Photo Album Project

 While others do their deep cleaning in the early months of the year, I always do my cleaning and organizing with the Autumn season.  It gets dusty up here in the mountains, and the back porch area and laundry room seem to get the most dust.  I bought another bin for my photo albums - they were all in one bin and overflowing, so I separated them and organized them in two bins.  It was a big project, cause I have about 25 albums, but they are easier to get to now.  Aahh, my treasured pictures.....I can't lose them on the internet, and no one can take them away.  They are mine to keep.  I cherish these pictures of my young children growing up and the happenings of their life during that time.  I went through some of the albums while I was rearranging them, and here are a few of my favorites.

I had another dentist appt. last week, with full ex-rays.  I'm thankful no cavities, and I have to give my parents some credit, as I've read one time that genes can play a significant role in dental health.  I still have to replace a crown, and then I'm done with dental for a while.

I had a plumber come by last week to fix the dryer hook-up and make sure it was set up properly.  What I thought would be a short visit, turned out to be a six hour day, and it was not fun.  But he's a good plumber, and did a great job making sure all was tightly fastened and secure.  There was a lot of drilling involved.

I saw this tree with brilliant color by the post office in my town.

"Autumn went out walking

And with a brush in hand

She draped the trees in red and gold

And dressed the changing land

She painted leaf and garden

And made the cold winds blow

'Till all the world lay steeped within

Her bright October glow."

~Laura Jawarski

Jess made grandma's delicious enchiladas.

My son went to the city last week, and had a great time.  He brought me some mince pies from World Market.  I think one either loves mince pies or strongly dislikes them, and I've always loved these traditional pies made with dried fruits and spices.

He also picked up a book from Barnes and Noble, Let's Eat Paris!  He made some Parisian crepes, and they were beyond delicious.

 This guy was pecking at my tree.  He's such a pretty fellow, but it looked like his head was blotchy, not the usual bright red; I wondered if he was alright, or maybe he's just in the molting period?

Little miss Charlotte is getting into the Harry Potter nook.

Go, Charlotte, go!

I drove through to get a taco, and when I got my order, this note was in my bag.

And a picture for my Jess for her 40th birthday coming up.  That's a big one.

Happy October!

~Sheri

A Week Filled With Surprises

 I went to see A over the weekend to see if she put out any more Fall things, and while browsing through the shop, I noticed some Hummels that were sitting on one of the shelves.  I love these little figurines, particularly the little boy with the accordion.  I told A that my mother-in-law used to play the accordion, and that's why I'm drawn to him, and that I'll buy him someday.  As you may know, Hummels are very expensive, so I passed up this figurine until the time was right.  And I just bought a huckleberry chocolate bar.  I told A that I would just take the chocolate bar, but she insisted on putting it in a bag.  When I got in my car, I noticed something wrapped in tissue paper inside the purple bag.

I was so surprised to see the little accordion Hummel.  Right away, I went inside and asked A if she put it in there.  She had boxes all over the shop, and she had to open about five boxes to get to the chocolate bars, so I wanted to make sure.  She said, "yes."  I said, "thank you!"  She said, "you were meant to have it."  With tears, I said, "I'm going to cry."  She said, "good.  Have a nice Autumn."  I said, "love you, bless you," as I was leaving.  A is one of the classy women up here in the mountains.  She knows a thing or two about tears.  She lost her husband to the dreadful virus a couple years ago.  I will always cherish this little Hummel that A gave me, and remember the kindness she showed on that one September day. 

When I was driving home and was on my street, out of nowhere a fawn jumped my neighbor's fence and almost hit my car.  I parked in my drive-way, and thankfully I had my camera with me and started to take pictures of the fawn.

I looked over my shoulder, and couldn't believe that the mama deer was right behind me.  She slowly and cautiously past me and joined her fawn.

Although the leaves are starting to change, and it's cold in the mornings,

it seems to warm up during the day.

My pumpkins on the front porch are still going strong.

"Happiness is not always loud and bright and crowded."

~E.L. Konigsburg

My favorite breakfast, fried eggs with salsa and sausages.

Isn't Mia's red rose purse the cutest thing?  I saw it when I was in her room one day and told her I wanted one just like it.

Francesca is going quail hunting with her papa in October.  I was so pleased to hear this, as it reminds me of the times I went hunting with my dad at her age.

*from the book Crow Call

Do you like my new acorns?

Ah, September!  You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul....

~Peggy Toncy Horton

*Guido Borelli painting

Just Some September Things

 Last week was just an ordinary week - I had a dentist appt., which I always dread.  My tooth has been bothering me lately - sensitive to hot and cold, so I went in.  Thankfully, no cavity on that side, so it wasn't a bad day after all.  Afterwards, I drove through, and got my first coffee of the season; pumpkin spice latte, which was hot, and only a bit of whipped cream.

The foliage is starting to change.  We never see a sudden drastic change like the beautiful Falls in the Midwest.  It comes gradually here, starting with the golds and oranges.

The golden rod is blooming like crazy at the creek, and it's a favorite place for the bees.

There are dozens of cows at the cow farm nearby, but I caught this one alone, away from all the others.

Whenever I see a tire swing, it reminds me of swinging my young son at my uncle's house, while his sisters were in school.  He had a swing in the front of his house, next to my dad's garden.  I would go over there often when visiting my mom.

My sacred place.

My new candle smells of pumpkin and spice and fills the air with a delightful seasonal scent. 

Loved this wee pumpkin with the long stem.

Charlotte is on the go - it's hard to keep up with them at that age, but they can be so funny sometimes.

About once a month I go to the burger drive-up and order a juicy mushroom burger.  They are big, messy, and amazingly delicious.

A Silouette of me at the burger place taking a picture of the flower box.

Remember the soft stuffed Cheetah I bought for Mia?  It's the team mascot for her soccer this season!

And Francesca is playing soccer too.  Reminds me so much of Jess when she was a young soccer player.  One time, she scored 5 goals in one game.  In the middle of the game, her coach asked me what I was feeding her. 

We had thunder, rain, and hail yesterday.  I hope we get some heavy rain. 

~Sheri