“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost
Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Nuts About Squirrels

It's true! I really get a kick out of the little buggers! Every now and then I get pretty cross with them when they nip off the top of a tulip or tip over my Fairy in the Fairy Garden, but overall they bring me more pleasure than pain.

Today I thought I would do a little squirrel round-up at my house, just to find out how many squirrely things I had.  I surprised even myself!




#1     

A vintage covered candy/nut dish...




#2,3

A new plate I picked up a few years ago. A vintage McCoy Pottery Squirrel.







#4

A new resin piece I picked up on clearance last year.





#5

A book by Richard E. Mallery that I purchased a year after moving into our home with its squirrel-icious filled backyard.






#6
A vintage Danish print I purchased years ago.




#7

A squirrely souvenir found at an estate sale.






#8

A squirrel nut-cracker....




#9

A concrete squirrel that I painted in honor of our occasional visitors the White Squirrels.




#10

A squirrel sweater I bought on clearance a few years ago.




#11,12?

A pair of vintage Squirrel Salt and Pepper shakers, also found years ago.
 





 



The squirrels above are my very own, however I have had a few squirrels in my Etsy shop. Remember the Green Squirrel  (still available) ........




....and the book Miss Suzy?  Sorry she's been sold.





Now I've just added another Squirrel on Log Planter,
1950's Vintage by Enesco. Click on the links if you'd like to see more.






If you are also nuts about squirrels, you should get your very own! Either the real live furry ones or the cute little pottery kind above!

Oh, and the one thing I learned from the squirrel book is this...


"If there's a squirrel, there's a way!"



Till next time ~~~ Always Crave Cute.... Squirrels! ~~ Diane







Monday, November 5, 2012

The Mist and All . . .


This poem couldn't describe our weather here any better! It has been misty and gray for the past two days. I can't complain. It is getting me into the fall-winter spirit of things. As I sip my hot tea and look out at the misty, bare branches on the trees, I've been thinking...  I like the fall...


The Mist and All by Dixie Willson from Poems for Boys and Girls, illustrated by Lois Maloy

I have been thinking about the fact that it seems as though I just took down the Christmas tree a couple of months ago. I am also wondering how to tie the tree to the entertainment center so Guy doesn't topple the whole thing over.  I've been thinking that I need to buy Christmas cards because I used up my stash last year. I'm thinking we need to haul some wood closer to the house so I don't have to trudge through the snow drifts that I hope will be here after Thanksgiving. Oh yes, I like the 'gray November day, and bare dead boughs that gently sway against my pane, I like the rain.'

Sometimes I just enjoy days like this where I can just stop and take note of all the things that have happened and new events soon to come. I am a planner so when I don't have time to plan I start to feel very disconnected and out of control. Days like this are great times to slow down and just think and plan and write.

So for now I think I'll just 'tend my cozy fire a bit. I like the fall -- the mist and all.'


I hope you all have a pleasant week ahead!
Continued thoughts and prayers for the people 
in the East Coast states.


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Elf-light, Bat-light . . .




 

 Dream Song by Walter de la Mare from Poems for Boys and Girls


I simply love the imagery in this poem by British poet Walter de la Mare and Lois Maloy has illustrated this book in such a beautiful way. Sadly, I could not find anymore information about Lois. The little bats and the owl make this a perfect poem for this month of Halloween posts!



The image for 'Dream Song' has been enhanced using the Pixlr, photo app.

Hope you all enjoyed the quirky poem!
~~ Diane ~~

Friday, October 12, 2012

A Beautiful Fall Morning...


Our weather has turned quite cold already, but the sun somehow always makes me feel a bit warmer on these blustery days.  The steady breeze made it look as though it was raining leaves.




Guy was enjoying some fresh air and sun while keeping an eye on our other cat Dot.








I love looking at the leaves and their various shapes and colors. I'm always amazed at how beautiful something that may seem so ordinary, is so beautiful. Guy enjoyed playing with them and even brought one in the house to keep as a souvenir.  It lasted about ten minutes before he had it shredded and scattered all over the floor.







Guy Noir

Guy Noir turned six months old this month.  He is a very nice looking boy and he has the most beautiful long tail.  He is very sweet and loves to play and get into all sorts of mischief.


Red Oak




The sugar maples turn this glorious yellow-gold color. I just had to get a few pictures looking up at the bright blue sky.  I don't believe there was a cloud anywhere in sight!






Our little lake is pretty quiet now.  The resident egrets and herons left several weeks ago and the ducks left last week after several nights of freezing temperatures. Now we will only see a few stragglers passing through headed on down to warmer states like Arkansas and Louisiana.

White Birch

Guy was quite amazed at the leaves that were raining down on him.  I have to remind myself that this is all new to him and the first time he has experienced autumn and a changing season. He spied our small crab apple tree and decided today was a good day to try climbing it.  He was very proud of himself and after climbing back down, climbed it again!
Happy Birthday little Guy Noir!






Monday, September 17, 2012

Autumn Fires...






Autumn Fires
From Child's Garden of Verses
by Robert Louis Stevenson

In the other gardens
     And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
     See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over
     And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
     The grey smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!
     Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
     Fires in the fall!





I love that poem, it is so simple yet full of joy and optimism!


Before we head out of summer into fall, I have a few more pictures of our local Arboretum to share.









                    Goodbye summer, we'll see you next year! 

     Hope you are enjoying your last week of summer too!

 ~~Diane~~



Sunday, September 9, 2012

Time to Gather


September is the time to gather the things you will need to 
make it through the winter.



So when you are squirreling things away, you might want to check out your winter apparel to see what you need for the cold months ahead. Maybe a  pair of sweet mittens or a cozy for your coffee?

YesSirYesSir!

Check out my Ad Swapper friend Ada's new Etsy shop called Yes Sir, Yes Sir! She has some wicked good hand-knit items to get you through those cold winter months. When she's not knitting she's writing and also has a great blog called Of Woods and Words.

To get you in that fallish mood, I found a nice little poem for you to read by Nancy Crossland.

MAIDEN OF SEPTEMBER


Awaken!
You've slumbered
'Neath cool velvet moss;
Summer's footsteps now fade,

Your cheeks kissed now
By September's glow,
Arise now
From summer's shade,

Wipe your eyes
Smooth your amber hair;
Look now!
Leaves falling
You must be aware;
A change there is
Now in the air,

Roses of summer now close
Gaze at chrysanthemums budding
Bursting in gold
Gather them now
On fleeting toes,

Prepare the way
For your sister, Fall
You are the maiden of September;
Dutiful sister,
Who must remember.

by
Nancy Ellen Crossland


Welcome September!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Snow Flakes in the Air...




Looking out my window today, I saw snow flakes. They weren't exactly falling, they were floating mid-air. There were just a few of the little flakes and the wind was bouncing them around, tossing them like a ball back and forth to an invisible hand. They must have melted as soon has they finally made it to the ground, or maybe they just vanished on their descent. It is so dry here they may have just evaporated into thin air! Whatever, they are gone, but it was just another nudge by Mother Nature letting me know that winter indeed is on it's way. With that said, let's have one last look at a few plants in my garden before they disappear below the heavy snow which will be here any day now.



fothergilla shrub




hardy geraniums



















This variety turns red with colder temperatures.