Amish Country.....

On Saturday my friend Edna and I went off on an adventure..........well to me getting out of the house these days is an adventure. We went to Scottville. A very small town in the southern regions, well maybe more middle regions of Michigan but on the coast. Well anyway it was away from here. The day started out sunny. We had expected storms. Well it did get overcast but remained quite nice considering. So we headed down to Amish Country. I love old barns and we saw this one on the way


There is a store down near Bear Lake that Edna loves and now I do too. Been there several times now. It is run by Amish people and so the products are awesome. It smelled wonderful because Saturday is baking day, but I didn't buy that this time. Last time I got butter, ooooooh boy. I can't do that again, I ate it too quickly. It's so good. A couple of weeks ago when we went to see Nancy I got butter and cheese. Two of my favourite things. This time I bought Tristen some wooden puzzles (hand made) and some pickles. I also bought some cook books and a skillet. There is so much there, so many great things. I love to buy the herbs as well as dairy. This is not my picture but this is what we saw last time we were here

The trees were bare of leaves but full of apples.

They were thick on the floor

We had a look inside the little one room cabin that was for sale. The people there make wonderful things. I stood inside and planned it all out where everything would go and how cozy it would be.

Across the road was a quilt shop so this is always a good place for us to stop. We continued on to our destination. A craft store of sorts that sells things for bargain prices. We had lunch in a small cafe and looked at the antiques in another part of another variety store we went to. We found another quilt shop and although I didn't buy fabric I bought a tea set that was on display. Could not resist. It was more of a chocolate set I think. White with small rose buds 4 cups, a teapot, sugar and creamer. Cute as a button. I also found a glass flower vase organizer, you know those things with holes in them that help you arrange flowers nice. Do not know what they are called. I would take pictures but its too dark now.
All in all a nice day out. We miss Nancy but we sure didn't run out of things to say. We stopped in at The Pig Patch, another favourite quilt shop before heading home.

It was raining by the time we got home but I carried a box full of goodies into the house. A great day out and certainly relaxing.

First Snow............

We have had a few dustings of snow but today it has stayed. Well its sort of slush now but its cold and so is slick on the roads. I can not believe the number of accidents last night.
So in my garden is a dusting of the stuff and Tristen was eager to get out in it.

So off he goes, no gloves and no socks. Just his coat and shoes. Look at those fingers

Frozen roses


Next he tries his snow pants and a hat.........by the way, he was told to stay inside and so he is sneaking off to do this. I am watching from the open window.

He wont come in to dress properly he says he has to clear the path

The Blue Jays are back

There are plenty of grapes for the birds. They are looking pretty good.

Its hunting season so I hate to see any snow on the ground to make tracking easier for anyone. Its inevitable though......it is November after all.

Berries for the Birds...........

If the number of berries this year is any indication then I am thinking it might be a harsh and maybe long winter. I sure hope not. I am not ready for winter.

The Robins love the Mountain Ash and there must be a lot this year because we still have a lot on our tree, the Robins must have loads to choose from.

The Holly is full of berries, I am not sure who likes to eat those but the small birds love the Deadly Nightshade, hmmmm I wonder why it does not harm them?

The the Rose Hips and Haws.........those can make great tea and other good things.

The birds really have not been too busy at the feeders yet .....must be loads of food out there for them at right now. Won't be long though. I have filled up the feeders, I know they will soon need the seeds and other foods. Once they begin to come back I will put out suet and other goodies but not yet.

Autumn Leaves.....

Leaves.....

"How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow."
- Elsie N. Brady,

Colours................

The Winter is on the horizon, I see it coming. Snow in the forecast............we had a great trip downstate to visit a friend and the colours were at about the peak. Its been raining since getting home so they wont last much longer.


Such brilliant colours. Remind me next year to be sure to plant some Kale and some of these



This is a small memorial garden in Blanchard


Beautiful colours


Enjoy whats left of the Autumn........I love for Indian summer to come yet..........I need a nice weekend with some blue sky to go to the beach again.

Countryside in October...........

What a beautiful day for October. A beautiful day for any time of the year really. We took a drive out to a local farm market. Gallaghers. Since having Tristen with us we have enjoyed going there. He loves the animals but likes the activity more.

Driving by orchards still laden with fruit.


The signs of Autumn

My favourite tree

Some lovely farms

The Sunflowers are all done, but this kind was still happy and blooming

Lovely Oak leaves

The beach was beautiful, quiet and warm. Gentle waves washing up stones. Didn't have time to look for pretty ones so just took pictures for today


Maple leaves are dramatic


We met a cute little bug

The colours are not at the peak yet so I hope we don't loose a lot before they all drop. I would like another weekend out getting pictures.

It's October...............

Nothing going on in the garden right now........but......the leaves are changing. Its looking pretty out on the street. I am hoping that I can get out with the camera on a sunny day before the snow flies. That can be any day now. Its happened in September before now. I am hoping for a very long Fall though.

The Holly and Mountain Ash have loads of berries this year. More on the Holly than I have ever seen so far. Is that a bad sign? I sure hope not.

I have changed out the front porch. It was blue and white for Summer. This is the Fall look. I used an old quilt to cover the bench. The cat enjoys naps on the porch. I have a box of stuff to drag up from the basement yet so I am not quite finished yet



I am not too happy with the bench just yet but until I find out what else I have downstairs this will do for now. Meanwhile I was amazed at the number and variety of bees out on the Asters.

I do love bees. I must learn the differences. I intend to do that.





The autumn leaves drift by my window
The autumn leaves all red and gold
I see your lips
The summer kisses
The sunburned hand I used to hold
But since you went away
the days grow long
and soon now hear a winter song
But now I miss you most of all
My darling
And autumn leaves are starting to fall
The autumn leaves drift by my window
The autumn leaves all red and gold
I'll see your lips
The summer kisses
The sunburned hands I used to hold
But since you went away
the days grow long and soon now hear
a winter song
I miss you most of all
My darling
When autumn leaves start to fallSung by Frank Sinatra..............