From The Smith-Strube-Hudson Clan

All our love from us to all of you this Thanksgiving.

Season's Change

Thank You,God,for everything

Thank-you,God,for everything--
the big things and the small,
For "every good gift comes from God"--
the giver of them all--
And all too often we accept
without any thanks or praise
The gifts God sends as blessings
each day in many ways,
And so at this THANKSGIVING TIME
we offer up a prayer
To thank you,God,for giving us
a lot more than our share...
First,thank you for the little things
that often come our way,
The things we take for granted
but don't mention when we pray,
The unexpected courtesy,
the thoughtful,kindly deed,
A hand reached out to help us
in the time of sudden need...
Oh, make us more aware,dear God,
of little daily graces
That come to us with "sweet surprise"
from never-dreamed-of places--
Then,thank you for the "MIRACLES'
we are much too blind to see,
And give us new awareness
of our many gifts from Thee,
And help us to remember
that the KEY to LIFE and LIVING
Is to make each prayer a PRAYER of THANKS
and every day THANKSGIVING.

A Fall Ride To Lake Michigan

Join Me?

A couple of weeks ago Bryan and I jumped in the car and drove out to my favorite spot to see how the color was doing.We may have been a week too early but all the same the colors were beautiful.The small sand dune you see in the following pictures I have passed by many times and have been intriged in.This time I stopped along side the boardwalk and we walked across the street and up the sand hill.Needless to say it was higher then it looks in the pictures which brought on huffing and puffing as we climbed upward.Once up on top the view was magnificent and I took a few pictures.I took extra care so that I wouldn't do a tumble down accidently and reinjure my wrist.After a short while we did our climb down,much easier I might say and proceeded out to the beach with the pier.The snow fences were up signifying the ending of summer sun basking times and preparing for the snowy season to soon begin.A light chilly breeze was in the air which made us feel the need for our light jackets to be put on.The sun was bright enough for sunglasses all the same as we walked down to the water's edge.The water was so clear and inviting that if Bryan had rolled up his pant legs I would have followed suit very easily.I did ask him if he didn't want to wade in alittle but he declined feeling the water would be alittle too chilly on the feet.Bummer.I should have done it anyways,where was his adventure? We stayed just alittle while to walk down to the end of the pier,and walk back to snap a few more pictures before we headed back home.It was a beautiful afternoon and I enjoyed Bryan's company very much.It was nice to have some mother son time out to the lake.Summer is done,winter to begin.Even the lakeshore has its resting time so as to come back in the spring rejuvenated with trees full of blossoms and birds singing merrily, welcomeing us all back once more to enjoy a fresh new season.

Shimmering Water

Looking out over the peaceful lake one can sit and reflect how his or her life is going and flash back over how summer had gone.

Backward Glance

The park is nearly empty except for a few lingering trailers that will remain a quiet haven alittle longer for our senior generation.The beach appears deserted except for a few lingering walkers who are enjoying the beauty of fall and the last times of walking along the beach.Its a sad time because we know it will be a long winter ahead before we can shed off the shoes and get sand and water between our toes.The quiet place has become quieter.

Fall's Arrival

The time has come one more time when the trees prepare for shedding their summer covering and begin their season's resting time.Isn't it magnificent how the good Lord made the different kinds of trees that would bring such variations of brilliant colors combinations.

One Last Ride

Most of the boats have been lifted out of the water and dry docked for winter's arrival.It has been wonderful to have a delayed summer for some to still get out in the lake for one more ride on the water.

PatchWork Of Colors

Fall Has Sprung

So High

A Look From Above

Resting

The Climb Upward

The Small Sandy Climb

Phantom Mouse Captured

Smiles Of Success

Last night I had Chuck attempt to pull out the refrigerator in search of the sticky trap with the phantom mouse's paw held captive to it.The refrigerator just was too weighty to pull on so out came the marshmellow poker.As the front grill was broken in attempting to pull it off and poking commenced I stood in suspense.Out slid the sticky trap with no mouse to be had.As I stood there in disbelief a thought suddenly occured.Should I have been putting a chunk of cheese on this trap to lure our verment onto? Oh my where was my brain.Feeling very stupid for not thinking of this to begin with,I commenced in getting my block of cheese out and setting it down right in the middle of the trap and pressed down good and firm.I then placed a coule of items to lay flat against the refrigerator so as the sticky trap would not succumb to the slid again from the verment and proceeded to go out for my ladies night out.Low and behold as we sat in Applebee's to place our scrumptious food order my cell phone sounded.As I clicked on and said hello,Bryan spoke up with trimphant saying we have our mouse.Of course he felt sorry for the little bugger and didn't want to harm the little critter.I proceeded to tell him to go out to the garage and get the shovel and dispose of him.He later told me he decided to get the ax and there it lay in the grass next to the driveway dead.I drove into the driveway and found our firepit burning brightly and the two holloween punkins shining brightly with their smiles.Success