Merrye Hallows Eve

The days are shorter...
and the smell of the fallen leaves
is just heavenly. 

I am creating 
but it is a very slow process it seems...
As I am recovering~
Some minor surgery 
and some seasonal
stuff that 
wants a bit more attention...
have made October
just a bit tough.




I won't have an offering for EHAG tonight...

I am an unwilling captive
to medicated rest!

I will be enjoy the day quietly
and I look forward 
to the children tonight.
...and while I may be held a bit captive~
I am working
 towards some 
goode news
and 
a surprise ahead.

October Surprise

Yesterday was simply glorious...

and today is no less.

We hit a record breaking 84 degrees

 here in our little spot, 

not far from Albany.

Just one last taste of Summer.

Today is just as glorious. 

It is not quite as warm however,

 gray clouds are dancing

 with cobalt skies 

and make the changing leaves

 look stunning.

Golden leaves have been dancing

 in the breeze this morning...

occupying my time 

as I enjoy their pretty dance.

Over the past two weeks...

Snowflakes have danced in my head~

as I prepare for the season ahead 

and one local show.

Sleepy mice

and ginger men

 have started to appear~

Along with an Angel theme...

I am wrapping up around 

Christmas Carols to guide me~

taking a cue from the wee ones 

that I loved last year.

While October 

may have given us a day or two of a surprise,

I am enjoying her gift~

as yummy wools

and pretty flannels

dance in my head.

Brown cardboard packages

may not be tied up with string...

 but oh how they hold

 my most favorite things~

there is magic happening 

with each stitch

and

 although this will be the last day 

of our

 October surprise~

there is plenty of magic

to be had at the Cottage.

October's Magic

Wee sleepy Spice is the last of two witchy offerings for Early Work Mercantile.

I love October.

 I keep it close to my heart throughout the year~

once it is here,however~

 it blossoms...

into afternoon mugs of Chai,

evenings of sipping cider 

...and nibbling a cider donut or two.

It holds memories 

of helping my Father make our own cider.

My Mother In Law 

making donuts on her farmhouse porch...

I love stitching up Cathedral Window squares...
and Pumpkin looks so sweet napping atop a Halloween themed one. 

and this evening~

a gathering of Tim's family.

We have an annual picnic.

That's right~ a picnic...

in the evening!

It is a wonderful way to gather 

and bring crock pots 

of comfort food...

hot dogs on the grill

 and groups of us

 huddled about fire pits to keep us warm.

This has become a beloved tradition!

As I enjoy time with both families...

a weekend in a cabin, deep in the Adirondacks...

and plenty of crisp mornings 

(that we have been waiting for all Summer)~

I am enjoying tiny stitches,

experimenting with my wee sleepy mousels...

and

designing for the next season ahead.

October is indeed magic for me.

In all that I hold dear

and 

I intend to thoroughly enjoy it!

Making Spirits Bright

A wee sleepy Angel mousel will be perfect for my Holiday offerings.
A sleeping cap Mousel is on the way also!

The morning and evening air has become crisp...
the leaves are turning
and falling.
The aroma of wood smoke weaves around it all.

The smell of Fall
 wraps it's arms around us
and welcomes us like family
 we haven't seen in ages.

In this heady mix,
I am working on different seasons...
The Thankful
and the Holiday Season.

Whiteface...

Last weekend,

we took some time away.

Rented a wee cabin in the woods...

and enjoyed an Adirondack get away

 in my beloved Lake Placid.

This stunning site always makes me catch my breath!

 This is the place where my dreams came true.

Where a bunch of us came together to create.

I learned so much 

about myself

and making art.

Our cozy cabin.

 We came here last year,

and loved it so much...

we decided to make it 

a yearly event.

Mirror Lake....you always hold my heart.

This year, 

we decided to come down with colds

while we were there.

Awesome, right???

It's okay though...

we enjoyed ourselves in spite of it.

I had time to just think and sketch...

and put together a plan for the Holiday season and next year.

I have spent this past week

recovering from that hanging cold,

packing orders,

and making a model or two for my next show.

It seems...

that it is also the season of

of coat tail riders.

All of us have them~

With my eyes opened even wider

 during my time away~

I am reminded

to:

keep my course

remember my gift

and keep giving it 

back to the Universe.

after all... 

no one can capture

or copy 

the spirit that is truly yours.