ALL THE PRETTY PUMPKINS

Tami and Jake in the pumpkin patch

It's a wonderful time of the year.  The leaves are starting to drop and there is a freshness about the air.

It's still warm enough during the day and the mornings are just perfect for attending to chores or for a brisk walk.  The nights are starting to cool down and we will soon add another quilt to the bed.

The season is changing and so are our spirits, as we slowly wind down from the hectic pace of summer and embrace the coming of autumn.

"The summer morn is bright and fresh, the birds are darting by/As if they loved to breast the breeze that sweeps the cool clear sky."

William Cullen Bryant

Meanwhile, there are a few changes in the decor of the Cottage.  Not much yet, just a few small ones that will carry on until Halloween and then additions will be made as a new celebration is begun, then back to the more simple ways again until Thanksgiving.

"Share my harvest and my home."

Thomas Hood from "Ruth"

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a home grown tomato."

Lewis Grizzard, author and comedian

"We drank tea again yesterday with the Tilsons, and met the Smiths.

I find all these little parties very pleasant."

Jane Austen, April 18, 1811

from correspondence to her beloved sister, Cassandra

"By all these lovely tokens, September days are here.  With summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer."

Author Unknown

In picture: Brent and Jake at the pumpkin patch

"Live in each season as it passes: breath the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit."

Henry David Thoreau

"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace, as I have seen in one autumnal face."

John Donne

"It's such responsibility having a minister's family to tea.  I never went through such an experience before.  You should just see our pantry.  It's a sight to behold...We're going to have two kinds of Jelly...and three kinds of cookies, and fruit-cake, and Marilla's famous yellow-plum preserves that she keeps especially for ministers, and pound cake and layer cake, and biscuits as aforesaid;..."

L. M. Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables"

"For all my days,

Seasons shall bloom

In memory..."

Eileen Soper

The garden is opening her pods and dropping her seeds into the earth for renewal.  There is, however, one tenacious little flower that refuses to give up.  Each morning a burst of bright purple and blue continues it's climb over the sparse stems of the waning garden, sitting in the sun and giving all who care to look, a lesson in carrying on.

And as the tiny flutterbys and busy bees continue to dart from one remaining drop of sweetness to another...

...Mother Nature is on the verge of a costume change...

...This just might be her 'Sunday Best'....Judy

I sharing all these pretty pumpkins with:

Primp Your Pumpkins

Wow Us Wednesday

What's It Wednesday

Feathered Nest Friday

THIS GAMBLER'S CHOICE

Tami at the age of 5

"You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run.

You never count your money when your're sittin' at the table, there'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done."

Kenny Rogers, "The Gambler"

You will remember that I told you that I won $188.04 when we were camping at Jackson Rancheria.  Tami asked me where the 4 cents came in.  Maybe because I was playing a penny machine?  Anyway, my choice was to go on a shopping spree - garage sale style!

A little crocheted basket to hang on a door knob.

Two little bisque (?) dogs and hunting dog post card.  Might be a cute photo-op for Father's Day.

Thought this was so sweet. Another photo-op for Christmas.

Children's bedtime story book of a favorite Christmas story.  Cute pictures inside.

A tiny tin dish from a child's play set.  Goes up with the other Kiddie Cookery items above the stove.

Just loved the picture on this sheet music.

I think this little gal is exquisite.  I'm assuming she was salt to someone elses pepper.  Wish I knew who.

I love little bottles like these.  Great to show off a Cecil Brunner bloom or a violet.

This is a very shabby, but cute chicken that will be added to the coop.

These little pictures with quotes are another of my collections. It's missing the glass but that's an easy fix. I only buy them if they are really cheap.

This dresser scarf has the same lady on the other end but it is damaged. I think I will use this end as an embellishment on a pillow for the guest bed. She will be much prettier when her wrinkles are gone.

Love the silhouette on the birthday card and the sewing book and sewing machine advertising card will be great additions to my craft room that we hope to start soon in one of the Cottage sun porches.

I was thrilled beyond words when I spotted this valance.  A just right ruffle to go around a pillow made out of left over fabric from the kitchen sink skirt.

Couldn't pass this spread up for my guest bed.  Didn't really want to keep the pink so used Rit Color Remover but it didn't work.  So will see if I like it as is.

I think I will like this pillow for Christmas.  We'll see when the time comes.

I have had this little pink lamp hanging around for ages.  Always hoped to find a shade to fit.  And, boy howdy, I did.  Just love it.  So cute.

Beautiful small transferware lid, in perfect condition, except for the missing bottom.  No worries, hang it on the wall.  Pretty as a picture.

Sweet celluloid clock doesn't work but, heck, it was too cute to pass up and it will be  right on time twice a day anyway.

I think I am collecting these little wax candle figures.  I didn't know I was but over time I've picked up a few, so guess that makes a collection.

I love toys and little things.  Could you tell?  I couldn't leave this sad little guy sitting on the shelf.  Doesn't his face just scream, pick me, pick me? Of course, his little friend just had to come along also.

I thought this was such a pretty goblet.  There was only one, a set would have been nice, but will look pretty used as a vase or when one might dine solo.

Just love this country garden basket.  Good color, sturdy, and in good shape.  Thought it might be just the thing to show off some of my dried hydrangeas.

Pretty serving dish.  Can't read the mark, it's quite worn off, but can make out 'porcelain'.  Too bad the knob is broken off the lid, and one handle is missing, but think they can be hidden when used in a photo in the spring with violets or lilacs.

This is a pretty autumn display piece.  Mark is CFH with a line under and GDM under that line.  Haven't got a clue what that means.

This is a really chippy little Dutch girl and I thought she paired up pretty nicely with the little wooden tray.  Guess she could be touched up a bit?? On her face.  Another great photo-op come tulip time.

Set of four melamine dessert cups.  No fine china here, but cute pattern and would compliment a good chocolate pudding.

I was thrilled to find my most favorite story.  I have a quite old edition in hard cover but this one has very cute illustrations.

Well, that's what I reaped after one day of junking.  Oh, I'm sorry, I meant to tell you what I paid for each item.  After I had my hands full of a few things, I asked the lady if she had a box or a bag that I could put them in.  Once I have chosen an item, I will NEVER put it aside in a pile somewhere.  I did that once and someone else came along and made off with everything I had, so that will never happen again.  This is serious business.

She gave me a large shopping bag and I continued shopping.  Some pieces were marked and some were not.  I just figured I could put those pieces back that I felt were too expensive.  I just hoped they were not ones that I really loved.  So she looked in the bag and said....WAIT FOR IT, WAIT FOR IT...."Oh, you can have it all for $8.00."...That's right $8.00.  I was so polite and said thank you very much and ran all the way home..

P.S.  Did I mention that the sale is right next door to the Cottage.  This lady was a real hoarder (please don't say the pot is calling the kettle black) and her family is selling everything off bit by bit.

That leaves $180.04 in the kitty.  Oh, #*@$, not really.  My sister had a sale that weekend also and I bought a 'few' things.  I guess that means the dealin' is done!  

Stay tuned for that story later...Judy

I will be sharing the loot with:

Make It Pretty Monday