It's Wet, It's Windy, It's mid-October

 

Good morning! Another dreary Friday. This is the seventh stormy weekend in a row here. It's windy but warm-ish, mid-60s.

I put on a butternut squash yellow t-shirt to be cheery, but Mo is hiding, camouflaged in his white blanky on the white sofa back. He is hoping to avoid a rainy day walkies. [below, looking for an incentive bribe]

I've been Fall decorating now that is is actually Fall, so even though I don't put out the Halloween things til Halloween, I'll share some pics of my little home. I hope you enjoy the visit.

I read a post somewhere, the woman had been asked why she collected seasonal items, why she decorated through the year*. And she said, simply: she does it for her own pleasure, it marks the year as it goes by. I so agree. I love seeing my collections again, the glass pumpkins, the cheddar quilts. Sorry nothing new here except the blue Pumpkin. 

Welcome, come on in! 

Yes, the wind has shaken the boxes off kilter!

Close ups, puttering around with my treasures....aka clutter, junk, stuff, dumpster fodder.

 

some of the glass pumpkins:

I like to use autumn toiles, picks up my black and white--or some years 

brown polychrome--transferware.

have a fun weekend! Shepherds pie and bread pudding are on the weekend menu. What are you cooking?

love

lizzy

gone to the beach.....

The wind, 25 mph off the ocean,  is blowing flocks of tiny birds south over the dunes now. Perhaps they find shelter and seeds for sustenance as they migrate south. Sadly I've begun cutting back the zinnia pots on my deck. I am allowing some to remain, for seeds and for butterflies and bees though none have visited for 2+ weeks.

Baby Mo still spends any sunny-ish afternoon out there, always hopeful for a jerky chew, a scoop of summer ice cream.

I'm a bit sad. Autumn is a time of loss and endings, in its glorious own way.

PS *The same person [I think] was musing on why she still bothered to blog. And a person whom I usually admire on IG sarcastically mentioned, Oh remember when we used to blog, hahaha....Anyway the still-blogger said it well: I like to take photos, I enjoy writing.

So here we are--''still trying to grab the brass ring, still riding high on the carousel of life." quote from my mom's memory bracelet I had made, years ago now.

Garden Peeping ~ Looking for Fall

 

Hi! [some quilt notes at he very end, if you're here for the quilting.]

We are having a true autumn this year---sweater weather!--- not that there is  much ''fall foliage'' to be seen. Much chillier than normal, alternating stunningly blue days with grey cold rains. Only a hint of tan, ocher, and umber on the dunes.

Mo and I went out looking for items to draw in the nature journals. 

Mostly on the hunt for goldenrod.

Though with the rain and flooding I also went back looking through old photos. I loved this one. Rather like  like @dogwalkdiarynyc 's work, though my flatlay was done years ago, before I ever saw her beautiful collages.

I was happy to see some fun Halloween decor showing up.

below: note the coleus on the right, deep purple, has developed delightfully spooky purple flowers now left to bolt.

Marigold love October, the cooler days, the very damp nights.

And the hydrangeas and beach grass rarely disappoint.

My friend brought me this fabulous big blue Cinderella pumpkin! I may add a crock and some autumn leaves--or keep it minimalist?

And cheeses and pumpkin bread from Trader Joe's. 

She popped in early yesterday morning, Mo and I were barely awake! But we really enjoyed the pumpkin bread with poached eggs for breakfast. Do you make microwaved poached eggs? So fast and so tasty. 

Today I'm roasting mini honey-nut squashes

...and maybe baking cornbread or biscuits. Mostly because it's a drizzle of a Saturday---the oven will warm the house a little. I'll have them for dinner with quinoa or rice pilaf.

Tomorrow I should cut back my zinnias and meadow pots. The storms last week, with the blowing salty air, has decimated my pots. And not  a single bee or butterfly has come all week. Is it too chilly? or have their short lives come to their ends.

Last nature note. I'm seeing many flocks of small migrating birds, Vs of geese, and the loose motley skeins of ocean ducks. Some hawks flying over too, looking for  prey as they too head south. Also a beautiful, amazing, large flock of monarch butterflies last week!

Now Mo and I must gear up and brave the sodden afternoon, for our walk. 

see you soon!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

PS on a quilting note, I took screen shots of this charming antique quilt, sold by Vintage Blessings. The single border of stuffed work birds is very special, something to use someday may. Besides loving the birds, I like the idea of only one intricate border. Much less intimidating/ boring / than three or four sides.