TWA:NE (49): Twelve Reasons to Take A Virtual Tour of Peggy’s Cove

Why take a virtual photo tour?

#12. Because it will be such a visual treat! You can scroll through these pictures in a couple of minutes, and I think Peggy’s Cove one of the most scenic fishing villages I’ve seen anywhere in the world!

#11. St. John’s Anglican Church in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, built in 1893.

It’s tiny! There are only about 35 year-round residents and only one church!

However, some 700,000 tourists flock to visit every year!

Why?

Halibut Dinner at the Sou’Wester in Peggy’s Cove

#10. Well, for sure Peggy’s Cove deserves its reputation for “world-famous” seafood.

An appetizer of mussels at the Sou’Wester Restaurant

Their mussels are right up there with those we tasted along the Normandy Coast in France,

and their halibut is as good as or even better than any we’ve had off fishing boats in Alaska. Served in a pool of salty butter, it’s competition for lobster in texture and flavor!

(However, lobster is the #1 local catch for the village fishermen.)

But that’s not all!

#9. If you enjoy shopping, there are some unique shops along the boardwalk!

If you need any fishing nets or lobster traps, it’s definitely the place to be,

but they also harbor shops with clothing, food, and souvenirs.

#8. And there’s more! Peggy’s Cove is a haven for artists and the home of one of Canada’s finest sculptors, William E. deGarthe, whose finest work is on display here (as well as a gallery of his paintings).

William deGarthe carved his “Fishermen’s Monument” from a one-meter-long granite outcropping in his backyard! This boat-shaped masterpiece features 32 fishermen, their families, and even St. Elmo, the patron saint of sailors. It stands like a sentinel near the middle of the village.

Margaret’s Bay

And, there’s more!

#7. Peggy’s Cove is situated on a watery wonderland known as Margaret’s Bay, just southwest of Halifax (Nova Scotia’s capital and the largest city in all of Atlantic Canada).

#6. The Maritime Provinces are always beautiful, but I think they’re at their peak in the fall.

#5. While visiting, we stayed at the KOA between Halifax and Peggy’s Cove, and let me tell you, it is one gorgeous campground!

The West Halifax KOA is especially beautiful in early October.

It’s situated on the Upper Sackville River

in Nova Scotia, Canada.

#4. For those who enjoy hiking, another reason for visiting Peggy’s Cove is the Coastal Heritage Trail, which has superb views as well as a couple of memorials:

#3. The Swissair Memorial Site, just a short walk from Peggy’s Cove, commemorates the 1998 tragedy when SwissAir Flight 111 crashed into the ocean at the mouth of St. Margaret’s Bay. Despite immediate, heroic actions on the part of the village’s fishermen, all 229 people aboard perished.

#2. Not far away, the SS Atlantic Heritage Park commemorates those estimated 550 people who died during the worst single-vessel marine disaster off the Canadian coast up until 1873. During this tragedy, the heroic efforts of the local fisherman saved more than 400 people, although another 550 people perished when the SS Atlantic sank.

The RMS Titanic leaving England for New York, April 10, 1912
(Public Domain)

This infamous record has only been surpassed by the sinking of a sister White Star Line vessel, the Titanic, in 1912 where 1,518 people perished 700 nautical miles off the coast of Halifax. But, I bet you’ve probably heard about that one, as it was the world’s worst ocean disaster.

But, I think the # 1. greatest attraction for people visiting is Peggy’s Cove is the lighthouse.

Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, first built in 1868

Although nobody can give certain statistics, the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove is among the most popular and most photographed of Canada’s 750 lighthouses and is said to be one of the most recognized in the world!

The lighthouse is built on top of barren granite outcroppings on the harsh Atlantic Coast.

Despite warnings about the unpredictable surf, every year some people are swept off the rocks and drown.

Thankfully, when we visited in 2021, they were just finishing a 3.1 million dollar handicap-accessible viewing platform at Peggy’s Cove so everyone can safely view the lighthouse and the crashing ocean waves below.

As I climbed on the rocks and admired the lighthouse, the words of one of my favorite songs came to mind: “How Firm a Foundation.” What a blessing to know that God offers His love and protection, not only to me, but to all who repent and run to him for help: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; you save me from violence “ (2 Samuel 22:2-4).

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
(Deuteronomy 33:27).

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV).

Delectable Plum Tarts

We returned not long ago from visiting our son Jon’s family in Germany, and while we were there, his wife made a scrumptious, festive plum tart on a large cookie sheet. I think it could easily serve a crowd and might be just right for holiday gatherings!

Gerlinde shared her recipe with me so I can make it for those who can come to our home for Christmas this year. If I can’t get plums by then, I’m hoping to use cranberries and a little more sugar. In case you’re interested, here’s the recipe:

Plum Tart
(Makes 12-20 servings)

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

To prepare the bottom crust, in a mixing bowl combine:

3.25 cups flour

3/4 butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ grated lemon rind

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix until consistent dough and flatten on baking sheet.

To prepare the filling:

3.5 pounds prune plums: wash and pit plums, lay plums skin down. By feel, when the sheet is covered, sugar lightly to make them sweet. (If you use cranberries, I would suggest 3 pounds of cranberries sweetened with 2 cups sugar, since cranberries are very tart compared to ripe prune plums)

For the streusel, mix together until crumbly (but not a consistent paste):

1.5 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2/3 cup softened butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Sprinkle over the top

Bake at 350°F. for about an hour, or until golden brown on top, but test after 50 minutes in case it’s done.

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream or both!

I must say, it was a marvelous treat, and even though there were only seven of us to enjoy it, the entire tart was gone with 24 hours! 🙂

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him.”
(Psalm 34:8)

TWA: NE (48) Giving Thanks As We Travel Through Life

Today being Thanksgiving, I want give thanks for a few gifts seen and unseen (although we saw the scenes below along the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park):

Majestic mountains

Kaleidoscopes of Color

Those who tower above the rest

The uniqueness of ever-changing patterns and colors

Resting places by quiet streams

Rivers of sunshine through the valleys

Means of communication . . . even though they seem to get in the way sometimes

Patches of blue

The many beauties that glitter like gold but aren’t

Highways through the mountains

Trees that flame with color in the autumn

Help to make the journey possible

Oceans of beauty that thrill our souls

Those who help us see what we’d otherwise miss

Creatures great and small

Insights into the past

Visions for the future

Light to overcome the present darkness

The water of life

Hope for all that lies ahead

Jesus, who offers us eternal life

“But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;
but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water 
springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

The Rock of Ages, who is our God

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,
when my heart is overwhelmed: 
lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).

Early Thanksgiving?

How are you feeling today? I know some of you are well and happy, but others are overwhelmed by pain, exhaustion, and anxiety. My heart goes out to you!!

Tomorrow is the official Thanksgiving Day in America, although today Alan and I are celebrating a day early with Stephen and Anthony, and tomorrow we’ll be traveling back to our very snowy home in Michigan, which has been covered in a mantle of white more than two feet deep over the past week. (Could make for a challenging day!) I hope you’re able to celebrate with someone you love some day this weekend, but whether you’re sick or well, snug at home with loved ones or out battling icy roads, remember that every day we are alive is a holiday— a holy day—wrapped in the love of Jesus, and every day is the perfect day to start and end by thanking God for life and His grace in our lives!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
(James 1:17)

TWA:NE 47 The Glories of Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail

There was frost on the ground when we woke up. It was intensely cold outside but a relatively toasty 55° inside, at least piled under our downy comforter that made us feel like we were enveloped in a giant marshmallow.

We spent a quiet day exploring Cape Breton Highlands National Park via the world-famous Cabot Trail, including an extra Coastal Loop from Neils’ Harbor and then up to Dingwall.

I would highly recommend the extra loops if you have time, as the mountain scenery and quaint fishing villages, long sandbars and light houses are spectacular.

However, the Cabot Trail itself is a 185-mile loop around the northern portion of Cape Breton Island, and if you want to stop at various locations to hike, it could take days rather than hours to do it justice.

We were coached by friends to go counter clockwise so you’re next to the ocean, and the passenger side has phenomenal views down the cliffs and out to sea.

I think my heart stopped beating, not from fear, but from awe.

In trying to process photos to share with you, I found 50 before I was halfway around the island.

WAY too many, but I hardly know which to cut!

So, I decided to do something different. Instead of text highlighted by photos, I’m just going to shower you with visions of that matchless day.

I figure if you linger over each photo even 4 seconds, you can enjoy them all in about 3-4 minutes!

May the beauty speak for itself of the glory of God!

He is worthy of our praise and worship!

If you want some background music, there’s a fabulous song at the bottom of this post.

You could start the music and scroll through the photos while it plays.

I hope you experience a sense of peace and joy similar to what I experienced that day!

From me to you!

Neils Harbour Lighthouse

Lunch at the Chowder House in Neils Harbour—last day of the season it was open

St. Paul’s Island Lighthouse

Dingwall, Cape Breton Island

Fishing boats and lobster traps in Dingwall

 “My soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation” (Psalm 35:9).

TWA:NE (46) Anything Goes Dinner Salad

When we travel, I make a lot of salads, mostly because they’re fast and easy. However, they are also very nutritious, and I’ve noticed that between exercising and eating on the run, neither of us seem to gain weight when we travel, even though we pretty much eat as much as we want and enjoy many special treats. Therefore, I want to commend to you the possibility of making more salads, even when the weather is starting to take a turn for colder. Think Christmas! Red and green are in, right? Anyway, a salad can have wonderful flavor and lots of nutrients!

Anything Goes Salad

Here’s my list of what I put in this salad, but if it’s a fruit, nut, or veggie you can find in your refrigerator or cupboard and you like it, you can probably mix it in!

Plate of greens
Roasted chicken, chunked
Tomatoes
Green beans (yes; fresh and uncooked)
Radishes
Diced red onion
Dried cranberries

Add your favorite dressing or some oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper, and you’re good to go!

“For food in a world where many walk in hunger;
For faith in a world where many walk in fear;
For friends in a world where many walk alone; 
We give you thanks, O Lord.” (- Author Unknown)

“Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance:
feed them also, and lift them up for ever” (Psalm 28:9).

TWA:NE (45) Foiled by the Ferry

Map of PEI

In order to understand my tale for today, I need to explain the geography of Canada’s Maritime Provinces. There are only two ways to access Prince Edward Island, either by the Confederation Bridge (double line heading south on this map) or via ferry (dotted lines on east side of the island).

We had camped close to the Wood Islands Ferry and were headed to Cape Breton Highlands National Park (green area in Northeast corner of the above map). The ferry would have taken us straight south to Pictou, Nova Scotia, and we anticipated a long but pleasant day of exploring the area on our way to Cape Breton. In preparation for our trip (months ahead), I had called the ferry terminal to ask if we needed to purchase reservations beforehand. (I didn’t want to buy them outright if we didn’t need to, since at that point I wasn’t sure if we’d actually be allowed into Canada or on to P.E.I.). I was assured that by October, there was hardly any traffic and it simply wouldn’t be an issue.

“Come early and be one of the first in line if you’re anxious, but you’ll get on.”

The night before we wanted to take the ferry, Alan decided it was time to buy tickets just to be sure, but when he tried online, he was unable to do so.

Unsure what to do, he called the ferry terminal.

“Oh, there’s no chance you’ll be able to take the ferry. We’re completely booked!”

“But we were told there would be no problem getting on.”

“Well, most days that’s true, but this is Canada’s Thanksgiving weekend, and everybody’s on holiday. We’re booked solid through Monday. Sorry.”

We couldn’t wait until Tuesday! All our reservations were set like ducks in a row!

What to do?

The only answer was to drive back all the way back through PEI, take the Confederation Bridge,

Confederation Bridge

and then drive through New Brunswick to Nova Scotia and out to the Northeastern tip of the peninsula to Broad Cove Campground.

This route was roughly 150% longer,

and although this might not have been extremely trying in a Lamborghini,

it sounded all but impossible in our lumbering Sanctuary.

Our RV purred along at about 55 mph on the level

but wheezed along at 45-55 mph on steep, winding mountain roads.

You do what you have to do, right?

The trip was absolutely gorgeous!

(Note the road colors. They are actually blue and pink!)

My hero, Alan, drove the entire way so I could take photos out the windows!

I don’t really know how he did it!

We arrived, exhausted but also exhilarated. (You can imagine who was more which!) This isn’t a fable, so I probably don’t need to spell out a moral, but please indulge me, because I can never seem to resist!

#1. When you inquire about making reservations, be sure to give the exact dates and times, and maybe even ask if there are any special holidays or events going on then to jog the ticket agent’s memory and test the likelihood of their knowing the correct answer to your specific question.

#2. If you give it your best shot at weighing the odds and lose, most often there will be a way. It may not be easy, but it just might be possible.

#3. Heroes are made from extreme duress. Nobody becomes a general overnight unless there’s a war. Nobody becomes (even more of a) hero overnight unless there’s an emergency.

#4. I am thankful for my amazing husband, who really came through as “Dude Perfect” during this challenge, but he also came through over and over again in times of stress and distress during our travels.

#5. I am thankful for our merciful Father God who always makes a way for us. I know someday it will be through the valley of the shadow of death, but even then, we will have no need to fear evil, because He will be with us even then.

“No temptation [testing] has overtaken you that is not common to man.
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,
but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape,
that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV).

(P.S.—Yes, the photos [minus the maps] were all taken on our trip that day.)

TWA:NE (44) Really Missing It! Point Prim Lighthouse

The first (of only two) round brick lighthouses in Canada also happens to be the oldest lighthouse on Prince Edward Island.

Sunset from Prim Point Lighthouse over Northumberland Strait

It was built nearing 200 years ago, back in 1845, so it would have been around back in 1908 if only Anne of Green Gables had really been around to see it, but I’ll bet Lucy Maud Montgomery spent more than a few pleasant evenings watching the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean behind this scenic lighthouse.

I had read about Prim Point—an historic landmark that was a “must see” for P.E.I.

So, away we went in search of it.

For anybody intent on finding it, the lighthouse is at the end of Prim Point Road, also known as Route 209, which is the next right turn past Belfast Highland Greens Golf Course if you’re heading Southwest on the TransCanada Highway 1.

I wouldn’t mention this much detail, except it’s actually pertinent to my story. Our GPS was really balky in Canada for some reason, and we ended up lost on several occasions.

Brudenell River PP, the largest provincial park in eastern P.E.I.

Sometimes it was too our advantage, when we happened upon something especially lovely, like the Brudenell River Provincial Park. However, on this occasion, it also meant we were coming from the opposite direction when trying to find Prim Point— highly rated both for its heritage lighthouse and for the great food at Prim Point Chowder House, which according to their website would be open until 7pm.

Prim Point Chowder House

So, we were hungry and tired as well as lost by the time we turned into Belfast Highland Greens Golf Course and Resort, looking for someone who could advise us about how to find Prim Point. In the Pro Golf Shop on the campus, there was a bright-eyed young man who was just finishing up his day’s work. He was so cheerful!

“Sorry to bother you, but do you have any clue how to get to a place called Prim Point Lighthouse?”

“Absolutely! It’s the next road heading south. It might not be marked, but turn right out of here, and it’s the next road you come to. Just turn right and you’ll be there in a minute.”

“Thank you so much! We’ve been wandering about lost for awhile, and we’re pretty tired and hungry. Is it worth the trouble?”

“For sure! People are always telling me how beautiful it is. There’s a restaurant right there that people rave over too. Great sunset views!”

“Wow! That’s awesome! What’s your favorite thing to eat?”

“I don’t know; I’ve never eaten there.”

“Really? Okay, but you like the lighthouse?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never visited.”

“Truly? How long have you lived here?”

“Only about six years. I’m not from around here.”

“Okay! Well, thanks for the tips.”

We turned right and then right, and the chowder house and lighthouse were exactly where he said, 9 minutes and 6 miles from where he’d been standing.

Like most of the attractions and restaurants in P.E.I., the Prim Point Chowder House was buttoned up for the season, as was the lighthouse. (Don’t believe websites! Call.)

Prim Point Lighthouse with Sanctuary beside her

Thankfully, Sanctuary, our home away from home, is supplied with lots of food, so we decided to look around and then enjoy a seaside dinner while watching the sun set.

It’s a beautifully maintained lighthouse—60 feet tall with a tiny little keeper’s cottage just 34X14 feet . . . so small the keepers usually worked alone except in the summers, when their families could enjoy being outside more than in! The station is open 10am-6pm from late June to early September, but the grounds are open year-round. It was so worth our while to stop!

While I was making some burgers for supper, we noticed a young couple from Toronto who’d also come for the sunset and hoped for some dinner. We invited them to join us, and they seemed really friendly, although when they heard we were having burgers, they declined. Alan thought they were Pakistani and probably Muslims, but perhaps they were Hindus and vegetarians. At any rate, we enjoyed meeting them but ate alone!

We watched the sun getting lower and lower in the sky. Another perfectly beautiful day!

I marveled at the glory of the sun and the shifting patterns of light. I marveled that someone could live so close to grandeur and be ?? too busy ?? too tired ?? too indifferent ?? to ever check out what many people had told him was wonderful!

Sound familiar? I can’t tell you how many friends and family members have heard from me about the glory and beauty of Jesus, the Light of the World. He is nearer than our breath, and yet billions of people never take the time to see what all the excitement is about! Who needs God? I do!!!!!! Do you? Or, are you too busy, or tired, or indifferent?

If you don’t know the joy and blessing of walking with Jesus, this is my prayer for you. Please don’t miss out!!

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”
(John 8:12, ESV)

Peanut Butter and Jammed French Toast Sandwich?

If you like peanut butter and jam sandwiches, and you like french toast, then I’ll bet you’d enjoy a french-toasted peanut butter and jam sandwich for breakfast sometime!

Although I’d like to claim this brainstorm as original, I really read about it at a restaurant called “Sid’s” during one of our Travels With Allie adventures (and while Alan and I were waiting to see if our tires would hold the right amount of air).

Sid’s Burrito

That day, I tried one of the restaurant’s most popular breakfasts (which was wonderful and I hope to attempt to reproduce and write about one of these years!), but the idea of making stuffed french toast also caught my imagination, so I thought it would be worth a try after we returned home.

We both thought it was a fun twist on one of our standard favorite breakfasts, so here’s the recipe (minus the almonds and bananas):

Peanut Butter and Jam French-toasted Sandwich (per sandwich)
(Warning: This is a very filling breakfast!)

Whisk together 1 egg and 1/2 cup milk in a small rectangular pan, and thoroughly soak 2 slices of bread in the mixture, coating both sides.

Fry the bread on a hot, buttered griddle until they are starting to turn a golden brown, and then flip to fry the other side.

While the second side is frying, cover the tops with lots of peanut butter and jam, allowing that to heat up also.

Once the peanut butter and jam are hot, put them together into a sandwich, and then continue frying the toast for another minute on each side so that it’s completely cooked and crispy on the edges.

We keep some powdered sugar always on hand in a small shaker bottle

At the restaurant, they served their sandwich with almonds and bananas, but I used powdered sugar and a swirl of whipped cream (which Alan loves on nearly all sweet creations).

And, after thinking it over, we decided to add just a touch of syrup too. However, I think no matter what you load on top, hot, stuffed, peanut butter and jam french toast is pretty scrumptious!

“I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”
(Psalm 9:2)

TWA: NE (43) Best Kept Secret of P.E.I.—Greenwich Dunes Floating Bridges

We woke up to a sunrise that rivaled last night’s sunset in beauty.

Goats at Island Hill Farm in PEI

If you’re an animal lover, Harvest Hosts is an especially pleasant way to travel . . . definitely provides that “down home on the farm” feel!

It’s also fun to find $20 worth of products to buy as a “thank you” for the hosts in lieu of paying more than $20 to stay at a commercial park!

St. Peters Harbour filled with mussel traps

And then, off on another adventure, this time to P.E.I. Provincial Park East,

Lots of bridges across water in P.E.I.

where we’d heard that there’s a fabulous hike via floating bridges out to the ocean.

I don’t know if tourist areas were shut down in Canada due to Covid issues or because it was autumn, but many plans turned out to be trickier to execute than we thought. Our GPS took us to the middle of nowhere when we tried to program “Greenwich Floating Bridges.”

Thankfully, we found a map that showed us how to get to the Greenwich Interpretive Center . . . but of course, it was closed. 😦

The debate was: Did we want the trail to the beach (east), or the trail to the dunes (west)?

As it turned out, we wanted the trail to the dunes and through the dunes and bog out to the beach.

We were happy to follow the yellow not-brick road to the west and use their parking lot, since it was still about a 1.5-hour round trip hike. (For directions, try this: https://www.hikingpei.ca/Trails/PEIPark/Greenwich.html )

It was also a perfect day to follow the yellow-striped boardwalk, which had no turn-offs once we started, so at that point we were home free (so to speak). I will say (if you’re actually going to go), you might want to bring bug spray. It was a very cool, breezy day when we went, but when I read reviews to prepare for this post, I noticed that insects can be a miserable problem, especially in the summer. (Just sayin’.)

For us, it was nothing short of spectacular, and the smooth, level boardwalk made walking a pleasure.

The boardwalks lead you across a series of floating bridges that meander through boggy areas and across Bowley Pond.

This area of P.E.I Provincial Park is not well known, and we had the place pretty much to ourselves, although I think it is a stunning trail and a truly unique experience . . .

one that will linger in my memory as long as I have a memory!! We heard about it from our friends, Dave and Char Powers, who had somehow discovered it. But, if you’re in the area, please don’t miss it! It’s awesome!!

There are helpful posters to help you identify and appreciate various birds, flowers, and ecological rarities.

One such rarity is the large, crescent-shaped dune at the right of this photo. Such dunes are known as “parabolic dunes” because of their half-bowl shape. Living so near to the dunes of Lake Michigan, I took it for granted, but it is uncommon.

A river of Reindeer Moss along the Greenwich Dunes Trail

On the other hand, I was totally captivated by a strange path of moss running through the woods and under the boardwalk.

Close up of Reindeer Moss

This was new and fascinating to me! What was it?? Or as my sons would say when they were little, “How’s it work??”

Explanation of “Grey Dunes”

They are called “Grey Dunes,” and there was a sign explaining “how they work:” “These dunes are far enough inland that sand accumulates and erodes more slowly. The less wind-blown environment allows plants unsuited to growth in shifting sands to survive. This stability allows large mats of lichens to grow, which in turn help to further stabilize the dune . . . Growing in dense mats on stable dune areas, reindeer moss is one of the most common lichens found in the dunes. Lichens are composed of a fungus and an alga in a symbiotic relationship. The alga gives the lichen the ability to capture energy from sunlight, while the fungus allows the lichen to decompose organic matter.” Apparently these moss/lichen combos like alpine tundra, which might be why we don’t have rivers of Reindeer moss in Michigan.

Anyway, the end of the boardwalk brings adventures to near the top of a dune overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Greenwich Beach.

Greenwich Beach, P.E.I.

The wind was sharp and sand stung our eyes.

I could imagine running along the shoreline and playing in the waves, but in the summer, not in October, so after a brief respite to drink in the seemingly endless miles of beauty, we returned back along the boardwalks and through the woods.

The fields were bursting with rose hips, asters, and carpets of wild flowers and fragile browning seed pods. It was another perfect day . . . or at least a perfectly happy day!

In this amazingly beautiful and wonderful world God has given us, it doesn’t seem possible to be perfect in every way. Maybe practically perfect in every way—enough to be perfectly happy, but not perfectly perfect. If it’s warm, there are bugs. If it’s cold, you can’t swim. If it’s warm and there are no bugs, you still have to be careful or you’ll get sunburned from staying outside too long! 🙂 But, isn’t it a glorious world? Thank you, Father! You have given us so much more than we can ever appreciate or understand, best of all, Jesus!!

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8).