Welcome Autumn!

 My favorite time of year has arrived!  The weather has been cooler and even rain has fallen on our drought filled garden.  Saturday Tropical Storm Ophelia came through our town.  The day was full of rain and heavy winds. Our unofficial rain gauge registered three inches!  Our son and youngest grandson came for a visit in spite of the weather.  It was nice catching up with our grandson who is a freshman in college and hear all about his new chapter of learning.  I cooked country style ribs, corn on the cob, and asparagus.  I'm having problems with my camera so there are no photos of our visit, but lovely memories of a good time.

Even before the rain came the Autumn Crocus (Sternbergia lutea) began to bloom.

They don't seem to mind the dry weather.

Multiplying each year they add a lot of color to this time of year.

One of the last America roses blossomed.  I had to cut it and bring it inside.

We've had this large fungus mushroom form from the area a large white oak tree used to live.  It was removed several years ago as it was unhealthy and way too close to our home.  Afterwards the stump was ground down then we planted a dogwood.  This fungus has been consuming the underground leftovers.  After checking it all out we've realized it is no danger to the dogwood, but quite interesting to observe!

Our patio is full of leaves that need sweeping each day!  A good power washing is in order as well!  

Our volunteer tomatoes are beginning to ripen.  You really can't beat fresh summer tomatoes!

A monarch visited one afternoon, though he didn't stay long.  I couldn't capture him opening his wings before flying off.

It's been a while since we've seen a box turtle in our back garden.  Living in our home for fifty years we have seen them almost every year.  It makes us so happy when we see them about!

This fellow was on the move and we all enjoyed following him to the downspout.  This was before the rain, so I'm sure he was looking for moisture.

Recently I read this wonderful quote about the turtle.  

"Try to be like the turtle- at home in your own skin." 

Bill Copeland

This morning we had a couple of bluebirds at the bird bath.

Thank you for sharing early Autumn days with me! 

And Just Like That It's Autumn!

 The calendar says today is the Autumn Equinox.  I love Autumn days as we turn off the air conditioning for the last time.  Our HVAC maintenance fellow came by on Monday to make sure our heat will work when it's needed.  Well, heat is not needed yet in Virginia even though it's officially Autumn.  A small rain storm just left our area and did bring cooler temperatures.  The rain was such a welcome event, though not much in the rain gauge.  My poor gardens are so dry!  I hold off with supplemental watering of beds, saving the water only for pots. 

The yellow Autumn crocus (Sternbergia Lutea) don't seem to mind the lack of rain.  My dear departed neighbor gave me a few corms many years ago.  They have multiplied and I spread them in needed areas as I clean out my beds.  They are such a welcome sight letting me know that Autumn is approaching.

Grayden and I were able to squeeze in another trip to the beach at the beginning of the month.  As you all know, it's my happy place!

We've been working our way back to our longer walks and the beach is the perfect spot for that. 

Unfortunately while we were there we learned of the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.  Though we knew she wouldn't live forever, we certainly were shocked.  It's still hard to believe.  

Sunrises at the beach always thrill me!  How amazing to watch the sun rise over the ocean.

Sunsets took our breath away as well.

Our youngest grand turned 18 recently!  Wow, we're getting old!  Miles wanted a pullup bar for his birthday so we decided to gift him one.  I've never been able to do a pullup in my life, so I was impressed!

We enjoyed a nice visit with our family.  Our grands are so grownup now.  Time really is flying!

As summer struggles to give way to autumn, I wish you many moments to treasure.

" Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go." Unknown

 

It's Finally Autumn

It's finally here, my favorite season, glorious Autumn.  The crisp cooler mornings make our walks more pleasant as we continue to enjoy all that Autumn brings by the river.  The butterflies are still lighting our patio with their lovely presence.

 Soon October will be here and the flowers will fade with frost.  Plants that vacation in our basement for the winter will be brought inside. 

 

"By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer's best of weather And autumn's best of cheer. " 

Helen Hunt Jackson

The Autumn Crocus (Colchicum) have been blooming in the garden. 

I really like to plant white flowers in the back of our yard.  The white begonia always lights up the dark areas.  I see we have a crack in this large pot.  I've had it for years and will miss its presence in my garden.  I save shards to fill other large pots in the Spring.  I also fill large pots with plastic pots that annuals come in so I don't have to use so much of my precious compost.  I use compost that we make in all of our pots.  My flowers love it.

Come inside with me and I'll show a few of my Autumn decorations.  Please use the side door, my friends.

I don't use a lot of orange in my Autumn decorations as our walls here are crimson.  I don't mind this wreath on this door on the inside because the orange is softened by the white door.

I put away my Old Britain Castle dishes and bring out Friendly Village for Autumn.  The cut glass piece belonged to my Mama and always stayed on her buffet.  I filled it with dried fruit and a battery operated candle.  It has a timer and comes on when it gets dark, which is by 7:30 these days.

This arrangement is in the living room on the coffee table.  It is also a battery operated candle.  

Though not exactly Autumn florals, I have lilies from Lidl ($2.99) on the dining table.  Grayden buys these for me and we enjoy them so much when there are no blossoms from the garden.

I collect salt and pepper shakers and bring out the owls in Autumn.  We also enjoy real candles.

In the Florida Room on the sewing machine I placed some of my Jim Shore pieces.  

I've had this Autumn floral arrangement forever as most of my decor fits that category!

Another battery operated candle that I placed a wreath around.  

On the mantle in the Florida Room I just placed a Autumn wreath.  

This has been a difficult time for all of us.  I hope you are coping well.  I must admit I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself.  Knowing that Autumn is upon us has renewed my spirit somewhat.  Take care of yourselves, my friends.💓

Hello September!

I read today that September first is the  meteorological beginning of Autumn.  I've always thought Autumn began September 21 or there about.  I understand it's the difference between meteorological Autumn and astrological Autumn.  Well I'd like to go with astrological Autumn and not jump in too early.

Some cool evenings we go down to the river to enjoy a sandwich or cheese and crackers and enjoy the beautiful river.

Summer will still be with us for a while.  Even with a storm the other evening, the temperature  has dropped.  Hooray!  I need to get busy and decide how to decorate for the season.  I store a lot of my fall items in a large closet in our basement.  It will be fun to get it all out and see what I want to use this year.  Every year I try to refresh some of the old pieces and decide what needs to be tossed.

As I was writing this post, I asked Grayden what photo should I put here.  He said "You can go downstairs and take a photo of the closet you store the Autumn things in."  Instead I'll show you this hibiscus we recently transplanted.  Crazy man thinks I'm going to show you that closet!

  

The local stores are full of tempting goodies for fall.  When I start to change our seasonal decor, I try to update a few things.  Shopping in our home is always the preferred way to go for me.  Updating a wreath or adding a few natural pieces will take our decor all the way through Thanksgiving. 

Orange is a color that I don't use in my home very much.  In our Florida room I can use a little, but the rest of our home is decorated in reds.  Orange and red doesn't appeal to my sensibilities.  Of course rich browns and gold do blend well with our red.  

It's nice to bring out the Friendly Village dishes this time of year.  Our everyday Bennington Pottery Blue Agate takes a rest in the server.  

I need to decide what centerpiece to go with on the dining table.  The dough bowl full of naturals looks nice and a candle adds a nice touch.  A colorful tablecloth to compliment Friendly Village should be easy to find in the linen closet.  I'm obsessed with table cloths.  Are you familiar with the April Cornell table linens?  I love them!

It's exciting to think about a favorite season of mine.  I'm so glad I live where the seasons change.  Just like changing furniture in a room can lift my spirits, so can the change of seasons.

After looking at a few of our Autumn things,  I discovered the wreath I had bought in Colonial Williamsburg in February of this year.  It was on sale.  I try to buy things I love out of season so I can get a good price.

Do you wait to decorate for Fall or do you decorate in early September?



 Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh so mellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a young and a callow fellow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow
Follow
Lyrics- Tom Jones

Fun with Family in Autumn

♫ Autumn Leaves ♫

Spending time with family is one of the greatest joys of life.  Our daughter, Noel, came from New Hampshire to visit Samuel and us for the long weekend.  I know she really misses her grown son, Samuel, who lives with us while he is attending college.  It was a beautiful weekend spent being together.

Wreath on our mantle

On Friday, she treated us to dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate her Daddy's birthday.  Then on Saturday we went to our son's home in Richmond for a visit.  While we were there we cleaned out the inside of pumpkins and Alex and Miles and Samuel carved their pumpkins.

Samuel, Alex and Miles

The children certainly enjoyed themselves as well as Boo and Bear.  We had pizza for lunch, which is always a hit with the children.

The next day we went to Mount Vernon.  We are very lucky to have many historical sites to visit nearby.  We are history nuts and enjoy any excuse to go to one of these sites.  It was a rainy morning but then cleared off to make for an enjoyable day.  Of course, Mount Vernon, was the home of our first President, George Washington.  This beautiful property is on the Potomac.

Rear View of Mount Vernon

Front of Mount Vernon

I didn't realize photos were not allowed in the mansion.  So I was snapping away.  Oops-- But I must show you one photo that always gives me chills.

Bastille Key

The Marquis de Lafayette gave George Washington the key to the main prison at Bastille.  The key was given to Lafayette after the Bastille was stormed in July 14, 1789.  This speaks to the respect that Lafayette felt for Washington.

After touring the inside of Mount Vernon we explored the grounds and the dependencies.  I always enjoy seeing kitchens from long ago.

Mount Vernon is a special place to enjoy and to learn more about George Washington.  Inside the museum we are amazed at the similarity of our grandson, Samuel, and George Washington at about the same age.

The model of Washington was made from a computer generated likeness of him at the age of nineteen.  Samuel is twenty years old.

  Autumn in Virginia is a great time to explore the historical sites nearby.