HARVEST BLESSINGS...

"Give thanks with a grateful heart and harvest love."

Author Unknown

I would like to thank everyone who responded to my last posting with compassion, understanding and concern. 

 We all strive to contribute a certain amount of helpfulness and community, to the best of our ability through blogging,

 and when an outsider threatens to make it seem otherwise, 

they need to know that there is no place for their kind of deceit here.

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Our crepe myrtle tree has outdone itself this year. 

 At a certain time in the day,

 the shine from its crimson branches 

is breathtaking.

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Here are a few of the outstanding autumn displays

 around the Cottage and 

 around the town...

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The parlor mantle has changed scenes again.

  This time the harvest family is appropriately set among bounty 

that might have been harvested from a nearby field.

The addition of rosemary for remembrance

 of the blessings of the harvest

 and real bittersweet vines,

 which is the first I've ever seen.

A pretty harvest wreath

I made from unbleached coffee filters 

with the addition of some faux flowers and greenery.

A few pieces of china

 in the pattern "Olde English Countryside" by Johnson Bros.

 found at a garage sale.

This large jug was handed down through family 

starting with my great-grandfather. 

 The story goes that it was a vessel that carried tea 

when shipped to our country many years ago.

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Nightstand and Dresser Before..

Here are my latest painting projects.

  I think this dresser was originally what is known as Cottage style. 

 It was made of inexpensive wood and painted in pretty colors, some embellished with hand painted flowers. 

 When we acquired this piece about 35 years ago, it was painted blue,

 but because natural wood finishes were all the rage at that time,

 we stripped and stained it. 

 Now the time has come for a return to its roots, so to speak,

 and along with the nightstand, which was found at a yard sale and certainly not bought for its pedigree,

 but only for the functional shape and size to fit beside the bed,

 the guest bedroom is taking on a new personality 

and will be revealed in its entirety, at Christmas.

Dresser After..

Nightstand After..

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I feel so blessed to be able to live where I love, 

to be happy and healthy enough to enjoy all that is around me,

 and to have family and friends to count on.

It is a beautiful,

a blessed

time of the

year.

...Judy...

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