Tis the Season for Fall Decor -- and Apple Bread!

It hardly seems possible that we are in the last week of October. What on earth happened to summer? It seemed winter went on and on and now we're looking toward it again. 

 

Life has been rather routine these days. I had a wonderful time with blogger Anno who came up to Lansing for lunch, enjoyed dinner with friends, went to a farewell dinner for a friend and had our WKAR retiree lunch. That, and an appointment with the Secretary of State's office to get my handicap permit and a long delayed skin check with the dermatologist (all is well), got me out of the house! Inside? I put up a few decorations (really cutting back this year) and have been prepping inventory for my upcoming sale.

Postcards From the Lake: That's All Folks!

Well, lake time is over for this kid. It was especially hard to leave this time. Rick and I had a wonderful ten days there, excellent weather, and even though I couldn't do much of what I'd hoped because of my foot, I still reveled in being at the lake and seeing fall emerge.

 

Above is the cottage from the road and below, looking from the back door toward the road and garage. The color soared in the past few days. 

Postcards From the Lake -- Sigh

October has arrived in all her glory! It may not be peak yet but it's still lovely!

 

After we dropped Rick's mom off at the airport, we continued to the lake for what will be my last visit of the season. (Rick will return for a final close in another week or so.) It was a terrific ride up, though for the most part the skies were more gray than blue.

Ambling through Old Photo Files: Autumn Images

Among the things I did to amuse myself during my (very cold) few days at the lake in early September while Rick was still on his cycling journey, was go through old photos on my computer and take a look at some I'd forgotten. I wanted to finish this post during my most recent visit -- but with no computer, it had to wait. But now, the first of several collections to pop up here in the future -- "Fall Favorites."

Near Charlevoix, Michigan

Postcards From the Lake: September Flies!

What happened to September? It's like a magician's trick -- Now you see it, now you don't! Well, we still have some time but boy, it's flying by!

 

I headed to the lake to welcome my new refrigerator. I suspected Rick might want to sit this trip out, having been away from his own home for so long. The new fridge is lovely and the delivery couldn't have been better. Right on time, two very strong guys managed to get it in without having to remove my heavy wooden door!

Postcards From the Lake: Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

There is nothing so hard for me as buttoning up the cottage and saying goodbye until next spring. Fortunately, our last couple of days brought some sunshine and dry weather. It was a good time for that last walk or two, putting away the outdoor things and the porch. I even managed lunch on the porch once or twice (albeit dressed in layers!).

Postcards From the Lake: Entering the Autumn Zone

After a few days of having a fire going in the fireplace from dawn till dusk, the cottage warmed up a bit. This was a good thing as the weather continued reminding us that in some things we have no control! Even when it wasn't raining, it looked as though it might. Word on the street was that we might get our temps up to 50 during the day here in our second week and there might even be sun (well, partly cloudy) on one of those days. Talk about crossing your fingers for luck!

Postcards From the Lake -- Autumn Walk

Signs of fall -- and no one can deny we aren't into fall -- are emerging and showing themselves on my lake walks. Early red leaves circle tree trunks.

 

Something Old, Something Tasty!

Sometimes there isn't a lot of new to share, especially since I'm trying to lay a little low these days. So I figured I'd look back on the old! Old photos, that is! I thought maybe I'd find a bit of inspiration in some images from years past. And, I thought I'd throw out a recipe or two!

Postcards From the Lake: A Fond Farewell and a Recipe

All good things come to an end. After all that glorious color, those crisp days and crispier nights, it was time to wrap up our summer -- and early fall -- at the lake.

For me, that meant a final trip to the farmer's market.

Postcards From the Lake: And You Thought I Was Done with Color

In my last post, I took you along with Rick and me for a color ride. We had such a wonderful time checking out the fall color near the cottage -- and it was just getting better and better!

So, when my friend Susan called and said she was coming to Gaylord, we decided to do another color tour.

Postcards From the Lake: A Fall Color Tour

Our year at the lake has drawn to a close. The house is buttoned up for the winter, the car stuffed to overflowing with all the things coming home that we brought up for the summer (and a cat) and outdoor furniture tucked safely into the garage or the house till next spring. Oh, I hate leaving. 

It has been an odd last visit. There were so many plans that didn't happen -- road trips that didn't get taken, work that didn't get done. Having pneumonia will do that to a person. I was knocked for a loop and it was a big one. By the time I was well, the weather had pretty much gone from glorious to cold and damp. A good time to be inside; not much good for anything else. But....

Postcards from the Lake: A Colorful World

In all the craziness of the past few weeks, I never got this posted! So before a color tour is a thing of months past, here are a few photos from my last visit to the lake in early October.

Autumn at the Ditch

We have been experiencing a surge of glorious, 60s-70s weather and it has been so welcome. Although autumn leaves are beginning to fade and drop quickly, there is still much beauty around my world.

I have enjoyed more than a few walks to the ditch. I'm seeing more bare trees and yes, still a bit of color. 

Those color bursts are like welcome treats as I meander down the path.

I hadn't seen Harry the Heron since I'd returned from the lake. Last year he was here well into November but no matter what time I walked he was elusive. Then one night when the sky was as fuschia as a can of Tab (I am in mourning for Tab), I drove by (without the camera, of course) and there he was! So I was determined to find him again.

And I did. As I sprawled on a bench stretching my hip and back, I looked above and this massive bird was overhead. I leaped up and caught him in flight before landing!

Oh, I was such a happy camper!

There are still plenty of ducks. I swear I saw at least 40 fly overhead on my walk to Rick's last night. They're at the pond, too. 

There is still a fair amount of leaves on some of the trees and I love the rustle as I walk through them, although it appears someone has swept the path. (I learned a long time ago not to walk on Thursday morning when the city maintenance people come through with their machines!)

 This particular tree has leaves that have really hung on. I think it's my new favorite! 

It has been remarkably quiet in the birdsong department at the ditch. I suspect that now people are filling feeders more generously, the birds are enjoying their banquets elsewhere!

 I leave you with a sunny day, blue sky, and November at it's finest.

 And another look at Harry.

I can breathe again. 

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Autumn Pleasures -- and a Tasty Treat!

There's so much to love about autumn and this year I am savoring it all the more, knowing my great lockdown will kick in soon enough. (It actually already has, apart from essential things.)

While on my walk I was amused by this gathering of ducks across from the ditch -- and the sign leaning against the tree.

Someone has been leaving seed for the birds there. I like that person!

And this little bird has a "bird's eye" view of everything!

Leaves are tumbling at far too fast a rate for my taste! But they make a wonderful sound when you drag your feet through them.

The squirrels are scurrying with great abandon, hoarding nuts for their winter larder.

This year I feel doubly blessed, seeing gorgeous color up north early in the month, and then this color down state now.

 I stopped at a pumpkin farm that was offering cider and donuts. There were crowds, but not at the cider stand so I masked up and got a treat!

I resisted the mums -- it was hard, but I did!

But they were incredibly lush and full.

But I couldn't resist taking some photos of the brilliantly colored gourds!

 On the home front I've been cleaning the art room and baking a lot -- lemon bread, pumpkin bread and and apple bread. The house smells so good when I bake!

 The clocks are changing soon and darkness will fall earlier.

 

 Be careful out there. The virus is casting a long shadow. Stay safe and well.

The Southern Exposure Celebration Continues

When last we left our intrepid band of six, we were outdoors at Southern Exposure. It was time to step inside the buildings, savor the fall decor and have a distanced dinner!

Before we went to eat, though, Rick and I checked out some of the other buildings. The fountain outside the milking parlor was decked in autumn splendor.

And I noted that inside the Corn Crib, there were some beautiful vignettes. I was taken by how this letter was displayed, framed with a feather. 

And I liked this arrangement too, backlit in the late afternoon light.

 

A workshop was taking place that evening (we were not attending that much to the relief of Rick!) and we peeked into the workshop tent to see the project. Wouldn't it be fun to bring one of those home?

After checking things out we knew it was time to meet up for dinner.

We were going to be dining in the Hog House.

Back in the 1800s, this charming building was home to the farm's hogs.

The walkway includes a bridge over a koi-filled pond and hanging on the fence were still-bright pansies in metal pots.

Inside a faux fire awaited us!

 This was clearly no pig sty anymore! 

If I put a hat on a vase in my house, it would look very wrong. Here it looks so right!

Beautiful arrangements were placed on lovely antique furniture. It seemed as though you could find something seasonal no matter where you looked, whether it was eye-level...

... or looking up!

And if you weren't satisfied with what was inside, looking outside was just as good!

And Chef Elsie's Peruvian chicken (my special request) was delicious. So was the salad with its moon grapes and cheddar, variegated carrots and potatoes. The lemony cake for dessert (and an abundance of wine) didn't hurt either!

We sat as couples at separate tables, well spaced apart. Fans above circulated the air in the large room. 

And there were plenty of smiles.

Especially mine.

It was so good to be with friends, inside, at a lovely place and feeling relatively normal. A place of beauty...

....of nature...

...of spirit.

And one other thing -- Jan, Kate and I all took home a completed autumn lantern, made for us by Micah, who is Southern Exposure's craft guru! It looks beautiful on my table and is just the right size!

So, here's to a paid off mortgage, good friends and being in a favorite spot of beauty.

Now that the house is paid up, I think I'd better do a little tidying!