“God is a sun ever-shining; He is manna always falling round the camp; He is a rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life from His smitten side; the rain of His grace is always dropping; the river of His bounty is ever-flowing, and the well-spring of his love is constantly overflowing.” Spurgeon
We were blessed yesterday afternoon by being a part of an event of nature. I had just settled the children into their rooms for quiet time (that time of day I use the quiet to re-charge myself)…..I was puttering around with Seth, cleaning up a little, and I opened the front door and wondered…..what was that sound? It took me a few seconds to realize that the air was filled, absolutely filled, with the sound of birds like I had never heard before. I looked and found them in the near distance, in the tops of the trees of the forest. There must have been thousands of them.
We figured out later that they were grackles.
Caleb was already sleeping, so I called the older children to come and see.
I grabbed my camera, Ethan grabbed Seth, and we tried to get a closer look. We looked up and up the whole time, walking briskly up into the woods……..
It was a spectacle. Birds were singing, moving, and flying constantly all above us, way up high.
Ethan and Grace climbed a big tall pine tree to get a bird’s eye view.
We ended up in a part of the woods that we don’t visit very often. Looking down, I noticed baby Seth practically swimming in the dried oak leaves that were carpeting the forest floor.
“He who is a stranger to wonder is a stranger to God, for God is wonderful everyway,
and everywhere, and everyhow.”
*Charles Spurgeon
The air was mild and smelled sweet of autumn perfumes……….and I found myself praying, thanking God for the beautiful day, and His beautiful creation. We were all happy and lighthearted.
“One of the purest and most innocent of joys, apart from spiritual things, in which a
man can indulge, is a joy in the works of God.”
*Charles Spurgeon
It was really really nice.
Another event of the day was a challenge for us. Could we look all around and gather enough materials to make our very own wreaths using just treasures and bits from God’s nature, and some yarn?
Yes, we could! We sat on a blanket on a far corner of the yard and worked together and yet separately, on our own creations.
Here is Jacob’s wreath. We liked his because it smelled so good. Like pine. When we came back to the house, I added a ribbon. It needed a ribbon.
And, here is the one I made. I ransacked the chicken coop to get some choice feathers. I used red leafed prickly vine from the ground, red rose hips, little pine cones, feathers, and brown yarn.
Friendship with my children, small little wreaths, birds, autumn leaves……and so much more besides, to be thankful for. I wonder what He’ll show us today?
Have a blessed day, friends!
Good to be Home 
The pictures are lovely and so are the wreaths! A Blessed day to you too!
Love the wreaths what a fun and creative craft. Seth is so CUTE in the pics I love him! God is a sun ever-shining, love that! ~Sissy
Love that pic of Seth sitting so deeply in the fallen leaves ~ and I’m glad you got to witness all the birds too ~ even though they were just grackles.
Awesome about the birds! And you are very creative 🙂
The pictures of Seth are so cute, Shanda!! 🙂 I love the wreaths especially the ones with chicken feathers. 🙂
What a wonderous time! I understand how your heart was so full, I experience that too, most often when with family in nature. I love the quotes from Spurgeon, I am going to write them down! You do know that Seth is adorable??!! David and I both said, AAAWWWWW! when we saw him sitting in the leaves, trying to put a stick in his mouth while he looked up! Loved the tree climbers, flocks of birds, leaves, and wreaths!
Seth is so adorable!! The fall leaves are so pretty, what a beautiful place you live!
always a day-brightener to read you posts! lovely pictures, lovely children, lovely, thankful heart you have….blessings to you this day~R
You used feathers from the chicken coop – reminded me you have chickens. How is that beautiful new coop working out. Do you get fresh eggs every day? I know nothing of chickens. LOL!
Awesome wreaths! Great job both of you! I loved the pictures of Seth. I could see them in a collage frame with three holes in it. . .What an amazing event. We’ve had similar to those around this time of year too. I put a video of it on here years ago. Quite an amazing sound. Love you, Lish
Love the wreaths. Oh, pine is just the best smell.
The same birds frequently come through Oklahoma City in droves. You can see hundreds of them sitting on wires and in trees at intersections. It’s amazing how loud they are when they’re all chattering at the same time!
You are creative and I am inspired!! Your wreath is beautiful! I love that Seth is down in the leaves with a stick and a little runny nose. It is so you to have your baby crawling around God’s creation.
I think God delights in surprising us and giving us good gifts…what a great experience…lovely photos too!
Love these pictures – and your fabulous quotes and comentary.
I love the wreaths and to think you got all that out of your backyard. My mom and I have been decorating our dining room table for Thanksgiving and had to resort to Hobby Lobby and other stores for rosehips, feathers, and leaves.
I love the wreaths!
what a beautiful family 🙂
Joy in the simple blessings and wonder in God’s amazing world is always the best kind, I think!
I love the wreaths! And I can just hear your flock of birds…..we’ve experienced that a few times. Amazing~
Wonderful post! Love the wreaths….and the photos of your wee one. Making memories with your children….Bliss!
This post is beautiful. Tank you for taking the time to write and share it…
You’re amazing…the wreaths are so pretty. How do you come up with your ideas? You should write a book about all the fun things to do with kids .
I loved all of this. AND I loved that wreath!
Oh we saw those birds in a huge flock last week and I wondered what they were! I LOVE the wreaths! How did you bind everything together?
@naturalmomma1 – yarn….brown yarn. 🙂
you are such a gifted photographer…and I want a Nikon camera now! 🙂