Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Just Last Week

 This is probably the last Monarch that will be visiting me this year.
Saw it just last week!



Seems like it was just last week....that the straight and curvy trees
were dressed in summer's green.






All the small white mushrooms have now turned brown
on all the dead trees and logs lying on the ground.




Spooky October images are easy to see...
On my walks....I found two in the trees!
The large funny rock makes my count three.
But...it was given to me...by my son Steve! 



The cute happy face belonged with all these whites. 
So did the hairy seed pod and the caterpillar with spikes.
That's one of five puffballs in front of my shoe...
and a little brown snail on a capsized mushroom.



More loveliness in White!
Bronson and Amanda will be married 4 months on November 2nd.
November 2nd for her Grampa and I ...will be "48" years!!!
After visiting her family here just this past week...
Today....Amanda returned to Washington State.

~enlarges~



The state of my field and yard is changing....
slowly but surely....the white flowers are fading....





.... leaves and acorns are falling....
the deer are foraging constantly it seems....
they know a change is coming!



My favorite paths and hillsides are carpeted brown.



I come acoss all shapes and shades of brown on my walks.
Saw a golden honey-like liquid on a web-like growth!




Sometimes....coming out of the woods after a walk....
I startle the deer....seen below....tail up....racing off.




Soon bcause of hunting season....
my walks will be limited to the field for awhile.
There are paths around the perimeter
and through the middle....down to the barn.  
Just beyond the scarlet tree in the corner....  



....lies an old cemetery of the 1800's.




I always pass the cemetery....
after walking under my favorite wild cherry tree....
on my way down the drive to Granddaughter Alivia's house.




Sometimes on my walks there...I take a shortcut over
a small wooden bridge.
It's another area I can walk in during hunting season.
The paths make a circle and go between these 
two large old Oak trees. 





Near the Oak trees just last week...I discovered this grouping
 of mushrooms....like a secret Fairy Land.



On one very early morning walk....
I saw Alivia and a friend swinging....maybe even before their breakfast!
Alivia traced and colored the picture, which we sent to Amanda...
whom she loves and misses.
Alivia has now joined the Girl Scouts and they do fun things...
like camping out in cabins and will visit a pumpkin farm soon.





Just capturing the night moon, clouds in the sky,
a leaf speared by a blade of grass,
the colors of Autumn and a heart shape in the trees.




The colors of Autumn were very pronounced...
out behind the house just a week ago!





The season puts me in the mood for stuffing, salmon, squash...
rice, noodles, baked potatoes, cole slaw with apples, stirfries and fish!



I make large batches of breakfast muffins...
and freeze them for long term use.
Chocolate coated marshmallows, cranberries and almonds 
fill an ice bucket and apple crisp is eaten warm from the oven.
See the triple layer whoopie pie...looks larger than it was...
but it was eaten by Granddaughter Katie!
Mine was only 2 layers of chocolate....but it was GOOD!


This is Katie and her boyfriend Mitch....
Katie lives just over the hill and through the woods....
that's a younger Katie under the no hunting sign in our woods.
I also made a younger 'her' pose in a tree stump once.
Mitchell is entering the U.S. Air Force in November.
Katie is going to college to become a nurse!
She eats lunch with us about twice a week.





The grandkids are growing and changing just like the woods.
The Summer greens have quickly turned to Autumn golds.




The winds are blowing....the leaves are falling....
and the ornamental grasses sway....




...and I'm enjoying what I may!



~~ Happy Autumn ~~

55 comments:

DJan said...

How lovely! There is little to add but with all the effort you put into this post and the collages, I want to thank you for taking me on this journey. Blessings.

Penny said...

What a lovely post, I love autumn and here we are going into summer with the first deliberately lit bushfires near us this year, scary stuff.
But such a lovely damp day today. You put so much into your posts I love them. Grandchildren are certainly growing and changing. we slow down a bit and they rocket on ahead.
Thank you.

Hildred said...

Beautiful post, Wanda. So much to look at and all the lovely bits and pieces about your dear family. I am going back to study each of your photos and lose myself in the woods with that sweet deer in your last icture.

Desiree said...

Lovely, rhyming words...magnificent scenes...beautiful granddaughters...delicious meals! I cannot believe you will soon have reached 48 years of marriage. You look far too young to have so many years behind you. This has been a most wonderful visit, yet again...thank you, Wanda! As Hildred has said, I too, find it so easy to lose myself in the beautiful sights you share. I could easily lose all track of time while I'm here, mesmerised, once again, by the magical world that is your home!

Rowan said...

So many wonderful autumn scenes, the colours here are poor this year so it's good to be able to enjoy your photos instead. You seem to have been doing a good deal of 'not much cooking' again too:)

Delwyn said...

Hi Wanda

Lovely autumn colours and scenes and I particularly liked to see the sweet Katie and her beau. Now I can put a face to her name when we chat.

Happy days

Thyra said...

Dear Wanda, thank you for this wonderful post. I kept my breath all the way through. Your pictures are so immensely beautiful and your collages too. You made me realize how much I love autumn. Happy autumn to you too.

I want a piece of your chocolate cake!
Grethe ´)

Tomoko said...

Hello,Wanda.
Your autumn is much more ahead than ours in Nara city.I really enjoyed walking with you today. It is an absolutely glorious place with colorful leaves and lovely creatures.The sunlight through the colorful woods is bright. I want to take photos like these someday.
Have a good day!
Tomoko.

Rebecca said...

Autumn is amazing in your woods and through your lens!

The poetry you began with blends seamlessly with the poetry of rock and tree, flower and sky. The scattering of special people in your life (better hold on to that Alivia--she's growing up so quickly!) blend with visions of delicious food and familiar deer to create such a peaceful place.

May the remainder of this month find you blessed in your comings and goings - until we "meet" again♥

Christine said...

Wonderful photos Wanda! Love all the bits of fall. Hope you're having a good week.

Tamara said...

Your pictures are always beautiful and so interesting! You are an artist with the camera.

Anne said...

Wanda,
It is always a treat to see your beautiful world. Such beautiful and happy pictures of your grandchildren, the butterflies, the food,and the Autumn colors.
Smiles.

stardust said...

Hi, Wanda! Summer things might be fading, while leaves are getting colorful. What I like about autumn is especially the high blue sky with fluffy clouds and the fabulous autumn foliage. My increased appetite was stimulated by your mouth-watering meals and desserts! Wish deer be safe from the hunting – I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing the beauty and the colors of autumn around you, Wanda. Happy autumn to you, too.

Yoko

Anonymous said...

I know it will have taken time, thought, skill and concentration to put this marvelous post together, and I am so glad you did. There is so much beauty here, I want to be there. The pic of the wild cherry tree sort of merged as a pic of a dandelion clock for me, do you know what I mean by that? I see so many similarities in nature, always reminding me of the well known one of spirals and geometric connotations. But nothing detracts from your skillful eye for these things and ability to capture them. I have just tomight bought online a small chest freeze to go in my yard on top of a washer for extra meals I cook and can freeze and all the surplus friut still needing to be picked. Daughters coming next week, coming for the December festivities too, I need to get cookin'.

Loree said...

I love your posts. They are so calming. Those mushrooms do look like a little Fairy Land. The autumn colours are beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I found your blog "par hasard" I'm a french speaker..Your pictures are beautiful. A feeling of depth and stillness. thank you to share that!

Barb said...

I look forward to your posts, Wanda, to wander the property with you, saying "hi" to your beautiful grandchildren along the way, and, yes, to have one of those Whoopie Pies when we come indoors for our snack break!

Elaine said...

Beautiful walk through your world as fall brings its changes in the never ending cycle. We can only embrace each season for its unique beauty.

Cindy said...

Absolutely stunning Wanda, we are so lucky that you share your lovely world with us. I hope none of your dear are bothered during hunting season. hugs to you.

alaine@éclectique said...

It is all so magical!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

This post made my heart ache. I cannot imagine the beauty of living in a place like that. Enough to make a grown woman weep. I live in a city..and have to travel a great distance to see such beauty.
I do my best to make my surrounds pretty...but only God can make such beauty as you have shown us...

Jackie said...

It is so wonderful to be able to come here....listen to the beautiful music, look at the photos that can only be called "heaven on earth"...and read your descriptive words.
Beautiful, Wanda...simply beautiful.
Alivia has grown so much. She is a lovely girl.
Take care of you, my friend.
Love to you,
Jackie

becky said...

Gorgeous Fall you're having, Wanda. Your wild cherry tree looks like a woman in a dress, arms stretched towards the sky, wild hair flying! Wonderful family photos! Alivia is really looking grown up in the girl scout photo! Have a wonderful season Wanda, and happy soon-to- be anniversary!
:)

Anonymous said...

A feeling of peace and contentment wash over me everytime I read your posts. I love the music. I sit back, and relax, read and enjoy the beautiful words and music. So lovely - so enjoyable. I can hardly wait until next time...debbie

Janie said...

This was wonderful to wake up to this morning. I like how you tell a hint of the story along with the photos that are abundant. Your photos say so much. Did you take the wedding photographs of your son and his wife? Young love, how beautiful they are. Who is Alivia? She is so cute. Thanks for sharing your world, and the changing season.

Lisa said...

What a beautiful post Wanda. I love seeing your beautiful granddaughters and their new lives. It's just beautiful!

Happy 48th Anniversary to you and your husband! and happy 4 month anniversary to the newlyweds. Beautiful pictures. :)

Vagabonde said...

This is another magical post Wanda. The colors of the foliage in your area are so warm with all the beautiful hue of autumn. Happy Anniversary to you – 48 years – that is quite an achievement.

Grayquill said...

Your wonderland is quite mind-boggling. The beauty you captured was brilliant. You did a grand job putting it all together. Thank you for the delightful tour.

Sharon Wagner said...

You definitely don't need a trail cam to capture all the deer on your property. It is such a beautiful place.

Jenny said...

Thank you, lovely lady.

This peaceful and soul healing walk was exactly what I needed today.

Fall is such a time of introspection for so many. I think sometimes I forget to just go with the flow of the seasons...and let the loveliness of each day heal my heart!

It is so wonderful most of your family is close by. Such a rich tapestry of family life you all weave together!

Hugs and Sunday blessings to you!

Jain said...

Gorgeous kids, gorgeous views! Happy Autumn, Wanda!

Deborah said...

I loved the mushrooms! And your description of one 'capsized'. Such a beautiful place, Wanda.

Reader Wil said...

Oh Wanda, it's always a pleasure to visit your blog! You show us so much of your surroundings and your beautiful grandchildren. Thanks for sharing! Have a lovely week!

Hilary said...

Such lovely autumn photos... I want to live inside them. I like how you arrange them in groupings and categories. Very creative.

Claudia said...

I am mesmerized by the breadth and scope of this celebratory post. Never did autumn entice as much as through your eyes.

Sheila said...

Wanda, what a truly beautiful post!
I wish I could walk through the woods with you, and see it through your eyes. I think I look.. but I don't always see!
The work on our little house continues, and Autumn is passing so quickly, but because someone has to be home, I feel I am missing it!
Your granddaughters are beautiful, and I sense there is beauty 'inside' them too.
Hugs
xx

Αστραδενή / Astradene said...

Dear Wanda
firstly I want to thank you for your meaningful message that made me think about so many things... Grace is definetely the best way to overcome difficulties, sometimes better than strength or courage. i have to watch Tree of life.
Secondly your new post is so inspiring and filled with true moments of your life that definetely brings warmth and bliss to our hearts.
Greetings from a sunny Athens!

Unknown said...

Hi Wanda! What a glorious visit today! Your niece is beautiful. Olivia is growing and no matter how we hate to see it, she will be off to college sooner than we think! NOOOOOOOOOOO! I love the pic of your niece with her face inside the tree, it is perfect, like it was meant just for a perfect frame! 48! How wonderful! I look forward to our 48 in a few years. I hope I am still blogging, or at least still keep in touch with my blogging friends!

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Dear Wanda,

I truly love your posts and look forward to each and every one. You put so much time and creativity into the words, the photos and then you manage to make me want to be invited for dinner. Those meals looks sooooo yummy!

Your grandchildren are all so beautiful in face and spirit. You are a lucky lady indeed.

Thanks for sharing your home and woods.

Janet xox

anupama said...

Dear Wanda,
Namaste!
A Pleasant and Cool evening!
This is Anupama from India!
What a visual treat dear! Thanks a bunch for the feast of my eyes! I thoroughly enjoyed the journey through Autumn season!
Today is no moon day in India!Today we celebrate the Festival Of lights-Happy Diwali!
By evening all houses and temples will be lit up with diyas!
Love & Hugs,
Sasneham,
Anu

Gail said...

HI WANDA - I have been happily walking with you about your beautiful nature-land for some time now and I never tire of it, never. It is all so beautiful, every season. I adore your family and I love your cooking too. Wow.
Love Gail
peace.....

Maria said...

Wanda, what a lovely visit I always have here. Your grandchildren are such treasures ~ and to receive frequent visits from them is better than gold.

Your golden autumn scenes are also treasures ~ and I love "looking up" with you to the treetops through to the sky above.
lovely, lovely, lovely!
Thank you for bringing such beauty and calm {and yummy baking photos} to us ♥
Happy Thursday to you, Wanda!
~Maria

Sonya Lee said...

I don't think I've ever seen such beauty in a blog before. You are gifted! Thank you for expressing God's glory to us here. Wish I would slow down more and open my eyes to His beauty all around me.

Amazing.

Deb Shucka said...

You've made all these seasonal changes seem so inviting with your words and incredible photos. The mushrooms are abundant here right now, too, and every walk is a delight of discovery. I'm envious that you get to see monarchs in the wild!

Debra said...

Oh Wanda-I am just so entranced by your blog....I can't even put it into words how it touches my heart.
God bless you BIG!
Love, Debra

Αστραδενή / Astradene said...

Your posts are filled with exciting and delicious details so I just enjoy to watch them over and over!
Well, thank you for commenting positevely regarding my singing...
We have another sunny day today but it is common in Athens to have the coldest part of winter after Christmas!

Angie said...

Another wonderful array of beautiful shots ...grouped into amazing collages. I always look quickly through and then go back and read and look again....and then study my favourites ...like the old and empty trees ...and the beautiful food ...not forgetting your gorgeous family.
Congratulations on reaching 48 years of marriage. xx

Diana said...

So much has been going on in your world Wanda. Alivia looks so grown up I can't believe my eyes. It makes me want to cry. These changes happen much too quickly.
Everything looks so beautiful in your neck of the woods. I think with deer hunting season coming up, I might still wear an orange vest in the woods!
Such a gorgeous time of year and you show it better than anyone!!
Love Di ♥

Julie G. said...

A most beautiful autumn post filled with stunning images and wonderful narrative! You captured the loveliness of autumn in a such a delightful way. I enjoyed viewing each and every one of your glorious photos. An absolute joy to visit your blog!

steviewren said...

I love seeing your collections...especially the white collage and the mushrooms.

Your granddaughters are beautiful girls and your fall pictures are wonderful.

alexis nicole said...

You breathe beauty friend! Your pictures make me so excited for Autumn. Here in California, the leaves are just starting to change. I love the fall...
Your grandchildren and beautiful and I'm sure they get some of that beauty from you:)

Tranquility Speaks said...

Amanda is simply drop dead gorgeous. May God bless her. I loved all the pictures of fall. They are SO beautiful. Visiting you today made me so happy. Thank you Wanda :)

Claudia said...

Just dropping by to wish you and yours a bountiful and beautiful Thanksgiving Day!

Anna said...

Hi There, Your blog is awesome. The pics are brillant! I enjoyed everyone of them. I am a newbie to blogging but I am enjoying it. Have a wonderful holiday season! Warm regards, Anna

Breathtaking said...

I was attracted to this post because of the butterfly photo,but then I discovered you had put so much more into it.Every image is so
lovely,and a pleasure to see:)