Saturday, September 30, 2006


Where in the world has September gone?! Hard to believe this is the last day of the month. But - I just love halloween, such a fun, silly time of year. This is the banner I've just made and hung over my kitchen window - easy peasy, just some cardstock, book pages, ribbon, buttons and pom poms! Now to go into the basement storeroom and try to find my box of fall/halloween decorations and decorate the house up while I watch some football. Love fall saturdays!

Thursday, September 21, 2006



This is wonderful, one of those rare books that transports you from the first sentence into its world and upon reaching the end and looking up, find yourself surprised and a little disoriented to be back in your own. I all but read it in one sitting, could not put it down. Just the type thing for a rainy day.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

it's beginning to look alot like autumn!



There are days I wonder why I didn't buy a condo! I just finished power washing the house, whew. Took about four hours, a big job, which included moving all the furniture off the front porch (and putting it back), taking down all the screens, moving things around on the deck and back patio, etc. The worst part of it all though is hauling all the cords and hoses around with the dang thing - but the house was filthy from the build and dirt and mud of the landscaping, and it is a good thing to have done. And one I felt I had no choice but to tackle today as it most likely will be our last warm one for quite some time (although am crossing my fingers we have some semblance of indian summer yet) because the temps for the coming week are to be in the 50's, quite crisp! I do hope to get my doors painted this week, something I have been waiting to do until I came into possession of the power washer. Luke brought it with him last week from his dad's as he was swinging back around and heading back to Seattle after having enjoyed a two-week vacation. But it started raining the day after he left and although we've had a couple nice days now this my first chance to get at it.

Anyway, I'm filthy and a bit damp and in need of a shower but wanted to drink a diet coke and catch my breath a minute so sat down for the first time today to see what is happening in the cyber-world. Might then bake an apple pie with some apples I picked up at the farmer's market on friday. Also picked up this stack of squash which I just put on the now sparkling clean porch - aren't they cute?

Thursday, September 14, 2006

This Thomas Merton quote seems appropriate as I work at taking charge of my anxiety - "You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope."

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

totally - cute overload!


Some days you just need to smile, ya know?! This website (www.cuteoverload.com) never fails to warm my heart, and it definitely drew a laugh today. Given it has been dark and dreary for days now I have had a hard time staying out of the kitchen so as to avoid moments like this for myself, lol!

Monday, September 11, 2006

Sunday, September 10, 2006

changes


I am starting to see and feel fall in the air, the slight hint that change is occurring. There are a few colored leaves which have fallen, although what are on the trees still green but for a jewel or two. It's been dark and rainy since friday evening when thunderstorms rolled through, and with the dampness I can smell a few fires as neighbors try to take off the chill and get cozy. I spent the whole of yesterday snuggled in blankets with Ernie and piles of books around me, and admit to more than one snooze. What I look forward to after these days of rain are the glorious bright sunny days of autumn, filled with brilliant colors, pumpkins and gourds, and the house filled with the aroma of baking apple pies. It is such sensory overload, this time of year!

Sunday, September 03, 2006

conflict



I bought this beautiful old book at an wonderful antique market last weekend, one of those last minute stops as I was heading home at the one booth I'd passed by on the way in and again when I'd put some of my purchases into the car and not stopped at. Decided at the last minute though to do a quick perusal and was glad I did. I was thrilled to get it for $15, it is filled with 500 pages of the very best collage material. However, my dilemma - it is big, in fact this scan took up the whole bed of my scanner, and it is heavy, probably weighing a good five pounds or so both of which will make trying to scan individual pages quite difficult. The best thing to do would be to disassemble the entire book - yet I am so reluctant to do so as it is such a great old tome. It's not in good shape but has obviously been well-used and referred to much over the years. Can you tell I am quite the book lover and find them all quite sacred?! The thing is if I don't take it apart I most likely will not use it for the purpose I initially intended, and the whole point of buying it was because I had so many thoughts run immediately through my head as to the great things I could do with it art-wise. But it's 123 years old! Do I keep it and love it as is, or bite the bullet and get out the x-acto?!

Saturday, September 02, 2006

{serenity?!?}


This is my new favorite place in my backyard! Have always wanted a porch swing and I love it as much as I thought I would! I ended up purchasing this on the internet after searching for a nice one around here for awhile, it was a good price and they offered free shipping - gotta love that! Ironically I found when it arrived it was manufactured in the town in Ohio we'd lived in and raised the boys, and Joe had actually worked there a month or so (before he decided production work was not his deal) - small world! The next two pics are the before and after of my view from the swing. My neighbors have turned out to be overly friendly, and as he is newly retired seems to always come out there and wanting to chat the minute I sit down. Sometimes a girl just wants some peace and quiet, some privacy, ya know?! He'd actually driven my landscaper nuts and so I'd been told when he was finishing up the project he could come back and add trees at any time if I wanted. Well, I decided I wanted, and two eight-foot white pines were planted! I am happier and they like the trees too. I do imagine after living in their home for eight years and an empty wooded lot they'd looked on suddenly having been cleared and a home sprouting directly behind them that it came as a bit of a letdown to them anyway to lose what they'd had. Hopefully.