Caught Up!

If you have been caught up in the seasonal madness which is easy to do, take a moment with your cup of tea, or coffee, and stop to meditate on why, how or what. Make that full circle back, steady our hearts, focus on the Creator not the created.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8.

Justly: Honorable and fair in one's dealings and actions. Valid within the law.

Mercy: Compassion shown, especially to an offender.

Humble: Not proud or haughty (blatantly proud).

Without mercy and being humble, you probably won't fulfill being just.

Always remember:
Because Jesus made an oath with God, He has become our guarantee for a better covenant and He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him and He always lives to intercede for us!. Hebrews 7.

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long! Psalm 25:4-5.

Morning Glory Muffins

Most of the time, we never know when we will be a blessing to someone else.  I was really blessed (but didn't realize it) when my dear sis-in-law Diane loaned me a book called: The Inn at Angel Island, written by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer. It is the first book in a series. The book is about reclaiming one's dreams and one's faith. 

Low and behold, one of the characters recipe was printed in the back of the book, Claire's Morning Glory Muffins!

This was special to me, because Jim and I would always get a "morning glory muffin" at the Morning Glory Cafe in Bar Harbor, Maine. They have since ceased from making these awesome muffins and we missed them way too much....

So to my delight, here was a recipe that I could make as a surprise for Jim.  If you would like the recipe just email me. 

Thank you Diane for lending this book to me.  I bet you didn't know it was a blessing to me! Simple gestures, a kind smile, a helping hand, all blessings to give!

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24.

Nova Scotia October 2011

We finally decided to venture into unknown territory and visit Canada's Nova Scotia.  October would promise us a rainbow of leafy colors and crisp cool days and cold nights. 


Since we started our venture from Maine, our long drive deposited us in the city of Saint John to spend the night.  

Just  having fun! That is what life is all about, or mostly...
Our next stop was in Sydney at a lovely b and b called Paradise Found. We stayed in the Hydrangea room.  Very nice!

Dinner table at Amedeo's Italian Bistro. Nice.


We trekked down to Louisbourg and stepped back in time to 1744. This fortress was one of the busiest harbors and a key center for trade and military strength in the new world.  It once was the capital of Ile Royale (Cape Breton Island.) People in period costume were amazing. This whole village was recreated though, and only 1 original building was left.  Good history.

 Jim was not supposed to do this, but he had to put the garb on....

It was a day full of fun and definitely recommended.


Our next stop was at the lighthouse and I thought I was going to be blown away with the wind! Nova Scotia seems so windy to me! We took the Lighthouse trail and met some local people picking cranberries. I could hardly understand the older gentleman. Not sure if he had gaelic tones in his speech.

Finally we were on our way to Cape Breton Provincial Park. It is just like our National Parks. We stayed in a small (maybe 10 homes) community called White Point at a bed and breakfast called Two Tittle. If you ever decide to head that way, ask me first! We drove the Cabot Trail around the northern side of NS. Very scenic views.  
Our first hike in Cape Breton Highland NP was the Skyline where we saw an actual live moose! It was thrilling to me as they are so large of an animal. Fond memories of that but the hike was just ok. The first two pics were from a place were you could buy scare-crows! It was just down right creepy!

On October 10th it was Thanksgiving Day in Canada. We celebrated it by stopped at the Bean Barn Cafe and had Thanksgiving Sandwiches and I had a piece Butterscotch pie! The coffee was delish too!

Here are a few pics that I loved during our stay in Canada.  Our trip headed us down to the great state of Maine.  We stayed about a week in Bar Harbor where we had left part of our hearts.  There are so many hikes in and around Acadia National Park, and we explored new ones this time.  I will not post pics of Maine as I have already posted too many!