autumn

November Blessings

/ Rebecca / 20 Comments

Sometimes it is the simple, unexpected things that we encounter which fill our hearts with joy and make us thankful.

“True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.” ~E. S. Bouton

““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““`

The poem below holds significance as Thanksgiving approaches and November comes to an end.

November

November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late.
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing.
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.

~Clyde Watson

““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““`

Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good.
    His faithful love continues forever.
~Psalm 107:1 (NIrV)

Autumn Reflections

/ Rebecca / 17 Comments

Cypress trees reflected on the still waters of the lake.

“There is something more beautiful than a beautiful thing and that is a beautiful thing which has a beautiful reflection on the water.” ~ Mehmet Murat Ildan

Stepping Into Autumn

/ Rebecca / 16 Comments

Autumn is my favorite season of the year.  Stepping out into nature, breathing in the crisp, changing air, and observing the ever-changing surroundings inspire a feeling of thankfulness and joy.

“Every footstep into fall fills my soul with undying awe.” ~Angie Weiland-Crosby

Autumn Day on the Lake

/ Rebecca / 22 Comments

A beautiful, cloudless autumn day out on the lake. The needles of the Cypress trees are turning a rich orange-brown color, adding to the beauty of the landscape.

The water level was the lowest that I’ve ever seen it. You can tell by looking at the lines on the base of some of the Cypress trees where the water level normally is.

“Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love—that makes life and nature harmonize.”  ~George Eliot

Autumn Landscape

/ Rebecca / 14 Comments

In autumn, the temperatures gradually begin to cool. Plants dry up and scatter their seeds, berries ripen, and leaves turn into mosaic wonders. Insects soak up the sun’s warm rays. With all the colors and textures of autumn, it continues to be one of the most magical times of the year to me.

“If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then Autumn would be the magic hour.” ~Victoria Erickson

Fall Foliage

/ Rebecca / 12 Comments

Some sunny days have helped to accent the autumn leaves which are now popping in vivid yellows, oranges and reds.  This past week has been a great time to get out and enjoy the beauty that nature has on display.

“Fall has always been my favorite season.  The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”  ~Lauren Destefano

Golden Treasures

/ Rebecca / 14 Comments

Everywhere you look, nature is aglow with autumn’s golden hues.  These are some of the beautiful golden treasures that I have seen and appreciated over recent weeks.

… Life on earth is truly a gift
every moment we must treasure,
it’s the simple things we take for granted
that become our ultimate pleasures.
~Kathy J Parenteau

Seeing yellow

/ Rebecca / 3 Comments

Leaves aren’t the only yellow to be seen in autumn.  Here are a few others that I came across during September and October.

“It is the color closest to light. In its utmost purity it always implies the nature of brightness and has a cheerful, serene, gently stimulating character.  Hence, experience teaches us that yellow makes a thoroughly warm and comforting impression.  With yellow the eye rejoices, the heart expands, the spirit is cheered and we immediately feel warmed.  Many people feel an inclination to laugh when looking through a yellow glass.”  ~Johann von Goethe

Goldenrod and Soldier Beetles

/ Rebecca / 8 Comments

In autumn, the landscape is dotted with the vibrant golden-yellow blooms of goldenrod, a wildflower that grows in fields and along roadways.  One insect that is commonly attracted to goldenrod is the goldenrod soldier beetle, or Pennsylvania leatherwing.  Adult soldier beetles feed on the pollen and nectar, and forage along the flowers for insect eggs and aphids.  The flowers also serve as a place for them to meet and mate.

“There’s something about autumn that wakes up our senses and reminds us to live … ”  ~Unknown

Autumn Reflections

/ Rebecca / 11 Comments

A few weeks ago, my husband had a heart attack.  It was the last thing that we had expected.  He was only slightly overweight and at his last yearly checkup, all his tests had come back perfect.  Thankfully, he is doing well now and we are learning to adapt to a few life-style changes.  Times of crisis tend to cause you to reflect upon and appreciate the good things in your life and the people who are there for you during those times.

“If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It’s a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it’s time to reflect on what’s come before.”  ~Mitchell Burgess