ONE LAST AUTUMN JIGSAW PUZZLE UNTIL NEXT FALL SEASON

 From my iPad.

For a change I also added a screen shot while I was fitting the pieces. Once the last is added, all the lines melt away  

Thanks for looking and I hope your day is a great one.

TODAY I BOUGHT A SMALL BOUQUET OF FRESH SUNFLOWERS...

to replace the ones (or one) I shared with you yesterday. I could probably have done with a couple of extra sunflowers, but these were the only ones that still looked fresh and would last longer than a day or two. But first of all, I wanted to share the gnomes, one of which I also shared yesterday. They are about three inches high.

I took a photo after each step. It was fun putting them all together. Here's the sunflower gnome again and also a pewter rabbit I have had for a few years. It's actually a candle snuffer. I picked it up on a whim several years ago. 

Its body is hollow which you place over the lit candle. The handle is in the shape of a bunch of carrots. Again, nothing to do with Fall but I keep it out all year round just because it's one of my little animal treasures. We don't use it very often.  

The bird is dressed like a Pilgrim and more for Thanksgiving (next month), but it's nice to keep him out for a while... 

the same for the lady Pilgrim. Both have been around for a few years now. I picked up the salt and pepper shakers the same time as the gnomes not so long ago.

The container in the shape of a pumpkin I used as a vase for the sunflowers and baby's breathe. That's the lid you can see with the golden stem. Years ago it came with a bouquet of flowers. Not wanting to throw it out, it is carefully tucked away until needed.

The table is newish. We bought it just before our visitors arrived earlier on in the year and happily was on sale. We had a round table and the lazy suzan fit better on it. It twirls around when you need to reach for certain items after the table is set for a meal. The old round table had been with us for just over 30 years, the same for the chairs, and all were decidedly worse for ware, so it was time to get something new. It's a bit too big for just the two of us but it will come in useful when we have a get together. We were glad for it when our family were here. I am missing the napkins and cutlery but you get a good idea of the flowers at least.

Anyhow, that's the centerpiece I put together and I'm hoping the sunflowers will stay in the stores until Thanksgiving is over next month. Something new, I've discovered how much I like baby breath again. It's been a long time since I bought any.

Last one, a collage and that’s all for today’s post.

Thanks for stopping by. 

A happy Friday and weekend to you all!

HAPPY FALL

I didn’t realize until I checked the date, that the 22nd was the official first day of Fall here. I am a little bit late but I found this touch of whimsy on Pinterest and knew I was going to share it today.

THE EARTH IS…

 “The Earth is what we have in common.”

~Wendell Berry~

I have been enjoying the AI lately. I have a small collections of Angels and as I have always been interested in traditional clothing around the world, my prompt was please create an Aztec Angel in the Autumn, with a golden halo, a bright moon and twinkling stars, with red and gold leaves falling. I will share a few of my Autumn Angels this month. Here are my first two, with a quote.

DRIVING HOME THE OTHER DAY...

these are trees that I pass all the time. I have watched a few turn color and these were particularly beautiful. I missed the most glorious part with the sun shining directly on them.  But I am happy that I got these photos before they lost all their leaves.

"Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year."

~Chad Sugg~

"Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable...the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street...by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese."

~Hal Borland~

"There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of autumn leaves."

~Joe L. Wheeler~

I made the above into a painting on my ArtCard App.  I haven't done one in a while.

Next are scenes from Halloween.  Some families are starting to put up a few decorations.  These very tall scary looking figures have started appearing this year.  I have seen them in other areas.

Another painting on ArtCard...

and in monochrome.

There was this one also.  I am hoping to drive around to take photos at night before the spooky season is over.  Decorations look even more effective when lit up in the dark.

I found the cartoon and decided to end my post with it, not exactly anything to do with Halloween.  I winced for the poor dog and smiled at the same time, followed by an "awwww".  I haven't seen any porcupines around here, so the dogs appear to be safe from them at least.  I wonder if the cartoonist is taking something out of his own dog's life experience?  A little humor but with a point, no pun intended.

That's all for today.  

I always appreciate your visit.  

Thanks you and whatever your plans are, I hope you enjoy them.

I LOVE FALL...

"I love Fall!  Fall is exciting.

It's apples and cider.

It's an airborne spider.

It's pumpkins in bins.

It's burrs on dogs' chins.

It's wind blowing leaves.

It's chilly red knees.

It's nuts on the ground.

It's a crisp dry sound.

It's green leaves turning

And the smell of them burning.

It's clouds in the sky.

It's Fall And that's why....

I love Fall."

~Author Unknown~

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who visits my blog.

A FEW SMILES FOR YOU TODAY - THIS AND THAT

 

...no matter what time of the year!

All found on Pinterest.

A little blurry but if you enlarge the recipe, it should be easier to read.

THIS AND THAT - COYOTE SIGHTING?

A few days ago when Gregg opened the curtains in the morning,  there was an animal four feet away staring up at him.  He didn’t get a photo as it scurried down the steps immediately afterwards. It was a coyote from the sound of his description.  At first he said it was a strange looking fox but the coloring was all wrong.  It certainly sounded like a coyote even though I am not 100% certain, not having seen it myself.  There have been sightings in the neighborhood so we know they are around.   I showed him the above photo online and he said that’s what it looked like. 

A few things from Pinterest.

I enjoy looking at the artwork.

A wise little bird!

I know, sometimes easy said, harder done and yet good to keep in mind.  I say this for myself too.

A couple of my online puzzles I have done lately.  I am looking forward to the changing season, as you can probably tell from the theme of this post.

October is always a favorite of mine.

I have been getting interested in AI pictures ever since I saw Linda at the View From Squirrel Ridge do hers.  My dear other half has been asking AI lots of questions on complicated subjects and he is impressed with the info he gets.  I am more interested in the art at the moment.  

It is always interesting what you get.  

We went for a later walk at Meadowlark Gardens and got back about half an hour ago.  By the time we made our way home the traffic had thinned out some, which made for a more pleasant drive home.  The weather was perfect.  The temperature got up to 82 deg. F, but it was 75 by the time we got to the garden.  In the shade it was almost Autumn-like.  There were a lot of cars in the parking lot but the place was very quiet, with only a few people walking around.  We saw a bride and groom with their entourage having photos taken quite a distance away, and we thought perhaps all the cars we saw belonged to their guests.  There is a separate building on the grounds for these special events.  I also saw signs asking for people hire on as staff to help with their light show this holiday season.  It's that time of the year getting isn't it?  Goodness!  

I will have the garden photos for you next week sometime.

And as for me, it's another early night as that walk did its magic and I am nodding off as I type this.

So, that’s all for now.  

Thanks for visiting, and enjoy 

your day and weekend.