Finding Beauty in the Mundane
Soft breeze at my back, I set forth with two daughters on an afternoon walk, second day of fall...
Fallen leaves crackle and crunch beneath my feet as the beauty of God's creation is revealed anew in the change of season.
Mushrooms inspire a childlike wonder as their delicacy and intricacy of shape and design is revealed. I lie in the grass and inspect them from all sides, idly wondering if my neighbors think my behavior strange.
A magnolia blossom, lemon-scent sweet as perfume, extends to me a velvety petal filled with tiny loosened stamens.
I return home refreshed, thankful that God shared with us a glimpse of His infinite creativity and beauty on this fine fall afternoon.
What's your favorite part of fall?
All the vibrant colors, like leaves on trees and rows of pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. I also love the smell of wood burning in a fireplace! Here in Hawaii, fall looks more like summer! So, I light some pumpkin candles in our house and pretend for just a bit that the season has changed! :)
Posted by: Kristen - Moms Sharpening Moms | 10/29/2009 at 05:27 AM
The trees of a very vibrant red and orange that hold us captive as we gaze at them in awe of their beauty. As you come upon these striking structures you try with all you have to preserve them in your thoughts for you know their breathtaking display is one too short lived.
Posted by: Lisa | 10/29/2009 at 05:45 AM
GORGEOUS pictures! Thanks for posting them!
Posted by: Chrissy | 10/29/2009 at 08:29 AM
We raked piles of leaves yesterday and jumped, crunched and played until it got dark!
Posted by: Abbie | 10/29/2009 at 08:33 AM
These.
To slow and see these.
To have eyes.
Thank you, Dawn.
For giving us eyes to worship.
All's grace,
Ann
Posted by: Ann Voskamp@Holy Experience | 10/29/2009 at 09:31 AM
The crispness of a cool morning
The peaceful crackling of a backyard bonfire
The gorgeous picture God paints for us in the trees and the sunsets
Posted by: Katie-Pensacola, FL | 10/29/2009 at 10:12 AM
Those are beautiful, Dawn. Lovely post.
Posted by: Dianne | 10/29/2009 at 11:07 AM
I never knew a mushroom could be so beautiful. Thanks for causing me to pause and notice the intricacy of God's creation. :)
Posted by: Wendy | 10/29/2009 at 11:25 AM
Fall sends us love letters in the shape of pumpkins, roasting marshmallows, cider, candy corn and flaming red leaves.
Posted by: thegypsymama | 10/29/2009 at 01:57 PM
Leaves, apples, pumpkins, chai tea, football...I could go on forever. I LOVE fall!!
Posted by: Mary @ Passionate Perseverance | 10/29/2009 at 05:05 PM
Even though we live in the Deep South, in north Louisiana, we have very distinctive seasons. Our house is surrounded by deciduous trees, which all turn colors, then turn loose. There's a moment, a day, in Fall, where all of a sudden, there's a bite in the air, and the clouds are gone, leaving the sky a color blue that is indescribable. That's my moment.
Posted by: Elaine | 10/29/2009 at 05:35 PM
Ooh La La, Dawn! What soothing and luxurious words! Made me relaxed just reading!
My favorite part of fall is easily the colors of the trees. Some go from ho-hum to breathtaking in one cold snap! AMAZING!!
Posted by: Hillary @ The Other Mama | 10/29/2009 at 10:12 PM
Love the pictures, Dawn!
My favorite thing about fall is bringing out the hot chocolate and snuggling up to my boys with a book.
Posted by: Beth @ Pages of Our Life | 10/29/2009 at 10:25 PM
What a beautiful walk and photos!
It is amazing how refreshing and awe inspiring God's creation can be if we would just stop and look and listen.
Posted by: Marsha | 10/29/2009 at 11:52 PM
Dawn, these are beautiful pictures! You're words definitely bring the reader into your walk! It is awesome to just take a minute to admire God's creation!
Posted by: Kat Farmer | 10/30/2009 at 08:48 AM
Gorgeous, and thank you! To God, for creating such detail. To you, for capturing such detail.
Posted by: Gwen | 10/31/2009 at 11:57 AM
Autumn is most definitely
my favorite time of year...
We teeter on the very verge of change,
but cling to the way it has been.
My all-time favorite smell is the aroma of making spiced plum butter. The concoction of plums, spices, and honey bubbling in a sticky simmer fill my home and my heart with delight. Each time this winter as I spoon some of that goodness onto a piece of bread, I will taste summer sunshine in the plum and autumn in the spices.
...I took that from an "Ahhh, Autumn" post of mine last year. This time is such a festival for the eyes and nostrils...
Your photos are wonderful. I can just smell their pungent aromas.
Blessings.
Posted by: A Simple Country Girl | 11/02/2009 at 08:37 AM
When the leaves hang very loosely on the tree, and a light breeze blows and I'm showered with a rainbow of thin wisps of leaf....I'm already in heaven!
Posted by: sandra allen | 11/28/2009 at 08:44 PM