This Golden Season

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you are enjoying

the golden light of autumn, as we run 

full gallop on our journey through time. 

I try to pull up the reins

to slow life down as often as I can, to enjoy
 every amazing moment along the way. 

As if to console us for the long, cold nights ahead, 

this beautiful season puts on a show.

A favorite little farm nearby

The road to home

Almost home

Morning mist rises. 

Afternoon sun casts a golden glow.  

These beautiful colors are so inspiring.
I imagine crocheting a scarf with these colors,
or creating a watercolor sketch......

I want to capture the warmth and harmony. 

xoxo

The table-runner and flowers from each of my daughters,

bring in some of that wonderful warmth. 

Did you notice the balloon garland above?

I had some orange balloons (from a pack of multi-colors)
 and a permanent marker........

It was one of those 'spur of the moment' ideas.
Aren't they fun?
They would look cute with green curling ribbon for 'stems'. 

I found this embroidery in a local shop, years ago. 

Sorry for the glare on the glass.
You can see part of my kitchen reflected
 in the glass - the trash cans, stove and dog gate
leading into the living room. 

If you look on the left of the frame at the reflection in the glass,
you can see the balloon garland. 

Now look to the left of the balloon.......

Do you see the creepy face?!
It looks like a Chinese Dragon! 

This scared the wits out of me until 

I realized that it was just the reflection of the antique plant hanger!

o   o

^

0 

(You can see the hanger in the previous photo)

Is that the creepiest thing ever?
Now I'm convinced that picture is haunted......
Ramblin' Man keeps teasing me by pointing
out weird reflections everywhere.
He's a brat.
xo

It was All Hallow's Eve, and the Kitchen Witch was baking.......

In hopes of luring some chubby little children to her 

gingerbread house.......

She hung some of her favorite art......
(including a landscape featuring her 'gingerbread' house)

And put out her favorite book.

Filled with beautiful and haunting poems and illustrations.

She fluffed the feathers of her favorite pet owl perched on the mantel.....

 And lit her spookiest candles.

Then the Kitchen Witch set out treats in the hopes of luring her victims. .....

She even swept the front entry with her magical broom!

Ooooooo! What do we have here?

A chubby little child!
Or is it a big doggy?

The Kitchen Witch captures this little morsel before he gets away.....

And recruits The Warlock to help capture two more :)
So deliciously chubby!

The witch was very happy.....

It was a successful Halloween!

xoxo

Thank-you, Dear Friends for your sweet birthday wishes
and for your wonderful friendship over these happy years of blogging.
I hope I have the privilege of many more with all of you.

xoxo

"One's friends are that part of the human race with
which one can be human"
- George Santayana -

" Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life. Many
might have failed beneath the bitterness of
their trial had they not found a friend"
- Charles Spurgeon -

"A friend is someone who knows you well
and still likes you"
-unknown-

Goodbye October - Hello, Sweet November

Hello, dear friends, I hope that you survived 

'Fright Night' with no 'tricks' and a few treats! 

We were treated to this spooky scene over Mt. Rainier

right before dark, after several days of 

beautiful October sunshine. 

But the best treat was a visit from this 

little Trick or Treater, my little Grandson. 

Can you believe he is already 

 taking his first steps? 

Luckily I had some treats on hand! :)

And treat bags to take home. 

I stamped the bags and added creepy spider fasteners. 

I also baked chicken pot pie for dinner, 

as the little family was hungry after 

their night out visiting some very special treaters. 

xoxo

This morning I woke up to a change in the weather, 

this first day of sweet November. 

Sweet November is one of my favorite movies, 

starring Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves.

Yes, it is slightly cheezy, but I love the actors, 

the setting, (especially Charlize's darling apt.

and all her wonderful scarves)

and the sweet romance. 

I'm a die-hard romantic - I admit it. 

I like to put on my rose-colored glasses 

once in a while. 

Life can be hard and not always pretty, 

it's true, but I am always seeking the

silver lining in those dark clouds. 

One of my favorite things about November 

are the falling leaves. 

There is nothing more magical than 

standing under golden trees as falling leaves 

 swirl and twirl all around you. 

I thought of these things as I prepared my morning 

coffee, standing in front of my kitchen window. 

There is something to love in every season, 

and sweet November gives us Thanksgiving, of course, 

and all those things that go along with it. 

Gratitude, family, delicious gatherings. 

Things like candlelight reflected on the best 

silver and crystal (if you are so blessed),

or the soft glow of ironstone and pressed glass :)

Fine linens are something else to celebrate, 

and even if you don't host the full holiday dinner, 

why not bring them out and enjoy them with your tea? 

As I took my morning walk to retrieve the newspaper

at the driveway gate, I reflected further on what 

makes November so sweet...... 

Frosty mornings

with thick haloes of breath.

Warm, cozy flannels

and soft, cuddly sweaters.

Crisp, clear nights full of shimmering stars. 

Thick winter coats on ponies and dogs. 

The mysteries of fog.

Reading under warm, layered quilts,

long into the night. 

Kicking through leaves in tawny landscapes. 

Hot coffee with whipped cream, 

sprinkled with nutmeg or cinnamon,

and a dash of Bailey's if it is really, really cold out :)

Pumpkin Pie for breakfast. 

Lamplight glowing from windows

and cozy cafe's. 

Baked apples oozing with butter and brown sugar. 

Stopping to listen to flocks of migrating geese overhead. 

The scent of wood-smoke

 curled up in front of the fire. 

Butternut squash soup and cranberry nut bread. 

Sliced pears and brie on crisp crackers or toast, 

drizzled with honey. 

Soft carpets of needles 

under evergreen trees. 

Crab-apples.

And.....

Nature's last brilliance before 

winter sets in. 

What would you add to the list? 

xoxo

Thank-you for your lovely visits, dear Friends. 

I so enjoy your kind and generous comments. 

With each one, I get to know you a little bit more. 

Kindred spirits, all. 

xoxo

Happy November! 

Today I am linking with:
Thankful Thursday

Won't you join in?