After the last post I feel I need to sprinkle some happy up here in this space. Let us not allow the *crazy* to infect every corner of our world, because truly there’s so much to appreciate and good works we can do and fun and adventure to be had, regardless. I find a lot of solace in the every day, in the routines, the natural beauty outside these old doors, my animals up on the hill, the family that gathers round the table and the dogs curled up under my desk.
Here on the farm the leaves are turning and beginning to blanket the stone walls and pathways. My gardens are depleted, but there is still much color and many blooms and berries…
Zinnia still reaching for the sky…
The Dahlias – easy to grow and just so stunning…. I do need to pull the bulbs out of the ground once the frost hits if I want to use them again next year. And I might not, because sometimes I’m lazy that way.
My New Dawn roses have made a second appearance, just a few on a very lengthy vine along the dog yard fence.
I forget the name of these hydrangea trees, their blooms are prolific this year! My mom has been here several times collecting bunches for friends, they are great for drying.
Beautyberry – a more vivid purple berry you have never seen.
More Dahlia….
And although the daisies were done over a month ago, because of the warm weather, a few have shot up again.
Inside the house I’ve brought in fall – one of my favorite seasons to decorate. Pumpkins everywhere! and.. I bring bittersweet vine in from the fields and drape them along the fireplace mantels. There are pumpkins on the front door steps and over the door itself on the “shelf”, too.
I’ve been holding on to a painting by my late great grandfather in 1949 for some time now. His writing is on the back, so it was easy to discover what this painting was of – The covered bridge in Arlington, Vermont just in front of Normal Rockwell’s beloved home on the green. Above as it appears in our dining room, Below is a picture of the area now, and his painting up close. I recently had it matted, framed and glass covered for protection as it was in rough shape – it’s hard to get a photo of it without glare. The white house in the very background was his home.
Current….
And as my great grandfather saw it in 1949…
I hope to get up there in the near future to stand at this spot myself, with a nod to my deceased ancestor who did the very same. He and I have a similar painting style – not too detailed but the end result is pleasing to the eye, if not very professional or precise. Right now I’m reading Normal Rockwell’s autobiography and I look forward to the inevitable mention of his beloved home in Arlington.
Hopefully Getty Images folks own’t mind that I used their image.
I’ll leave you with a link to some scrumptious fall recipes from a favorite blogger of mine, Jane of Blondie’s Journal. Visit her post HERE. I’ve got the beef stew on my stove as I type this, and the other recipes will get a chance here at this old house as well. The stew is delish! Perfect for a cool fall evening.
Till soon, friends –
Oh, I’d hang Grandpa’s painting over the mantle too! It’s lovely and right up my alley. Colors may be iffy down here this year. We are stricken with dryness but the leaves are starting to fall anyway.
Your flowers are all beautiful still. Now I need to run outside and see if my New Dawn has any new buds. It flowered in the spring and then just grew longer vine branches.
Beautiful post Karen, beautiful pictures. You did inherit talent from my grandfather. He had a heart attack in his late fifties and without today’s medications was told to retire and get a hobby. Painting and sketching were what he turned to. I am so glad that particular painting found a home in your home. It would make his Irish eyes twinkle. And your grandfather Alfred, a professional commercial photographer, would applaud your photography and at the same time marvel at the new cameras and the photo quality of the smart phones. He started with large box cameras on tripods with flash bulbs that on occasion exploded. The cases used to carry them around weighed a ton.
Your are very talented my dear, enjoy it all . mom
I love the painting. and the white pumkin that looks like old lace has my vote for most beautiful. also love the simplicity of you mantle and most of all I would like to spend time in the chair and on the sofa under that wonderful BIG window, with my kindle or laptob. your home looks beautiful and ready for the season
I’m glad you still have flowers, so beautiful.
It’s wonderful that you have the painting, Karen. Such a treasure. I know that some ‘gifts’ are passed along, and you surely can do many things. I used to be a crafter, but that’s water under the bridge now. 🙂
Have never tried painting although I know so many are now beginning to take the classes. Even my granddaughter; I think I posted that before. Then, there’s Hunter; she has the gift as well as my two nephews.
Your home is always decorated along with the seasons. You have the talent for many things.
Well, I’m loving every word and image here! Your home is lovely, so warm and cozy and fallish, and the flowers are still fabulous. I love the paintings — all of them. And the Rockwell book sounds good. I love his work.
What a beautiful post and I love that you have that special painting by your granddad. What a precious piece of history to own.
Your photos are absolutely gorgeous, Karen Ann. You take beautiful photos!
I hope you have a great week! xo Diana
First-=-Thanks for the link to my recipe. I met so many bloggers ‘back in the day’ through links, so it would be so cool to see more of them from all of us.
Your flowers are absolutely a great thing to see this time of year. I had no idea zinnias did so well in cool weather. These are annuals, correct?
Your home looks perfectly cozy and fallish, Karen! I love the pumpkins with the lace. Are they real?
I am a true fan of Norman Rockwell (we share the same birthday). I particularly love his work prior to the style he adapted for The Saturday Evening Post. He had many in a sketchbook which was snatched from him one day while out (and quite young) and about and never found. I would love to visit his home!
Thanks again for the shout out!
Jane❤️