Tag: Autumn/Fall

one little word | 11.30.21…

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This morning, about 8:45 am, we had a very light dusting of S-N-O-W! Or maybe a combination of sleet. T’was exciting and interesting, considering the season we’re entering once the clock rolls over at midnight. Of course, the snow/sleet melted just as it hit the deck, ground…

On my walk earlier this afternoon, I was struck by the colors of this autumn day. Mother Nature has done a magnificent job of commemorating my 2021 word: color, this season. Plus, the addition of several holiday-themed yard decor adds to the ambience. Tomorrow we embark on the Christmas holiday season; ‘t’will be interesting to see how the season’s colors are revealed.

Joining Carolyn and friends for November’s One Word roundup.

Cheers~

simply a moment | 11.15. 21…

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Normally on the 15th of the month, I aim to document and share a moment from the day. It occurred to me today that only on the 15th of November can I share the day’s moment/s at the time closest to when I was born: circa 7:42 pm.

Today is/was my birthday; I’ve had many trips around the sun and looking forward to many more. The story goes that when I was born, my father had not left the hospital more than ten minutes, out to get a burger, thinking that it’d yet be a while before I made my grand entrance. Hah! Fooled him!

I had a grand day filled with well wishes and my favorite eats: pizza (this time Panera’s flatbread), salad and of course, Prosecco… all topped off with a couple pieces of delicious lemon ( my fave flavor) cookies. I am filled not only with good food but more importantly, the well wishes of Family and Friends, far and near.

Before I leave, enjoy this photo from today: this Japanese Maple, probably close to 34 years old, is exceptionally beautiful this year. Sorry, the goodies are all gone…they were indeed delish.

Cheers~

olw| colors of august …

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..already, signs of meteorological autumn/fall are beginning to display in the trees and of course the flowers in my and neighbors’ yards – my crazy azalea is blooming yet again.  Black-eyed Susans, mums, add their  pop of color to the landscape.  This morning I saw a yellow school bus making its way to or from a school – yes! Kids in DC started school yesterday.  (Chris, my 7 years’ old great grand nephew, starts Tuesday – he lives in MD- and will also be going to school, virtually, yet again. I noticed Sunday – on a Target  run – all the children were  wearing colorful masks.) 

Yesterday’s mail brought a colorful collection of scrapbook papers, an order from The Paper Curator (how could I resist?) and an acrylic stamp set, depicted by the colorful geometric shapes on the left side of the picture. (The stamps are made by Ali Edwards and Laura Wonsik; more info here ). The colorful pencils I picked up from Barnes and Noble and the mini composition books from Walgreens – I couldn’t resist. Occasionally I use a composition book for a specific project’s notes. I am still making colorful Confetti Quilt blocks…and tho’ I’ve yet to master the  process of foundation paper piecing, I do like the final result. I’ve decided to make my final quilt a wall hanging – approx 24” x 36 .“ Which means perhaps  I’m half-way there? I plan to share a progress photo before the week’s end.

We’re slated for fallout from Hurricane Ida; slowly yet surely the sky is turning from blue to grey as the rain clouds start to move in.  At least it will be cooler and that’s always welcomed! 

Joining Carolyn and others for another look at our 2021 One Little Words. 

See you in September!

Cheers~

sometimes mondays | 10.19.20 …

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“Self-care is a deliberate choice to gift yourself with people, places, things, events, and opportunities that recharge our personal battery and promote whole health — body, mind, and spirit.” ~ Pass It On

Today, this morning, for a brief moment, I saw the birds flocking towards the sunrise …they fly so fast that I can’t train my camera eye to catch before they are out of its view…but, that’s OK, I tell myself : the image is indelibly imprinted in my mind. I watch for Canadian Geese – so far, I’ve seen none.

Life is slowly adjusting to the new normal – a term we hear and say too often. This morning, the temps dropped low enough to kick in both the furnace and the heat pump – both are working on all cylinders. Thankfully. Especially after replacing the A/C-HeatPump this summer at ruinous costs. We’re set for winter and it appears, based on the ten-day forecast that we may not have a brief reprise of summer weather/temps before November.

This week’s calendar is pretty clear – save for my Daily Pages 12 N Zoom session, still very much a delightful break in the day. More Zoom sessions scattered throughout the week. And as I look at the clock, I think I’d best get a move on for my quilting group’s meeting in just an hour – @ 10 am.

Have a great day and week!

Cheers~

unraveled wednesday | 9.23.20 …

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this second day of autumn has been a real treat: perfect temps – just cool enough for a lightweight shirt; bright sunshine; crystal blue sky; a soft breeze to caress one’s cheeks. and just before the sun sets, the moon.

last thursday I took a quick trip to Barnes and Noble and bought a few books – to add to my ever growing TBR pile. Among them: Marie Kondo’s newest : Joy at Work or how to organize your professional life. I don’t have a professional life but I do like to read books on productivity/time management – sort of a palette cleanser, I suppose. I also purchased Yaa Gyasi’s Transcendent Kingdom, Gretchen Rubin’s next #happierpodcastbookclub selection.

speaking of podcasts, on my walk today I listened to Brene Brown’s “Unlocking Us” on which she shared her feelings about RBG. and yes, I can totally relate…as I’m sure many us can and do.

I am slowly finishing Knips (knitting in progress-or not- projects) – it’s easy to pick them up when watching tv* … and provides good warm up practice for when I return to reknitting the Afghan block I goofed up on a while back.

joining Kat and friends for unraveled wednesday

Cheers~

*watching tv is hazardous to our health…and a reminder: next Tuesday, 29 September is the one little word link up.

odds – n – ends …

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One of my quilting friends made this adorable Christmas Countdown quilted calendar for the little boys; I’m eager to give it to them but probably won’t til Thanksgiving… Elias will be two! the day before! Hardly seems possible.

We’re getting new exterior doors, both front and back – at ruinous cost I might add; hopefully, installed before Christmas and the cold weather.

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We’re all pumped about the Nationals’ playing in the World Series… even Hazel is ready to cheer the team on: Go Nats Go!

I’ve been playin, er uh, practicing the Continental knit stitch… I do like it and may be able to re-program my fingers and my brain.

Norman made chili today; the aroma has been enticing me all afternoon. Time to fix a salad. Hmmm, wonder if we have any Jiffy cornbread mix… that would be good, too.

I am now “real!” My new driver’s license did arrive a couple weeks ago; today I stopped by the library to renew my library card. Showed my real ID/license and library card; a computer key was pushed and voila, my card was renewed. I didn’t have to fill out a single form.

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Fall’s colors are finally showing up in the trees; especially vivid today against grey skies; reminds me of the first autumn I ever spent in Washington DC – I was here for a weekend conference; never then did I think I’d wind up living here. Never.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers~

sometimes monday| 10.14.19 …

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October’s full Hunter Moon at 7:20 am today

…comes on the heels of a busy, busy weekend that began Thursday:

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…Hostess Hilary of my Thursday Stitching group served us “high tea,” inspired by our afternoon the  previous Thursday at the movie, Downton Abbey…

… an unplanned trip Friday to the Honda dealer to have my car’s lane signaler checked – it wasn’t working…fortunately, all things checked out A-OK. The dealership provides a courtesy shuttle within a 5 mile radius so I went to IKEA and had breakfast while I waited…

… Saturday, Cissy  (my niece/namesake) and I went to the opening of the Met Live in HD 2019-2010 season, Puccini’s Turandot; c’est magnifique …

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… Sunday, Friendstitchin’ day, a tad early this month. We celebrated Margaret’s birthday with a delicious brunch: shrimp + crab salad; a huge assortment of cookies, made by our resident cookie baker, Michelle. And oh yes, champagne for the occasion. Despite all the good food, each of us was also productive…

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… slowly, the leaves on the maple trees are changing colors. I think it’s really Fall, yall …

Cheers~

on an autumn day …

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#blueskyblooms

This lovely 12th day of autumn/fall brought:

  • brilliant blue sky with temps in the low 70s;
  • my morning walk enhanced by the above;
  • Journal Club Friday;
  • an hair appt + fast trip to Whole Foods for a few items including a slice of my fave pizza: margherita: cheese+spinach+tomato;*
  • a long chat with a friend ~ we hadn’t spoken for too long;
  • monthly expenses (my least favorite activity) computed and accounts all reconciled.

There’s one last thing left on today’s agenda and that’s to make a layout for the 31 days October LOAD (layout a day) challenge. I have til midnight Pacific time  – which is 3 AM EST – to get it posted but who am I kidding? There’s no way I’ll be up at that hour. And so with that I wish us all a wonderful weekend!

Cheers~

*I think I will practice my hand at making the pizza one day in the not-so-distant future tho’ that might not be a good idea; I might wind up with pizza several times a week contrasted to approx once a month …

unraveled wednesday | 10.2.19 …

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~elm leaves~

today, summer decided to return for a brief, very. hot. spell! at 4 pm, we were one degree away from the predicted high of 95° F… the weather’s been really dry this year and I think the trees are quite distressed. leaves -especially oak- fall and crunch underfoot (leaf collection doesn’t begin til 5 Nov). not seeing any color… maybe after today that scenario will change.

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~new books~

progress is slow yet steady on my myriad of projects in the works. the three books pictured above mysteriously appeared at the front door; all are new publications. Start Finishing arrived last week; the other two, yesterday. wonder who keeps ordering these books? hmmm …

joining Kat for another session of unraveled wednesday.

cheers~