Harvest Celebration and Halloween 2023

Our church hosted their annual Harvest Celebration on October 21st.  The weather was chilly, but it didn't prevent the event from being well attended.  Thankfully the rain held off.  There were many activities - a chili cook-off contest, horseback-rides, hayride, pumpkin carving, trunk or treat and lots of food.  I had to work and couldn't attend but my hubby went and our car was used for the trunk or treaters.

Our son, Steve, hosted his annual 'open-garage' for the neighborhood on Halloween.  This was the 20th year he's done this so it's become a tradition, and the trick or treaters [and their parents] look forward to it.  He provides hot chocolate, cider, coffee [Tim Horton's], water bottles, donuts [20 dozen this year], and candy for all who want to step inside his garage briefly and partake, or warm themselves by the portable fire pit. It was cold this year, so they were especially glad for the hospitality.  

~ Steve, Sharon and Brooke ~

~ My hubby joined the picture ~

This year great-granddaughters Evie and Juliette wore Disney costumes depicting Bluey and Bingo.  So cute!  It was much warmer for them this year in California than Michigan.

Granddaughter Ellie was Super Mario - A Nintendo Character

Granddaughter Brooke, who works at a pre-school, dressed as Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh

I saw the teacup carved pumpkin on Facebook and thought it was so cute.

While it gets much less publicity than Halloween, it's far more important.  October 31st is Reformation Day, when Martin Luther pinned his 95 theses on the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517 which was the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation - the proclamation that we are saved by God's grace through faith in His Son - not through works or the giving of money to the church for entry into Heaven.     Thank you, Martin Luther!

A friend posted a bit of Martin Luther humor to share.

October has come to a close and we welcome November today.    May this be a blessed month as we focus on thankfulness for all of God's blessings.