Autumn Jewels

Poor November.

Sandwiched between the exciting months of

October & December,

this month just doesn't stand a chance!

By the time I'm through with goblins & ghosties,

it's time to anticipate (or dread!) visions of

sugar plum fairies and reindeer.

 

 

Luckily for me,

I woke up today to a spectacular November morn.

With coffee cup in hand, I gazed out my kitchen window

and beheld this wondrous sight...

 

And even though the themometer read 28 degrees,

I simply could not resist the sight of my

Japanese Maple weighted down with a thick coating of frost...

and shimmering like a jewel in the early morning sun.

So, I did what every good blogger would do...

I grabbed my camera- and my husband-

and hurried outside to take in this amazing spectacle of nature.

 

Just when I thought the autumn leaves of Middle Tennessee

had shown me their best finery-

here they were- dazzling me as never before!

 

 

Hydrangeas are the gifts that NEVER stop giving.

Even as their leaves and blossoms are fading,

they still are able to put everything else in one's garden

to shame.

 

I truly did not stage this...

a perfect little red hydrangea leaf nestled among the

frosted green leaves of my lenten roses!

 

I've saved the best for last.

Even though by now, my fingers are beginning to feel numb

and the thought of another hot cup of coffee is calling out to me-

I just couldn't resist crossing the bridge behind our house

to see what our river held in store for us this morning.

My husband & I were not disappointed.

 

 

The mist rising off the chilly water and the thick frost

that caked the river bank ,

helped to create an ethereal painting

for my husband & me.

Across the river,

we were serenaded by a rather noisy gaggle of

Canadian geese...

probably haggling over the last bits of corn in the field.

 

It was a splendid sight.

One I knew would be quickly disappearing as winter draws near...

and also a reminder of what a

real jewel,  the month of

NOVEMBER

is.

 

 

And now,

LET'S TALK TURKEY!

 

Here's a little Thanksgiving gift from me to you.

A wonderful old print for you to copy & use

as Thanksgiving placecards!

Love Mr. Turkey!

 

 

One of these days I hope its warm enough

to have our

Thanksgiving meal outdoors.

It would be very "Martha Stewarty"!

 

 

Fall Check List

                                               Start my blog?

Yes...its pretty embarassing. Creating a blog was my one and only New Year's resolution for 2012, and sadly it is now almost October!

I found every excuse I could think of NOT to start it- my son's high school graduation, the weather was too cold, the weather was too hot. Not to mention the intimidating task of trying to live up to the hundreds of gorgeous blog sites I have visited over the last couple of years. But, quite simply, I didn't have a clue as to where or how I should begin. However, as I am not getting any younger, I have ultimately thrown caution to the wind and decided to give it a "good old college football try" (what a clever segue into fall!).

What better way to launch my new little blog than by giving a nod to our fading summer season, and a parting glance at the very last flowers in my summer garden. They deserve a little recognition as they have been thoroughly ignored this past month.  I was initially drawn to my pitifully over-grown plot of land (too embarassed to call it a garden at this time of year!) by the heavenly smell of my ginger lilies. They have the most divine gardenia-like scent and serve as homage to my husband's hometown of Montgomery, Alabama,    where this time of year they grow in abundance. 

Picking through the weeds, I managed to rescue a few other late summer beauties. But, already my mind is drifting towards mums & pumpkins, and ideas of what I want to plant next year.

Too bad you can't smell these divine, white Ginger Lilies!

I have no set agenda in writing this blog other than to share my ideas, and snippets of things I love to create and that inspire me. I can't wait to share pictures of my studio, which is already a whirlwind of activities as I prepare for the (yikes!) fast approaching holiday season. I promise not to be too "wordy"- I love eye candy- so lots more photos(I know; two little pictures are pathetic!). But hey...I did it! My first blog entry!