Autumn is Upon Us: Devotion

September

A road like brown ribbon,

A sky that is blue,

A forest of green

with that sky peeping through.

Asters, deep purple,

A grasshopper's call,

Today it is summer,

Tomorrow is fall.

--Edwina Fallis

September 23, Autumn began. Time has flown this year. And the older I get, the faster the years fly. Of course, I'm busier than ever with family, friends, church, and travel. This year has brought many adventures, a few learning sessions, laughter and tears. But most of all, I want to remember that God's word in our hearts is important and vital to enjoying a profitable life.  

• I have forgiven.
• I have shared love with others.
• I've experienced sorrow from the passing of others to the other side.
• I've overcome difficult situations and experiences.
• I've rejoiced in the victories
• I've grown spiritually
• I've learned to appreciate life even more.

The Bible says: "the grass withers and flowers fade, but God's word endures forever."

And the author of Ecclesiastes writes: "there is a season for everything."

NOW is our season. Let's not let our influence wither, but work while our "season" is still here.

Blessings, and may you have a glorious Autumn season!

***

Angry at being rejected for military service, Minister Tyrell Walker accepts the call to serve as a civilian spy within his own country. Across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, a spy working for a foreign country is stealing secret plans for newly developed ammunition to be used in the war. According to his FBI cousin, this spy favors pink stationery giving strong indications that a woman is involved.

He’s instructed to obtain a room in the Rayner Boarding House run by the lovely, spunky red-haired Emma Jaine Rayner. Sparks of jealousy and love fly between them immediately even as they battle suspicions that one or the other is not on the up and up.

While Tyrell searches for the murdering spy who reaches even into the boarding home, Emma Jaine struggles with an annoying renter, a worried father (who could be involved in this spy thing), and two younger sisters who are very different but just as strong-willed as she is.

As Tyrell works to keep his double life a secret and locate the traitor, he refuses to believe that Emma Jaine could be involved even when he sees a red-haired woman in the arms of another man. Could the handsome and svelte banker who’s also determined to win Emma Jaine’s hand for marriage, be the dangerous man he’s looking for? Is the trouble-making renter who hassles Emma Jaine serving as a flunky? Worse, is Papa Rayner so worried about his finances and keeping his girls in the style they’re used to, that he’ll stoop to espionage?

Will their love survive the danger and personal issues that arise to hinder the path of true love?

Buy the book here:

https://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1492661357&sr=1-1

About Carole:

Besides being an active participant in many writing groups, Carole is an award-winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance, and whimsy into her books and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1
BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Fall Fun & Festivities

Ah, Autumn. It's one of those seasons that people either absolutely LOVE or HATE.

 For me, I love this time of year. The crisp weather, the sweaters and scarves, hot drinks, permission to start thinking and talking about Christmas...Sigh.

Autumn colors I captured while in New Brunswick this year.

Now my brother on the other hand? He could almost go into depression this time of year. The days get shorter, more clouds, rain/sleet/snow and storms, the COLD...where did all the sunshine go?

Maine autumn colors for you.

But whether you love fall or hate it, you have to admit that there is a lot of fun and festivities that go on. Hay rides, all the fresh veggies sold at stands, people tend to have fall parties, craft fairs...it seems everyone is trying to get their socialization in before Winter sets in and no one wants to go out.

Perfect place to curl up with coffee or hot cider.

One of my favorite activities during the fall season is just taking a trip to the mountains, or a walk around the neighborhood, just to admire the changing of the leaves. It's such a beautiful reminder of the cycle of life and God's promise of resurrection in the Spring. I stand in awe when I think of how deeply that type goes. The leaves are dying, and yet in their death they are beautiful. They fall to the ground and become compost for the trees around them. In the same way, our lives are most beautiful when we fully die out to ourselves and allow ourselves to be in service to God and others.

Home, sweet home.
Fall in Colorado with Pike's Peak in the background.

So what about you? Do you love fall, or don't? 

What are your favorite festivities for this time of year?

Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for an ebook copy of my holiday book, Solve by Christmas!

8 Reasons to Fall for Fall

8 Reasons to love Fall, even if you are mourning the loss of Summer.

I don't know about you, but Autumn is my jam. Plus, it's literally a great time to make jam. Eat jam. To jam in your jams. Jenn here, and I have to tell you that this season is what we (I) wait for all year long. If you just aren't feeling it yet, here are some reasons to get excited. (it is, after all now officially fall)

1.        Break in the weather. As a northern girl living in the South, I long for the cool mornings I can sip my coffee on the back porch without breaking a sweat. We need this break, no matter where we live, but especially if we live in the South.

2.         Color. Leaves changing colors is one of the most spectacular feats of nature. God puts on a show every fall and I spend hours staring at the trees in wonder.

3.         Schedule. The lazy days of summer cannot last forever, and fall brings with it new programs, school beginnings, and a generally much fuller calendar. But it’s great to get “back on track” isn’t it?

4.         Hot drinks. Coffee. Hot Cider. Hot chocolate. Wassail. You know that sensation of cupping a steaming mug in your hands, and inhaling the contents? Oh, there’s nothing better early in the morning, or late at night, right?

5.         Crock pot. Not that I never use it in the summer, but there’s something awesome about a pot of chili in the fall. Or simply soup in general. Soup on a cool day is healing, comforting, and just plain good.

6.         Leaves on the ground. More specifically, the crunch of leaves on the sidewalk when you walk through them. It’s a singular sound, and it always means fall. Plus, jumping in leaf piles is a major childhood memory, so, leaves on the ground are my favorite.

7.         Pumpkin bread. Pumpkin cake. Pumpkin spice lattes. Pumpkin soup. Pumpkin everything. First let me say that this is WAY overdone. But if you just pick one and indulge yourself a couple times throughout the season, you won’t be sick of it and your fondness will come back. (But don’t do the pumpkin spice Oreo’s – That’s just wrong).

8.         Scents of the season. I am a sucker for the scents of fall. My favorite being, the scent of burning leaves. This takes me straight back to my childhood, and if I catch a whiff, or see a burning pile of leaves as I’m driving by, I slow the car and roll down the windows, inhaling like a crazy person. Also, hot cider on the stovetop, apple pie, camp fires, and hay rides (you can smell that, can’t you?)

What’s your favorite fall scent?

Everything But the Sink Stew

Fall is in the air and nothing sounds better than a hot bowl of stew on a chilly evening. I hope you enjoy one of my family's favorites!

1/2 Onion, chopped
1 can of Rotel tomatoes or tomatoes with jalapenos
1/2 medium can of V-8 juice
2 - 15 oz. can of pinto beans with jalapenos
1 - 15 oz. can of whole kernel corn
1 package Lipton beefy onion soup mix
1 cup of chopped celery
1 large zucchini squash, chopped
1 package small smokey link sausages
1 - 15 oz. can lima beans
1 - 15 oz. can black olives, sliced
Monterey Jack cheese, cubed

Do not drain the vegetables. Combine all ingredients with liquids in a large pot and simmer for an hour or so, until all the flavors blend. Correct seasonings (salt and pepper) if needed. (I find it tends to be a little on the salty side.) If too thick, add more water. Place cubed cheese in bottom of bowls and add hot soup over it.

Meet Norma Gail:

Norma Gail’s contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, released in 2014 by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is a Bible study leader, and writes devotionals for ChristianDevotions.us and “The Secret Place.” Norma is a regular contributor to the Stitches thru Time blog. She belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. She is married and has two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

Book Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/