the last few days

I am saying farewell to autumn. This may be the last few days of dappled light that sift through the windows and dance when the wind tosses the yellow boughs out my windows.

Behind the sun-drenched leaves, the river sparkles and snaps so delightfully.

I love living here.

neighbors

I arrived home from work today to find this lovely carton of eggs on my back steps. They are a gift from a neighbor who has hens (twenty of them, I believe) -which is more than enough hens to provide fresh eggs for his family along with at least three or four neighbors.

I am in love with the different colors (tan, brown, off-white, and green!) and also the range of sizes. We always get a few that might be categorized as XXX small.

He gives these beauties away at no charge, delivering them on his bike and even once when it was raining,

Because I am a grateful neighbor and because I would love to keep this stream of eggy-goodness coming our way, I delivered a few empty egg cartons for recycling to his front door the other day. I included a humble thank-you note in case no one was home, along with a little jar of wild blueberry jam.

The older woman who answered the door was likely his wife. Or perhaps his significant other. It could have even been his sister; I don't know. She wore what my grandmother used to call a "house-dress" (a nightgown, really...) and had tattoos on her arms & legs. I'm not sure she had her teeth in. But she was pleasant enough.

"Please tell Alex thank you for the eggs!" I cheerily enthused. "We love them!"

Neighbors make life so very very fun sometimes.

a weekend in the city

I booked out of town this weekend, starting on Thursday. The above image is positive proof that I was not breakfasting in northern NY, as an almond croissant and cafe au lait such as pictured above CANNOT BE FOUND NORTH OF ALBANY. I speak the truth.

This particular breakfast was partaken in the Chelsea neighborhood of NYC in a little French Cafe.

Ooh la la.


Dinner that evening found me here. But I am telling the tale out of order.


Later on in this post, I will explain why I was whisked away to the Big Apple for three days. But right this very minute, I want you to see my personal mecca while in the city: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I saw this beautiful painting.

-and this one ( a favorite!) up close.

The next day, I was in Garrison NY where I took my time seeing this.

My sweet & talented friend Julia Marie invited me to accompany her to Manhattan over the weekend, where she co-wrote a really cool song with this guy. You see, while they were working I went walk-about. It was a sweet deal for me.

I did spend quite a few hours listening in on their groove, though.

Here they are dancing to a drum track.

We dined at Duncan's Garrison home Sunday evening. I prepped the stir-fry & made the salad. I also made the host fall into his dishwasher.

-but that's a story for another time.

pumpkin pie smoothie

yessirree you will like this, I promise!

The thought came to me as I was contemplating digging into the half-gallon of Perry's Pumpkin Ice Cream that I bought today on a whim. But then I remembered the indulgent amount of banana cream pie that I consumed over the weekend. No amount of visiting the gym can take the place of healthy eating choices, right?

Of course right!

Then WHY NOT A PUMPKIN PIE SMOOTHIE?
We do so love pumpkin anything around here!

And so, I bring you my latest tasty creation:

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

2 cups organic unflavored soy milk
2/3 C canned or pureed pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
3 T honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
3/4 C ice cubes

Blend. Serve immediately, sprinkled with a dash of ground nutmeg.

orange-love

The colors of the season cause me to stand in awe. Every. single. day.

I simply cannot get enough of them: the changing hues of the autumn sky coupled with the blaze of color in the trees.

My favorite colors are the burnt oranges of October. I see them everywhere.

My seasonal love for orange explains a few things.

-like these roadside-rescued chairs. They got a little make-over, you see.

Tell me they aren't the most fun little things in the world!

reward

First, I will rake the front yard.
Then, I will get my reward -which involves a green kayak.

You wish you were me.

for Friend #7:

Dearest Friend #7,

Please come sit in this chair. Thank you.

her 15 minutes of fame

Why I allow these evil activities to take place in my kitchen is a mystery to me.

The gutting of an innocent pumpkin? Such unnecessary gore.

But Friend .014 ( her chosen moniker, I assure you) barged through our front door & asked so very politely: "Can I carve one of your pumpkins, Mama Hull?" -and I caved in to her request.

After the deed was done, this scary orange member of the squash family perched on the window sill while we watched "O Brother, Where Art Thou."And now I post all about it because Friend #.014 begged me to do so.

The End.

river business

Yesterday it rained. Then it rained some more.

After awhile, it really began to rain.

This morning the river was roaring. My beloved dock was swamped. I don't know why I didn't snap a picture of it. But this evening it came loose from its moorings & is presently making its way to the edge of the dam.

Some time during the black of night, it may come crashing over.
Bye bye, my little dock.


First thing this morning, Hubby rescued one of our green canoes with a long metal hook. It was three feet from shore, upside down. I am thankful for the log that kept it from being swept away.

Living on the river is exciting!