Leaf Fairy

Made her a few years ago. She says she loves the new leaves that I have brought in and wants some friends! I guess there was more than one reason for me to save them.

Let me out!

Matryoshka dolls (Russian nested dolls). I guess that is what these are called, although they were made in China. I bought them many years ago, probably when Brent was little. Anyway, they say "let me out"!

They want to join in the Halloween fun!

Would it be a boy or a girl?

Twenty-one years ago, I made these babies for my daughter's baby shower. I was sewing and sewing and stuffing and stuffing for months before. I have pictures of all of them somewhere. I must look. They were all lined up, like a parade, until the day of the shower came. Everyone got one to take home.

We didn't know if it was going to be a girl...

or a boy. I wonder what happened to all those babies? I loved them, but I sometimes wonder where the others are. Did anyone care?

And...it was a boy! A prince.

I love colored pencils

My colored pencils are happy. They love their tomato cans! Here are the greens.

Reds and oranges.

Pinks and purples.

Browns and golds.

Yellows and whites.

and blues and silvers. I love tomato cans too! Aren't they pretty?

And one more...

She found the best seat in the house!

Here come the witches!

The witches are ready for a party today and soon Halloween! October! Their favorite month!

Pictures are a little dim, but I was trying to take them in their natural surroundings. This is the sweet witch. She is shy.

Party Girl!

Pretty witch.

And here are their dancing shoes!

Let's party!

Baking day

Most of my mother's recipes I have on cards in her own handwriting. That makes them very special and I feel like we're baking together. And today is a special birthday. My granddaughter's. My daughter has requested that I make "grandma's" Milk Chocolate Cake. She remembers that as the traditional birthday cake for her, with white frosting (made with Crisco) and colored shot (sprinkles) on top. Let's continue the tradition!

Fairy gifts

The woods are full of fairies;
The sea is full of fish;
The trees are full of golden leaves;
Let's make an autumn wish. Anon

Here come the pumpkins!

The pumpkins know it's October and they are getting anxious to come out of their box. The second one in line is a special one. I have had him since I was little. I think it was the first pumpkin that my mother bought for me. He's a very smart pumpkin. Never mischievious or naughty. Well, the others are little "hollow-heads".

And here is a little pumpkin portrait that I bought many years ago at a shop in Michigan. It's tiny. 2"x3". I immediately fell in love with it when I saw it. It's signed "Yvonne" '95. If you're out there, Yvonne, I still treasure this little painting.

The pumpkins are talking! They're saying that they want to have their portrait painted. Hmmm.

Maybe if we just sit here and pose...

And I will try to smile.

October days

Wet weather! Open up your umbrellas! It's time for the fall rains. It's so wet and slippery in my backyard, and those dogs want to have a chase every morning!

Quack! I am still trying to clean up the garden!

And I am nurturing the last of the juicy red tomatoes! yum.

Oh, come now. It's time to just sit down with a good book.

The melancholy days have come, the saddest of the year,

Of wailing winds, and naked woods, and meadows brown and sear.

William Cullen Bryant

Surprise!

Came down to the computer this morning and look who was waiting for me on my mousepad! I think some naughty Brownie is playing a trick on me. I guess it was raining too much last night and he didn't have anything else to do.

The jack-o-lantern

Brownie has learned that "the most famous icon of the holiday is the jack-o-lantern. Various authorities attribute it to either Scottish or Irish origin. However, it seems clear that it was used as a lantern by people who traveled the road this night, the scary face to frighten away spirits or faeries who might otherwise lead one astray. Set on porches and in windows, they cast the same spell of protection over the household. " from All Hallow's Eve by Mike Nichols

" I will watch for him."

And in the shadows...