Indian Summer

Summer Days have not yet took their leave.
The most perfect of Autumn days today, blue skies and sunshine galore.
Our rainfall has been little to none for an entire month, many of the trees have already lost their brown leaves prematurely.
There has been much sickness in the household, but hopefully after many trips to the doctor,  and many potions offered, we are beginning to show improvement.
The air conditioner continues to hum......

 

An early American writer described Indian Summer well when he wrote, "The air is perfectly quiescent and all is stillness, as if Nature, after her exertions during the Summer, were now at rest."

      ~ John Bradbury 1817

Batten Down The Hatches

 

Our days seem to have reverted back to Summer temperatures, warm and breezy.
Later this evening thunderstorms are to move in, not my favorite type of weather, especially when tornadoes are in the prediction.

Walking about the garden tidying up any potential objects that may become hazardous in 60 mph winds, I noticed the Clematis vine is once again in bloom, the third time this year !
Such a gentle, giving vine, sharing her beauty for one last smile.

Autumn Silence

Enjoying a day of quiet time . The trees are changing color, and Autumn leaves are making a show, finally.
Some days it's good to do nothing. No deadlines to meet, no chores to complete, no lists to check twice.
Bliss.

Let's Eat Pie

Almost as popular as traditional Pecan Pie, this delicious Japanese Fruit Pie graces many dinner tables here in the South.

The combination of pecans, raisins, and coconut suspended in a chess-pie type of filling is wonderfully rich and toothsome.

 

Japanese Fruit Pie
 

Ingredients

1 deep dish 9 inch unbaked pie shell

1 stick of melted butter ( 1/2 cup )

1 1/2 cups of white sugar

1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

1tsp. vanilla extract

3 large eggs ( slightly beaten )

1/2 cup each of raisins, shredded coconut, (I like a little more) chopped pecan pieces.

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium mixing bowl combine eggs, butter, sugar, vinegar and vanilla extract.

Beat until smooth. Stir in pecans, coconut, and raisins.

Pour mixture into pastry shell.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Cool before serving.

Serve topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped fresh cream.
 

Season Of Mists

 Autumn morning mists came calling.

The grass is wet with a heavy dew, taking most of the afternoon before it is dry to the touch.

Down on main street, shopkeepers display their pumpkins and Autumn fayre.

Orange and yellows are now the colors of the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells."

~ John Keats
 

Pottering

A little early decorating.

Just to get in the "spirit" of things.

Perfection

The most perfect of Fall days. 

A mere seventy four degrees, sunshine and NO humidity, which is rare as hen's teeth for this part of the country.

Tom-Tilly is chasing leaves around the garden, she seems to have accepted that Oliver is off on his travels, wherever they may have taken him...... 

There is much garden work to do before the first frost appears, but for now, a little down-time between seasons is enjoyed, and savored.

Goodbye Sweet Summer

 " When summer gathers up her robes of glory, and like a dream of beauty glides away. "

 ~Sarah Helen Power Whitman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late Summer Days

These last days of Summer, a little decorating, a little gardening, a little relaxing.                       
Nights are drawing in fast, dark before the clock strikes seven now.
Our days are still seasonally warm, in these Southern United States, giving the opportunity to finish those end of summer chores, before Old Man Winter sets in
Leaves are beginning to gather, hummingbirds are making their way South, the rhythm of life is noticebly slowing.

Long-Awaited

Our trusty weatherman has predicted we'll be finally experiencing some Fall-like weather this week.
No more of the ninety degree days, but temperatures much cooler, and  seasonal.
I can't wait to open the windows at night, enjoy the crisp air, and fall asleep to the sound of the screech owl calling.
*ahhh*

Penelope Keith's Hidden Villages - Full-screen

                       A little weekend viewing, exploring the quintessential,  timeless villages of Great Britain.

So very dear to my heart.

                                                          💓

                         

September Days

 

"September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours,

But in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn.
The cricket chirps in the noontide, making the most of what remains of his brief life.
The bumblebee is busy among the clover blossoms of the aftermath,
And their shrill and dreamy hum hold the outdoor world above the voices of the song birds,
Now silent or departed."-

~ September Days : Rowland E. Robinson, Vermont

Time For Tea

When you are raised in a culture of hot tea-drinkers, from the time you are old enough to enjoy a  milked-down version in your baby bottle, through infancy and youth and young adulthood, continuing throughout your life into senior days, you rarely pay any attention to your daily habits until someone points them out.

The first thing that most English people do when people stop by the house, is to put the kettle on. Tea mostly, or coffee if you prefer, it's embedded in our DNA.
We were watching re-runs of Downton Abbey today, I couldn't help but smile as I watched the offer of "tea ?" being suggested at every twist and turn. 

When a visitor drops by, when good news is received, after bad news is received, when a helping hand is needed, or a little encouragement is welcomed.

 

Tea drinking in many cultures is the centuries-old tradition and universal language of civility, and social nurturing, a little more partaking these days would be a good thing.

"THE CUP FOR ME.

"Let others sing the praise of wine,

Let others deem its joys divine,

Its fleeting bliss shall ne'er be mine,

Give me a cup of tea!

The cup that soothes each aching pain,

Restores the sick to health again,

Steals not from heart, steals not from brain,

A friend when others flee.

"When sorrow frowns, what power can cheer,

Or chase away the falling tear

Without the vile effects of beer,

Like Pekoe or Bohea?

What makes the old man young and strong,

Like Hyson, Congou, or Souchong,

Which leave the burthen of his song

A welcome cup of tea.

"Then hail the grave Celestial band,

With planning mind, and planting hand,

And let us bless that golden land

So far across the sea;

Whose hills and vales give fertile birth

To that fair shrub of priceless worth,

Which yields each son of mother earth

A fragrant cup of tea."

Autumn's Calling

Despite sultry August days, subtle signs of changing seasons are all around.
Summer days are noticeably shorter. There is a cooler rush to the evening air.
Down on  main street the shopkeepers are displaying their Autumn flowers, and the feel of changing seasons is afoot.
The Summer's Gold Lantana blooms heartily,  as if it knows Summer's loveliest smile, is fleeting.

 

Growing

The triplet fawns are growing like little weeds.
Their spots are disappearing, and momma dear tries her best to run away, but they still insist on trying to feed, chasing her down the field.
Armadillos have moved into Middle Tennessee.....ooh joy.