Chilly temps have arrived...42 tonight..mid 70's next week. Dixie is ready for it..found her sweater, so it's by the door. Wishing you a wonderful new week ahead -:)
Good morning, dear Darlene. There's a cool front coming... ushering in brisk breezes today, really cool temps overnight. Our leaves have begun changing; a red maple has been wearing red all week, but that's the only one. Actually, a lot of leaves are falling w/o going thru a color change...I blame our drought for that:( We got a tad of sprinkles yesterday ahead of this front, but the week ahead is supposed to be dry as toast... still. Really need rain before winter freezes. Lack of it kills nice shrubs. Have you checked the price of pumpkins this year> I haven't yet, but would like to get one to cook into pies. We both love 'punkin pies'. I'll make the filling, but don't make the crust... Pillsbury does such a good job. ha Hope your w/e is filled w/all things Autumn/Fall: smells, sights, and lots of memories. Enjoy the cool!! Love & *hugs*
Today is takey-outey day for our main meal... BBQ sammies. Made vinegar slaw this morning to top it off. I love days I don't see much of the kitchen:) Have a great Thursday, Darlene!
Fall is here at last (thank goodness!) but we still have a few days of warmer weather and then it will drop back down into the more "respectable" autumn range. So anything we need to do outside should probably be done soon, as it seems rain will come with the drop in temps. (YAY!!) Makes it sloggy to skim the pond and feed the fish and gather the eggs, but I have yard shoes that I keep by the basement door so as long as the muddy ground doesn't cause me to fall on my rear end, I'm just fine with it being rainy.
You had asked if I had any real pen pals--the kind you write to on paper, rather than online. I used to. I started with writing letters to my grandmother and then wrote to a good friend who moved away. But it's been some time since I've done that kind of letter writing. I used to write a Christmas letter for many years, but we've stopped sending cards--just another expense that those of us on limited income can't afford. We have really cut back on how we celebrate the holidays, but I don't mind. I still decorate the house and when Thanksgiving is over, my CD player gets loaded up with Christmas music and that's my big whoop-de-do these days. We have a holiday meal, too, with whomever can come. No gifts exchanged, just memories. I used to bake a lot of cookies and make candy when I had a pair of bachelor uncles, but they have passed on and we're all trying to either lose weight or at least not gain any, so that kind of baking binge isn't something I do anymore, either. Honestly, it's a lot easier on my hubby and I now that we don't go so crazy with how we celebrate.
I'm not the one who feeds the birds--my hubby does. And I'm guessing that when the weather gets rough, he'll do his best to see to it that the birds have someplace they can go to cadge a free meal. His reasoning is that the birds eat bugs and help keep the insect population down, so it's smart to keep the birds alive when the weather gets too cold/icy for them to find food elsewhere. And yes, I have seen deer get up on their hind legs and "bump" the hanging feeders so that seed falls to the ground where they can eat it. We don't begrudge them the seed since they haven't broken any feeders and they need to eat, too. I guess food is too scarce for the birds around here, as they eat whatever food they can get once the weather gets snarly.
I'm very partial to the last four months of the year. Sometimes September can be a little warm for the first couple of weeks (shoot, some years the whole month is miserable, but not often--and since it's my b-day month and when school starts up in earnest, it has always been one of my favorites. Yeah, I was what would be called a 'nerd' back when I was in school, but we didn't have those kinds of labels. Anyway, I loved school for most of the time I was going to it. You're right about this tail end of the year seeming to fly by, though. And summer seeming to D-R-A-G...probably because I don't care for all that heat summer brings. I enjoy the longer days, but not having to hide out in the nearest air conditioned space for most of the day.
I know people talk about spring cleaning and getting their places cleaned up then, but I tend to do that in the fall--because I finally have enough energy to get to the stuff I know needs to be done and with cooler temperatures, I don't feel as fatigued after digging in and doing a glut of housework. I managed to get a lot done today, but now I'm stinky and will need to hit the shower PDQ.
The house is 'done up' for both fall and Halloween except for a few things I need to find places for. I haven't done anything outside and probably won't, but I was reading below about your outdoor decor and it sounds like a lot of fun; I may change my mind and put something out there, if I can come up with something from what we have around the house. Maybe some online hunting will turn up an idea I can put together...hmmm...
Have a cool and peaceful October, Darlene! Love and Hugs, Paula
Here we are, midweek. Hope your day is going smoothly. I've cleaned bathrooms, done a load of wash, and have oatmeal bars baking in the oven. So it's a good day for me so far. Have a great afternoon and please fly safely. Brooms are replaceable but you aren't. Oh Darlene, I hear you and agree about the warm weather. These stinking 80s need to take a hike. I'm so over it and, like you, it makes me irritable. HAHA
That was a huge image that you were having trouble with... maybe its size didn't pass muster w/my page? lol I bet your 'Ween decorations are cute... I love lights of any kind in the dark outside. That song is by the Platters. Talk about classics... that group made some oldies/goodies for sure. "They" say cooler weather, maybe a tad of rain coming:) Happy today, dear Darlene! *hugs*
How is your Monday coming along? It's a sunny, warm day here. Low 80s. Dave had to make a Lowe's run so I went into Walmart for a couple craft supplies. I got a gift card to Michael's for my birthday but that was the opposite direction of where we were headed today. Going to do some sewing this afternoon and wanted to say hi to you first, Darlene.
Enjoying your new page, pal! Enjoy the gifts of this new month... pumpkin patches, hayrides, festivals, apple cider, scarecrows, roasted marshmallows, jack-o-lanterns, colorful dresses on trees, country drives, trick-or-treaters, sweaters, plaid blankets, ... on and on. Enjoy your October, dear Darlene! *hugs*
Hi and happy Thursday! It is a beautiful afternoon in my area. We've been out digging up some Rose of Sharon plants for our girls. Ours have spread like wildfire. How is your day? Hope your afternoon and evening are restful. Tomorrow's Friday! Darlene, I have a potted mum, a potted pansy, and a concrete pumpkin on my back steps. On the front porch I have 2 concrete pumpkins and two mums. That's about the extent of my outdoor decor. I do have two garden flags that are fall, too. When my girls were younger and still at home, we'd go all out more. Now....they do it all at their homes. Dave and I made concrete pumpkins for the girls and us a month or so ago. Saw the idea on Pinterest and the girls and I loved it so.....I bought the stuff to make them and, with Dave's help, we made a bunch. Large and small. The small ones I wrapped in fabric and we all have those indoors. How about you? Do you like to decorate for different seasons and holidays?
Will tend to some chores today, but not too many... must always have something waiting 'til tomorrow:) Have a day of smiles while doing 'whatever', Darlene. *hugs*
Happy first official day of autumn. Though, for me, when September 1 rolls around, that's when my brain kicks into fall mode. It's a cool and drizzly day here and I've got homemade broccoli cheese soup in the crock pot for our supper tonight. I picked a good day to make soup. How is YOUR day? Hope it's a good one, whatever your weather and what you are doing. Darlene, we put in a second planting of cucumbers a while back and we are getting cukes now. Tomatoes are done but peppers and cucumbers are still coming on. Yes, pumpkins grow down here but I think they do best closer to the mountain areas than here in the armpit of the south! LOL
Good morning, Darlene, and Happy Fall! We have days ahead filled w/smells, sounds, and scenes we'll all savor:) I had to stop by and rejoice w/someone I know is as tickled as I am. lol Cheers! *hugs* -di
Happy Friday and upcoming weekend, Darlene! It was Monday just yesterday:) Today I have some cleaning to do, then finish putting out what little Fall decor I have left. When 'Ween comes, I just add some jack-o-lanterns and ghosties, and when Tksg comes, trade those out for turkeys and pilgrims:) I love it all. Have you any plans this weekend. As usual, we don't, but we are contented as old cows. *hugs* -di
It's almost here... Yayyy!! Have a delightful today, Darlene:) Not hard to enjoy all timeless music, for sure. There's something out there for all different tastes. The mornings here are just great, getting me in the mood to decorate more, but in the midst of downsizing I realize I don't have as much stuff to decorate with. Just as well; we just can't keep all this mess for our kids to deal with later. Tomorrow is my throw-back favorite day, still. Do you have fond memories at work, making yourself keep working til 5:00 Friday? lol Have a good one, dear friend...
What a crisp, cool morning here... 50º, and low, dry 80s this afternoon! I hope Fall is comin' in your back door, too, Darlene:) That Sinatra sang the song, I'm sure; but, who's playing this piano I have no idea. lol For my taste it could have a faster tempo, but I love the lone piano songs so much, it's just what I found. Each decade has its great songs, don't they. But seems we're losing alot of just a tune we can hum along with... not much melody, surely no harmony; lots of screeching, hollering, and not a word can be understood... which may be a good thing:) How's your weather now, pal? I think we're headin' in the right direction, but will have a few warm days yet. Be still my soul... I'm getting excited:) *hugs* -di
May your Tuesday be terrific. Get your work done then go find a swing to enjoy some time in nature. The weather is FINE! Darlene, I forgot to enter the contest. And, naturally, I didn't remember to vote either. I do well to send hellos to "my people" with any regularity. LOL My mind is like a jumble most days so......HAHA
PS: I entered the Fall contest:) I enjoy puttering on pages and learning new things about coding. 'Course retention of what I learn is another thing, so each page is a refresher course:) Have you entered your page? *hugs*
Good morning, Darlene. No, I've never heard of a dirty turtle, but I do so love caramel. I'm not supposed to eat (much) sweets, and most of the time I'm good about it. Never been a sweet-eater until being dx'd w/diabetes, and now I sometimes crave it. So... I treat myself on occasion:) Mostly, tho, I just bake for DH as he loves the sweet stuff. Hey, keep that inquiring mind. I think it's a wonderful trait esp at our age. Some have no curiosity about anything. That's sad. Enjoy your new week, pal! *hugs* -di
