ten things i love about autumn

one: autumn leaves
two: pumpkin patches
three: carameled apples
four: wearing scarves
five: the harvest moon
six: soup, soup and more soup
seven: wearing layers
eight: apple cider
nine: gourds
ten: thanksgiving dinner (and dessert)

november is here

I spent all day Saturday raking up the leaves on my lawn in anticipation of colder weather this week. And, as expected, our first snow of the season came yesterday morning. Light flakes were falling when I woke up and there was a definite chill in the air. November is here. This is the time of year I like to bundle up and stay indoors working on crafts and projects. I made a couple of quilts that need binding, and I have a few recipes I've been wanting to try. Now seems like the perfect time for both. I talked to my sister the other day. I miss her. It was good to laugh with her again. She will be coming for Christmas this year and hopefully we will be able to spend some time together. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I'm really looking forward to spending time with extended family. . . .and looking even more forward to eating pie! Happy Wednesday. 

what i miss most about summer

ode to autumn

Autumn is here. It may be the sneakiest season; it disguises itself with warm winds and late evening golden light. It wraps itself in colors that look like fire and the slowly fading sound of crickets at night. It comes without warning and without apology and before you know it, the air is cold and the leaves are falling and the summer you thought you were enjoying is just a memory. Sly. So sly.
                         -Tyler Knott Gregson

coming up for air

It's happening. I'm coming up for air. Metaphorically speaking, that is. This time of year, when the yard work is put to bed and the business of summer is over, I tend to get a bit of a nesting syndrome. I start looking around my house and get the itch to make it all cozy for the winter. I get excited to bake, quilt and redecorate my house. I'm not sure why it happens. I just seem to change with the seasons. Come January, I will kick into my organizational phase. Maybe I'm like the moon.... you know, with all it's phases.... who knows....   

while i was away

I just returned from a week of fun-filled adventure in the southern part of the state. The weather there was borderline hot and there was plenty of sunshine. Saturday night, I returned to cooler temperatures, an over-grown garden, color-changing leaves on my trees and annual flowers that are ready to be removed. Yep, Autumn is here alright. This week will most likely be filled with yard work, yard work and more yard work. My pumpkins are ripening nicely and should be ready to set out on the porch next week. As much as I dread the initial work, I really do love it when the yard is all cleaned up and everything is stored away until Spring. I'm starting to notice all kinds of good soup recipes on Pinterest and I'm getting the bug to do some serious baking and some quilting. It's funny how the change of seasons does that to me. I'm also looking forward to the warm colors that Autumn brings to the sky and the landscape. This is one of my favorite times of year to get out and take loads of pictures. The photo above was taken a few days ago at sunrise. I think it's the perfect image to welcome the new season.

embracing change

You've heard the saying... "everything in moderation". Wise words, even when it comes to seasons. As we enter the month of September, we will soon be saying goodbye to summer. Another year of popsicles, swimming pools and flip flops has passed. Am I sad? No. I love living in a place where the weather changes dramatically with each season, bringing with it different landscapes. For me, three months is just long enough for summer. I'm starting to smell the faint scent of Autumn in the air, and I like it. The first autumnal leaves have appeared on my trees. The mornings have been just a touch cooler, and the neighborhood is quite and peaceful. I drove past an elementary school the other day and saw all of the bikes lined up in the bike racks. The flag was waving in the breeze and the marquee was lit up with scheduled events for the coming months. All signs that school is back in session. We have turned another corner, and I'm ready for the change in seasons.

summer bucket list

Welcome Summer!! Today marks the summer solstice and the official arrival of the summer season. And, believe me, the weather has been cooperating. In fact, it's been downright HOT for the past couple of weeks. In honor of summer's arrival, I threw this little 'summer bucket list' together. You may think I'm just going to be playing around all summer long... boy, I hope you're right!! My intentions for the next few months are to simply enjoy life. Mind you, I'm not naive enough to believe that there won't be "things" that come up, but for now I'm just focusing on having a relaxing, enjoyable summer with my family and friends. My new little grandson will be here in August and I can hardly wait!! Enjoy you're extra long day... and the weekend.  

little things :: 2

I know, I know.... I featured flowers last week in my first installment of 'little things'. I wanted to do something completely different for this week, but then I saw these sweet little english daisies practically begging me to photograph them. I couldn't resist. And, since they are another of my favorite things about Spring, I felt like they deserved a little time in the spotlight. Honestly, could they be any cuter?? Spring has been putting on a fabulous show this year, and I'm trying to soak in as much beauty as possible because I know it is coming to an end soon. Within the next week or two, they will all be gone and my summer planting will begin. It's been a cool, crisp Spring this year and the result has been beautiful vibrant flowers. Hope this little splash of pink and purple has brightened your Monday! 

single shot saturday

room with a view

I recently spent more than a week in this lovely spot, catching up on all of my school work. I thought I was going to come home and take a break for the Spring and just enjoy some time away from my computer. I was wrong. When I got home, Brooke introduced me to an online class in HTML and CSS. I couldn't resist. Needless to say, my blogging, spring- cleaning, gardening and exercising has all taken a back seat for the past week. Not necessarily a good thing. I finished up over the weekend and decided to take that long-awaited break. At least for the rest of April and May. I have too many springtime activities to enjoy. This is one of my favorite seasons, and it goes by too quickly as it is. Yes, now is definitely the time to take a break and spend some time outdoors. 

color play

I've been playing with color today over at Beyond Beyond. My assignment was to make a colorboard. I couldn't resist using this photo of my lilacs as the springboard for my project. They're so cheerful and bright and bring a smile to my face every time I walk past my bedroom window. And, don't even get me started on the yummy smell....

rainy days and mondays

It's been a somewhat soggy week this past week, with more to come for the next few days.  I put away my "warm" running clothes on Saturday, only to pull them out again this morning. I had so much I wanted to accomplish today, but when the skies are gray and dreary, I just want to bundle up and stay inside. Luckily, this cute little cluster of died-off berries beckoned me outdoors to shoot a few pics, proving once again that you can find beauty in anything. That's the thing I love about photography, it causes me to look a little deeper at things. And when I do, I always find something worthwhile.  A good life lesson, I think. Particularly when it comes to people. Happy Monday.

happy spring

Spring is finally here, and along with it comes my seasonal bucket list. Nothing fancy or too adventurous, just some simple things I want to accomplish between now and summer. I've left a significant number of things off the list such as going to the park with my grandson and playing tennis with my daughters, but those things are pretty much a given:) I'll probably try out a couple of new recipes as well. And, much to my chagrin, a little spring cleaning.

nearly here

My first tiny crocuses popped up over the weekend, signaling that spring is almost here. There's something about spring that gives me a rejuvenated feeling. Along with the flowers and trees, I sort of 'come back to life'. It has seemed like a longer winter than usual for me, and I'm looking forward to milder temperatures and sunny skies. I also have big plans to fly a kite this spring:)

they're back

The long awaited day has come. Be still my heart. The robins have finally come back to usher in Spring. I wait for this day every year about this time. Today my trees were filled with all kinds of birds, plucking off the last of the berries on the trees. I captured this little guy as he was just taking a berry in. You can even see his tongue. Who knew birds had tongues? I am giddy with excitement for warmer weather to come, and for the snow to melt. Seeing the robins in the trees today means it won't be long now. 

welcome winter

transition

I live in a state with four complete seasons. Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall, we get them all. I love it because we get a little dose of all different kinds of weather. And, for someone like me who loves nature, it's fun to see how the surroundings change from season to season. My only gripe is that the seasons seem to pass by so quickly, especially Spring and Fall. I took the picture above on Thursday night. It had been windy all day and had blown Autumn leaves all over my patio furniture. The next morning, the same view looked like this.

See what I mean by fast-changing seasons? I guess that wraps up my Autumn photo shoots for the year. 

right before my eyes

I've taken a picture of this same tree in my backyard for the past 4 days. I can't believe how much it changes each day. I just love living in a state where the seasons really change up the landscape. Autumn is one of my favorites. We have gone from the sunny 70's to the frigid 30's in less than a week. I love it. I suspect, by next week at this time, I'll be doing some heavy duty raking up of leaves in my backyard. Yet another reason to love Fall!!