Sweet Nothings

Have you been missing BJ at Sweet Nothings as much as I have? You can find her at her new blog home: *BJ's Sweet Nothings.* She'll tell you all about it! One thing you can be sure of, it's beautiful over there...

Let's see if we can chase those old bloggy blues away!

With Thanksgiving

A very blessed Sunday to you!

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Pretty Little Pictures

The morning glory, as I've mentioned  so often, got off to a very late start this year. It's been making up for it ever since. I am told that there will be a killing frost tonight. (Alas, our morning glories are annuals in this growing zone.) I hope that the killing frost will not come, but if it does, I promise not to weep as I've been known to do in former years...ahem. I have gazillion photos.

I may never have shared the parking lot of my hometown grocery store. Here it is looking especially lovely. This photo was taken the night before last just after I had hastily plucked a chicken from the rotisserie. Meal planning has never been my strength.

The answer to the giveaway mystery is that I used all the names of those who participated in the October Note Card Party and John plucked Sheila's name from the bowl; I think that this is the second time Sheila has won a giveaway here. Sheila blogs at Starshine Through My Windows. The prize? A set of note cards that may or may not look a lot like the ones featured this month. There! Now don't you feel better?!

A glorious autumn weekend to you...

Psalm 103:5 Mug

What fun! *Stephanie* organized another gift exchange. This time she suggested either a mug or a tea cup. I signed up for a mug this time having done *a tea cup last time.*

Today is the day to share... 

Why, yes, I really do live on Autumn Lane... 

All the gifts were wrapped so nicely...

More than a mug — an apple kitchen towel and a magnetic list for the fridge...

The mug is beautiful with pinks and greens, blues and yellows, and the scripture "He fills my life with good things." It's a DaySpring mug.

Even the inside is pretty!

I have used my new mug every day. I especially love the design of the handle because it is so easy to hold. Roxy is the giver; she blogs at *Living From Glory to Glory* Thank you very much, Roxy. The Lord does fill my life with good things and one of them has been meeting you!

My recipient is Kitty at Kitty's Kozy Kitchen. It has also been a blessing getting to know her!

~~~

For those who have wondered about the apple butter mentioned yesterday, I followed a recipe found on Pinterest. However, it called for brown sugar and spices such as nutmeg and allspice. We're cinnamon fans and not so much nutmeg fans.

 White sugar was used instead of brown. I added my peeled, sliced apples to the crockpot with the sugar and cinnamon and cooked on high for two hours. Then I cooked it an additional two hours on low. (I did stir occasionally.) 

I mashed the apples with a potato masher because we like it a little chunkier. The recipe had suggested blending. I bottled the apple butter in a sterilized jar knowing that we'll be eating it up in a week's time. That's all there is to it. 

I had about a dozen apples and not the greatest ones so perhaps eight good-sized apples would be the amount. A cup of sugar, two teaspoons of cinnamon, but do yours as you wish. I did add between an eighth and a quarter cup of water in the beginning because the apples seemed dry.

(I can not find the exact recipe I used, but *this one* comes pretty close with the exception of cooking time...ten hours! Wow. That's a lot of room freshener.)

It's best to make the apple butter your own. Consider texture, sweetness, spices. From there, you can create a customized recipe.

~~~

Come back tomorrow and I'll reveal the results of a recent giveaway here. Giveaway? Yes, I'm strange that way. A mysterious giveaway and one of you has already won.

~names in the bowl~

I'm sure that some of you are excellent sleuths and can figure this one out!

~marigold~
Hasn't this fall been amazing so far? Even my morning glory is happy. I'll show you another photo of her tomorrow, too. 
A blessed day to you and a happy weekend!

Only Fifty Years Ago

~my pile of preserved leaves~

It's a little longer post day. Please fix yourself something hot and delicious and come sit with me for a while. 

I preserved my little stash of leaves hidden under books and heavy silverware boxes until I took the time to paint them using the wax from a Good Neighbors soy candle scented "Autumn Magic." They have some oomph now, some added texture, and they smell great. It's been pinned in my *Autumn File,*  yet when I went to source it today, it goes nowhere except a photo — I need to check things more carefully when pinning. 

~~~

Only Fifty Years Ago by Gladys Hasty Carroll (a Maine author)is a charming little memoir of the author's childhood. It is divided into a calendar year so I promptly headed for October. I thought I'd share a bit with you:

October cannot be gainsaid. That which it had in its pockets, in its cupboards and eaves, is safe and held in trust to be distributed through the months ahead to those who earned it and so to whom it is due. What is not there never will be there.

My how things have changed in another fifty plus years from the time this book was written in 1962.

~~~ 

Perhaps in the interest of frugality, I sent John up an apple tree this week.  Otherwise, it was not so smart.

He's well camouflaged. I'll not be sending him up there next year. Oh no! In my defense, I didn't want him up there this time; I merely wanted a dozen or so apples. He just couldn't get the "good" ones without climbing.

They were tasty enough, but in rough shape. It was very fussy peeling. Still we did get a jar of apple butter, which made the house smell heavenly all day while those apples simmered in the crockpot.

~~~

Thank you for another really terrific Note Card Party. It was Autumn in high gear all day for me. Loved it! Thank you for visiting one another and sharing your most lovely photos with us. The party will close this morning at around ten so there's still time for someone to link.

October Note Card Party

*Printable Source*

Welcome to October's Note Card Party! All my photos are former and recent postings with the exception of the final photo taken this morning. Our autumn is fading fast depending upon the view. 

So looking forward to your offerings today!

A Virtuous Woman

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  ~Proverbs 31:13 

Photo used by permission comments closed

A Vulture Story and More

Who could possibly imagine the excitement that goes on behind this front door at this unassuming home on a quiet street in a sleepy village well into October?

Okay, my son doesn't look too excited. Lamb Chop? Comatose.

John has joined Lamb Chop in coma land. Michelle is still awake, though!

Even the birthday girl was relaxed. It was all so very dull that I suggested to the grandsons that we go out and scare off the vultures.

Just the day before I had seen that vultures had been encroaching once again. See them? 

There! To the right of the roofline!

Tree killers!

So in the early evening, while it was still a little light, I had taken my camera, set the flash, and had gone down to disturb the vultures roosting. I have proof that they were mightily disturbed; unfortunately, it might also reveal that I am mightily disturbed as I was doing a regular Mexican hat dance down there at the forest's edge. I'd show you the video, but you'd be ill in seconds with all the stomping, flailing, and swishing about. Swishing...remember that word.

No evidence in this photo that they were there, but they were definitely there...fifty or a hundred...freaky vultures!

Back to the night in question — the grands couldn't wait to join me! They were all for going out after dark, way after dark as you can see above. 

It was pitch black out there. No amount of flailing, Mexican hat dancing, or taking flash photos could rouse those vultures. After a few minutes, Sam whispered, "I can hear someone swishing and it isn't us." 
We stopped to listen. Sure enough, there were footsteps on the lawn above and beside us. I thought it must be my neighbor out with his dog. Sam said, "I'm going to go see." I took another photo or two when Sam said, "There's a man dressed in white and he is staring at me."
Now that got my attention. Jake had decided to go in so I went up to stand beside Sam where I peered into the darkness. Sure enough! There was a man dressed in light clothing all softly outlined against the night.  I said, "Well say 'hello.'" 
Sam said, "hello." Nothing. The man stood perfectly silent not sixty feet away. I don't think he was my neighbor. 
Creepy. We decided to go in ourselves at that point. When we tumbled through the patio doors, telling our story, John  said, "Shhh...Don't talk too loud. The window is wide open." Ackkk!
 Needless to say, we won't be out chasing the vultures away any time soon.
*~*~*
A Blessed Thanksgiving weekend to my Canadian friends!

Food~October

Do I have my parties mixed up? No, I just wanted to share some of my food photography experiments. I've been saving some of these for a while: the potato chip with a heart center that John propped up on a plate for me to find (taken in July); the bacon sizzling in the pan, the pumkin somethin, the birthday cupcakes from last evening, and the *baked apple* from this morning.

 ~just loved all the colors~

Oh those fries! This photo is my personal favorite for this particular challenge. Thank goodness, John wanted French Fries for breakfast last week at the Fryeburg Fair; otherwise, I would have missed out on this picture.

The jam/jelly, pickle, fruit display (also from the Fryeburg Fair) is a close second!
I have a Nikon Coolpix camera. Anything more complicated would probably throw me for a loop. I used the various free photo editing programs to boost contrast. That's about it.
*Linking to the wonderful Donna at her Personal Photo Challenge.* 

Still There is Peace

It is not lost, the peace we long have sought, Earth holds it safe in spite of blustering man, In spite of wars and all the boundaries bought With terror, blood, and tears since time began. No vaunted missile yet has range to mar The vibrant color harps of Northern Lights, The afterglow of setting sun, or bar Orion's tranquil march across the nights. Still there are hillsides where the maple burns And hemlock trails the deer and foxes know, Still there are purple grapes as fall returns And boughs of golden apples hanging low. Twilight and crescent moon, these shall not cease Though rulers rise and fall—still there is peace.
Leslie Savage Clark

The swish of the leaves was so pleasant that day. I had to take this little movie and share it with you. This poem almost perfectly expresses my thoughts these days. I think often of a blustering man and still I know that there can be peace because God holds it safe.
Over and out for today...at least the lasagnas are made! Wish I could say the same for birthday cake.
Enjoy this day...

Tulip Time Dishes

This is mostly a picture story, a  dish story, and a friendship story.
Some weeks ago now, Kimberly at Camp and Cottage Living, mentioned some dishes that she had found. If you'd like to read the back story, you'll find it *here.*  As a result of that post, I now have some beautiful gifts from Kim. I had offered to pay for the dishes and Kimberly told me that I must receive them so as not to steal her joy. 

The box contained dishes, linen, a towel for draining dishes, a field and forest cupcake party pack (which will be getting good use shortly), two "green" bags for groceries, and a sweet thank you card. Who should be thanking whom around here?

 ~Tulip Time~Johnson Bros~

 ~charming Dutch Scene~

 ~scene on linen napkins~

Kim wondered what I might do with the chipped pieces...have no fear, I always have a plan! I simply extended the line. (I used a cropped photo of the dishes in my header.)

This card tickled me because I think of those who periodically tell me that they must clean their screens of coffee spurts. ☺
Thank you, Kimberly! You're a Dear Heart.
Now, please visit Kim to see how she has updated the kitchen in her new home. It's adorable and you'll find it on her post titled My Budget Kitchen Reveal...

Cake

October used to be an intense birthday month. Now it's a month filled with memories and two birthdays. My daughter's is this week so plans are coming together. The last time I made plans and shared them here, I decided upon a five-senses birthday—a gift for each one. So that year, my daughter received a cd, some perfume, some candy, a fleece throw, and a book. The particulars escape me now, but it is a good thing to do when needing direction.  *** This year, we're celebrating with a lasagna supper and, of course, cake. Laurel tells me that this year should be a homemade year so she'll probably get a couple of pot holders and a scarf or something. It'll be the thought that counts. < insert a wry, very wry, grin. > *** There's a Cake Mix Doctor recipe that I fall back on because the family loves it so. For those who might not know, the *Cake Mix Doctor* has recipes that include a cake mix. Easy-Peasy. However, when I was visiting there yesterday, I  learned that cake mixes, along with so many other products, have shrunk. They've gone from 18.5 ounces to 16 point something, and my newest boxes are all the way down to 15.25 ounces. Now if that doesn't mess with the recipe!  The Cake Mix Doctor recommends adding the difference in flour. If you visit the site, you'll see a tab for videos at the top. I learned such good tips for watching  a 90-second video that it was well worth my time: Chocolate Cake Video *** This is one of my favorite cake mix doctor recipes: Almond Cream Cheese Pound Cake. Laurel, however, will be getting a chocolate cake. *** I'm popping in a mosaic of my grandson playing soccer. My youngest grandson plays on the same team; however, he was not feeling well Sunday. There's another Sunday afternoon game coming along and I hope that I'll be able to get both boys in action.

What a fun time we had! These children have come a long way in a year.

***

Now I'm off to run errands — a mix-up with car insurance and a visit to Joann's. It's a beautiful day and I will enjoy the drive.  *** Have a great Tuesday!

Mums

 A chrysanthemum by any other name would be a lot easier to spell. 

~ Robert Savage

Only two of these are mine, but that doesn't stop me from taking photos of mums wherever I find them. They are so gorgeous this year!
Linking to *Mary's Mosaic Monday at Little Red House.*

Still

Wishing you a beautiful week with precious moments of absolute stillness where knowing Who God is takes center stage.
As always, comments are closed on Sunday.

Fryeburg Fair 2013

"Go to the fair, Templeton. You will find that the conditions at a fair will surpass your wildest dreams. Buckets with sour mash sticking to them, tin cans containing particles of tuna fish, greasy paper bags stuffed with rotten..."

"That's enough!" cried Templeton. "Don't tell me anymore. I'm going."

~John sidles up to the first of many food stands~

When they pulled into the Fair Grounds, they could hear music and see the Ferris wheel turning in the sky. They could smell the dust of the race track where the sprinkling cart had moistened it; and they could smell the hamburgers frying and see balloons aloft.

"...These autumn days will shorten and grow cold. The leaves will shake loose from the trees and fall. Christmas will come, then the snows of winter... All these sights and sounds and smells will be yours to enjoy, Wilbur — this lovely world, these precious days..."

~watching the oxen being escorted to the pulling ring~

(The little girl says, "Holy Smokies, those things are huge!")

Hope that you enjoyed a taste of the fair! Hope that I've shown you something new. There's always something new at the fair. Thanks for stopping by and do have the most precious of days.

*All quotes taken from Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. (Edited to Add: Did you know that the book's fair is based upon the Fryeburg Fair? It is. When I was a girl attending the fair, I may have seen Mr. White hanging out in the animal barns as he loved to do. I like that thought.)