New Life Springs Forth

I love this time of year. New buds blossoming means new life. The plants that were in a dormant state all winter have shaken themselves awake and put forth huge energy to produce new life. Fruits and vegetables that will grace our table later in the year. As well as those less fortunate as well.

Pear trees are abundant already

We are going to challenge you: Plant something. Anything. When it's ready to harvest - whatever it is - donate a little bit to your local food bank to nourish those who are less fortunate than you and I. You will be rewarded beyond what you can imagine. And you'll be giving yourself and your family something too: health. Both physical and spiritual.

Organically raised strawberries

Blessings,
Corinne

Route 66 and Cars…the Movie

Life Is a Highway

Route 66. We've all heard of it, but our family actually got to enjoy it. Whoohoo!! What a beautiful, yet very small, part of the country. 

“Standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see…” the song goes. Well, we had a fun stop in Winslow, Az overnight. Overnight because we were driving through in the darkness and there was just no way we could go through this famous town without stopping. 

This photo was actually taken in New Mexico on 66

Being the trip photographer, I had to take a picture of the guys, standing on a corner, in yes, Winslow, Arizona. Scott was grinning from ear to ear as the little store behind them played, yes, The Eagles and the music poured out onto the sidewalk. Too funny. Funnier still that I can't find the pictures!

Funny thing. We didn’t realize that Winslow was on Route 66. Did you know Route 66 will take you all the way from California to Chicago? We do now. A lot of it is 2 lanes, going through small, quaint little towns that are as charming as you can imagine. Interestingly enough, we were at the Pacific end of 66 back in January of this year...

End of Route 66 on the Santa Monica Pier in California

Have you seen the original movie, Cars? Oh my gosh! As you drive through on Rte 66, through the town of Winslow, there are parts of the road where I stopped, looked and thought, “OK, that was an inspiration for the movie Cars, for sure.” Really, all across the country, on drives through Route 66, we've seen inspirations for the movie. I wish that I could find the rest of the photos ... where have you gone??? 
If I find them, I'll update this page ...

This place looked like Luigi's place

Doc Hudson?

Just as an add on, we did go see the second one; Cars 2. We all agreed that while it was ok, the first was certainly the original and wasn’t topped by this new creation. I think we all left just a little disappointed that we had seen so much with our drive, that maybe we were expecting just a little more, not a little less.

Happy Birthday, Chelsea

My oldest turns 19 today. I have no idea where the time went, how she grew up so quickly, or how she became quite so beautiful. Every moment with you is precious and every day away from you seems like a lifetime.

We love you, Miss Chelsea. May God continue to bless your days.

Grandpa Paul and Arlington National Cemetery

It was with great honor that we were able to visit Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. It is there that my grandfather, Paul MacDonald Skinner and his beloved wife, my grandmother, Ruth Evangeline Hamlin Skinner have their ashes at rest. Grandpa Paul was a Lieutenant Colonial in the United States Air Force. He served our country for 26 years, fought in WWII where he flew the very first daylight raid on Berlin and was blessed to survive. He was a base commander, deputy base commander (England) and served in various squadrons as commander (800+ men in one of them).

This photo of me and my grandma hangs in our camper today

But Paul was so much more than that to me. He taught me how to cook. Not just the simple stuff either, but he taught me Thanksgiving dinner! He taught me how to drive on the highways ... when I was 14.  He was a farmer at heart ... he raised a few beef cattle the old fashioned way: on grass. He grew enough food to put up for winter and have a harvest for his church come fall. He taught me the joy of camping - he built his own camper from the chassis up. I went on my first camping trip with my parents and grandparents when I was about 6 months old. It was through him I learned the value of a "captive audience" - car rides with the kids.


 He taught me that it was OK for girls to be handy and gave us kids little tools as gifts (grandma always had grandma treats too). He built his house with his hands and help from a few neighbors. He was quite the investor and taught us both how to save for the future and how to give generously. 

He was hard of hearing from all those flights, but he didn't let that stop him. He taught me - and many others - that you are never too old to learn new things. In his 80's he learned how to use a computer and email with his family and others as well.


Grandpa Paul was truly a renaissance man and is missed. It was with great joy that we had the fortune to visit his ashes final resting spot. We know that is not where he is and that we will see him again someday,  but it was still a nice remembrance. 

Grandpa Paul was famous for saying, "A coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man only once." I try to remember that as challenges come my way. Back down or dive in and attack. It's a choice.


I am sure that one of the first things he heard on his passing was, "Well done good and faithful servant." We couldn't agree more.

Charlotte, NC, Billy Graham Library

Here's a can't miss tour opportunity for the southeast. The Billy Graham Library. D and I first saw the Billy Graham Library almost a year ago in November when we first visited Charlotte. We recently went as a family (less the oldest, who is still living in Seattle with Gammy and working as a nanny) and enjoyed it so much more.

It is awesome. In the most moving sense of the word. What we didn't see that first time was the "show". I don't like calling it that, because I feel it cheapens the experience, but there really isn't another word that quite describes what you will see. 

Near and far, a life long journey as a remarkable man shares the word of Jesus Christ with the world. Billy Graham will hear the words Christ followers around the world long to hear one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  

 Outside the breathtaking "barn" are lovely landscapes complete with a pathway that takes you down to see the final resting spot of Ruth Graham, his stedfast partner in life. 

Words fail me to describe it all. Really, it just needs to be seen. More information on the facility can be found at Bill Graham Library. This is one of those places you must see.


This post is dedicated to my grandpa Paul. A heart for Jesus, strong supporter of BGEA and our prayer warrior. We'll see you soon.