A Feel Of Fall Around The Home

  Today is the first day of Autumn!  It's starting to feel like Fall here in the mountains of northern California.  In the early mornings when I get in my car, it's in the 50's, but then gradually gets a little warmer throughout the day.  There is a Fall feel around the home too, as I've decorated a bit here and there.  I found the cutest pumpkin at the store that had the most delightful stem.  I bought a harvest sign, as I appreciate our farmers in California very much.  They bring us an abundance of fruits and vegetables that are available with every season.  A while back, I bought a soft cream colored pumpkin at Home Goods.  It has sequins all over it, with a gold glittery stem.

My family are Harry Potter lovers, so I've been looking for this limited edition coffee creamer in peppermint.

Here's a little of Nel's Fall decorating too.  Her walls are a sage green, so those greyish/green pumpkins go nicely in her home.  She gets creative and uses silk flowers and beads in her decor.  She also has many things from years ago; scarecrows that belonged to her grandma, and things she had since she was very young that I passed on to her.  I appreciate that her and Jess still hold on to the old treasures.

 

I got a surprise when I looked out my window one morning and saw 3 deer!  Two fawn were on my lawn, while mama deer was next to the fence looking on.  Then, they trotted over to the side of the house and stood right next to my car.  Not the best pictures because, well, 3 deer were in my yard, and it felt like a scene from Snow White for just a minute or so haha.  I just gazed, and took it all in.  Another day, three deer appeared on my lawn once again, possibly the same ones.  They seem to come around in September.

And the northern flicker woodpecker with its sturdy beak.

In town, I noticed this tree starting to change color.  The first sign of Fall.

Do you like my new coffee cup?  Found it at World Market, and with the tall pines painted on the cup, I thought it was so mountain looking, and just right for me.

Mia participated in a fundraiser last week, and the kids were invited to a half-day clinic where they learned four cheers, and then got to perform them later on.  She had a blast!

Are you seeing signs of Fall around your neck of the woods yet?

My Days At Nel's House

 Last week I showed you what we did at Jess' house when I visited, and this week, I'll share my time at Nel's house.  Mia has a new bunk bed, and while I was there, I slept on the bottom bunk.  We didn't go to sleep right away, and instead talked for a long time - it was like having a sleepover with her.  She is into stuffies right now, so we went to this particular toy store in the village, and I bought her a stuffed frog in a mint color.  We got our usual blueberry cream cheese danishes one morning, and also visited a new bakery.  I ordered a cup of coffee and an almond croissant.  It's such a quaint bakery with cool light fixtures, large mirrors, a French atmosphere, and blue cushioned chairs to sit and stay for a while.  Nel usually buys flowers for her kitchen table, but this time she made a cute arrangement with Fall colors.  She has the Disney Villains Cookbook, and she tries to make some of the recipes in it now and then.  One night she made 'Captain Hook's Stuffed Shells,' and it was delicious.  Another night we had grandma's famous enchiladas.  I'm so glad she keeps this recipe alive and makes them from time to time.  We had them for breakfast the next morning, and she placed a fried egg on top.  While looking around at all the unique things in her house, I noticed a picture that Mia drew on the fridge.  It is so very special.  Mia had a "Kona Ice" 🍧 day at her school, and we all stood in line for a very long time so she could get that rainbow shaved ice treat.  I talked with some of her friends, and it was a fun event.  Another day, me and Nel got a Starbuck's coffee in the afternoon, and took Mia over to the ice cream shop to get a treat.  She picked a mint chocolate chip cone.  We went to our favorite kitchen shop at the village, and right when we walked in, the song "brown eyed girl" came on.  I've always loved that song, and it was such a fun surprise for three brown-eyed girls that day.  Me and Nel watched a movie while Renecke entertained Mia upstairs.  I appreciated that so much, cause it was a long movie, and I got to spend some time with my Nel.  Her and Renecke had a little date night, while Mia and I watched the movie, Snow White, and feasted on In-N-Out Cheeseburgers, fries, and cokes.  I thought it was so funny that she likes animal style too.  It was soooo good.

Good times, sweet memories.