An Autumn Drive

We had a lovely stretch of beautiful, sunny skies recently. 

My sweet Blue Eyes suggested we take a little drive to enjoy the last of the Autumn color. 

We chose to stay close to home and take a drive into the nearby farmlands. 

We were greeted by deep golds, russets, moss and dark evergreen hues against flawless cerulean skies. 

Timeworn farms tucked into hillsides among golden maple and stately fir create picturesque scenes. 

It was a rare treat to have my busy Blue Eyes all to myself for one whole day! 

He has been stacking firewood, cleaning gutters, raking leaves and winterizing the house. 

In his 'free' time. 

But we couldn't pass up this rare, beautiful day to simply go exploring. 

We couldn't go too far, as we are still pet-sitting for Weenie Baby and Peanut, 

my daughter's mini dachshunds. 

My daughter is in the process of moving and we are keeping them through the upheaval. 

But sometimes you don't have to look far beyond your own backyard to enjoy a change of scenery!

I loved this green barn and made Blue Eyes back up to take it's picture. 

This farm caught my eye against the tall yellow trees and dark mountains. 

And always in the background, 14,410 ft. Mount Rainier,

glistening like a mirage nestled in the folds of undulating blue foothills. 

We drive along singing at the top of our lungs to Jackson Browne-

'Running on Empty'

'Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels -

Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields-

I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels-

Running on - running on empty

Running on- running blind

Running on- running into the sun

But I'm running behind

Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive'

Good song for the road! 

We drive around the corner and these little ones catch our attention....

Two miniature donkeys chasing each other around and around. 

The little one biting the other one every now and again on the rump. 

Playfully.

But with shadows getting long, we head for home...

Late afternoon sunlight setting the fields aglow.

And painting the trees with a gilded brush. 

xoxo

Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance;

they make the latitudes and the longitudes. 

Henry David Thoreau

Linking with: Fridays Fences

All Hallow's Eve

It's that magical time of year again, Halloween. 

Thought to be 'liminal' time, when the spirits or fairies can more easily come into our world and are particularly active. 

Halloween originated in the Celtic festival of Samhain

 -(pronounced, SAH-win) - old Irish for Summer's End. 

It was celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man

 to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. 

Departed souls were thought to visit their homes on this one special night. 

Festivals with bonfires, candles, and offerings of food and drink to appease the spirits were laid out. 

The festivals also included 'Mumming and Guising', which goes back to the 16th century. 

This involved people going house to house in costume (or disguise) 

reciting verses and songs in exchange for food. 

They carried hollowed out gourds or turnips as lanterns carved to represent spirits or goblins. 

These became known as Jack-o-Lanterns. 

Nobody wanted to turn away 'Jack'. 

To do so could bring very bad luck.

So on this All Hallow's Eve, this magical night -

 don't forget to leave out an offering for the goblins, spirits and fairies that come to the door. 

Real or imagined! 

And remember - 

Be Wary! 

It's scary 

In the Dark! 

xoxo

Autumn Decorating

I just love this time of year with it's wonderful russet tones

 and have done a bit of redecorating to bring these warm colors inside. 

It all started with this wonderful painting I recently found at a vintage store. 

Using this as my starting point, I added pillows to bring forward the lovely colors. 

Some of these I already had and others were gathered over time or sewn. 

I used a length of brown pinstripe fabric to cover the daybed. 

I found this for $5 at a garage sale!

The flowered pillow slip is vintage. 

Curtains I had on hand, but not in use, were repurposed for this space. 

They infuse the room with a golden glow when the sun shines through. 

A simple painting propped on an easel, hand blown glass, and basket of autumn lovelies grace my treadle sewing machine by the window. 

Vintage ink and watercolor prints found at a thrift store replace beachy scenes of summer. 

A treasured John Atkinson Grimshaw fairy print depicting Iris, a messenger of the gods, who turned into a rainbow after failing to wither the summer plants at the start of autumn, hangs opposite. 

Have I told you I love fairy art? 

I filled my blue painted tool box that I found at the Funky Junk Flea Market over the summer,

 with colorful mums. 

Hydrangeas from my gardens fill a basket on top of my hutch. 

My Mother's trio of quail that I remember from childhood, make themselves at home here. I made the olive leaf tray from decoupaged napkins years ago. 

Hanging above my hand painted glass lamp (a gift from The Mr. for our anniversary one year), a framed embroidery.....

depicting a lovely harvest scene. I found this at a vintage store years ago. 

I saw this warty, wonderfully colored gourd at the market and had to bring it home. 

The 'Kitchen Queen' also got a little update with autumn inspired dishes. 

My little pumpkin dish holds The Mr.'s favorite treat, Candy Corn. Ssshhhh! He doesn't know I have them hidden here. I have to dole them out a little at a time or he will eat them all in one sitting. 

He is a candy hound. 

The top gets a makeover with things I already had on hand. 

My Mother bought the soup tureen as a housewarming gift when I was a young mother.

I hung an autumn wreath that I created on the kitchen door.  

I simply hot glued silk leaves, dried strawflowers (which I grew) and faux berries to a grapevine wreath. 

It took me only about an hour! 

Thank you for visiting me in my little corner of the world. 

I enjoyed sharing my autumn decorating with you. 

Taking the time to search vintage and discount stores with an autumn palette in mind, repurposing things you already have on hand, and collecting things over time can allow a change without a lot of money. 

This is Vintage Cottage Style. 

Beatrice Euphemie would approve. 

xoxo

An Autumn Day

. 

Fog greets me in the mornings as Stella Jays fly single file from treetop to treetop,

Waiting for me to fill the feeders on my morning walk.

Dew drops cling to every surface, highlighting nature's artistry.

A tiny Douglas Squirrel waits for me to replenish his favorite treat.
Chickadees, Towhees, Nuthatches, and Mourning Doves twitter in the nearby trees, while Jays stand guard.

As the sun breaks through the fog, golden leaves seem to glow from within.

Planted years ago as tiny saplings, the Russian Ash never fail to brighten these lovely Autumn days.

Mushrooms carpet the forest floor - parasols for the fairies.

Happy companions keep me company.

The morning hush broken only by the dry leaves beneath our feet and the creaky sound of tree frogs.

I stop to admire the vibrant Sedum with rosy Autumn hues,

As the garden puts on one last show -

In memory of summer's glorious sunsets.

As the fog begins to lift, sunshine warms my face.

Illuminating burnished hillsides.

Keeping Begonia and Fuchsia blooming past their time,
while Japanese Maple turns to fire.

I spend the day potting bulbs.
Winter Pansies replace summer blooms.

And as I prepare the evening meal, long, thin rays of Autumn sunlight
fall on trunks of ancient trees outside the kitchen window.

Lengthening the shadows,

Painting the sky.

And when the full moon rises, the coyotes sing their wild, lonely songs.