Autumn Beauty

 

This photo was taken last November.  The tree is just over my back fence.  The colors were gorgeous.  Today, there is no color at all.  Just a drab brownish green, waiting for Autumn Beauty to take over.  It reminds me of life these days....just one sad thing after another....with all of us watching and waiting for something beautiful to come along.

 

These leaves look happy and festive....at the time, approaching Thanksgiving,  The year's last party before Winter sets in.

 

 It is beautiful, isn't it?

 

 Just look at those beautiful shades of orange with some red thrown in. 

 I'm hoping we get to see some of it before all the leaves are gone.

 

So, that was last year.  Nothing seems quite right this year, but we can always hope....and, we can still try to be happy, as this quote says:

"THINK OF ALL THE BEAUTY STILL AROUND YOU AND BE HAPPY." 

Anne Frank 

Surely, if Anne could inspire it, we should be able to do it. 

❤️

from

BIRD NEST COTTAGE

until next time 

♥♥♥

Weaving in the Ends: An Autumn Giveaway

Every year for my birthday I like to have a Giveaway on my blog.  Well, I didn't last year, but you know life here last year was not conducive to thinking of that kind of thing.  This year, well, I think it's a good idea and hope to continue on with these Giveaways once in a while and especially on my birthday.

So, what to give?  That was the question.  Around about the time I was thinking of this...(the end of last week)... some of my friends and I had decided to have a daily Challenge.  Not being all that productive lately and wanting to share some enthusiasm, we decided that we each should hold a needle in our hands for at least a few minutes each day and we would then email each other with the results...thus spurring us on to be more creative and accomplish something, even a little bit at a time.   I suppose filing a report makes you want to be productive and creative.  While doing "my own little bit" with a needle turned out to be weaving in the yarn ends of the eight scarves I have knitted over most of the last year, it was work with a needle and no one said what kind of needle!  Without going into details about why I had eight unfinished scarves around, I did have them and it occurred to me that weaving in those ends would require holding a needle and so my first Challenge project would be to finish the scarves.  Weaving the yarn ends in took me two days, working in a few minutes here and a few minutes there.

After finishing this little job...another thought occurred to me.  I had knitted two scarves from the same yarn.  Why, I don't know...but there they were calling out to me....Autumn Giveaway!!  The yarn is in lovely colors for this season...why not?  So....I decided right then and there to give the winner one scarf....and also one to share with a friend.  I love it when a plan comes together!  I also rummaged through my "junk jewelry" and found a Leaf Pin and thought it would go great with the scarf.  So there we are...my 2014 Birthday Giveaway!

Here one is all tied up with some terrific ribbon I also found in my stash.  It's really cool and thought it would look good with this yarn.  So...do you want to win it?  If so....please leave a comment on this blog post.  Also make sure I have a way to get in touch with you should you be the winner!  This coming Saturday, October 18th, is my 70th birthday.  I hope to present this Giveaway to one of you as my gift to me....a Happy Day for You! 

Pictured below are some of the scarves I finished.  A project completed.  That's a good feeling!!  I hope to post again in the middle of the week or thereabouts.  Something pretty.  Something that goes with the season.  Meantime....please comment, you might win!

Take care and til next time,   ♥ Pat 

A Nice Day to Sit on the Porch

 

This was a really nice day to sit on the porch and appreciate what we have.  Saying thank you to all our veteran's doesn't seem quite adequate....but it's ONE thing we can do....so,  for all of you veteran's out there...a huge THANK YOU!  I couldn't enjoy my life on this porch if YOU hadn't taken care of us in 'sunshine and in shadow.'  Much gratitude and love to you all (including my own hero, the old navy man!)

 

 

Sitting on the front porch this afternoon was a beautiful  experience...somewhat quiet, an almost  'whisper' of a breeze, a lot of sun and birds singing.  Quite lovely and I'm so lucky to have this porch to spend some good time on.

 

Sitting in my chair, I snapped this photo....that's the Catholic Church parking lot across the street....I love those trees way at the back.  I've seen deer and other wild animals over there from time to time and standing back in those trees brings a feeling of peace over you.....very quiet.

 

They are building something on the other side of the church and I think that is lumber or some such sitting back there.  I need to begin walking back there again...but haven't made myself do it for quite a while.  Sometimes I lose my determination...especially when it comes to exercise.

  

This is another view of the church property...this old house they use for children's events and such, I'm told.  The church building is over to the right of this little house.  The tree in this photo is the same one I was so upset over a year or so ago....it got struck by lightening and wind...and truly, it is still alive, but only half a tree...I still love it though.

  

We always put out a flag on the appropriate holidays and celebrations....and this flag is the Navy flag for the old navy man.  A gift from the grandson.

 

My porch from the South end.....

  

And, the porch from the North end.   (I'm told by some it's too 'junky.'  Fortunately, I don't worry much about the opinions of others, I just enjoy what I have, and, sometimes there is less 'stuff' on it, sometimes more!)

 

It's comfy.

  

I really do LOVE this kid's chair!

 

And, this old screen door, a gift from my favorite son-in-law.

  

And, my wishes for your "Happy Fall."

  

Dried hydrangeas, from what year, I do not remember. I just save them until they fall apart!

 

    

  

I wanted to go inside the house for just a minute, where I have my small collection of bird feathers, chosen from those fallen in my own backyard this year.  And, some Fall leaves, chosen from the front yard, just the other day.

 

  

 The leaves and other outdoor things....real bird nests, feathers and such.  Love that old wooden 'bird' box!!

               The little glitter bird and nest sent to me by my favorite and very sweet sister!!!

 

Some of those collected bird feathers.  I love walking around the back yard on the hunt for them....and I'm rarely disappointed...although winter is coming, so few will be found right now.

  

Well, one more bear photo......why, I don't know.  I'm thinking I should make more of these....someday.

  

 That 'bird box.'  Just had to bring it home from the flea market one fine day. 

And, now I am at the end of the photos....this one taken earlier today......part of the backyard.  As you can see, we no longer mow all two acres of our little plot here.  Well, we never did mow all of it, to tell the truth.  We did have a very nice older gentleman come and bush hog our 'back acre.'  He didn't charge us a penny, but did manage to squeeze a few bales of hay from it.  Now, he is not in good health and older....so not having anyone else to do it....we have been letting it go...back to nature, I like to think.  The grandson has been mowing the front acre, thanks goodness....after work, when he can.    So, another day is nearly gone...a beauty it was.  I'm thankful for the Fall weather, thankful to live here in the USA, and very thankful to be able to enjoy it with YOU.  pat