THE STRANGER...

Hi Everybody: 

Just was notified 

that we may lose power again tomorrow 

so am putting out my post now, 

while I can.

Enjoy!

I know I said 
the Cottage Witch
 would not be joining us
 this October month 
but in light (no pun intended) 
of the stranger that was 
found in our midst,
 her expertise could not be avoided.

 I will let her 
tell you the story 
in her own words...

THE STRANGER

Once upon a time

On a cold October eve

A stranger came

Asking at the door

The hour was late
No one yet knew their fate
Still the stranger kept
Asking for more

The lights had turned dark
Everything looked the same
Only a sliver of path
Could be seen

It was down this small path
That the stranger advanced
Like a moth being
Led to a flame

As he knocked on the glass
It was obviously clear
What he wanted
Was something to eat

He kept touching his mouth
And the ones from inside
Were left wondering if 
They were his treat

The stranger moved on
No one knew where he went
Or why our Cottage 
Was picked

In years to come
When the question is asked
The answer might be
You were tricked!


The Cottage Witch



Has this stranger 
ever come to your town?

 I had never seen
his likes around here before.

  Is he a praying mantis, 
do you think?
  
The Cottage Witch is smart, 
but she doesn't know everything. 
(but you never heard that from me)

On a lighter note, 
I did paint yet another Santa. 
What's with the flag you ask,
 you will find out 
at Christmas.

...Judy...



P.S.
  
The Cottage Witch is smart after all.

 She just googled our stranger and 
it is, indeed, a praying mantis.

 It is sometimes called 
a spiritual insect and 
holds a meaning of peace.

 The Chinese say
 that if one is found in your home
 the angels are watching over you. 
That sounds good to me, 
just so they watch
 from afar.

Yes, Virginia,
it is safe to
 open the door now.



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A GIFT THAT KEPT ON GIVING...

Tami and Tim 

always give such great gifts and

 what they picked out

 for our anniversary last week 

was no exception.

 On Tuesday afternoon,

 just after I had put out my blog post,

 a box appeared,

 as if by magic,

 on our front porch.  

(You've got to love Amazon too!) 

There were six of these 

beautiful solar lacy globes inside. 

 We took them out

 to the screened porch and

 put them together, and 

as we were walking back through 

the darkened bedroom 

we saw this...

Such beautiful 

shapes and lights 

being thrown around the room. 

 We were excited 

to place them out

 to absorb more sunlight and 

could hardly wait 

until it got dark.

When night came, 

they looked so pretty 

lined up along the front walkway.  

When it was time for bed

 we debated whether to leave them 

outside all night 

as we have had other pretties stolen 

from the yard in the past. 

 We decided

 to turn them off and 

put them up 

on the porch.

At a little after 3:00 AM 

I was awakened by the smoke detectors

 that always let off a beep 

when the power goes off.

  

Sure enough,

 we were a part of the 

"Great PG&E Shut-off" 

in case of bad weather. 

 Our power was off 

for approximately sixty-two hours - 

and not a sign of bad weather 

anywhere around us.  

Most businesses were out and 

are up in arms 

because of the money they lost 

for no apparent reason.

I'm just guessing

 a better plan will be made

 for the next time, and 

we are told,

 there will be

 a next time.

Anyway, 

in came the pretty lanterns and,

 at least, 

we had some illumination until bedtime.

  A beautiful and thoughtful gift

 that came at a time 

when it was most needed.

Thank you, Tami and Tim, 

they are so pretty 

and much appreciated.

Once the power came back on,

 I was in the mood for 

some light decorating and 

put together a small table setting 

of thanks and gratefulness.

I did get one more Santa done. 

 I think he is quite

 the pretty fellow.

"My kingdom 

for a spot of sun"

No matter how uncomfortable!

Now, 

I need to catch up on 

the news of the days, 

my favorite TV shows and 

all of you.

 Whoever said 

that you never miss things 

until you don't have them, 

knew what they 

were talking about.

You have been 

looking at some of the 

simple beauty that is fall

 around our garden.

May there be light and 

an abundance of 

greatfulness for everyone.

...Judy...

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HOW DO YOU KNOW IT'S OCTOBER?...

You know it's October when..

simple grocery store blooms 

are the prettiest 

they have ever been.

You know when..

a trip to Tuesday Morning 

gives you big ideas for

Thanksgiving and Christmas.

You know when..

a bowl of hot soup 

is the best 

you've ever tasted 

(recipe to follow).

You know when..

you watch (blurry) squirrels 

bouncing walnuts 

off of the 

neighbor's tin roof.

I never thought I would be able to say this but, this particular Santa, I drew and painted all the details myself. I did trace around the figure but the details are all my own free hand!

You know when..

you have painted 

the last of the Santa's 

(maybe) and...

...one more 

for the autumn kitchen.

You definitely know when..

you let the dogs out, 

for the last time of the day, and 

the scent of

wood smoke 

is all around you.

 You also know it is October when...

The leaves are changing.

You are humming Christmas songs.

Hallmark Christmas movies are about to start.

When you are pulling Christmas decorating magazines out of the cupboards... 

...and pumpkins

 aren't the only ones 

wearing sweaters.

Another reason

 we know it is October

 because today is our wedding anniversary. 

 Can you imagine 
those two young country bumpkins (above)
 are 59 years older today? 

 Happy Anniversary 

to my very dear best friend,

 The Captain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Recipe for
Chunky Potato Soup:

You really need to try this soup.

  It is so yummy and 

certainly hits the spot 

on a cool autumn evening. 
 The potatoes cook up so smoothly,
 leaving small chunks for texture. 
 Reheat without adding 
any additional liquid.

2 cups water

2 chicken bouillion cubes

3 cups cubed, peeled potatoes

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup thinly sliced celery

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 cups milk, divided

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon chopped chives

1.  In a 3-quart saucepan, 

over medium heat, combine water, 

bouillion cubes, potatoes, onion, celery,

 salt and pepper. 

 Bring to a boil. 

 Reduce heat, 

cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes

 or until potatoes are tender.

2.  Add 1-3/4 cups milk. 

 Combine flour with remaining milk, 

stir to form a smooth paste, 

add to soup, stirring constantly. 

 Bring to a boil,

 boil and stir for 2 minutes 

or until thickened and bubbly.

3.  Add a small amount of 

hot liquid to sour cream, 

stir to mix.  

Gradually add to soup,

 stirring constantly,

 heat through but do not boil.

4.  Add parsley and chives 

just before serving. 

 Yield 4-6 servings.

Be sure to add the parsley and chives. 

 They give it a really fresh taste.

 I don't know where I got this recipe,

 maybe even from one of you, 

but no matter.  

It is so good.

I am almost finished reading
 The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.

I have to say that 
I am really enjoying it.

 It almost has an element of 
The Secret Garden to it, 
but that story was for our childhood,
 this story is for those of us 
who have grown up 
but still like to go back and 
visit once in awhile.


Enjoy the wonderful autumn days.

...Judy...

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