Autumn Leaves/Recipe

 

Welcome! This is Tuesday 4 in honor and memory of our friend Toni Taddeo.   Oh, Toni, I miss you so much!

This

week's questions are from ideas given by Susan who owns Susan's Sayings.

Remember to visit Susan who has a great blog!


1.Are you decorating your home for fall?  Thanksgiving?  Show us some photos if you don't mind! 

I decorate a little bit. I have a pumpkin on my dining table and a light up pumplin on a table in my office.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.Are trees changing in your area yet?  Do you mind showing a fall photo from your area?

Yes they are slowly turning orange and yellow.

 

3. Do you like to use scents in your home? What kind do you use and what scents do you enjoy in your home.  I really enjoy the scent of Balsam pine, leather scents too.

 

4.Fall's weather usually turns a bit chilly. Sometimes we change how we eat by seasons. Can you share a nice recipe for a good fall meal with us?  

 I like German food in the fall. I love Oktoberfest too.

 1 (32 oz) jar  German Sauerkraut, drained (rinsing is optional) but I rinse the daylights out of it!!)

2 lbs Kielbasa Smoked Sausage , cut in 1 1/2" rounds (if like me you don't eat pork.. make your own!! it's very easy) Brown this and the onion first.
1 large Apple, chopped.. make it a sweet variety of apple
1 med Sweet Onion, diced very small.
1 Tbsp Caraway Seeds or more if you love them as I do.
1 cloves Garlic, minced
1 cup Apple Cider
1 cup Water (Use a good beer instead. Water is too bland!)
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar (or to taste/ I use less but, taste as you go)  I also add a dollop of grainy brown mustard too.   Cook in the crock pot for 4 hours or so.   Boil up potatoes to serve with it.

And here is a lovely Colonial apple pie recipe you might like to try....

Thank you for joining in. I appreciate that you are helping to keep Toni's legacy alive. I try to get around to everyone to comment.

Autumn's Arrival

...Don't  you just
 LOVE
Autumn? 

Yes Joe,
 I love everything in the autumn.
It is a season that makes you feel good to be alive.
I think it has the perfect blend of color, temperatures and that certain crispness in the air that heighten the senses. At least, it does that for me.
I think we sense the change of seasons in the shading of the shadows, the filtering of light from the sun, the changes in the feel of the air, the breeze.. everything begins to change as autumn settles in.
Fall announces itself with masses of falling leaves.. hence the name "Fall".

This quote from one of my all time favorite movies, "You've Got Mail" was so true, so sweet, that I had to make a graphic for it.
Don't you just love Autumn?

About Autumn―

Autumn doesn't last long enough I think. Only three months, like all of the four seasons, but somehow, autumn seems to be all too short. This I find sad because the vivid colors come and
go so quickly. The cooler weather wakes one up and makes you feel alive and revitalized after a long, hot, humid summer when people tend to get lazy and sluggish. Autumn comes in with a breath of fresh, clean, chilled air and nudges you to get up and get going again.
God knew what he was doing when he invented it, that is for sure.
This painting is by my favorite artist, impressionist  Edouard Cortes. I adore his paintings and especially his Parisian scenes. I learned to paint light from him and a few others, though I am not even partially as good. Anyway, I love the warmth of autumn in its colors, and in its indoor delights of cozy days and nights. I like fall and winter clothing best too.
Tell me, what do you enjoy about autumn?

Theatre du Vaudville ― Eduard Cortes

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”  ― George Eliot

 Look at the warmth in the oranges and yellows of the painting below. See how it contrasts with the gray, snowy evening? It is alive with warmth. The streets are slushy but the store windows are bright and inviting. "Come in,"they say.
In impressionism, you get the sense of what the artist wants you to see even though detail is lacking.  There is an entire story in these pictures.

Place de la Republique ―E. Cortes

And I Quote...

A  favorite quote from "You've Got Mail" comes to mind every autumn.

The screenplay by Nora Ephron had so many quotes that just seemed to come straight out of my head and of course I watched that movie so many times, just like I watched Moonstruck over and over again.  They just seem to hit home with me.

 I cobbled together a little graphic to remember the line....

 There are a lot of movie quotes that I like. "Be like him or not. Up to you" James Garner to young boy in Murphy's Romance
~~~~~
Ronnie Cammerari: "I love you, Loretta"  
Loretta Castorini's answer : "Snap out of it!" as she slaps Ronnie in Moonstruck
~~~~
Old Man: La bella luna! The moon brings the woman to the man. Capice?
 (If you grew up in NY or NJ you know how this goes.)
~~~~
“Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life – well, valuable, but small – and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven’t been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn’t it be the other way around?”  Kathleen Kelly in  You've Got Mail .
~~~
"Emma: I'm in love for the first time in my life.
Murphy: And I am in love for the last time." from Murphy's Romance
~~~
[about  how many candles for his birthday cake]
Emma: Okay, what is it? How old are you, Murphy?
Murphy: Just set the damn thing on fire! 
~~~
“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
‘Pooh!’ he whispered.
‘Yes, Piglet?’
‘Nothing,’ said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. ‘I just wanted to be sure of you.’ —The House at Pooh Corner
~~~
Finally the quote that is my life motto:
“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.”
― Vivian Greene

 Care to share some of your favorite quotes?

Rainy Tuesday Evening

 
Voting day here in New Jersey with two choices:  very bad & extremely bad.
Americans have ceased to make informed decisions and vote their hearts and emotions which are bad decision makers frankly.
It is a rainy, floody, very chilly day here on the Jersey shore.
I have a Yankee Candle in the scent "Blue Jeans"  burning and filling the house with a pleasant scent.
I have  a hot cup of Dunkin Donuts decaf in my mug and a tuna salad to eat for my supper.

 There photos were taken in late afternoon and yes I got a bit wet but, it's worth it!

Rain on the big pond,.      See the fish?

Looking down the porch steps... wet leaves

Don't forget to see my previous Daybook post and visit again soon!

Inside/Outside

F riday means Foto Friends.
You can join in at Debbie's place and there are so many good reasons to join in and share your photos with others.
Here are some photos I took with my phone this past week outside and inside....

In the yard Vinca grows like crazy.

My backyard woods

A congregation of fish

I liked the reflection of the Wisteria  in the pond.

And these were taken on a trip to  the mall:

Meanwhile inside the house:
Do you wonder what is inside drawers or under a cabinet?  I do.
I washed the bathroom floor and thought I'd take some photos.
Yes, I am weird.
Here is a look  at mine....

Rules for the Bathroom!

The bathroom? Yes, thats what it is.

What is under the sink?  Here is a peek. Now you know!

Whats in the drawer? Stuff of course.My daughter swears by the Rose Hibiscus water. It's $32  at Sephora but I find it at TJ Maxx for $6.00.  I get so much there.

I keep extra soap and washcloths here

Glimpses around the house:

 A section of the Afremov Painting. It seems to glow.

In the kitchen the counters need cleaning 👀

I just like this sign

I went by Boston once and might have gone as a little girl but I would like to visit again.

End of the week Sunset. I thought it was so pretty.

There you have it..the past week in photos.

A Sunday in October....

Autumn Meme on a Chilly Day

Chilly out today but sunny and bright with clear deep blue skies.
I am going to try to write a meme once a week for people to try out.  And even if no one does it, I will try to myself.  But, I hope you will all join in because it would be so much fun if we all did it.

Here is a nice meme found via Sunday Stealing.

 Fall/Autumn Meme

 1.First of all, is autumn your favorite season? Why or why not?
Yes. I like the cooler, drier weather and the smells in the air this time of year. I was born in the late autumn as well.   I used to love when it got dark early as it meant rest and quiet.   Now the awful Daylight Savings Time goes on and on forever.. ugh.

 2.Is it ‘autumn’ or ‘fall’, to you?
 Well, it is both as they are different. Autumn is the season but 'fall' is when the leaves fall from the trees. I learned that from the Farmer's Almanac long ago.

3.What kind of weather does your area get during this season?
All kinds! It depends on the year. It can be below freezing on Halloween, or in the 70's and you just have to wait and see. Today the temperature is 51F and 58% humidity. There is a slight breeze and it is chilly enough for a light jacket or sweatshirt outside.

4.Were you born in an autumn month?
 I was indeed.

5.Do you pay attention to any ‘fall fashions’?
Yes. I like to wear sweatshirts and corduroy jackets, etc in the autumn.  I like wearing the autumn colors more too.

6.Which leaf color is your favorite?
The bright red of the sugar maple trees and the neon orange of other trees.

7.Is it still fun to rake the leaves and jump in piles of them?
No, nowadays my spinal column dictates what I do and don't do and jumping and running will never be something I can do again.

8.When can you really tell that it’s autumn?
 When the leaves begin the change and there is the clearer crisper blue skies and air. The ocean temps go down as well.

 9.Do you enjoy carving pumpkins? 
 I have never done that.  I can imagine I would though.

 10. Do you eat the pumpkin seeds? 
Yes and I like them.

11  If so, do you put any kind of flavoring on it? 
A bit of salt maybe.

 12 Are you planning to go to a pumpkin patch this year? 
 No. Never been to one in my life. Maybe next year I could try to go with the kids.

13 Which was your favorite Halloween costume to wear?
None. I don't wear them.

14 Are you planning to go trick-or-treating? Why or why not? 
No. I don't celebrate Halloween really.

15 Are there any county fairs or festivals held nearby during this time?  
I think most of them are in late summer. 

16 What is your favorite dessert for this time of year?  
 Pie! Pie! Pie!   I am a good baker so I enjoy my own pies quite a lot. Apple pies, Shoo Fly Pie, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin, Vinegar Pie, Peach Pie, Chocolate Praline Pie.. you name it, I make it.

 17 Is your Thanksgiving Day in October or November, if you even celebrate it? 
November and yes, I celebrate it.  Why ever miss a chance to thank God for all he does for us?

18  If you do celebrate it, where do you usually have Thanksgiving dinner?
It was at my mother's when she was still with us.      Now it is at my house.


19  Do you remember any crafts you used to do that were autumn-themed? 
In school we made leaves that were taped up in the windows.  It is a fun thing to do even now.

20  Are any of your favorite bands doing a fall tour this year?
I have no clue as I don't follow musical groups really and  never did.  I like music but I am not a 'fan'.


21  Which new TV show are you looking forward to this season? 
Return of the Big Bang Theory 

22  How does autumn typically make you feel? 
Happy and more alive than other seasons.

23 What color do you always associate with autumn?
 Oranges 

24 Is there a song that always reminds you of this season? 
 "Autumn in New York"(below) and "Harlem Nocturne", "Autumn Leaves" and the theme from "Perry Mason"(below) .

25 Do you have any seasonal traditions?  
Fall scented candles and  Chrysanthemums on the porch (the new Glade Fall Hayride etc are really nice.)

26 Do you spend a lot of time outside during this time of the year?  
 I certainly love to when I can. As a kid I sure did.

27  How can you tell that fall is over?  
 Snow arrives, all the leaves are gone.

28 What is a typical autumn outfit that you wear? 
A button  down  collar oxford shirt and a crew neck sweatshirt over top in navy, maroon or green. Denim below and soft brown Indian moccasins or Bass Weejun penny loafers or Navy Keds. 

29  Describe a perfect autumn day:
 Being outside, walking along the bay. Watching water birds fly off.  Playing with my dog on the bay when she was still with me.
 I miss her so much. She was a Flat Coat Retriever , a wonderful swimmer.
Getting coffee at Dunkin Donuts.     Chrysanthemums!

30 Do you hate it when stores start promoting Christmas early? 
No, they have to make a living and starting early ensures more sales.  Store owners do the best they can.

31 What is your favorite thing about this season?
   Empty beaches, tourists gone home, beautiful colors, the fresh crisp air and  chilly temperatures.

In The Wee Small Hours....

It was too chilly for crickets to sing much  last week, but this week has been warmer. Autumn warm, not summer warm.
Summer warm is thicker, heavier and the sunlight denser but autumn light is light and its warmth is not like the summer blanket that spreads out over you on hot summer days and nights.

Tonight I am up very late in the wee small hours. 
But I am not alone.
There is a cricket who is perching somewhere outside my window singing as if spring had just arrived. He stops only when the light rain begins to fall again as it has sporadically now for a few hours.
In between the bouts of sprinkles,  the clouds are scudding across the nearly full moon creating ghostly shadows across the lawn. Then, when the clouds come together they stop just long enough to sprinkle the lawns and move on again. The moon makes another appearance  and the cricket begins his song again.
In the smaller  front yard pond I can hear the waterfall trickling into the dense parrot feather plants that hide the fish  from the birds. Happy fish to have such green safety. The frog rests on his plants(they are his you know) and occasionally I hear a "plop" as he takes a moonlight dip in his pool.  His courting songs are behind him now as autumn brings chills with it.
But the cricket, he doesn't care what the frog or the fish are doing as long as he can sing his song into the night.
He is on the alert in his  yard. Singing to the fish and the frog and me.
What a happy, comforting and soothing sound floating in on the night air.