Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Adirondack Autumn


It is quiet here at the lake this time of year.
Everyone has closed their summer homes, cabins, cottages
 and camps for the winter.


Very soon...we will too.


The rain has kept us indoors all week.
Whenever there is a break in the steady drizzle...
I dash outside with my camera to try to capture the beauty
 of the changing colors in the mountains.


Our time spent here this past week has not been as we expected.
...not as many walks, no yard sales or flea markets.
No hikes or kayak trips or golf.


No flaming colors of autumn foliage lit by the sun.
No sun.
No family.
Only Mr. Flea and me.


Instead... it has been a softer, quieter time.


A time of thoughtful reflection.


...a time to slow down...
...and appreciate the more subtle beauty
 that this persistent cloud cover has provided.


Mr. Flea wondered if it kept raining all week...
...would we drive each other crazy?


We haven't.


Not yet.
:)


Our rainy week alone at the lake has provided opportunity
 for lots of reading, old movies snuggled under wool blankets,
 listening to music, cooking and eating
 together.
:)


...and also time to think.


...and plan...


...and pray.


Perhaps it's the time of year, the change of seasons...
the loss of my Mom...still so hard to believe...
the fact that my children are grown with lives of their own...

...that has made me pause to think about life...
...and what lies ahead.


...perhaps it's just the rain quieting down my mind.
....all in a good way...


...to help me appreciate all that I have been given.



A glimmer of understanding....
...a hope...
...a momentary release of feeling the need to try so hard...


It is not all up to me.


Learning to trust...
...to let it be...


Choosing to love...
...to just be in the moment.

Hope your week is going well.
Thanks for stopping by!

What am I grateful for today?
God's beautiful handiwork
and opportunities to listen to the quiet voice inside.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Pale Pumpkin-Gourds



The little farmer's market up here at the lake yielded some wonderful white pumpkins and 
little white pumpkin-like gourds this year.

 Delightful!


I have been having fun arranging them...





Here...they are lined up in the giant French baking tin
 I bought from Jackie at Brimfield.





Fall fun!

It's been cool and raining for two days here at the lake.

Warm soup, fresh bread, several naps and lots of reading.
Restful...
...but getting restless.
Hope the sun comes out soon!

Enjoy your weekend...whatever the weather!
:)

Linking up with Jennifer Rizzo's Impromptu Fall Party
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2012/10/welcome-to-fabulous-fall-impromptu.html

What am I grateful for today?
Warm wool socks!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Taken For Granite in September 2012


Taken For Granite is one of those shops I always
 make sure to stop in when I am in Connecticut.
(If you have been following along for a while you already know this!)
 It is located in Stony Creek which is a section of Branford
 and is famous for the Thimble Islands in the Long Island Sound.
 Because of its idyllic location Michele has created an ambiance
 that reflects the sea and natural elements in the area.
It is a most relaxing experience to browse through this beautiful shop and see unique gifts and decor creatively displayed in inspirational vignettes.


We started outside in the patio area...





Inside we found beautiful and unusual costume jewelry... 


I took tons of photos...
....instead of me prattling on...
...have a look...enjoy!
























...are you still with me?


























I could do all my Christmas shopping here.
In fact...I might!

...can't wait to see Michele's spectacular Christmas displays! 
(remember last year?)

Well...tomorrow I'm off to spiff up my little booths
 at Schoolhouse Treasures...
 ...and then to the lake for the last autumn days
 before we close up for the season.
(...boo hoo...I hate to close up...)

Hope your week is going well!
:)

What am I grateful for today?
wonderful friends...all over the world