The palette of God's painting is the splendid world of color, where He crafts His beauty for our pleasure. Daily walks fill my soul with worship, as I look for the amazing detail He has added to the world goes to bring our souls joy!
The colors of fall and the billowing leaves blowing to His symphony give me great pleasure. I was sitting quietly the other morning watching the leaves literally dancing as they fluttered in breezes onto a lake that shined with waves whipping about in the wind. It was a symphony and ballet of natural beauty and delight.
Yet, one must take the time to notice, or the loveliness of the moment will be lost. Throughout our lives, I have done my best to take my sweet ones with me to observe God's artistry.
I would ask them to:
"Name all the colors you can see in the sunset sky."
or say ...
"How many different shapes of leaves have fallen to the ground? Look at each design--they are as beautiful and as different as snowflakes."
To not take notice is to ignore God.
So when we create beauty and order, we are co-artists with God. Our artistry shows up in the color of our homes, the interesting ways we place books, pictures, paintings, and objects of interest, all reflecting His imprint on our lives.
So, in celebration of His art, one fall we once again we invited a long list of friends to come over for a harvest evening. A potluck of wonderful food was a highlight, with white chicken chili at the center (Sarah made it) and all sorts of offerings.
Finally, we ended with Clay on guitar, Joel on piano, and my friend Terri, who plays the violin, with a rousing series of soul filled singing. It was a night to remember as we worshipped and celebrated His art within us.
Even this year in Oxford, we will all be joining in a harvest party celebration just for fun. So many people I know are lonely. Giving a cup of cold water to another might just be having them over for tea and apple cake and warming their day. And if you model this as a way of life, your children will naturally assume they should be hospitable throughout their lives because it was what shaped them.
Make this a tradition. We have and are making it for a gathering this weekend. Bundt cakes serve a million people or (at least 36 slices! :))
Nobby Apple Cake--or Squirrel Nutkin Apple Cake as Joy so named it!
2 cups sugar (I use organic granulated sugar in the raw.)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
2 cups flour (1/2 cup extra for high altitude)
2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups grated apples
1 cup chopped nuts (I add them to the top of those who want them.)
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together and add into wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly. Fold in apples and nuts, bake in greased floured bundt pan for 40-45 minutes at 350.
Drizzle powered sugar glaze over cooled cake and serve.
Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
dash salt
warm water to thin
2 t. melted butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Mix glaze ingredients, add water as needed to thin, add more sugar if too thin. Drizzle over cake.
Tastes best when warm or hot!
Enjoy each luscious bite and then go out and celebrate the artistry of fall!
For more delicious recipes, see The Lifegiving Table!
