In My Own Backyard...

The weather has been so beautiful here this week with high temps around 70, bright blue skies and glorious colors all around.  Monday afternoon I stepped out into the backyard with Dracen, the Darlings, and the Canon and tried my best to digitally capture some of that beauty.

Close up of the leaves from a small Maple tree in the backyard...

View from the sunroom...

One of the many big, beautiful oaks that surround us on all sides...

The Darlings in action...

Weathervane atop the well house...

We threw some old squash out over the fence several weeks back and ended up with several gourds that made their way into my dining room to join the others I had already bought since I had no idea I was growing my own...

My knockout rose bush out front is still in full bloom.  If you look through the dining room window you can see it.  I love eating in there and admiring it.  This old dough bowl belonged to my great-great grandmother.  I filled it with a few of my...ahem...many wine corks and some leaves Dracen picked up a couple of weeks ago...

And speaking of Dracen, here he is making his best shot from the trampoline...

Have  you ever seen a bluer sky?  

Another shot of the maple tree...

This picture reminds me of the motto of the preschool both boys attended, "Mighty oaks from little acorns grow!"...

This holly bush grows just outside my bedroom window.  I love the look of the red berries against the orange and yellow leaves...

I'm not sure who's advising whom here but I think this is a frame worthy shot...

I love the speckles on this majestic canopy of leaves...

Kicking up some leaves with sock feet and little paws... 

This shot was taken from the front yard. It's not often I find myself with the camera in hand at the exact same moment heaven is shining its light down like this. I've always found that so magical.  It takes my breath away...

Thanks for joining me for this glimpse of how fall shows out for us here in my little neck of the woods.  I hope it puts on a good show in your neck of the woods too!   


**This post inspired by Mama Kat's writing prompt, "Fall in your neighborhood! Share some Fall pictures that capture the season in your neck of the woods." and Jenny Matlock's  Alphabe-Thursday's Letter B.

A Sunday Drive...

Yesterday we headed up the mountain for a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Our timing was a little late again since many of the leaves have already left the trees up there but I think we still got some pretty good shots...

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.  ~George Washington Carver

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.  ~John Muir

How strange that Nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude!  ~Emily Dickinson

As you sit on the hillside, or lie prone under the trees of the forest, or sprawl wet-legged by a mountain stream, the great door, that does not look like a door, opens.  ~Stephen Graham

How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!  ~John Muir

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.  ~Eleonora Duse

I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.  ~Henry David Thoreau

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.  ~Stanley Horowitz

We could never have loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it.  ~George Eliot

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.  For me they are the role model for being alive.  ~Gilda Radner

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands.  When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat.  For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that.  ~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.  ~Aldous Huxley

*Linking this post up for Anything Autumn with Jenny Matlock!

Fancy Friday...The Leaves They Are A-Changin

You know the seasons are changing when you have to check the forecast every single day to know whether you need to wear flip flops and short sleeves or boots and a heavy sweater. Last weekend we went to a cookout and it was downright cold outside when the wind was blowing and the sun was behind the clouds.  


But the past few days have been the closet thing there is to perfection on earth.  Bright sun, blue skies, highs in the 70's, and the leaves are just beginning to change hues.  Yesterday I saw, for the first time this year, a Maple tree already glowing brilliant red. 


When I was younger I didn't appreciate fall and hardly noticed the splendor of God's handiwork that surrounded me.  I was all about the spring and summer months. But now that I'm middle aged and worried about things like skin cancer and wrinkles wiser and more appreciative of the simple things in life, fall is now my favorite.


Plus, I have a thing for boots...


Like this pair by Lucky Brand.  Most of my boots have a higher heel and sometimes you just need a pair that were made for walkin'.  I think these may be in the running...or the walking.  

Popcorn Diamond Poncho in spice heather
This cable knit poncho by Free People could be the spokesponcho for fall, couldn't it?  You know, if there was a such thing as a spokesponcho for fall... And spellcheck is really giving me a conniption fit right about now because not only did I just make up a word but I made spellcheck one word again and it really hates when I do that! 

Anne Klein Round Crystal Index Watch
I usually don't go for a bracelet watch because they are always way too big for my wrist so I have to go through the trouble of taking it somewhere to have some of the links removed. And I realize I may have just admitted that I have a lazy streak. But this?  Would be worth the trouble...

Art Stripe Scarf in olive green/white
Seriously, what is not to love about this scarf?  Okay...maybe the price tag...$58 at Nordstrom.  Little more than I, personally, would normally fork over for a scarf but maybe if I'm extra good Santa will leave it under the Christmas tree.

Campground Classics Scarf in Greyscale

Love this circle scarf!  $24.99 at modcloth.

Leather with Antique Studs and Sundial Cuff Bracelet

This reminds me of the 70's and seems I can't ever compose a Fancy Friday post without at least one item with a touch of hippie flair working for it. And today? This would be it.  

Starred Entry Tee

This dolman boatneck tee comes in seven different colors at Anthropologie.  Seven!  I know y'all love this as much as I do.  Right?

Knit Cap by San Diego Hat Company

Perfect fall hat...

Embroidered Boho Top

Found this little number at American Eagle.  If black and white is not your thing, it also comes in a shade of red which appears to be more coral, and a navy...

Cookie Pie Coat (yes, that's really what they are calling this at Modcloth)

I realize it's still a bit warm for this yet but I fell right in love with it and just had to go ahead and share it. Sweet!

Big Buddha Nadine Satchel

This bag comes in three other colors at endless.  Although this one looks black in the picture, they say it's navy.

Pointelle Variations Sweaterdress

I think this would look cute with some tights and a pair of boots...

Adirondack Sweater

This would be perfect for throwing on over yoga pants when it's chilly out...

And because my mother would not approve of me ending with 13 things, I give you one more for an even (and not unlucky) 14...

Gold Torrent Drop Earrings

Very fallish, aren't they?

And since SPELL CHECK is pitching another fit on me because I continue to go all rogue by making up more words, I think I'll put a period on this one and call it done.

Happy Friday, Y'all!

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