Apples and Autumn

Apple Harvest 2013 - Treemendous Fruit Farm, Michigan - ©CindyRippe2013

We took our annual Autumn trip to Michigan last week.  Jon and Tawn couldn't be with us so we brought them goodies when we returned.  Even though it rained this year, and we couldn't go out into the orchard to pick the apples, we did enjoy a warm fire and a breakfast treat. After the car was filled with our favorite varieties we spent the rest of the day stopping at farmstands, a garden center and gift shop while Jason checked out a brewery in Sawyer.  We enjoyed the changing leaf colors that surrounded us, and of course, we had lunch at Redemak's in New Buffalo.  It was delicious as usual.  Fun times with family!

Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.  Samuel Butler

Self Control - Pear on a Plate

©CindyRippe2013 - Pear Tablescape - photo taken at the Chicago Floral and Garden Show 2012

I found this image today while looking through the pictures I took at the Chicago Floral and Garden Show last year.  It caught my attention for many reasons.

1. I'm working on a Design collection entitled: Fruit of the Spirit.

2. I had been struggling with my diet and self control until (finally) I started journaling my food and exercise again.

3. I've been really angry that fresh pineapple has so much sugar in it after I looked up the amount I had eaten. (No wonder it tasted SO good!) I wondered how much sugar is in a pear.

4. I realized that I've been ignoring my Art in Entertaining blog project for far too long and need to make a decision whether I should continue with it or not.  This would be perfect image for that blog.

5. The original photo is so much more beautiful than the quality of images that I've been capturing lately.  It's nudging me to look for (and financially support) the purchase of a new camera.

5. And finally, it's just pretty, and I need more pretty in my life.

I hope you like it too and that maybe the message I chose will touch your spirit as it did mine this morning.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Galatians 5:22

Sweet Gathering - Michigan Cherries

©2012 - Cindy Rippe - Sweet Gathering

The Sweet Cherries are about 3 weeks early this year.  We found out that our favorite orchard was exhibiting at the Frankfort Farmers Market today so we called the kids and a few of us took a ride to check it out.  They are delicious and aren't they beautiful?

While the cherries are sweet, nothing is as sweet as spending the day with part our family.  We were disappointed that everyone couldn't make it to this last minute adventure but maybe they can join us next weekend.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another . . . . Hebrews 10:24-25

Easy Fabric Painted Pears

Painting pears on a napkin with Pentel Fabric Fun ©CindyRippe2010

I taught a workshop to the Quilting Ladies at church and they loved using the Fabric Fun products!  They use their napkins as placemats for lunch each week.  Well, one of the ladies couldn't make it to the workshop so I made one for her! Easy and fun!  Just sketch (or trace) and color. Blend with a brush and iron to make the design permanent.  Hope she likes it.


There are only ten minutes in the life of a pear when it is perfect to eat. Ralph Waldo Emerson