Autumn Arrives

I'm busy collecting pumpkins, squash and gourds. My indoor decor for this loveliest season will be simple this year. The table laden with Nature's Autumn bounty.

September 22 - The hedges are full of berries now. Hips and Haws; Elderberries and Blackberries are the most conspicuous, also the bright crimson berries of the Bittersweet. There is a plentiful crop of Acorns and Chestnuts.

Edith Holden 1905 ~ The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady

Mountain Majesty

Photo above from a publication - remainder are mine.

Trip to Asheville, North Carolina, beautiful small city set between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest.

Looking out over the city toward the Blue Ridge at sunset.

Window shopping at the historic Grove Arcade.

Guard dogs not needed - griffins at the ready, dressed in Holiday attire. The mountains are just visible in the distance.

Beautiful interior of the arcade. Christmas windows in downtown Asheville where a contest was held for the best display.


Casual or formal - everything one needs for an evening of dancing on the town.

Even paper ball gowns!

Early morning - the real feeling of being in the Great Smokies - we had a few snow flakes to jump start the chilly day.

Breakfast was waiting - thank goodness some girls are up early in the kitchen!

He said "You can't go home again" but this charming home, his Mother's boarding house depicted in his famous novel 'Look Homeward Angel', in this lovely, vibrant city in the mountains would be hard to leave for ever. Surely Thomas Wolfe came back for a visit now and then.

Next post I'll tell you about my return visit to 'Screendoor' that great place for vintage treasures in Asheville - and show you the neat things I brought home!

All will be revealed.......

This weekend I plan to be motivated.........I will start making the home more cozy as the temperature drops. I'll hang my heavier velvety drapes, pull out the chenille upholstered ottoman ready for some foot propping and romantic movie watching on cold, dark nights.......

I should crank up the sewing machine and whip some of those remnants into soft throws for the sofa..........................
................and today I shopped at Whole Foods for locally grown organic vegs. The soup kitchen will be in full swing this weekend................butternut squash & parsnip, Russian vegetable with Savoy cabbage, leeks, potatoes, carrots, Mulligatawny, and smoky red lentil with Cheddar toasts. The tureens will be filled.........................mine are all white but must say I fell in love with this beauty at an expensive beach gift shop last weekend - well at least I took a photo as I couldn't bring it home!

And what could be more seasonal for dessert................
A homemade apple pie...............................of course.................come on over and have a slice if you're in the neighborhood!

Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Our Annual Autumn Beach Trip

'Hello' from the beautiful North Carolina coast. The beach is so much nicer in the Fall - no crowds, no humidity, and if you pick a really lovely weekend as we just did, fun in the sun tempered by a cool breeze is perfect. Have you noticed how the long shadows at this time of year can be a game of their own?Looking East along Atlantic Beach, NC from our hotel balcony - plenty of room for everyone in November.Granddaughter Jasmin still enjoyed playing on the sand - too cold to swim but we did put our feet in!

Sunrise from our balcony - lone early fisherman in the right lower corner. Late afternoon - several people fishing from the pier as the sinking sun turned the ocean to silver.

Exploring Fort Macon early on the morning of Veterans' Day was especially interesting.
From the high position of the fort we could look out across the beach where the brisk wind made several people decide to 'go fly a kite'. Have you noticed how fancy kites are these days? Love the flying fish.

No, this is not DH and yours truly! Just another couple who apparently enjoy fishing and waiting on a lovely Autumn day at the beach.

Beyond the Pale.........Pumpkins

These pale beauties evade me.................I want some, I dream of them, where are they hiding? Lead me to that pumpkin patch, please.

We cottage girls often want something different. After all, shabby chipped paint, rambling pink roses on faded fabric, unpolished silver, creamy china, are sometimes insulted by bright orange pumpkins.

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I didn't find any big pale true beauties yet, but a few smaller ones were joyfully discovered this past weekend! They'll keep these two large ones company on my table. They are big and pale, yes. Beautiful, in a way. Real, by no means. Don't tell - from a distance they fool. My seasonal secret.