Fall, a time of Joy

 Fall, to me, is a time of joy mixed with a tinge of sadness. I think the sadness comes because of the passage of time. To me that is important for I am on the downhill slide of life and I guess I want to hang onto it for as long as I can.

But...that time of joy. The heat dissipating, the changing colors, things and people in a flurry preparing for a winter which lies ahead. That all is a cause of joy. And, the birds that fly overhead in search of a warmer winter, the butterflies that take a long sip of nectar from flowers now in their passing days. It seems to be a time of preparation and also a time for reflection. I gather my 'nuggets' and store them away. those nuts of happy memories so that I might drag them out and live them again on a cold snowy day. 

Each day is filled with new discoveries and yesterday I witnessed something I had not seen on my balcony before. A Cloudless Sulphur butterfly happily sipping nectar from the last of the lantana blossoms. I got so close and watched it in awe. That memory was one of those nuggets that I definitely will pull out when I am wrapped in a warm blanket watching the winter encase us all. 

Some Missions Accomplished

 I finally found my storage box with my Fall decorations in it!! 

I don't have much. It doesn't take much these days to keep me happy. I don't need every inch of my apartment cluttered with stuff... anyway, I did a couple things. 

This is my table decoration. Yes, I know .... it's not time for the pilgrims yet but she is holding a pumpkin so I guess that counts, right? 

I made this little fall arrangement and set it atop my jewelry cabinet

There's a couple of things sitting here and there but I didn't take pictures of them. 

And, on to other stuff

I stayed awake a lot last night. I am not like most authors who plan out their books, have a notebook filled with ideas of how it will go, know the plot from beginning to end. Most of my chapters are thought out in the middle of the night, one by one. I let my inner voice take me on this writing journey. 

Well, last night I started thinking about the next chapter and hours later I had every chapter written in my head . 

I like the direction it is taking and I am quite excited to move along and get it done. But, I am not telling... not one hint. Sorry, you'll have to wait 'til it's published. 

We got little effects from the Hurricane whatever his name was that hit the coast. By the time it got to us it was just rain and not a great deal of that either. Sure feel for those closer to the coast, though. My son in north alabama wasn't hit bad either. 

I made some new snacks for my football watching on Saturday. It was Pepper Jelly Pinwheels. 

The tortillas worked fine and BTW I used 2 instead of one and it worked great. But, I wonder how they would be using crescent rolls instead of the tortillas. 

Guess that's all for this Monday Morning. Hope you have a wonderful week. 

A Nor'easter Week

Fall is here. Can you  believe it? 

It decided to turn cool. This Nor'easter is making my ears and nose cold. I am NOT going to turn my heat on but you can bet I am going to put my feet on the heating pad while I watch my Saturday college football. Roll Tide!! 

My week has been interesting. I am less willing to drive in the rain now at this age than ever. I don't even want to do it in a drizzle. Wednesday I had a dental appointment and guess what... it was drizzling!! I told myself I was brave and I must have believed myself 'cause I took off in that yucky mess and made it fine. Glad that trip was successful! 

Friday was a pretty day. Thank God for sunshine!! My car needed it's yearly inspection and I had an eight o'clock appointment to get it done. I mean, I don't usually get up 'til 8 but once again, I told myself I could do it and I did. Another successful trip. I'm getting pretty good at this!! 

I may pull out my Fall decorations tomorrow and make this place look more seasonal. I don't do much.. there's no storage for a lot of stuff and I just don't have the energy to be lifting and tugging at boxes that hold things I really don't need. We'll see how that goes. 

I spent two days going through some old keepsakes I have stored in totes under my bed. I told you storage was in short supply around here! What memories all of that drug up along with a ton of dust and used tissues I had blown my nose on and somehow they had hidden under my bed. I got rid of that mess and then cleaned up and neatly arranged my keepsakes back to await another day when I want a little trip down memory lane. 

I'll share a couple of my keepsakes that I am so proud of... 

This is my grandfather's school book. He signed the inside of it with his name and date... 1886. 

Another one that I treasure: a V-Mail sent to me during WWII from a friend who was serving in Italy. I was 10 years old at the time so this letter is 82 years old now.  

The envelope that it came in.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend. And, if you are rooting for a college football team I hope your team wins!!

Beautiful Sunday Drive

 A Beautiful Sunday...

Too nice to stay inside so I headed up to my daughters, 35 miles away, for a visit. I don't drive much anymore so I got in that right lane and I stayed there. No switching lanes for me!! 

We had a lovely visit. Shirley and I went  for Italian food for lunch leaving the guys to fend for themselves. The salad I could eat a ton of... 

We then drove around searching out all the signs of Fall that we could find. 

I came home, happy, content and tired. Crawled up in my recliner and turned on the tv. But.

What a beautiful Sunday it was! 

Fall Decor and Decoration of another kind.

 I know... a lot of folks have already had their fall things out for weeks.. I won't say that I am just now doing my fall decorating because I am not. I am just slow posting things!! 

Susan gave me this fall wreath. I hung it on my door and added a cute little scarecrow to dress it up a bit. I wish I'd thought to add an orange bow at the top. Maybe next year.

I stuck a gnome in my herb planter. I love the pumpkins and gourds he's surrounded himself with. My curly parsley is not growing. Hasn't gotten much taller all summer long. Am I missing something in what to do for it?

This display was at a farmer's market. No, I did not bring any of them home with me but they were too pretty to not take a photo. Right?

I ocassionally make what I call a scrapbook journal page. This one was done last year.  Just another bit of Fall to brighten our days. 

On another note: I spent all afternoon yesterday going through a thick file I have of my husband's Naval records. It was such a nostalgic journey,oh the place he went, the achievements he made... I stand in awe of what that little country kid from Alabama did in his lifetime. And, I was part of it and for that I am thankful. 

He came up through the ranks from seaman and here he was getting his boards of Ltjg. at Annapolis. Just one of the thrills in our life. 

Glorious October

                          October is here!

Well, actually it's been here 3 days already, came in while I wasn't watching!

So happy for the cooler weather. the hint of fall in the air and dragging out a sweater to wear as I head out this morning. 

QUOTE

"Tomorrow is another day. But, so was yesterday."  

Rene Ricard

A Stop at a Farm Market

 It had been ages since Shirley and I had been to Cracker Barrel for turkey and dressing but yesterday we fixed that mistake!! So glad that the CEO of that establishment came to her senses and got things back like we like them.

While driving home we stopped in a farm market... so cute a place and I bought some goodies.

 I couldn't pass up a tray of huge muscadines. Now, for those of you who are not from the south.... muscadines are wild grapes and are soooo good. Most people don't eat the skins 'cause they are tough but the taste of the pulp and juice is just divine. These were so big....

I also got some sweet potatoes. Love them baked with butter and brown sugar on them. I bought a quart of pickled spiced peaches but those are on hold for the holidays. 

As we parked back at my place Shirley noticed a grape vine growing in a tree by the parking area. It looked weird! By doing a google picture id I found out that a tiny insect called a leafhopper was causing that pretty pattern on that leaf.  I like the look. but, I am sure it isn't healthy for the vine.

I think it just puts you in a different frame of mind to get out and enjoy the sights of a new approaching season. 

A Sad Thought

 

Yes, it's the first day of Fall. We always said Fall but I love saying Autumn. Sounds more lyrical, I guess. 

However you say it just enjoy each golden day. Too soon the cold winds of Winter will be whistling down our chimneys. You know what I mean... I don't even have a chimney! haha

I made a lemon cake the other day. It's been years since I made a cake! And, this one was done in my toaster oven. 

Lemon.... that sounds more summery but I saw the recipe and made it for Michael's birthday recently. It was good.

But, I am trying hard to get sugar outta my life. Lordy, that's hard. Not only sugar but fried foods and a bunch of other stuff that's not good for you. 

Are you on a search for healthier eating?

Got any fav recipes you'd like to share?

On to a sadder subject

I had never really paid attention to the name Charlie Kirk until he was killed. Guess I live under a rock, cause there were a ton of people who knew and loved him.

However, his passing affected me deeply. I spent all yesterday afternoon watching his memorial on tv. And, I cried for Erica and those little kids.

I think the reason why it hurt so much was that Charlie was the same age as my Dad when he got killed (by lightening).

My Dad left a wife he loved beyond anything, a daughter age 8 and me (I was still in my Mother's womb) 

I know what those little kids will go through... not having a Dad. 

The older I get, the more I miss mine. 

I just pray that all the violence against those who think differently than you will stop. 

The Signs of Fall

                           The Signs of Fall I Love the Best

Doesn't it make you want to get out and enjoy the brisk air, the sound of falling leaves, the hint of chimney smoke?

What are your favorite signs of Fall?

Welcome Fall

                            Happy 1st Day of Autumn!

Let's enjoy these glorious day of fall. 

Much love to you all. 

Latane

Goodbye Autumn

Autumn is about over.

Temps are going down to 19 degrees tonight.

Time to snuggle up in my comfy throw and read a good book. 

 

Fall is in the air!

 

The air is definately cooler. I think I can feel autumn just creeping in a bit here and there and I am so ready. 

I don't have a favorite season but Fall is certainly a very colorful one and welcomes a 'resting' time in our lives. 

Just want to share some pictures with you this morning to put you in the 'fall mood'. 

What's your favorite time of year? 

"In Those Old Cotton Fields Back Home"

There's nothing like a field of white cotton to drag me back to my childhood, living in Alabama, 'helping' the grownups pick cotton. I even had my own little sack  that I slung over my shoulder that dragged along behind me while I picked.... maybe a handful of bolls. I was all of four or five years old. 

Monday Shirley drove me out to a cotton field near her home. It looked like there was snow on the ground it was so white. I loved seeing it. Cotton has a very distinctive woodsy odor.. warm, comforting. I remember playing on big piles of picked cotton that had been stored on the front porch until the folks could go to the gin. 

                         Oh, those were the best of times! 

Here's Creedence Clearwater Revival to put you in the right mood. Play a little of it and sing along, I bet you know the words! 

Winter Is Coming

 Man, it got cold last night. It seems to have jumped from summer right into winter! We do still have beautiful leaves, pumpkins in the patch, warm cocoa in the mornings. But, too soon it will snow, the wind will howl... 

One of the things I love about cold weather is fires in the fireplace but heck, they won't let us build fires in this apartment building. Guess they think we'll burn the place down!

I love to snuggle in bed with a handmade quilt pulled up under my chin. I was a quilter in my earlier days... when the hands didn't give out on me and my eyesight was better. I enjoyed piecing the tops but my favorite thing to do was do the hand quilting. I prefer a quilt any day over blankets. 

I love steaming hot tea. I prefer the orange spicey ones with sugar, no cream. And, don't forget hot chocolate. The doc put me on a lactose free diet but I suppose I could make my own cocoa mix and use almond milk. 

Yes, the cold winter days will be here before we know it... brrrr.