Fall images

Do you think it is an accident that Mother Nature shows it's brilliant colors just before the long gray months of winter?  This one last burst of color is a promise that we can get through that quiet dark time and see a rebirth at the end. 

There's something about lavender

It might be that I'm taking the painting course about Provence. Or that lavender fields always hold a special memory for me...standing in the lavender field in Provence.  Either way I wanted to paint some lavender for my art class. Here are my last two paintings.  

Organic

One podcast that I listen to regularly is Decorating Tips and Tricks. This podcast gives advice from three of my favorite bloggers Anita from Cedar Hill Farmhouse,

Yvonne from Stone Gable

and Kelly from My Soulful Home.

This three times a week podcast covers everything you want to know about decorating. They are funny and best friends. This is from their blog:

Your designers are here! Anita, Yvonne and Kelly sharing decorating tips and tricks. Get our advice, secrets and have some laughs along the way. Listen in, you’ll be inspired to create a beautiful home and LOL a lot! Seriously great decorators having some serious fun. Join us!

Episode 110 was Adding organic elements to your decor and it inspired me to look in my backyard where I picked up some pine cones.


They are big proponents of dough bowls so I put the pine cones in a small dough bowl that I had. I like the way it looks in my kitchen and gives a fall look.



Outside there are all kinds of signs that the Earth is preparing for the long winter’s rest.


Hydrangeas which were once so beautiful are dying back.


One last little daisy is holding on.

Sense & Sensibility

Last night I attended a performance of Sense and Sensibility, a play adaptation of Jane Austen's book in  the Bromley theater at the University of Pittsgurgh at Bradford.
 Here it is described at their website:
Jane Austen is one of the most popular and beloved authors of all time. Born in the late 18th century, she wrote with great insight and wit about the lives of the English upper middle class. Her characters seem to drift through the inescapable life of leisure that only privilege can afford, yet are forever negotiating the reality of birth right and custom. Sense & Sensibility poignantly and cleverly illustrates the effects of economic uncertainty brought about by the common practice of the first-born male inheriting entire family fortunes, often leaving the rest of the family to fend for themselves.
Sense & Sensibilty is one of Jane Austen’s most popular novels. The characters live in a world in which choices are limited- especially for the women. The story revolves around the lives of two sisters, Elinor who is level headed and full of sense, and the hopelessly romantic, Marianne. After the untimely and unexpected death of their father, both sisters and their mother are forced to leave their comfortable lives, while their half brother and his wife inherit the family estate. The only hope for these two sisters is a profitable marriage. Seduction, courtship, love, heartbreak and surprise abound in this classic romantic comedy.

 I cannot say enough about the high quality of the actors of the Aquila Theatre. Not only was the acting supurb but the staging was amazing. On set was only two chairs and a small table, a setee, and a harpsicord all in white. Behind those was a large screen on which was projected the scenery correlated to each scene. There was constant movement as the actors entered and exited the stage or moved around it. Some of the woman's roles were played by men and one actor stole the show with his animated lines. 



This is how it is described by the theater's website:
Aquila expands the canon of classical works for the stage by adapating Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility in a bold and exciting new production. Directed by Aquila’s artistic director Desiree Sanchez, this production will incorporate her innovative use of space, movement, design, and sound. D.C. Metro said “Sanchez is wildly inventive, and the production choices made were carried out beautifully” and NY Theater Review says “her direction is polished and laser sharp. She gets the maximum amount of potential out of every stage moment, has exceptional attention to detail, and is a demiurge of direction.”

It was a most enjoyable evening. We are so lucky to have the University a few miles down the road from me which brings in this high quality entertainment.

An early morning treat

What a feat I had this morning when I saw movement out my window and discovered deer in my yard. 

First they were in the back yard eating the apple peelings that we had left for them. And then they moved to the front and ate apples from the tree. There were seven in all. 

I noticed that there was always one whose job it was to stand back a ways from the others and watch for danger from the rear. 

Then off they trotted. It was marvelous to get a close up view of these magnificent creatures in their dark winter coats. 

Poldark

Isn't he handsome?  Now that is not the only reason I can't wait for Sunday night to watch Poldark. I love this PBS series for the intricate writing. The scenery is breathtaking too. 

It's 1783 and Ross Poldark returns from the American War of Independence to his beloved Cornwall to find his world in ruins: his father dead, the family mine long since closed, his house wrecked and his sweetheart pledged to marry his cousin. But Ross finds that hope and love can be found when you are least expecting it.

Putting France In My Studio

I have converted a back bedroom into my painting studio. Dreama has encouraged us to have a space of our own in which to create.

It’s the perfect time to bring some France into

your creative space!

Never to be taken for granted, the place you

retreat to make magic is your playhouse.

Make some play time to refresh and move

things around in your studio— like traveling

some place new, it sort of messes with your

brain...in a delightfully good way!

New touches in your work space can bring

optimism and willingness to try new things

out at your easel—definitely a win/win.

When it comes to France, one of the simple

joys to love is the use of clotheslines.

Since clotheslines are for hanging things we

can totally justify having one in the studio!

A piece of twine and some old fashioned

wooden clothes pins can be used to hang

photos, inspirational messages, children’s art,

notes from loved ones AND it’s absolutely

perfect for hanging the pdf words and

quotes from this course!

Take your time sorting through what you

eyes desire to see at a glance and get

busy hanging out your beautiful “laundry”

This is how I incorporated that idea in my studio using quotes and my pastry pictures.
 



I also added lavender and a beautiful book containing photos and information about French villages.

A few faux ranunculus and a book with a small piece of aqua glass felt very French to me.
 

Many years ago I painted the closet doors as a French window. Even then I was longing for French inspiration. Even the bird’s eye maple dresser seems to fit in.

I love my painting studio.

Once upon a time in Provence

I am so enjoying my online painting course Once Upon a Time in Provence. Dreama tailored made this course to immerse us in the experience of being in France. It is more than just a painting course. Besides the detailed painting lesson videos she provides so much more. Each module contains a meditation video (who could resist standing in the middle of a lavender field), a French speaking lesson with French quotes, a recipe, a tour (so far I've been to a winery and a flower market), and a link to a private Facebook group.  What I love most about the lesson is that the painting is done all in one setting, called ala Prima. When I sit down to paint I know that it will be done when I get up. Another thing I really like is that although there are six weeks of lessons there is no hurry. Dreama asks you to take your time and enjoy the experience. THe course will be available for a year so there is not rush to get through it. Since I have had a very busy three weeks I have only done week one and two. This is my painting for week two:

How do you feel about Autumn?

These days, these days. October is flying by like the leaves blown by the wind. The rain this week will be pushed away by nice weather tomorrow. We have put off gathering all the summer outdoor things because we wanted to sit outdoors just a little longer but the time has come.

Can you say gloomy?

Yesterday was a day of rain..all day..and sometimes very hard. It was a day to tuck yourself inside the house. Some say gloomy, I say cozy. The dark encourages me to light the candles and make a little hygge.

“Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.”
― Anne Frank

Currently reading….Unbelievable by Katy Tur, an NBC reporter who covered Trump during his campaign and now afterwards. It’s an inside look at being on the trail with Trump and her thoughts on his election.

Gloomy (I mean cozy) days are great for cuddling up with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a book.

In honor of my mother

My mother was an excellent cook.  It was simple Southern food but delicious. At Chris’ we made an apple turnover…like a pie only with icing. It was always a favorite of ours growing up. Mom used to save some pie dough for cinnamon sticks. And Linda had brought a chicken pot pie from Costco that rivaled my mom’s.

At the pumpkin patch

A Fall Photo Walk

This past weekend we went to Carlisle to visit Chris and Scott. My sister Linda came up and we went for a walk around Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs. I had my big girl’s camera with me. Here are few of the best shots.

After the rain

It has been very dry lately so the last night's rain was welcome. I love the feel right after a rain when everything seems refreshed.

The morning is so soft and the colors seem much deeper.

The leaves are beginning to fall now. This week has been typical fall...cool mornings and lovely warm days. Yesterday I went to Erie with my friend for a few of her doctor appointments. We treated ourselves to lunch at Panera Bread where I always love their soup and half a sandwich. Yesterday it was tomato soup and a turkey, cheese, and apple on a nut wheat bread. Afterwards we did a little shopping. It was windy by the lake but the sun was shining and a glorious day. On the way home we saw a huge wide partial rainbow which lasted for a half an hour. A great way to end the day.

Just the little touches

My table this year is very subtle with not a hint of bright orange. These silver napkin rings made my heart sing when I saw them at Workd Market. 

This adorable pumpkin candle holder was a gift from my sister last year. 

And this one was my birthday gift this year. Aren't I lucky to have sisters? 

Oh what a beautiful morning

We are having Indian summer! Our morning may be cold…thirty nine…but by afternoon it has warmed up to seventy and the sun is shining and the sky is so blue. This is a rare warm Autumn.

Yesterday I went to Jamestown with the Giggle girls for lunch at Olive Garden. These high school classmates and I have the best time every time we are together. The waitress got such a kick out of our silliness and said she’d be talking about us later to her friends. We laugh and have such a good time. Afterwards we went to Michael’s and TJ Maxx and after a stop at Wegman’s grocery store we headed home. On the way home we go through Allegany State Park the largest New York state park. As we passed a small lake Sandy stopped the car and joked that the beavers come out at three o’clock. And sure enough as we were standing there a big beaver swam right up to the shore in front of us…then another. And later another. We got some good pictures which I will add when Sandy sends them to me.

Then at six o’clock I headed out for my second class in TAi Chi. I just love doing it. For me it is relaxing and takes my mind off everything. It is not easy and requires deliberate movement and using muscles that aren’t used very often. I’m so lucky that I only have to go a few miles downtown to the Seneca building which has been bought by the University of Pittsburgh. There is a large gym on the fifth floor where we have classes taught by two darling Chinese girls who are Confucius scholars. Last night we put our movements to music. We have learned five movements so far. LuLu and Peggy sent us a video to watch along with the music to practice with.

Today I had a salon appointment and over to Olean for a follow up appointment with the gastroenterologist. Evidently my throat was very, very closed almost shut and he barely could get the instrument down. He stretched it to 12mm but I will have to go back in and get it done in January to stretch it more to 20mm. I stopped to visit my cousin who is in hospice. She and I are close in age and I was very close to her family.
Tomorrow a trip to Erie with my friend Jamie for her two doctor appointments and some shopping and lunch. Busy week….again! I know soon it will slow down once the bad weather gets here.

If I were a French Girl

I envy French women. I first discovered the concept of living the French way when I read the book French Women Don’t Get Fat. It is the story of a French girl who comes to America as an exchange student and quickly picks up the eating habits of the USA. Needless to say she goes home a few pounds fatter to the dismay of all her family. Quickly she is put on a reduction diet of onion soup and is told how the French women eat.

Life in France (and in most of Europe) is decidedly different in many aspects besides eating. When I visited France, Germany and Denmark I got to witness that first hand. My hosts in Denmark lit candles at the breakfast table and there was never a huge stack of pancakes smothered in syrup. In Germany and France there were wonderful elaborate meals…but no snacking. But there were other distinctions besides the way they ate.

I observed the way they dressed. No loud plaids, sneakers, or chunky jewelry. The clothes were classy and fit well with just the right touches of jewelry. Soon I became aware that you could spot an American miles away from their loud voices and casual clothes.

It seemed to me that they knew something I didn’t. While traveling with my friend’s Danish cousins in Provence I noticed they took time to spread a blanket in the park of a small village while my friend and I ran from store to store. While traveling we noticed the Bed and Breakfasts where we stayed made a presentation of all the meals. Meals were a celebration meant to be savored and enjoyed not rushed through just to get it done.

As I wondered why I was so different I began reading on the French way of life in many books, articles, blog posts, and magazines. I discovered that they know how to step back and enjoy life and not live to work or to gather possessions. It is a more simple and calmer life. I try to adopt some of the rituals of their daily living.
I read many French oriented blogs and I highly recommend this one to you. …French Garden House. http://frenchgardenhouse.com/blog/french-lessons-6-tips-for-living-like-a-french-woman/   Here is just a taste from her article:

French women seem to have that  je ne sais quoi ~ living chic in an effortless way. They appear self confident, well dressed, and to lead a charmed, elegant life. Here are 6 tips I’ve learned from the French women in my life. They all seem to have a generous dose of amour propre, self-love and self-respect.

1. Celebrate YOU. You were created to be unique, there is only one YOU, it sounds  cliché, but it’s absolutely true. If you love being feminine, and enjoy flirty, girly clothing, it’s what you are meant to be, it’s who you are, so don’t fight it. If you prefer the classics, or menswear, so be it. Figure out what makes you feel beautiful and comfortable. This is the secret French women have, it gives them that “oh, la la!”, they give themselves permission to be themselves. Align your inner self with your outer self. It can take a while to figure out your true beauty, but revel in it, pudgy nose and all. Don’t worry about looking perfect. Feel “bien dans sa peau” {feel good in your own skin}.

2. Take Care of Yourself. French women don’t go out looking like a mess. They might be in a hurry, but they are dressed and groomed, with a little scarf casually thrown on for good measure, even if they are only going to the supermarket. If you look good, you’ll feel good, it’s a sign of respect for yourself and the world around you! Find what colors look good on you. Dress for yourself, show your personality, express your individuality. Don’t wait until you loose 10 lbs., work with what you have. If you wear a radiant smile, and know you look as good as you can, no one will care nor notice.

For more please visit her blog.