Sam's Throne aka Perseverance and Endurance

"...we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4

"Different translators of this passage offer two related but different English words to express Paul's intended meaning -- endurance and perseverance -- whose connotations vary ever so slightly. Endurance tends to suggest durability or sustainability in the face of hardship and the resilience inherent in that process. Perseverance implies a somewhat more active posture in response to the hardship. Both indicate continuing on our current path despite our circumstances."

~Curt Thompson, "The Deepest Place"

When I got my cancer diagnosis last year, the oncologist warned me that it would be a long, hard year of treatments. What I didn't realize was how long my body would take to recover from those treatments and how often I would need to return for tests and scans. Endurance and perseverance have been my companions during the chemo and radiation, and they continue to motivate me in the healing process.

We keep testing my stamina with beautiful hikes like Sam's Throne Trail. It's like two small trails combined, one on top and one down below. The rock formations are stunning, and so is the view. On our way to the trail, we found a farmer's market that had some produce I haven't been able to find in our hometown. So, we picked up some fragrant cantaloupe and some plums. And when we got home, some of the plums found their way into dessert for Sunday lunch.

Autumn Fruit Kuchen

from "Breakfast with Beatrice"

Serves 12

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Fruit Toppping:

14 to 16 purple plums, halved and pitted

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon butter, cut into tiny pieces

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter and flour an 11-inch round tart pan with a removeable bottom or a 9-inch square cake pan. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar until smooth; beat in the eggs until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla, flour, and salt. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Press the fruit evenly into the batter, sprinkle with the sugar, and dot with the butter.

Bake for 40 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Serve warm or cool on a wire rack. Serve with a topping of slighted sweetened whipped cream, if desired. The kuchen can also be frozen, well wrapped. Thaw and reheat in a 300 degree F oven for 10 to 15 minutes.