Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

So It Goes....

September makes me feel as if it is the beginning of the year. I felt this much more strongly when I worked for a school district, but to this day - as summer winds down and the kiddos head off in the early morn, there is a definite rustle of newness to the days.






Still, days and nights are filled with simmering summer. Downtime of celebratory shenanigans, and much that keeps me from sitting down indoors to type out a post in this little spot. Sorry for that - I've definitely lost momentum in journaling at Abundant Picnic. So it goes though - as the air swishes and the trees drop their brittle-sun dried leaves... Autumn nears and cozy time on the couch will begin. I expect that posts will be more abundant soon!






final days of sunbrellas on the beach...









ete is French for Summer




 
 
 



Tell me it isn't nearing fall.......  harvest, much?? look at these beauties from our neighbors ^




Saturday, October 27, 2012

Simple Pleasures

Such a simple and pleasurable thing... searching through photos of other women's homes... and it brings such enjoyment! I won a place in an on-line ecourse from an amazing artist/fashion designer.  Jeanne Oliver and other amazingly talented gals are posting videos, giving information, offering solutions to design and decorating dilemmas. From the beginning it has made for a pleasant look! I've really enjoyed mornings with my tea and my spot in the "classroom".


As a student in this course, we each have a profile to fill. I've added many photos to share with the group. Some of the most recent were views of Autumn around our house...











































I'm only posting the small vignettes{simple pleasures in themselves} .. I had already shown the class images of my living space. I haven't dared to put up photos of the kitchen yet!!  :-)  In the next couple of weeks there will be time to show rooms that we really need help with. Also some students will show before and after pictures from their  re-dos. There will not be a re-do at this house!  Perish the thought! I've mentioned before - Hubby's fear of such things!


Can't wait to try some of the projects in this course. One of the most intriguing to me is "How to Make Ricotta Cheese". Will share about how that goes...  eeeeeekk!!




Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Autumn - What's Not to Love?

If Autumn could speak and it were asked...

"What are your best features?"

How would autumn respond?  What would it boast of ?





Autumn assets {a few of my faves} ~


Surely Autumn would  highlight these things:


*  a crisp morning.... but  ->

* the fun of changing-up the weather and surprising everyone with   an extreme day of warmth ... ahhhh Indian Summer...

* moons that rise all pumpkin-like... giant orange orbs...

* the change of light .. that golden glow...

* leaves that change color.. but more than just that ->

* a blanket of crunchy leaves strewn all about the ground - that sound brings childhood memories...

* the feel of a walk in crisp autumn air...

* a sweater about one's shoulders for the first time in a while..

*the enveloping, cozy feel of sofa reading under a throw...

* apples

* a warm drink rather than an icy one...

* the possibility of a groundbreaking new TV show..

* squirrels scampering to stash their winter food

*an evening that ends rather quickly.. and makes you slow down

*  bringing warmth into our interiors - a fire, a throw, a certain colored pillow...

* baking goodies {without the worry of heating the kitchen}

* pulling closed the draperies - coccooning -

* trips and get-aways without all of the crowds...

* gourds, and pumpkins and squash - OH MY!

* pumpkin flavored everything...

* hearty meals

* a switch from white to red wine... maybe?

* Harvest and ABUNDANCE and most of all ->

* THANKSGIVING!










* over at The Inspired Room - Melissa inspired me to write about embracing fall. She's inspired others to write on their blogs as well. Go take a look at all of the Autumnal awesomness!!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Goodness

FAMILY, FRIENDS, FUN...

Last couple of days have been with Hubby's family. Last evening with friends - some of those Sunnyvale ones - more New York cousin time today. Off to the beach for some exercise first.




Walks, fall beauty, far too much food!!





MAJESTIC!!




field trip with Goat Hill people










and, various assorted family events that nearly every image has a smiling face of our great nephew... so I still cannot share them. His parents are being very cautious..  {oh, I wish you could see him!}


Time to leave for beach, with bird in his backpack - along for the walk!!

See ya soon with more fun photos!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

What My Garden Told Me

Nearly all of my friends have said it at one point or another during this summer. The weather has been so strange. Changes are happening quickly - my annuals and perennials have been showing signs. All about me I've heard the garden stating her discontent. The summer seems on it's way out.






















"Hear ye, hear ye, FALL is fast afoot !"

I believe my garden has loudly pronounced her prediction ... {somewhat like her tendress}.
 I'm listening. I'm liking!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Found My Fall Mojo


Roasting vegetables at high temps, savoring the earthy scents - and then gladly leaving the oven door ajar once they're done. On winter evenings I routinely scoot the top baking rack so to prop open the oven door, thus giving our home a little extra warmth for the sleeping hours. Along with that pilot light that we relit the other day... many seasonal shifts are taking place here.

An emotional and energetic shift with me too? I've enough want and willingness to tackle more winter house needs! FINALLY!! Near to this time each year I'm onto thinking about how I'll decorate for Christmas. Mind you,  I DO NOT DECORATE UNTIL THANKSGIVING IS OVER! There's just something wrong with that (for me anyway). I like the turkey to get his due! Usually I've switched out pillows for warmer colored ones. The cozy touch of throws are draped on the sofas. Barely getting 'round to Fall and now it's little over a week 'til trees and ornaments.

Today was that day  - bring on more warmth. Starting with a clean slate is the most easy way to work. That means I become furniture mover for one day, and muscle achy decorator the next. Pushing everything to the walls - I began


The heft of the living room area rug nearly left me hunched for life! It had to be cleaned first... it was a long day! Yet, I felt happy and exhilarated.


Here's mid-way through, the HUGE rug is still partially rolled; some of the furniture moved to new spots.



Piles exist on surfaces everywhere. I've definitely got to learn the art form of editing! My collections are goodies that I've lovingly picked from many awesome flea markets and sales. Attempts at storing these decorative "smalls" is also an art form. Not an easy task in a tiny cottage. I've got my work cut out for me.

Here's the work in progress ~











Notice those 2 splotches of peeled stucco off the wall below the painting? That's how well art tape works! I'm sorta fond of that look. Not so much at first. But, REALLY! Reminds me of old decaying walls in a French farmhouse.... (or something like that).

Tomorrow the darker draperies will be hung. There's a fur throw and animal pillow to find. I've switched out some lamps and their shades. The dining room got a new treatment ~



Never used the red shades before.... do they resemble a bordello too much?? HA

I can tell that kneeling, squatting and bending will be difficult tomorrow! Even my thumbs ache while I type this post!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Torch The Pilot

This ol' house of mine....


It's sooo old ~

How old is it ??   paddum pum....

She was built in 1945 says the yellowed and fading paper we found in the garage.

She's so old..... there's a metal thingamajig on the floor which hurts if you step on it....

Oh yeah, that floor thing is a grate, that covers a hole - the insides are known as a heater! Maybe you've never seen one.... they're that old! We extinguish the flame in 'er during summer and then relight the pilot every winter. It's that time!

Thanksgiving nears and December icily moves to overthrow Autumn.

Move away icy cold.... allow us our time with fall... it's so beautiful....












Word with the local forecasters is Winter-ish weather for the weekend. Snow could be visible around the rim of our valley. Well, okay, I guess that makes for beautiful walks too!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Whilst Walking Wednesday

White fog in the morn ~


Water - of a sort ~



Wink of the sun ~


Weathered fencing~



Wall of color ~

Whirring ~


wild mushrooms~


Windblown, treasure strewn paths~





WHAT WONDER !!!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Fall Kind of Happy

Right along with walking and the pigs.... there were a myriad of items that made my life a picnic yesterday! During my "escape" itinerary along with my walk, I visited a place that I hadn't been to in years. It is a treasure, to be sure. I've lived near it - in years past. I've taken my Mother here to inhale holiday spirit and beauty. I've walked the grounds in awe of it's vintage charm. It is called The Allied Arts Guild. It was teeming with Autumnal allure ....

 How about these views!!!  ~

what an entry!...

It's not named ALLIED ARTS for nuthin'...
AGAIN with the painters I find while walking...

Yes, Fall was in the air ~
insert display on my mantle, please!


more gourds ~


Strolled, smiled, talked, oohed and ahhed...

Captured a trio of butterflies flitting in the autumn sky ~


nothing more delightful, or harder to catch

Then I realized, no rest for the weary. Don't light upon this bench for too long....


Lest I never get up and awake from my "pretend picnic-life"....

Yet, in reality, my life is one helluva picnic compared to some, and it's also beautifully rich and full ~

TRULY!!!