A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-24-06 .... Autumn Splendor

10-24-06 | JustAmy and MamaBear

[JustAmy]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~

Once Upon An Autumn Day

Once Upon an autumn day,
Colorful leaves began to fade
In the midst of a chilly, frosty air
As multitude of trees grew steadily bare.

Once upon an autumn day,
The whispering breeze was here to stay
Moving aimlessly through the countless trees
Scattering leaves with the greatest of ease.

Once upon an autumn day,
The leaves whirled freely in every way,
Until at last they came to rest
Finding a haven in which to nest.

Once upon an autumn day,
The trees were dormant, and the leaves lay
Waiting for the winter snow to fall
To quickly obscure them one and all.

Joseph T. Renaldi







Swedish Apple Pie Recipe

Apples, cored, peeled, and tossed with lemon juice (2 1/2 to 3 cups)
1 t. cinnamon
1 T. sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
1 C. sugar
1 C. all-purpose flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 to 1 C. nuts (pecans or walnuts)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate.

Place apples in pie plate, filling 3/4 full. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over top of apples.

Combine butter, sugar, flour, nuts, and egg in a bowl and mix well. Batter will be thick. Pour batter over apples and spread evenly.

Bake at 350° F. for 55 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serve with Cool Whip or ice cream.

Makes 8 servings.

Leaves

They’re piled up in the corners.
They’re matted in the yard.
I don’t remember having trees,
Has ever been this hard.

A hint of woodsmoke in the air,
The acrid, musty smell.
Just gather leaves up in a pile,
And spread the ashes well.

Now that they have protectors,
They dump on us with glee.
I’ve never had a poem do,
What trees have done to me.

They pepper me with acorns,
Or crash a mighty limb.
But worst of all to deal with,
Is the assault of ... THEM!

A million scuttling soldiers,
In khaki, to blend in,
They gather in the darkness,
And move out with the wind.

They hide the pretty flowers,
And cover up the grasses,
I’d like to light a fire or two,
And fix their little ... ashes.

Instead, we haul them all away,
Recycled, as they say.
I think they make their breakouts and,
Come back another day.

There seem to be so many more,
Than there once used to be.
Instead of burying, let’s cremate them,
And set their spirits free.

The trees now lord it over us,
That used to live in fear.
I guess I’ve learned the truth of this,
“Rake more than once a year.”

NicknamedBob . . . . . April 3, 2004

If all be true that I do think,
There are five reasons we should drink:
Good wine— a friend— or being dry—
Or lest we should be by and by—
Or any other reason why.
----Henry Aldrich (1647–1710)

Burgundy makes you think of silly things,
Bordeaux makes you talk of them and
Champagne makes you do them.
----Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

If God forbade drinking,
would He have made wine so good?
----Cardinal Richelieu







Winter Bird Pudding Recipe
"Bird Feed Recipe"

2 quarts water
1 C. margarine
1 C. peanut butter
4 C. cereal (cornmeal, rolled oats, Farina, Roman Meal and/or Cream of Wheat)
Chopped fruits (raisins, dates, apples)
Sunflower seeds or bird seed

In a large kettle, bring water and margarine to boiling. Slowly add cereals and cook, stirring constantly until the mixture is fully cooked and thick. Remove from heat.

Add peanut butter and desired amount of chopped fruit, nuts and seeds. Cool and place in plastic containers.

Note: pack the stuff into chopped off chunks of discarded panty hose. Hang the mixture in protected crooks of trees. You can also spread the mixture onto a plate (don't use aluminum pans; when it's freezing, little bird feet can stick to the metal and suffer injury), set out on ground or picnic bench.

By placing the food at different elevations, you will attract many species of birds. The food can be preserved in a freezer (if there is any left over). Just be sure to use it within three to four months.

October's Party

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

~George Cooper~















Pumpkin Stir-fry
Makes 10-12 servings

1 6-10-inch meaty pumpkin or squash
1 10-12-inch pumpkin
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound chicken-apple sausage, sliced
1 onion, sliced
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 red bell peppers, sliced
3/4 pound assorted mushrooms, sliced
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1/4 cup butter
3 pears, sliced
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Scrape the seeds out of the smaller pumpkin, place it in a baking pan, and bake for 25 minutes to loosen the meat. Cut meat out of the pumpkin shell, and slice into bite-size pieces. Turn off the oven.

Cut the top off the large pumpkin, and scrape out all the seeds. Set the pumpkin on a baking sheet, and place inside the cooling oven. (You want to keep the pumpkin warm but not cook it.)

Place olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage; sauté for a few minutes. Adjust heat to medium-high, then add onion, garlic and bell peppers, stirring occasionally for a few minutes. Stir in mushrooms, and cook until tender, yet firm. Season with salt and pepper. Cover, and set aside.

In a separate skillet, melt butter. Add chopped pumpkin and pears, and sauté until crisp-tender. Season with maple syrup and nutmeg. Mix the two stir fries, and scoop them into the warm, hollowed-out pumpkin. If the pumpkin is still too cold, turn the oven to 325 degrees and heat until warmed well. Serve immediately.

10-01-06 ~ Hall of Fame #17

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 10-23-06 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

Thank you for the wonderful Last Fall graphics.
As expected, you did a beautiful job with that poem.

[JustAmy]

Thank you for the wonderful poems, NnB.

You always come through with excellent material.

Thank you again.

[JustAmy]

Lori, a huge thank you for agreeing to co-host our monthly thread.
Your graphics make the thread beautiful.
Thank you again.

((((( Hugs )))))

[Mama_Bear]

Lori, a huge thank you for agreeing to co-host our monthly thread. Your graphics make the thread beautiful.

Awwwwwww..........thank you, Amy. It is my pleasure. You are so easy to please. Seems like, no matter what I do, you are happy with it. LOL.

I was just heading off to bed. It's been a long busy day. Tomorrow is going to be busy too, but I will help "hostess" the thread as much as I am able. See you tomorrow.

[JustAmy]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dutchess; dollycali;The Mayor; GodBlessUSA; JustAmy, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36.............2 nephews TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew jrushing.............................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty AlaskaErik...............active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty Gonzo ........... Son-in-law varina davis............ Grandson Rivendell............ daughter Americaninfidel0 .. active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son cookcounty.............................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike..........................................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son GodBlessUSA......................cousin SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom........................daughter Meg33.............................grandson 911angelady........................2 sons Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law JFC..................................nephew Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins JulieRNR21.........friend's grandson SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers weeder1...........................nephew IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw fatima.....................granddaughter Lori from Long Island....soninlaw monkeyface...................grandson redhead................... grandnephew tongue-tied ............ active duty W.W.Smith........................... son

[JustAmy]

Thanks, Lori.

I will spend as much time as possible here but I need to finish several things tomorrow.

See you sometime tomorrow.

[MEG33]

Apple Pickin' Time

This thread is just beautiful..Thank you all!

[Just Lori]

Wow. That's quite a list. I have met many in the military who never heard of FR......... Well, until I told them about it. GOD BLESS ALL OUR MILITARY FOLKS!

[MEG33]

Post #9 to you,too!

[MEG33]

Amen!

[GodBlessUSA]

Absolutely Beautiful, Spectacular Thread! The poems are magnificent!

[DollyCali]

As we have come to expect, you have provided a visual delight! So beautiful, classy & heartwarming.

Thank you both Amy & Lori for the LOVELY THREAD! Pinging a few friends to the thread & to see my pix!

Here are a few of my pix taken the past week(of course of dogie walks) to show a little of fall here. As it has been mostly rain/overcast, photography is not at it's best for someone with my lack of skill level in using all the settings in the camera. My fav setting is "automatic"!!!

Fall in NE Ohio

First pix above is last week...the 17th at Brandywine creek (below the falls). The dogs love to romp, play stick, stone & enjoy this area.



This next pix (above) is Sunday's hike in the forest area behind church where I hikein Walton Hills. This is from church lawn as I enter the woods which is a buffer zone between the Metro Park & the private golf course. It is about 300 acres of wild, rough, gorgeous terrain.



The last pix was taken yesterday afternoonat the Plateu region of Brecksville Reservation. My friend Patty is shown here with Josy & Toby. You can see the ravines we go up & down. This one is about 100 feet. Pat is my friend from WAY back in jr. high. We get together each monday for doggie walk, dinner, chatting & sometimes a movie. Conversations on pets, men, our increasing aches/pains are always a fun Monday

Some of the prettiest scenes in my opinion of Fall are found off the beaten trail, deep in woodlands, low in the creek/river valleys & also high on overlooks..

Much of the gorgeous color will be knocked down today as we are having VERY heavy snow showers ..the heavy wet rain, that wants to be snow, but isn't quite. I am to walk later with John & Chance/Tippy & my dogs. Will see if the weather cooperates. As usual, a light/misty rain or snow are great for hikes but NOT driving rain!

The colors of fall are but a taste of the palate on God's canvas found in heaven... a sneak preview of the beauty & glory that awaits

[onyx]

Hey! Good morning! You posted some. Beautiful. Thank you!

[DollyCali]

Did you sleep well? did the nap & "margies" help? I woke up sometime in middle of night wight Cali having a sneezing spell that released her bladder (on me).. I decided to just roll over & handle it in morning. bedding as well as me was of course affected.

But I had 7 hours of sleep time, which I needed!

[DollyCali]

"nap" .... should be "bath"... good grief

[onyx]

GOOD for you! You slept! I did not sleep at all. My youngest son called to tell me I am going to be a grandmother again --- this will be my ninth grandbaby. I just couldn't get to sleep...

I'm going to force myself to stay up all day and try to get back to a normal schedule by going to bed at 10:00PM tonight AFTER the bubble bath and margarita I postponed. :)

[The Mayor]

October 24, 2006

Be An Example

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA

READ: 1 Timothy 4:12-16

Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. —1 Timothy 4:12 A high school senior honored as  one of the "Best & Brightest" in our community has provided a forceful demonstration of integrity. When his school team was given the word auditorium in a regional spelling bee, Brady Davis glanced down to ponder his response and noticed that the word was printed on the microphone stand. He called this to the attention of the judges who responded with a more difficult word. Brady did what he knew was right whether others noticed or not.

We don't know when our actions might become an example to others. But if we live each day to honor Jesus, our behavior will model His righteousness, no matter who is watching.

Idealism and enthusiasm are often best expressed by the young. But uprightness and honor should be goals for Christians of every age. Paul told his young protégé Timothy: "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12).

Brady Davis says his goal in life is to change the world around him while never compromising himself. We would do well to join him in that pursuit of life, integrity, and exemplary behavior. —David C. McCasland

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care.
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.  —Walter

A good example always makes a good sermon

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year;   Jeremiah 3-5; 1 Timothy 4

[DollyCali]

Showing the view in front of my home & what I see when I am FReeping.(cant take credit, God's work!) I have my computer set up in living room facing out to front yard. NOTE THE KEN BLACKWELL sign (which has not been "stolen" yet.. 10 days.) The prior 4 signs were stolen! I just took this pix a few minutes ago during a lull in our rain/snow. It is back to heavy again

Ken Blackwell is going to be our next governor & hopefully president someday. That will make for a fun Dose. He is 6'6" charismatic, smart & our hope at this point for Ohio!

[DollyCali]

gotta get busy here. I used up all my "break time" before I even got started! :-)

[onyx]

That's breathtakingly beautiful!

YES, KEN BLACKWELL MUST WIN!!!!

[RockinRight]

Great view!

My Blackwell sign's been up for a while and it hasn't been stolen. However, I'm on a dead end street in a *relatively* conservative neighborhood, well, conservative for being within the Akron city limits.

[RockinRight]

I think most of my dad's side of the family will vote for Blackwell. Not sure about a couple of my cousins. I think my sister's a lock, my dad and stepmother are in, my mother is a Dem but usually doesn't bother to vote anyway so that's good, same with my stepfather. My mom's side is mostly apolitical or they don't live in Ohio.

[NicknamedBob]

A very lovely thread today, Amy. Thanks for the showcase. Thanks, Billy, for the exquisite setting, you captured my suggestion flawlessly.

I'll be out of touch for a few days, in the wilds of Pennsylvania. Don't worry if you don't hear from me.

If I need something, I'll yell really loud!

[DollyCali]

Have a great trip Bob..should be gorgeous leaf viewing if that is part of the agenda.

Your poem & the presentation were great. Thank you as always & safe travels!

[NicknamedBob]

Thanks, Dolly!

I'll keep my eyes open. You never know when your vision will be filled with the transient gleam of a distant bouquet of ...


Oops, sorry. Darn poetry wax building up again.

Later!

[The Raven]

Nice pix (as usual)

[JustAmy]

Have a safe trip and enjoy autumn in the wilds of Pennsylvania.

Thanks again, NnB. Your poems always add special content to our monthly thread. See you when you get back.

Wish I knew the subject of my next thread, I could give you a neat assignment.

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, (((((MEGs))))). Do you get much autumn color there in your part of Texas? It will be four or five more weeks before we have our fall color here. It's usually just before Thanksgiving when we are at our peak.

When I was searching for graphics for this thread I came across this photo of autumn trees in the town where my family comes from in Massachusetts.

[stopem]

Good morning!

Love Autumn, all the beautiful colors.

Went to vote in early voting since we are leaving the country on saturday and will be gone for 16 days.
Voting was very light but steady, practically all Seniors there voting.

[Billie]

Thank you for the wonderful Last Fall graphics. As expected, you did a beautiful job with that poem.

[Billie]

Truly is a "splendid" post today, Amy and Lori. I LOVE the Fall Season most of all the seasons. (Spring is a close second) :)

I want to be eating that apple pie right now!

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, GeeBee. Bet you are having some lovely color in your neck of the woods. Also bet you have been way too busy with your move to even think about photographing the season. LOL.

Hope all is going smoothly.

[Mama_Bear]

Beautiful photos, Dolly. I envy you living in the wilds of Ohio, amongst all that "nature". I live in the country (sort of), but we don't have "woods" here. I so miss the woods.

Thanks for sharing your photos with us.

[Mama_Bear]

Mornin' Rus. Hope all is well with you and yours. Happy autumn to you!

[JustAmy]

Thank you, Meg, for the compliment and the lovely autumn graphic.

Hope you are enjoying a beautiful fall day.

[Mama_Bear]

Could that be a "wolfie" Lori is holding?

Yes, I do believe that is our very own wolfie. ;-)

Good morning, Billie.

I wish I could stay on the thread today, but we're having out of town company over for dinner and I have bunch of things to finish up. My list of things to do contains nothing anywhere near as fun as visiting with FRiends at the Finest. :-(

I will leave you all with a pretty autumn image and will try to return later today....

[Billie]

Sweet apple pickin' graphic, Meg! Apples and pumpkins and technicolor leaves and crisp mornings - and football, of course! Ahhhhh, Fall! :)

[Billie]

Morning, GeeBee - love your tables/graphics post! You always find interesting and neat backgrounds for your tables. :)

[Billie]

Thanks, Billy, for the exquisite setting, you captured my suggestion flawlessly. As I said above, it really is my pleasure. I'd rather make graphics than...... than...... eat....uh, clean house or cook or do laundry. :)

[Billie]

Oh, Dolly, what a BEAUTIFUL view you have as you sit at your computer! I'm so jealous. :(

:)

[JustAmy]

The military prayer list is really impressive.

I'm sure they appreciate the prayers for them and their buddies who have not made the list.

Thank God for our military as you ask him to bless and protect them.

Thanks for coming by; I hope you are having a great autumn.

[JustAmy]

Thank you, GeeBee.

I love autumn with all the vivid colors.

[JustAmy]

Good morning, Dolly.
Thank you for the lovely Ohio autumn pictures.
I've been to Ohio twice during October. The beauty was breathtaking.

Hope you are having a Fabulous Fall Day!

I believe the above picture is someplace in Virginia.
I've had it for 3 or 4 years and can't remember. :(

[sunvalley]

Congratulations, Onyx! Another little one to love on the way!

Take it easy today, and rest well tonight.

[Majie Purple]

Wowza! Autumn Splendor turned out splendedly!

But than again each one I see is equally splendid...

Pinging my Brother TParty Type to see my 1st ever graphics finds inclusions...

Can't fathom that 4 made it in!

The Corn...The Pumkin & Crow...

The The Apple Pie & The Flags & Apples!!!! How fun...

((((Thank You M B /Lori for that sweet note

at the end of the Header Graphic!))))

Thanks All for letting me help You in the search. No need though for public thanks.

A behind the scenes gif gift treasure finder...

One of my Fave things to do on line.

That along with time spent on FR!!

[Majie Purple]

Thank You Dear Meg!

[Majie Purple]

Really adorable pic @ 49!

[Majie Purple]

Wow 9th Grand baby coming!!!!!!!!! Congrats.