Poetry Leaves #1 - My Place of Solitude

With autumn soon coming, I find myself in a nostalgic state that always comes when the air grows cold and leaves begin changing colours. This year, however, it's different. Instead of just thinking, it's made me write. I want to finish those stories I've started. I want to write more poetry. I want to take myself out of a mindset of dreaming of the things I could discover on pen and paper and acting on those dreams instead.

I thought I might share a few poems on here. I can't guaranty how soon they'll be put up on here, but for now, here's my first poem:

photo from the Internet

My Place of Solitude

I know a place of solitude

It's down the road a stretch.

I can go there when I need to

Have a place to sort my thoughts.

It's a spot down at the river

Where it makes a little bend.

I found my special "Thinking Rock" there

For quiet reigns as king.

As the peaceful river
Goes gliding along
And the glow of the sun is reflected
Like a thousand diamonds in the water

It soothes and rests my soul,
And I can ponder the countless ages past
Or consider all that can be
In the days yet to come.

Time itself is apt to stand still
In my place of solitude.

To Give Thanks

The KBR Ministries's annual "Give Thanks" challenge is approaching with the month of November. I always look forward to participating every year, to write down seven things each day I'm thankful for. As I look back on this last year, I feel so incredibly blessed by the Lord for everything that He has given me. How undeserving I feel at times! But He is merciful and good. How I love Him!

I think this year I'll go a little beyond. Everyday brings blessings overflowing. I'll let all I'm grateful for flow out and write down as much as I can.

And now I extend and invitation to you-- join in the challenge! It doesn't take much to write down 7 things a day that you're grateful for. Let us all give thanks to the Lord next month!

"For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

~Psalm 100:5

More information on KBR's "Give Thanks X7 challenge" here.

In Honour of these Happy 3 Years

Time is passing. The weather is growing cold.

The first day on this month (being October 2016) was the third anniversary of the beginning of "On Solid Ground". Three years! Ah, it's been a good adventure. I personally have changed much in these three years, and this blog shows it, doesn't it? Let's take a look and see what I've done. . .

2013-
-Started On Solid Ground
-Did the 30 day LOTR challenge
-Awarded the Sunshine Award
-Started Three Fangirling Sisters

2014-
-Awarded for the Liebester Award, and the Sunshine Award.
-Added blog pages
-Posted a lot about needing to post more (*sigh* ☺)
-Got a bit excited about a certain movie. . .
-Wrote Misty Streets
-First Year Anniversary
-The Things That Make Me, Me

2015-
-Awarded/tagged the Blogger Recognition Award, Authorly Bucket List Tag, Sweater Weather Tag, and 12 Days of Thanksgiving Tag
-Took a blog break
-Designed quote pictures
-Created and reported on my summer bucket list
-Designed my compass blog design
-Participated in a photo challenge
-Second Year Anniversary
-Participated in an End of Year Link-up

2016-
-Tagged for the Happy Tag and Quote Tag
-Designed my sycamore blog design

Well, that was a nice little recap. :)
Thank you so much for all the fun adventures you've been a part of! I simply would not be blogging if it wasn't for my dear, dear friends, most of whom were there when I did my first post and others who have joined along the way. You are all so special and enrich my life so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

And with that said, let's continue on to the next year of blog adventures for S. F. :)
*picks up walking stick and sets off* And you say, "But wait, S. F.! It's autumn time, remember? Don't for get your hat and scarf and sweater!" *halts and comes back* See? What would I do without brilliant friends like you! Here's a hug for each of you!

God bless you all! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Yours truly,

S. F. (who sets off on her new-blog-year-adventure again, this time with a hat, scarf, sweater, and thankful heart)

Sweater Weather Tag

Photos by my sister. :)

Hullo, good friends!

Kara did the "Sweater Weather" tag on her blog, and it looked fun so I thought I'd go along and do it as well. :) Join in and answer the questions on your blog or in a comment!

1. Favourite candle scent: Hmmm. . .I'm not sure if a have a specific favourite.

2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Herbal tea, thank you!

3. What's the best fall memory you have? Playing in the leaves with my sibling, and having lovely Thanksgivings.

4. Best fragrance for fall: Oh, you know that smell when you step out the door and all the smells become combined, so as the best way to describe it is simply "Autumn time!"? Mmm-hmm, that one. And also, Thanksgiving meal being cooked. ☺

5. Most worn sweater: I do have sweaters, but more frequently wear a long-sleeved shirt instead.

6. Football games or jumping in leaf piles? Definitely jumping in leaf piles. Wee! ;)

7. Skinny jeans or leggings? Leggings under a skirt.

8. Combat boots or Uggs? I haven't had either, and therefore have no preference beside to say both look nice and comfy.

9. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype? . . .Maybe. ;)

10. Favourite fall TV show: None.

11. What do you want to be for Halloween? Well, it already happened and I prefer to call it "Autumn Costume Festival". . .and so I was a medieval princess for Autumn Costume Festival.

12. Hats or scarves? Both are good. :)

13. What's your #1 favourite thing about fall? Beautiful leaves, harvest time, service, and snuggling under the covers after a chilly day. ♥

Hope your November has been brill so far! :)

With love,
S. F.

A Quote, an Invitation, and a Question

Well, well! Here we are at the end of another month. I hope you've had a most beautiful October.

As the title says, I have a quote, an invitation and a question.

 I found the quote whilst reading the writings of Laura Ingalls Willder. I thought it was lovely, so I wanted to share it.

"As we go about our daily tasks, the world will seem lighter if we enjoy the beautiful things that are just are outside our doors and windows. 

 It pays to go to the top of the hill now and then to see the view. . .forgetting that we are in a hurry or that there is such a thing as a clock in the world.  You are 'so busy'! Oh, yes, I know it! We are all busy, 

but what are we living for anyway, and why is the world so beautiful if not for us? 

. . . The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies."

~Laura Ingalls Wilder.

 And the invitation is this: KBR Ministries is hosting their "Give Thanks X7" challenge in November, and all are invited!

To participate, you simply have to record at least 7 things each day in the month of November that you are grateful for. More information >>HERE<<

Last but not least, my question is. . .would you be interested if I hosted a photo challenge?

That's all for now!
Keep smiling,
S. F.

. . .And Autumn Begins!

Happy Autumn Everyone!

*dances around throwing red and yellow leaves like confetti*

Isn't this such a glorious season? I love it! I hope you have a brilliant autumn. ♥

With love, S. f.

The Things That Make Me, Me

Dear readers,

Since you cannot really know who I am completely know who I really am (for not even I know myself,) I have come up wit a collection of the little things that me, me, with pictures I found on Pinterest (lovely place, isn't it?).

Here you are:

The Things That Make Me, Me:

It sure is. I would love to spend a whole day out of doors.

I love hedgehogs. SO. CUTE.

A turtle. Reading. How much better can you describe me?

It's a hobbit of mine. :)

*drooling* A shortcut to mushrooms. *drooling*

The Gothard Sisters are the best!

I love that moment!

This is brilliant and so true.

*dreamy sigh* Autumn time.

Bilbo Baggins is my favourite Middle-earth-ite.

Violets in the rain. ♥ both.

Zinnias!

Who could not adore turtles?

It's a fun life. Really. What do you do?

There you have it. A little look at me, though you knew most of that already.