One Last Round

As I sit here listening to one of the roosters crow....yes when you get a straight run of broilers, you get multiple roosters, I am wrapped in a blanket.  Overnight it seems we have transitioned from late August to October.  Though fall is my absolute favorite season, I cannot bring myself to turn on the heat before mid-September!  Hints of winter predictions to come?  Possibly.  It does, less than subtly, announce the gardens end.  It has produced well for us and now that the plants are all dying back, there is a certain catharsis in final harvests, clearing out, and putting the beds each down for a long, well earned, nap.  One last round of salsa and a final go at sweet corn will only leave applesauce for later this month, so two of the three canners that have cluttered the kitchen will also be tucked away.  I may not quite be ready for the dramatic cool, but it does feel good to wrap up in a flannel shirt, step outside, and fill my lungs with crisp air.  Here is to a VERY long Fall!

Happiness Is....

......being able to capture a shot in the two minutes that the early fall light looks like this in my kitchen.

I See You

This giant beauty was situated on our screen door this morning.  Its mate was directly adjacent to it on the eve.

It was so serene, and did not seem to mind my photo shoot.  I tried to get a shot from the side to better capture its legs.

When I loaded the photos, this one seemed to say....I see you!  Happy Thursday!!

Sunday Supper On The Porch

A long awaited gentle, soaking rain could never put a damper on a Sunday supper on the porch.

 Gentle breezes, grey skies and muted hues that suggest fall sneaking in.  The house was filled with the sounds of multiple conversations happening in unison coupled with the intricate tango that was the children's laughter, at times halted by animated discussion as they each negotiate their way, and then laughter again. 

Slow food; fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, cheesy grits, pepper pot, wine and conversation flowing freely. 

While enjoying the soft, meditative sounds of rain, that drew pause in the conversation, I reflected upon how lucky we truly are.  These are the moments that bring life back into perspective.

Feeding My Soul

Shorter days, that bring twilight at supper time.
Crisp mornings that glaze the surroundings with droplets of dew.
Soft breezes begin to coax the trees of their heavy  burdens,
swirling  leaves just tinged with color to our feet.
Windows flung wide open welcoming.
 Fresh apples, full of the promise, just waiting to be transformed.
The garden's gift, wrapped in hard work, with a bow tied by mother nature's elements.
This, the beginning of Fall, a season that feeds my soul.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful:

:: that the insurance company is going to cover the loss of our radiology unit due to last weeks storm.

:: we can pick pint fulls of blackberries and are enjoying every mouth-watering bite.

:: for lemonade stands and making lemonade out of lemons.

:: the humidity has eased into crisp mornings followed by warm days.

:: we leave on vacation in two days!

What are you thankful for this week?? If you don't blog, leave a comment here or on my facebook page. Thanks to MissBuckle for inspiring this exercise :)