Mail Call Rocks! (part 2)

In my last post I talked about Relyn's terrific swap and a wonderful card I received from Joanne.

Today, the "Wizard of Oz" tag book from Karla! She did the great covers with a wee pull-out tag of Toto (who bears a striking resemblance to her "Twinkle") and a wonderful lollipop (courtesy of the Lollipop Guild, perhaps?).

We were each to submit 6 tags and receive six, plus a book cover designed by Karla on the Wizard of Oz theme.

She went to great pains to make everyone's book delightful with a good mix of tags. This one is from Jane Palmer.

This one came from The Little White Attic.

And this was by Karla, too! I love how so far every tag represents something different -- a witch, the fair, Dorothy!

Now, here's another Dorothy -- but Karla didn't include it in her collection. It's one of mine -- I didn't take pix of my tags, which were all different and I sent the best to the swap, but here was one of mine that I kept and added to have a "complete set."

Who could have an Oz book without Toto? This was by Evelyn Howard.

And of course we have the Flying Monkeys and with as interpreted by Jingle.

Finally, Debra Gahas sent us all down the yellow brick road!

It was a wonderful swap! Thanks, Karla -- and thanks to all whose terrific tags I received!

Mail Call Rocks! (Part 1)

I love mail. I love "expected" mail that delivers beyond the hoped for and unexpected mail that delivers a smile along with it.

I have both this past week. First, the unexpected mail!

This is from Joanne, who is so talented. This wonderful postcard is now sitting on my mantle.

The other was a terrific swap I have been enjoying tremendously, hosted by Relyn.

She asked us questions and matched us up with a partner for an autumn swap. The rules were to include something we made, a gently used book and other things that reflected autumn and what we thought the other might enjoy based on their blogs and any new correspondence we might develop.

Well, my swap partner was Marilyn from Delights of the Heart. I have to say that contributing this swap was like shopping for myself.

Marilyn is the Marmalady -- and like me, she loves tea. In fact, she loves it so much, she has her own tea company, named Marmalady's! And as you can see, they also have jam which was to-die-for-yummy.

My package was wonderful -- a fabulously scented candle, a snowman ornament she made, the Barefoot in Paris journal and some wonderful antique floss. Marilyn, I learned, also has an orange boy, and there was a giftie for Gypsy from Joey, his favorite toy!

But that's not where the similarities end. We learned we were reading the same book at the same time ("The Help"). We have an oldest-kid who has been to art school. When in Paris, which we both love, both Marilyn and I enjoyed the company of Tara Bradford. We're both doing art shows in November. Believe me, the similarities didn't stop there. That's just a few.

I think Relyn did a good job!

(Next time: The Wizard of Oz tag book swap!)

Applefest!

I happened onto the Charlevoix Applefest by mistake. I had no idea it was happening, but my autumn road trip kept taking me that direction. My first clue was the traffic jam!

But once I found out what was happening and figured out a shortcut, I was in for a lovely time in one of Michigan's most beautiful small northern towns.

Charlevoix is on a stunning blue lake, and with the cloudless sky, it was reflecting blue in all its glory. The boats looked all the more pristine by contrast. (And really, there were quite a few in the water.)

The applefest combines two things -- a giant farm market where the major commodity is apples.

And an art fair. More an art/craft fair. Well, some craft. Some crapht. You can see some tents here and people enjoying a fabulous day!

One artist stood out in particular. Susan Winter. I happen to know her as she is related to my friend Judy, and I'd always admired her pressed paper work. Now she is working wonders with antique postcards of the area, from around the 1915-30s period. I don't have photos, but I can tell you, her work is stunning and gave me some ideas about using the cards I have at home about the area of Gaylord we visit for the cottage. Her Etsy site has her "naturals" switch plate covers. (Alas, no postcard images -- yet!)

Well, I love fall foods, and so I had to buy these Brussels sprouts. I've never bought them off the vine like this. (For some terrific posts on Brussels sprouts, visit thoughtful posts on Cul-de-sac Chronicles and The Task at Hand.) (You may have to scroll down a post or two!)

These came from a place called "Marvin's Gardens," which I thought a most clever name!

Of course there were other vendors -- and the fall colors just seemed to pop!

Doesn't this look just like fall? Sure does to me!

And this one. I just want to crawl into this autumn warmth and goodness and hold it close.

Of course, the art fair and farm market aren't the only benefits of Applefest. The line for the caramel apple stand was the longest. And the kids were loving the pony rides.

And the petting zoo, which was right behind the riding field.

People were buying cornstalks, and I can visualize their decorating for the season soon after!

Well, I think it's time to get home and make something with those brussels sprouts! Just remember...

Road Trip

We're going on a road trip today -- we'll visit the farm market, the herb farm and a fiber mill, stop by a ferry and check out what's playing at the movies.

Farm markets and autumn. What a perfect marriage.

Apples never looked so good, peppers so bright.

The orange and white of the squash makes for a bright contrast.

Even dried sunflower heads have their buyers.

And of course you can't be uptown and not stop into a cute shop. This one captured my heart with its wonderful displays.

Onward to the herb farm, which frankly was looking a little peaked, though I bought a beautiful "seedum" plant.

However, the head greeter, Charlie, made the trip worthwhile. At ten months and all love and energy, he was a dear!

Off to Stonehedge Fiber Mill , near East Jordan. I have to say they have the most fabulous, soft wool, with 250 yards per $9.50 skein (mill price) and I wasn't immune to its allure.

Their guard cat met me. Looks fierce, doesn't he?

But he and his brother were sweeties.

Now, you might have thought this would be a yarn post. But I wrote that one a year or so ago -- you can see it right here and step inside the fiber mill. This time I was more fascinated with the outside.

Really, it was so darned pastoral, I almost couldn't stand it!

Goats -- I wonder. Does some of Stonehedge's yarn have goat in it?

I'm sure these geese keep everyone in check!

And one would be the eggs are fabulous!

But of course my heart beats for cats, and this one wanted in. Now.

Off again. We're headed toward Charlevoix and the applefest (we'll get there next time). But along the way you come to this spot.

Yes, the sign is old and the rates no longer hold. This is the Ironton Ferry, which takes cars, bikers and walkers across Lake Charlevoix.

I love the duck crossing sign.

And right by it is this splash of color! It's a restaurant and I've never eaten there, but I'd love to someday, just because I like the way it looks!

Back down the road to Charlevoix. We won't stop at The Movies (isn't that the best name ever for a theatre?) but thought you'd like to see what's playing.

More fun in Charlevoix at Applefest next time!

Nature's Paintbrush Goes Wild!

Really, I couldn't have done a better job if I'd had an air brush sprayer and gallons of gold, red, orange, russet, brown, deep green, or mulberry ink.

So, take a walk with me...

...or a ride with Rick...

...through some of the most beautiful country I know -- Northern Michigan in the fall.

Here's the view from the front porch on what was a splendid autumn morning, the lake still, the colors blazing.

All around me there is loveliness, like the neighbor's shed...

...and his dinner bell.

Certainly walking through the neighborhood the color dazzles, mostly yellow and gold.

I found this tree to be fascinating -- a beautiful birch.

But look up -- that's the secret to walking anytime! Was this a bug condo?

And in the same cluster of trees, an astounding bunch of fungi.

Here's a closer look.

What if I hadn't looked up? I would have missed this!

Later this month, I'll take you to the apple fest, a fiber farm, and a Halloween display I can't begin to describe! But here are a few spots I discovered on my perfect Saturday road trip.

The farm market? Yes, apples reign supreme. (And this wasn't even the festival!)

This lovely little barn was at the herb farm.

Driving on the road between East Jordan and Charlevoix, one has a great view across Lake Charlevoix into East Jordan -- a perfect small town.

I always loved driving past this barn.

Of course, there's nothing lovelier than finding the perfect leaf!

Yes, there are some stuffed in the pages of my book. For what, I don't know. Maybe just to remind me when the snow is two feet deep, the road I live on badly plowed and getting dressed is a matter of piling on layers and clothing that this, too, will pass. Not perhaps so quickly as the autumn leaves.

But it will pass.