Another Fall Day

It was a beautiful day here today. I went out to see what was growing in our yard. I found to my surprise, little rolling hills of grass everywhere. I wasn't very attentive when our lawn seeded, and grass seedlings have sprung up all over the yard. It was so beautiful, I couldn’t walk on it. Who knows what fairy realms might exist there.

I went around to the front of our home to get a photograph of our autumn wreath. I love to have a natural wreath hanging on the door in fall. During this time of year, I usually walk down to our creek area to gather vines, seed pods and leaves to make a wreath. This year our wreath is a bit different. While I was at Michael's craft store the other day, they had their fall garlands on sale, as well as the grapevine wreaths. The garlands looked so real, I thought it would be fun to create a wreath with them. This is the end result below.

Real leaves

Fallen leaves are everywhere now. We won’t rake them up just yet. They will help to mulch the dirt in the yard, and deliver a power-packed punch of color.

Inside my home the sunlight was streaming through the windows.

And as I opened the front door, I was greeted by the happy smiles of my little pumpkin people.

Pumpkin Farm ~ Ode to Autumn

It was a beautiful cloudy day when we set out for pumpkins.

All photos Fete et Fleur



This is the tree outside our door.

All photos Fete et Fleur

There were no big jumpies or large corn mazes to get lost in for hours. There were just pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere, in piles and growing on the ground.

All photos Fete et Fleur

All photos Fete et Fleur

It was wonderful to be out there in the middle of this huge pumpkin field. The wind was gently blowing. I felt all the cobwebs leave my mind. And I fell into the gentle rhythm of nature.

It reminded me of this poem by John Muir.

In autumn when the trees are brown
The little leaves come tumbling down
They do not make the slightest sound
But lie so quietly on the ground
Until the wind comes puffing by
And blows them off towards the sky.

The winds will blow their own freshness into you,
and the storms their energy,
while cares will drop away from you
like the leaves of Autumn.



The proprietress of the farm had large sunflowers planted in the pumpkin field. You could clip a large head for a dollar. I took one home to enjoy, and later I will set it out for the birds.

All photos Fete et Fleur

My favorite Ode to Autumn

Merry Autumn

by

Paul Laurence Dunbar

It's all a farce, these tales they tell
About the breezes sighing,
And moans astir o'er field and dell,
Because the year is dying.

Such principles are most absurd,
I care not who first taught 'em;
There's nothing known to beast or bird
To make a solemn autumn.

In solemn times, when grief holds sway
With countenance distressing,
You'll note the more of black and gray
Will then be used in dressing.

Now purple tints are all around;
The sky is blue and mellow;
And e'en the grasses turn the ground
From modest green to yellow.

The seed burs all with laughter crack
On featherweed and jimson;
And leaves that should be dressed in black
Are all decked out in crimson.

A butterfly goes winging by;
A singing bird comes after;
And Nature, all from earth to sky,
Is bubbling o'er with laughter.

The ripples wimple on the rills,
Like sparkling little lasses;
The sunlight runs along the hills,
And laughs among the grasses.

The earth is just so full of fun
It really can't contain it;
And streams of mirth so freely run
The heavens seem to rain it.

Don't talk to me of solemn days
In autumn's time of splendor,
Because the sun shows fewer rays,
And these grow slant and slender.

Why, it's the climax of the year,
The highest time of living!
Till naturally its bursting cheer
Just melts into thanksgiving.

All photos Fete et Fleur

A Treasure and a Story

Antique French glass boxes are favorites of mine. I wonder about the history of these beautiful objects. Who owned them? What did they hold?

I recently came across this sweet little box. It is the smallest antique glass box I have ever seen. I couldn't believe that the bright gold finish and pink silk cushion were still intact. It is only 1 inch long by 1.5 inches tall.

It's so small it fits into this larger glass box.

I've read that these glass boxes began as a tradition at balls. All the ladies were given a gift inside these small trinket boxes, as a souvenir of the night's ball. How romantic!

Now for the story:

Evangeline sank back against the satin pillows of the carriage. A gentle sigh escaped her lips as memories of the evening swirled in her mind.

Her father leaned forward and touched her knee. "Did you have a good time, my dear?"

"Why father, I will never forget this enchanted evening. Not in a million years!"

He chuckled and leaned back.

When they arrived home, she hurried up the stairs, clutching the tiny package her true love had given her as he left the ball. He made her promise not to open it until she was alone. She flew through the door of her room and ran headlong into Betsy her maid.

"I'm so sorry, Betsy! It's just that I . . ."

"It's fine, Miss. No harm done."

The maid closed the door behind her as she left. Evangeline twirled about the room and landed with a plop onto her bed. Without removing her gloves she untied the string that held the package. A piece of paper slipped out. And then she was holding the loveliest glass box. She gasped as she saw the glimmer behind the glass. She gently opened the lid, and there resting on pink silk was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen.

Her hand trembled as she picked up the note and read:

My Dearest,

There are no words to express the depth of my feeling. As I write this, my heart is flooded with the deepest love for you. A love so strong, even death could not quench its flame. Please say that you will be my very own, Beloved. Tell me that you will walk this precious life with me and make me the happiest of men. I await your answer below.

Below?

She rushed to the window and threw it open. There in the moonlight, a man sat upon a horse, his face upturned toward her window, awaiting her answer.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE . . . And the Winner is . . . .

The winner of my Queen of the Harvest Giveaway is June from Laughing with Angels! Congratulations June!! I wanted to thank everyone who participated in this giveaway. I love doing this and stay tuned for another giveaway soon. Have a beautiful day everyone!

~N

Rainy Autumn Days

It's been raining for two days, perfect weather for cozying up and decorating for Autumn. This weekend we will shop for our special pumpkins (if the rain stops). We visit the same wonderful pumpkin farm every year.

My decorations are few because our rooms are small. They can get overwhelmed quickly with too much eye candy. I also love using natural elements like pumpkins, corn, and wheat wreaths.

Stocks of wheat tied together.

I purchased these two dapper fellows at the Halloween and Vine show several years ago.

A touch of whimsy. Doesn't he look like he's up to something?

Marie all gussied up with a fall corsage of French beaded flowers.

Trick or Treat anyone?

A room with a view into white.

Glass pumpkins resting on the piano.

Some of my photos are currently not showing on my blog. I'm getting a lot of hits on them, and photobucket only allows a certain amount of bandwidth a month. I need to upgrade my account. I'm looking into the best way to do this. The photos should be back tomorrow.

Thanks for loving my photos!

Nicol Sayre Queen of the Harvest Giveaway!

I started pulling out our Autumn decorations, and found this wonderful papier mache doll from The Nicole Sayre Collection. She is in mint condition!

Sweet little mouth, crown, and glass glittered star wand.

I love the design on her little cone.

I thought it would be fun to host a fall giveaway with this sweet beauty. She was originally commissioned by Seasons of Cannon Falls. You can see her in the Bayberry Cove retired gallery here.

This is what they have to say about her:

You will want this Queen to stay out all year to help you ring in each of the four seasons. She is simply magical. Made of papier mache. Measures 4.25"x12"x14.5". A Nicol Sayre authorized reproduction. Imported.

Fall Holidays 2004 Collection.

*This item has been retired by Seasons of Cannon Falls and is no longer available to purchase.

Photo Bayberry Cove

Please leave a comment on this post to be entered in The Queen of the Harvest Giveaway. This giveaway will end on Monday, October 19tht at 9:00 PM. I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, October 20th in the morning. I wish you all luck!

PS Please make sure you leave me your contact info so I can get a hold of you if you win.

The Wedding

The wedding I’ve been helping with is over. I feel elated and drained all at the same time. The bride and groom were beautiful. The day was gorgeous. Everything came together, and it was pure FUN and celebration!

Candles at the ready

Rings resting on the ring pillow before the ceremony

For privacy reasons I can’t share too many photos, but my very favorite moment came when the happy couple released two snowy white doves at the end of their ceremony.

It was breathtaking.

The rest of the evening was filled with romance. My hubby and I swayed to the beautiful music long after the other guests had abandoned the dance floor.

Beautiful Ribbons from Kate

A few posts ago, I wrote of my excitement at having time to learn a new skill, ribbon embroidery. The sweet Kate of Shibori Girl read that post and put together this wonderful care package to inspire me. Kate, your gesture of kindness truly made my day.

Look at all the colors!

I love the texture and feel of these silk ribbons.

Kate is an artist among artists. The refinement and delicacy of her work speak to my heart. Her ability to excel in so many different art genres is mind blowing. Please visit her beautiful blog here.

Thank you so much for the ribbons, Kate. I will play soon.