home or away?

With our mums set out in their usual location on the front porch and Bill busy at the task of burning leaves in the burn barrel I took a walk around the property.

Thoughts of my family on Long Island are heavy on my heart as I stroll amongst the woods. Leaves gently falling all around me and it dawned on me Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

 front yard

The weather here has been more like shorts and t-shirt weather for the past few days but nothing good lasts forever and rain is in the forecast. I can't help but notice all those little things that make fall such a beautiful season.

Pine cones strewn on a bed of pine needles on the ground, trees gone to seed. It really is a sight to see and it's all right out my back door.

This Thanksgiving Bill, Mom my cousin Jeanmarie and I will be heading up to New York to my brother's house. It was actually their turn to have Thanksgiving here with us but we have a family wedding the next day so they're having us two years in a row.

seed pods from an ash tree

How about you? Will you be spending Thanksgiving at home or will you be going away like us?

finally!

I was such a long hot summer and frankly I'm ready to move on. Bring on the fall! This summer was so darn hot and the focus of our summer entertainment and joy - our garden ended up being a real let down this season. Week after week of 100 plus weather didn't do much for our veggies except bake them and wilt them to death.

I'm a bit relieved that the summer season is over and happy to move on to the cooler weather which I'm happy to say has finally arrived here in our area. Ya'll know how much I hate being in the A.C so having the windows open especially at night for sleeping; there's nothing better!

I've hung up my fall wreaths on our doors and displayed our little fall chachkies to make the house look a bit more festive for the season. I like the change of seasons. I get a burst of energy and a bit excited about the beauty of the changes we'll soon be seeing.

Tell me dear readers, do you like the change of seasons?

I've got some plans this fall which include attending a concert with my cousins, a 50th anniversary celebration for my Aunt Marie and Uncle Doug in NY,  and a wedding.

Do you have plans for this fall? Do tell...

there's frost on my pumpkin

I can hardly believe that November is upon us. How is it that time has flown by so fast? 

 With the change of the seasons comes so many glorious things.
There was a lovely frost across our land this morning, it glistened in the morning sun like the ocean.

 Why don't you take a minute to breathe in the cool fall air, chat with your neighbor over the fence when your raking your leaves? Heck rake you pile and then jump in them, go wild for a change. Cuddle up with someone you love in front of your fireplace on a chilly day, maybe with a glass of wine or some cocoa.

Think of your favorite knit and wool sweaters your boots, your comfy robe and slippers and your most favorite comforter, don't they always seem so much better this time of year? Kinda like old friends.

Bake a pie out of that pumpkin that's sitting on your porch, believe me it isn't that hard. I've even done it! Put on a pot of soup or stew, bake a loaf of bread, the aroma in the house....it can't be beat.

Enjoy the falling leaves or maybe chop some fire wood.

When was the last time you were apple picking or went on a hay ride?  Have you visited a pumpkin farm recently? Did you go trick or treating yesterday with your kiddies? I didn't get one single trick or treater at my house due to our rural location- boo hoo!

Enjoy your fall my friends, because before you know it, it will be winter!