Merry Autumn Days

"...We hail the merry autumn days,
When leaves are turning red,
Because they're far more beautiful
Than anyone has said..."
--Charles Dickens

(That Dickens....he could write about just anything!)

Poetic, I am not. But, I managed a little fall decorating in the last few days, and wanted to show you one of my favorite little spots on the porch. Now, to prove that loving someone's castoffs is always a plus: I found this lap-sized quilt at a subdivision sale late in summer for $1. OH. MY. Well, first it's a little QUILT, in perfect condition! Secondly, it has my favorite color, cobalt blue --prominent in it, which matches our house, so naturally it was destined for the farmhouse porch. But little did I realize UNTIL I put it out on the porch for the fall season, how well the other colors in it matched all of my mums...!

I just had to show my blog readers the beauty of this piece against the colors of nature and let you enjoy it, too!

The gourds were a surprise leftover from last year's gift from a friend of a sackful of gourds that she grew. They rotted in the garden last winter, then this spring took root and were allowed to grow and surprise us. Lo and behold what we thought might be squash or pumpkin reseeding itself, was the green gourd invasion! I have no clue why the yellow or orange-colored gourds didn't come up, but suppose it shall remain one of life's little mysteries.

The mums I bought from a local man who has the cutest row of little western buildings in his front yard, and he sells produce and garden goods all year, in the fall, his yard is full of mums and pumpkins. It's a serve yourself, pay on the honor system, you just drive in the circle drive, pick your items, use his nursery cart to load it all into your trunk or pickup, deposit your money in a little box and be on your way! You just have to love small-town, good country-lovin' Americans....

(I'd have taken my camera if I'd known I was stopping in but it was just one of those things, hit the brakes and pull in, and your kids ask what-- in a surprised tone--what you're doing!)

This morning, I went to visit and have lovely, long visit and breakfast at "The French Laundry" with two friends, one being my neighbor, the farmer's wife, and the other previous owner of this old house -- who now lives in a town not far from here.

(Another case of I should have taken the camera, because the town is packed full with eye candy for any lover of old things: beautiful old homes everywhere you look, most with lots of gingerbread, big porches, and all varieties of wrought iron fences! I shall return, and conquer it with my camera, just for YOU, my comrades... one day!)

Anyway, the drive was beautiful, we passed a lot of lakes (why DO lakes look so gorgeous in the fall?) and blazing bright trees and beautiful farms, and also on the way home, happened to pass by an orchard and there I bought a bushel of (mixed seconds) apples for $6, so I guess you know what I'll be doing soon....making pie filling and applesauce, and won't the house smell good and the windows be steamed up then!

We've had late November weather here the last week or so. It's COLD but the cold is bringing out the brilliant colors in the leaves; proving that each season has its rewards.

I hope you have a beautiful day and enjoy fall as it slowly sneaks up and surrounds you with its glorious color!

How do you preserve apples?

XOXO
Joni

PS: June Bug came through surgery just fine on Monday and was home by around five, and acted like nothing had happened. The ladies at the vet's office said she was up and playing right after surgery, and they were amazed at how chipper she was...so no worries about that little lady!