The Waterfalls In Autumn

 I have been to the waterfalls in spring and summer, but I have never seen them in Autumn, and Oh, what I was missing.  Nestled in nature, they are surrounded by all the bright changing colors of the season, which makes them even prettier than they are in the summer.  Me and my son took a drive to the falls, which are only 10 minutes away, and it was overcast for a while, but turned into a sunny day.  We went to the lake first, which is right down the road from the falls, and I'll share pictures of that later.  These waterfalls are on California's list of beautiful places to visit.  So, come along while we take a walk and see this wonderful sight that has me in awe every time.  But first, let us drive through the coffee shop to get a Mexican Mocha with a little whipped cream.

The moss on this tree was so thick that it looked like the Grinch's arms.💚 

And for an extra treat, when we showed up at the house, the deer were in my yard and roaming the neighborhood.

Back at Nel's house, Mia had a special time making caramel apples with Nel.  Nel sent me a little note telling me how much she used to love when I made these for the kids growing up during the Fall season. 🍏  I'm pleased that my daughters are keeping the traditions alive and having so much fun with them in their own way.

I have to share a few more pics of the changing trees in town, cause the colors are brilliant.  And I know just where to go to see them.  ; )

We had a big wind Saturday, and lots of rain on Sunday.  Leaves were blowing everywhere.🍂🍂🍂

So, it was a nice time to stay inside and have a comforting meal of homemade stew,

 and Duncan Hines Dolly Parton's chocolate cake and vanilla frosting.  Have you ever tried her cake mixes? - they are so moist and good!

 Do you know what's also nice to do on a rainy day?  Go through old photos and remember.  Now, I was just in my early twenties when I was raising my daughters.  Didn't have a lot of time for partying or socializing like many girls my age, but looking back, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

my son

And one of my favorite pictures is this one of the girls playing in the leaves at grandma's house.

Have a cozy Autumn week.

Autumn's Simple Pleasures

 Good Morning!

Autumn is in full swing here, and it's getting colder with each day.  It was 35 degrees when I got in my car one morning, and I've had my heater going for the last couple weeks.  Fall is all around me, inside the house, and outside.  Look at the color on these trees!

There were 7 Doves on my lawn one morning, and I love when they visit.

I've been baking a lot lately.  I made some oatmeal cookies from scratch.  They turned out really good.  I had some pecans in the cupboard, so I sprinkled some in there.

Nel went to Mia's classroom to do a "surprise secret reader."

When I gave away some things to the girls this year, I thought I could part with some of their books, but it's the one thing that I can't seem to let go.  I spent a great deal of time reading to my kids when they were little, so it's hard to say good-bye to those storybooks.  One day I will give every book to whoever wants it, but for now, they will stay with me.

I have been having pumpkin spice coffee lately.  Have you tried it yet?

My son made an English breakfast one morning,

and a kielbasa sausage stew for dinner.  I always say it's his best stew yet, and it truly is!  It was spicy, but I could handle it, and filled with lots of good veggies and sausage and tender beef.

Jess calls this fellow "ghostie."  This picture made me laugh with the ghost screen in the distance.

Some silliness at soccer.

And some silliness at home.

Yes, I've been watching Christmas movies already.  This one was a cute film.  I liked all the actors in it; it was lighthearted, and got me thinking about the Christmas season ahead.

Went into the restaurant on Saturday morning to see if they had any Mexican pastries.  They sell them on the weekends, and by the end of the weekend they are all sold out.  Mireya checked in back to see if they were ready (so strange cause I had a Mireya in my hometown also).  She told me that the owner bakes them, which I didn't know.  They just came out fresh from the oven, and there were racks and racks of warm pastries, so I brought two home with me.  They always treat me well there.

 I had a long visit with my neighbors over the weekend.  They were both outside, one taking his daily walk, and another who just lost her husband recently, and I try to check up on her when I can.  They both mentioned that it was going to be a cold winter.  I gave V. a painting of mine that I was going to give away.  It was very nice, but I don't really have too much pink in my home.  She loved it.  We had a nice visit, and we do look out for each other here in the neighborhood, and that pleases me.  I have been slowly getting ready for the winter season that will come quicker than you know.  There is a lot of preparation in the mountains when you live in an area that gets 20 degrees and lower in the winter months.

"Of all the seasons, Autumn offers the most to man and requires the least of him."

~Hal Borland

Have a lovely October week.