Goodnight, September! . . .

I just kinda love this shot and wanted to use it again now.

(-:

Here comes October...again...

Sometimes it's just striking to me how quickly time really does fly. This September was surely one of those months for me. We were half way through it before I blinked and then, whoosh, it's over. The busy, school year life certainly does move things along, that's for sure!

An Armful of Autumn . . .

I was bound and determined to get these guys down before they all went to seed in my front garden. I may have been a few days late as a good number of seeds were scattered at clipping, but there were soooo many yellow petals left, I couldn't bring myself to chop!

Black-Eyed Susans, chopped and laid on a heap in the driveway.

I suppose it's true, many think of them as weeds.

But I've been enjoying them so far in my front garden and I do weed their babies mercilessly. 

Liv thought I needed a "portrait" photo!

Loving the autumn yard right now...when I have a chance to get into it.

Friday is pumpkin harvest day if no rain, October 1st! Yay!

And, btw . . . in my cursory search, I couldn't find any mention whatsoever of who Susan is or why she's involved at all in this plant name! I mean, why in the world aren't these flowers called Black-Eyed Olafs? (-:

What is the origin of black eyed Susan?

The Black Eyed Susan or Rudbeckia Hirta's history starts in North America. The flower originated there and was brought to Europe in the 1700s. Legendary botanist Carl Linnaeus named them in 1753 after his mentor Olaf Rudbeck.

Happy Sunday! . . . It was a stunningly beautiful day today . . .

And I have nary a picture to prove it, wow!

I have this though . . .  

Ahhh, that beautiful Lake Superior shoreline.

Kate's been sending some great pics of the shore recently on her trip up.

I've been struck by the book of Titus lately as it's popping up on my Bible App readings.

This week, might I suggest, giving it a read through?

It's only three chapters and it's again the Apostle Paul writing, this time to his friend Titus.

So, there we have it, this week's challenge, read Titus!

Wish I had more to say, but just did a lot of running around after church for William's activities and did some shopping with Liv so I just enjoyed this beautiful day each time we got in and out of the car, ha!  I think we're probably all still basking in the journey of the Turkeys from yesterday's post so it's probably just fine that we bid ourselves adieu...

OH...WAIT!!!

I'll be right back...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Ok, I'm back!

(-:

I forgot I got green-lighted for this little series of pics to send to big sis.

This gal picked out this new shirt today, she is in a major retro kick and LOVES this shirt!

Who ever would have guessed!

The boys had SOOOOO many hot wheels growing up, and the Easter Bunny often put one in their baskets, and L's too. Wonder if that's the connection for her.

Anyway, have a delightful week to come, maybe even while reading Titus!

A Saturday Photo Journal . . . possibly too many wild turkeys . . .

This morning began on the slower side.

Delightful I must say.

It was very rainy, Liv and William gone (not delightful), no sports.

I should have painted the bathroom, but I posted more giveaways on my Nextdoor app (I'm in a big purge mode) and tried to get a couple sales. Almost made a sale but never had the second reply. 

We shall see.

Was doing some computer work and this and that when I saw my new neighbor drive unusually slowly in front of her house (which is really Eva's house...and prior to my 1999 arrival, Eva and Armond's house...dear Eva passed away this past July at age 89, my story with Eva is long and delightful as well).

Well, having done my best Gladys Kravitz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcTAmrs45Fg it was time for me to head outside to see why all the slow driving!

Eva's house and wild turkeys!

The guard turkeys watching over the house. (-:

My favorite shot!

I went in and out of the house a couple times for the various stages of pics. I'd think I was done and then, would head out again and they'd still be there. I have an unusually LARGE amount of wild turkeys on my camera roll after today! My sister is contemplating hosting her first Thanksgiving this year, I offered to grab her one! 

Hahaha!

My morning quickly moved by and as I was prepping lunch to get off to swimming my eye caught this lovely little windowsill statement. Every single thing about his picture brings me joy.

Blue Sky

Fluffy Clouds

Heart Rocks

White Zinnia

Perfume Vase

UP Shore Rocks

Miniature Porcelain Basket filled with UP rocks from my Grandma Celia's garagesaling finds in my parent's basement.

I am in fact trying to purge more than I bring in. (-:

Went to swim at 2:15p.m....found pool closed for unexplained reason.

Bummed.

Proceeded to do five hours of yard work.

A large branch fell off a tree earlier this week.

That needed chainsawing, thanks to my brother J for help.

Lots of raking, lawn mowing (double mow back yard in reverse pattern since I had time and all this rain made for loonngg grass) weed wacking (it'd been a few weeks), leaf/grass blowing.

Read Bible App readings on garden bench with achy body.

Washed these beets earlier today during a water break and got to roasting them at around 9:30pm. with some small red onions that never grew big for some reason, a partial head of garlic and green onions from the patio pott.

And, I watched TV!

I think I watch TV maybe 5 times a year, ha!

Not because I'm better than anyone else, just that most of my viewing time is done on a computer or ipad. I usually pick 8-10 minutes segments of cooking, politics, travel,  to watch on youtube, but I will say that I've been sucked into cooking, gardening and parenting humor on tiktok as well. Funny to me how far down on the list watching TV is!  Tonight I found a PBS show, based in England, about an author who wrote might have been the first romance novel ever, Pamela, written in the early 1900's. I've never been one for romance novels, but this show caught my interest as the show was not entirely on this topic, first it was about proprieties and marriage and such in those years and they were talking about a publication of letters that people could choose to use depending upon their needs. They wouldn't write their own letter, they would use one from this book. One of the letters was the impetus for the author's book, Pamela. So, a two hour British show commenced. I LOVE a British accent and the slow, quiet pace of the the show so it was perfect. Oh, and I got to see the end of the UM game against Rutgers during a water break as well, good game!

The book was a million and a half words I think they said, and someone shrunk it down to be told in the twelve pictures these two were looking at. Interesting! 

My TV area may need a little decorating help!

Shrugging emoji here.

(-:

During the TV and roasting beets part of the night, William called to ask if he could go to his very close friend's, who happens to be a girl, church tomorrow, instead of going to church with me and Livia and then proceed to retell his day's adventures, at the mall, walking downtown for sushi and more. We had such a nice conversation about many more things even. He has always been such a receptive listener and sharer. His phone call was by far the best part of the day! 

💜

What do Kids from 1955 and Kids in 2021 Have in Common??? . . .

Converse High Tops!

And specifically, black Converse High Tops!

Yup . . . 

Livia's G-pa wore this very shoe at age 9 in 1955 just as Livia now wears her many years later replica at age 11 in 2021. They finally arrived yesterday.

The longevity of this shoe is really stunning to me.

I had a baby blue pair in high school.

Lara wore them growing up.

As did William.

Mostly all were black, a couple white, some low-tops though most high and even a pair of red sequins once (yes...the younger Livia who wore splash colors, although they were imitations, I have them blogged somewhere but a quick scan didn't pull them up.).

For fun, try to guess how long it took me to spell . . . sequins, haha!

Finally, I had a first at swimming this morning!

Oh, perhaps you're thinking a record breaking time or length of swim? Well...no, not quite...the first today was that I forgot my shampoo and had to wash my hair with bar soap, haha!  In all these years of swimming (I believe around 25 years) I find it quite amazing that I've never forgotten shampoo and had to resort to washing my hair with my bar soap! And while my hair certainly has a special scent to it today, haha, it sure seems clean!

AND . . . 

Whoa, wait up! As I was putting Liv to bed tonight I was dating a reading we were doing and said out loud, "Hey it's 9/21/21!" to which she replied...and I kid you not...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs069dndIYk

Monday . . .

LOVE

 

Happy Sunday! . . . Let's enjoy the fruits of our labor! . . .

Even the smallest handfuls of these sweet berries have been a great delight this late summer. I started a red raspberry bush and a blackberry bush this summer and am really enjoying the fruits of my labor...so to speak. (-:

As it says in Psalm 128, 

I pray that you...

128:2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; 

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

Psalm 128

1. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! 2. You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 3. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. 5. The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! 6. May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you this week and all your weeks to come!

My million dollar paycheck in the form of sidewalk chalk . . .

I set sidewalk chalk out for waiting piano students this week.

And, if you look very closely, you can see that one of them . . . 

Loves their Pino Teacher!!

😊💗😊💗😊💗

Wednesday night - Thursday morning . . .

"Our" farm field on my way to pick up William from marching band practice. 

Was just striking to me!

And Then . . .

Thursday morning in my garden, ahhhhhh.

(-:

Thursdays I teach from home and I

LOVE IT!

Observations at a certain stage of life . . .

Readers!

First Observation: I am at the stage where I'll be needing to get another pair of readers to leave downstairs at the laundry. It was a slight jolt to the system tonight acknowledging to myself after staring, squinting, putting it right under the lightbulb and holding it really faaarrrr away...that in fact...I could NOT for the life of me read the wash/dry directions on my new pants. I stopped for a moment to contemplate the meaning of life...hahaha...then had to go upstairs to get these. Eyeball rolling emoji.

Second Observation, which is really more of a reflection: As I walked down back down the stairs holding these here glasses, I reflected upon my time before Covid when I had a great time conducting a local retirement home's choir, average age likely 92 (Carl was 99 in my tenor section when he passed, Thelma was 94 at our last rehearsals, and so on). I recall that day when Katie came to choir, sat in her usual seat in the soprano section and took out her glasses...yes...the same ones as mine above! Yep, that's about right for me, hahaha...but I might add, Katie was super hip! (-:

Happy Sunday! . . . L.O.V.E. . . .

 

My friends were getting their new floor installed when this popped up!

Oh, I would've just LOVED that!

As it is though, after she texted me this incredible picture my reply was, "That is SO much better than the heart shape on my living room carpeting after Alli (our dog) threw up! So, So, So much better!!" 

💖💖💖💖💖

Another thing I LOVED today was being able to shove a little bunch of home grown fresh thyme in my zinnia vase after sprinkling some on some home grown roasted veggies I was bringing some new friends this evening. Just that simplest little thing literally stopped me in my tracks for a second to reflect on what a simple little joy that brought me. How thankful I felt to have these fresh herbs just outside my window, a sweet little perfume jar acting as a flower vase to set them in with a pretty zinina already there and heart rocks in the background.  Totally boring, eyeball rolling read I'm quite sure, but it was another moment that just stuck out to me as to how the simplest of simplest little things can bring a smile to my heart. That's all. And, I hope others can experience that. God has provided us so many, many amazing delights of scents, sounds, taste, visions and so much more on earth, but often they are missed amidst other distractions. I encourage you to be alert for all these simple delights that abound!

(-:

Hahaha...all that from a few sprigs of thyme tucked in a tiny vase on a windowsill!

And one more thing I loved today . . .

Liv and I unexpectedly found ourselves at a college volleyball game after the annual fall church picnic this afternoon. And wow, was that fun to watch and again I fully believe Livia will some day be actively recruited for a full scholarship to play volleyball somewhere, haha! We are definitely going back for the game when they play a team with a 6'8" player later this season. I heard she's basically at the net dominating the entire game. Should be interesting!

Fun and unexpected afternoon!

Wishing you a simply delightful week to come!

A Wednesday calm before the storm . . .

Ahhhh . . . .

This fall is slow, bit by bit start to teaching with Wednesdays taken up next week, but not this week.

(-:

I meandered the gardens, swatting the mosquitos in the Fend For Yourself Garden still, but was looking for a haul that could contribute to a veggie lasagna. I've got more yellow squash and eggplant hanging around too...and LOOK...I actually grew a green pepper!  I've got a few more out in the FFYG, but they're on the smaller side and I wouldn't mind seeing if they'll turn into red peppers. We shall see!

Oh, hear ye, hear ye . . . 

The pumpkin patch is actually thriving quite nicely now, gonna have a couple nice BIG ones come October!

Oh, hear ye, hear ye again . . . 

Was just informed today that Lara purchased herself an indoor olive tree!! I can't wait to see how that goes because I'll tell you what...I can NOT believe an indoor olive tree has NOT been on my radar all these years. You better believe if she produces even one little, dinky olive...I will absolutely have one shipped to my nearest Tractor Supply Store!! Haha...yeah, I was surprised too learning that was one of the delivery sites!

Mesmerizing! . . .

9:37 p.m. (roughly)

Me to William: "Sometimes I walk through this place and I'm just mesmerized!"

William in response: "They don't know how to make noodles, they say to put the sauce packet in after cooking the noodles."

😂

Then I proceed to take a couple pics of my mesmerizing moments to quick post, then I begin typing the title of said post and retype the title about seven different ways before googling the spelling because, apparently, mesmerizing doesn't start meZmer...hahaha!

Eyeball rolling emoji!

Hahaha!

There are hardships and then there are Hardships . . .

This post is a lower-case hardship, not, an upper-case Hardship.

Thank goodness!

(-:

These here GIGANTIC pickling cucumbers continue to be a lower-case hardship for me. You see, I walk the close-to-the-house garden at the very least once a day, maybe skip a day ever so rarely, and peak inside those cucumber vines looking for cukes on every occasion. Always wondering, "where in the world are they?" And then, wham-o!  I find a GIGANTIC  pickling cucumber hiding, and waaayyy to thick and long to be enjoyable anymore, I love to grow the pickling cucumber for its size, for its crisp and crunchy bite and great, snackable size. But then, I find those sneaky guys hiding away, sucking up all the energy for producing multiple cukes I'm just sure and am left with no little, crisp, snackers!

Hmph!

This, has, been, a, hardship, for, me, this, summer!

Happy Sunday! . . . Zinnias. . .

 

Ahhh….

We’re getting back to cooler temps and less mosquitos.

I’m almost able to enjoy that space again.

Those zinnias went back to their spot on the kitchen table after this photo shoot.

My zinnias are back along the fend-for-yourself garden fence.

They’re not decorative, more utilitarian.

But I’m good with that, they’re a great splash of color out there and they fill my vases beautifully!

I also love that I moved those mum’s to this garden last year!

I’m blogging on my phone.

I don’t have much rhyme or reason today.

It’s 11:39pm, tired. (-:

But, I like to put up some of what brings me joy, so here we are!

My windowsill this afternoon.

Zinnias and hearts.

❤❤❤

Have a wonderful week to come!! 

Marching into September like . . .

That's mah boy!

(-:

It's a zoom in for sure.

I was doing my best not to be a hovering parent at her son's FIRST high school football game this past Thursday, haha. And, he gave me a cool little nod upon Liv and my arrival.  I signaled silently and as subtly as possible for a pic and got a big head shake "NO!" So, I backed off and just soaked in the fun atmosphere. And then, all of a sudden, before one even knew what hit them, in about 1.2 seconds, he turned, and beamed that there smile for his mom, who like a wild west shooter got her phone up in .5 seconds to capture the shot!

Got it!

(-:

Taking off for the march to the stadium. He's concentrating so much on lining up this feet, staying in step, staying in line...and doing a great job I might add...that he was a smidge late on the draw. Gotta start somewhere! Liv and I stayed through half time, as I usually do for the marching band kids, especially when their team is losing 42-0, but low and behold, whereas Liv and I were thinking it might be an 82-0 game by the end of it all, they held them at 42 for the entire second half and even got 7 themselves...I think it was 42, maybe 41...whichever one sounds like a more accurate football score, haha! Fun night and looking forward to three more this year!

Big B, Little b, Let's begin with B . . .

B

is

for

Beet!

Started these from seed in June.

Could have been harvesting some for a while but never got around to it.

Got around to it today and the results were out of this world!

Look how many beets I have to go!

I'm going to have beets well into late Fall, ya-hoo!!

Yes, another "Ugly Food" pic that defies it's looks by tasting amazing! (-:

Today was roasting whole, with skins on, wrapped in tin foil on a baking pan, rubbed in olive oil only at 425 for 1 hour.

I did nothing else to them seasoning wise, rubbed the skins off after they cooled, and just chomped them whole with my fork poked into it. I really honestly could not even cut them into slices or something, they really just begged to be chomped for a full rush of flavor, haha!  I could not even believe how outstanding they were so simply prepared. I also roasted a big batch of last week's green beans, a slew of cherry tomatoes, one tomatillo and a whole head of garlic. And then, zow-wee, who woulda guessed what squeezing some of that roasted garlic on one's beans and tomatoes (and one tomatillo, haha) was going to do. PEOPLE!!! Unbelievable. I kind of squished it all up and tried to get it smoothed out throughout the bean mixture. I can't even stand it! 

They were:

Breathtaking

Bountiful

Beautiful

Beyond

Bursting (with flavor)

the Best

Blissful

Brilliant

and maybe even

Beguiling!