
In Autumn this view is even more spectacular. Being so close to home we used to come here frequently with the kids in the summer. The swimming is good here. There are wonderful picnic grounds, a playground,there is fishing and camping. You can take a quick and easy hike to the dam too. A few times I came up here just to give the dogs someplace bigger than Cedar Pond to swim and retrieve. One cold fall day I was able to watch a herd of elk grazing in the picnic area, completely un-afraid of me or my dogs.
Here is a tiny glimpse of our new travel trailer in the camp-site at Alder lake. We brought 2 of our granddaughters camping with us, and we had so much fun! Our first outing with our new trailer. It is a small trailer but I feel so rich and pampered with it. It has a stove, a microwave, a real oven. A shower, bath, toilet! ( I hate using out-houses)I am ready to travel now~We wanted a small trailer our car could pull easily, and one that would fit easily into the many camping sites we are hoping to stay in.
We really needed this past weekend. My husband was able to sit back and relax and do some reading by the camp fire.
The granddaughters also sat back and read to each other by the campfire.
I roasted a chicken stuffed with our garden fresh herbs and stuck butter under the skin.Did you get that? I ROASTED a chicken in my oven while camping!!! We also baked cornbread and brownies. How decadent, but~ Oh so very delicious! Especially after a day in the great outdoors. ( rose and mint bouquet from home)
This granddaughter really enjoyed eating the buttered corn on the cob she helped her Poppa shuck !
Just look at this view of Alder Lake from the picnic grounds, I really do love this camp ground . It is so close to home ( about 45 minutes away ) it is often overlooked by many around here, but as our first adventure with a new travel trailer and a get-away from the busyness of home, it is perfect! The granddaughters loved it too.
To see another perspective of this camp-out see our daughter's blog A.Joy At Home.
