Southern Sky

Fall is such a beautiful time of year. The trees have been gorgeous and the sky has been spectacular.

Fire in the sky
Fire in the sky
Spectacular!
Spectacular!

The reds are so pretty. It looks like the sky is on fire! Then . . . the moon comes out:

Behind the trees
Behind the trees
Rising higher
Rising higher
Into the night.
Into the night.

Thank you God for the beauty that surrounds us. A friend was laid off this week. A neighbor is having health problems. Our car is having problems and we don’t know how we are going to be able to get it fixed. Times are not easy these days and much prayer is needed. But, in the midst of it all, God is there . . . in the beautiful sunsets, in the spectacular moon, in the smile of a neighbor, in the laughter of a child.

When the righteous cry for help,
the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
(Psalm 34:17)

Another blessing: Project Valour IT, so far, has raised over $48,000 to help wounded soldiers with technology to help them heal!

Project Valour IT is still going on (through November 11). Many of our military who are wounded receive comfort by way of technology. The Valour IT project is a fund raising  effort to help provide the purchase and shipment of laptops and other technology for severely wounded service members. If you would like to donate to the help and comfort of our military, please go to the Wharton blog and click on the Valour IT link on the top right.

How else can you help? Join the effort yourself by posting about this on your blog. Help us get the word out. This fund raising effort runs from October 26 through Veterans Day, November 11!

Other needs you can help with:

One-time Care Packages
We have nearly 2,000 heroes waiting to be adopted!  Would you consider sending a one-time package to help in the interim while we work on getting these soldiers adopted? If you are able to help us with this request, please send an email to [email protected].

Adopt a Military Family for Christmas
As the holiday season is just around the corner, we are starting our Operation Outreach for the holidays.  This program involves adopting a military family for Christmas.  If you would like to help make a military family’s Christmas a bit brighter, please send an email to [email protected].

Sweats for Military Hospitals
All Combat Support Hospitals and military hospitals are in need of SWEATS.  Sizes needed are Medium to XXL with tan or olive drab for the Marines and tan or black for the Army.
If you would like to help with this request, please send an email to [email protected] or if you would prefer to send a monetary donation or a gift card, please send to:

Soldiers’ Angels
1792 E. Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, CA  91104

Today’s Lagniappe:  Special Sweet Potatoes
This wonderful potato is best mid-fall through mid-winter and is best when used within a week of purchase. Enjoy this delicious version of a Southern classic.

  • 5 sweet potatoes
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Bake sweet potatoes 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until they begin to soften. Cool slightly, peel, and mash.
  3. In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, salt, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, and heavy cream. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup butter, flour, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Mix with a pastry blender or your fingers to the consistency of course meal. Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture.
  5. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until topping is crisp and lightly browned

A little outdoor red for Outdoor Wednesday with A Southern Daydreamer and Rednesday! with It’s a Very Cherry.


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Comments

19 responses to “Southern Sky”

  1. Alison Avatar

    Great post! Beautiful photos! Thanks for the reminder that God is with us even when things are tough.

  2. SueLovesCherries Avatar

    Beautiful photos! Thanks so much for all the military info, I will check them out. Have a good week!

  3. Mama Bear Avatar

    I loved this post!
    This Sweet Potato dish is a favorite of mine but I never make it because I would eat every morsel myself.

  4. Mary Avatar

    Christi, this was a wonderful post. Your photos are beautiful and I appreciate your message about the troops and their needs. Have a great Outdoor Wednesday.

  5. Sandi Avatar

    Hi Christi,
    What a wonderful post! Beautiful in every way. Happy REDnesday.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

  6. Hootin Anni Avatar

    The moon photos….wow, amazing!!

    My post for Wednesday is now published. Click Here to join me. I’d love for you to stop by today.

  7. Sally Avatar

    I enjoyed your photography of God’s workmanship.

  8. Maryrose Avatar

    Beautiful pictures of God’s wonders and beautiful gifts to the soldiers… I will be back.

  9. chubskulit Avatar

    Love that last shot!

    We explored the Mountain Park this time.

  10. Becky Avatar

    Thank you for using this means to support our military!!! And now I’m wanting sweet potatoes…I should have stopped reading before I got to that part!!!
    APPLAUSE for a wonderful post!!!

  11. Sheila Avatar

    Beautiful shots, Christi, and things for which to be very thankful, and thank you for remembering our military!

    Happy Outdoor Wednesday…

    XO,

    Sheila

  12. Sherri@lavenderfields Avatar

    I thought those first pictures were of fire! It almost teases the brain! Beautiful pictures! Happy Outdoor Wednesday and have a great week : ) Sherri

  13. Jane Avatar

    What a beautiful tribute to our God’s greatness. Yes…through all our troubles, God is there. And we can see Him in the beauty of nature around us. I am truly amazed at His grace. My husband lost his job last December and was without a steady job until mid-September. God provided for all of our needs…and then some. And now, He is blessing my husband with new business. He showed His grace everyday… And I am grateful!

    This program for our soldiers is wonderful. It’s so important for us to honor the military however we can. This program is a good way to do so.

    Jane (artfully graced)

  14. Marsha Avatar

    Christi, what an inspiring post. Love your care for our soldiers!

  15. ellen b Avatar

    What glorious shots of things our God has created for us to enjoy and understand His beauty…
    Love those moon shots!

  16. Robin Ennis Willson Avatar

    Your photos are fabulous!!! Love each one of them.

  17. Carol @ Old Glory Cottage Avatar

    I loved this post Christi, because I feel very strongly about our soldiers, and how much their families suffer while they are gone. I don’t think many people know what a struggle it is financially for them. Thanks for the links!
    Beautiful pictures of the red sky! Happy Rednesday!
    Carol

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