September

September is the harvest month
Summer is over and autumn has arrived
~Cynthia Wickham

Septembers son is a two part harmony as summer's lighthearted serenade
ends and a deeper melody begins.

Reap the rich harvest that love has sown.

(partial writings from
Simple Abundance
A Daybook of Comfort and Joy

by Sarah Ban Breathnach

I love Bella Pilar Greeing cards

Roasted Red Pepper Soup
(source of this recipe unknown to me)


5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, or to taste
3 large portobello mushroom caps, thinly sliced
1/4 cup white wine
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 fresh thyme sprigs
10 slices sourdough bread
1 1/4 cups coarsely grated provolone cheese
1 1/4 cups coarsely grated Monterey Jack cheese
3 medium red bell peppers
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil1/4
1 medium carrot, diced
1 medium celery rib, diced
1 large red onion, diced
2 28-ounce cans whole tomatoes in juice
1/2 cup chopped basil leaves, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream


Kiss the cook often and season everything with love♥

Lessons Of Love

A ninety-one year old woman died
after living a long dignified life.
When she met God, she asked him something
that had long bothered her.
If Man was created in God's image,
and if all men are created equal,
why do people treat each other so badly?
God replied that each person who
enters our life has a unique
lesson to teach us.
And it is only through these
lessons that we learn about life,
people, relationships and God.
This confused the woman, so God began to explain.
When someone lies to you, it
teaches you that things are not
always as they seem. The truth is often far
beneath the surface. Look beyond the masks
people wear if you want to know their heart.
And remove your own masks to let people know yours.
When someone steals from you,
it teaches you that nothing is forever.
Always appreciate what you have,
for you never know when you might lose it.
And never, ever take your friends
and family for granted because today
is the only guarantee you have.
When someone inflicts an injury upon you,
it teaches you that the human state is a fragile one.
Protect and take care of your body
as best you can, it's the only thing
you are sure to have forever.
When someone mocks you,
it teaches you that no two people are alike.
When you encounter people who are
different from you, don't judge
them by how they look or act;
instead base your opinion on the contents of their heart.
When someone breaks your heart,
it teaches you that loving someone
does not always mean that person
will love you back. But don't turn your back
on love because when you find the right person,
the joy that one person brings will
make up for all the past hurts put together.
Times ten. When someone holds a grudge against you,
it teaches you that everyone makes mistakes.
When you are wronged, the most virtuous
thing you can do is forgive the offender without pretense.
Forgiving those who have hurt us is the most difficult,
the most courageous and the noblest thing man can do.
When a loved one is unfaithful to you,
it teaches you that resisting temptation
is man's greatest challenge.
Be vigilant in your resistance against
all temptation. By doing so you will be
rewarded with an enduring sense
of satisfaction far greater
than the temporary pleasure by which you were tempted.
When someone cheats you,
it teaches you that greed is the root of all evil.
Aspire to make your dreams come true,
no matter how lofty they may be.
Do not feel guilty about your success,
but never let an obsession with achieving
your goals lead you to engage in malevolent activities.
When someone ridicules you,
it teaches you that nobody is perfect.
Accept people for their merits and be
tolerant of their flaws.
Do not ever reject someone for
imperfections over which they have no control.
Upon hearing the Lord's wisdom,
the old woman became concerned
that there were no lessons to be learned
from man's good deeds.
God replied that man's capacity to love
is the greatest gift he has.
At the root of all kindness is love,
and each act of love also teaches us a lesson.
The woman's curiosity deepening,
God once again began to explain.
When someone loves us it teaches us that love,
kindness, charity, honesty,
humility, forgiveness and
acceptance can counteract all the evil in the world.
For every good deed, there is one less evil deed.
Man alone has the power to control
the balance between good and evil,
but because the lessons of love
are not taught often enough,
the power is too often abused.
When you enter someone's life,
whether by plan, chance or coincidence,
consider what your lesson will be.
Will you teach love or a harsh lesson of reality?
When you die, will your life
have resulted in more loving or hurting?
More comfort or pain?
More joy or sadness? Each one of
us has power over the balance
of love in the world. Use it wisely.