Welcome To Autumn 2026

"But when fall comes, kicking summer out in it's treacherous ass, as it always does one day sometime before the mid point of September, it stays a while like an old friend that you have missed."

~Stephen King

Salam's Lot

Finally... autumn is here. Leaf peeping, warm sweaters, rain, long trips to new towns and visits to museums. Monster cakelets and homemade cinnamon pecans. Halloween, my witches parasol, American Horror Story, and spiced cider. All the things I love about Autumn, and more!

Today is the Equinox. Take time to appreciate the first day of autumn!

What activity will you do?

My next post will be the very first, Autumn Leaf Of The Day, for 2026!

Redecorating A Little At A Time

 

"Have no fear of perfection, you'll never achieve it."

~Salvador Dali

I am hoping to do some painting, and redecorating, in the coming months. I just want to change some basic aspects of my home. A lamp here, and vase there. A new quilt set can change the whole feel of a bedroom, as can a lamp or throw pillow. Money, as you might expect, is an issue now that Trump has caused prices to raise. It's truly a shock to the system. DO I buy a lamp right now, or do I put the money away in case some unforeseen emergency arises? I need towels, do I start there? While home furnishings have only raised about 2% since 2024, it still seems like a big spending luxury, when you're paying so much for other goods and energy costs. I can't change my whole domestic surroundings at once, which is a shame because for me it's easier to imagine the look, but there is something to be said for allowing my condo to speak to me as I add a piece at a time.

Let's start here.

I love my current quilts, but it creeps me out that they were seen by everyone and their brother when we listed our house for sale, several years ago, and again when were considering selling in 2023. People I don't know, knew my style and what the bed I slept in looked like. Ugh. So, and new quilt set wouldn't be out of line. 10 years is long enough for a quilt set. Full stop! And it's also not out of line to dismiss an icky feeling that's followed me for years! Let's consider quilts.

I like this one from Wayfair. I love Wayfair

But this one is pretty nice too.

I can add a vase with some artificial orchids or maybe peonies to create a soft, inviting room. Colors easy on the eyes, so sleep is only a snore away. Funny, I used to watch CNN and MSNBC to fall asleep, now the news terrifies me so much, it's anything but rest inducing. Now to fall asleep, I use restful noises from my Alexa or if my sleeplessness it really bad, I use little bottles of essential oils I keep by my bedside. Lavender and cedarwood, and are all great for you if you seek rest. I also enjoy cinnamon and clove, as those are my favorite scents. Below is a great article from the Cleveland Clinic about the uses of 11 specific scents and how they work to benefit you. I love farmhouse style, Mid-century and eclectic with a sense of humor. I want to do each room eventually, but mixing too many styles can come off insane. It's a process. So, sometime soon I will share about where I have landed with things. I might even repurpose old items I have packed away. A new lampshade on an old lamp can make all the difference! I just wish I understood why lampshades are so expensive!

Cleveland Clinic 

11 Essential Oils: Their Benefits And How To Use them.

It's going to take a little time. 

One Month, A Million Little Joys Plus Autumn Leaf Of The Day #29

 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

 

L. M. Montgomery

Anne Of Green Gables

 

Fuzzy little autumn creatures. What's there not to love? And it's even better that I spotted it in October. My favorite month gives me everything in just 31 days! My anniversary. Halloween candy. The turning autumn leaves. The Pacific Flyway, virtually at my front door, as I know the mergansers will show up in the channel eventually. The smell of cinnamon and clove is everywhere. Spumoni. Halloween costumes. Scary movies. And that first cool breeze. One month, a million little joys. October.

 

~Me

A Feast For The Soul

"****A Small Theory****

"People observe the colors of a day only at it's beginnings and at its ends, but to me it's quite clear that a day merges through a multitude of shades and intonations with each passing moment. 

A single hour can consist of thousands of different colors. Waxy yellows, cloud-spat blues. Murky darknesses. In my line of work, I make it a point to notice them."

~Markus Zusak

The Book Thief

This week has definitely been all about the color! Great big glorious color! Autumn is shining bright and beautiful from the Central Valley, all the way up to Placerville! It's so beautiful! Yesterday we went to Apple Hill, for our annual trip to Rainbow Orchards, for Apple Cider doughnuts, and in addition to the tasty treats, we found a lot of beautiful color! The whole trip was a feast for the soul! Doughnuts filled with the taste of cinnamon, cloves, brown sugar, and of course, fresh apple juice! And the trees with every single color possible, and to make the whole thing complete, tasty fruit and veggies from right here in the valley!

 

Delicious. Spicy. Gorgeous. Tasty. Autumn!

#19 Leaf Of The Day

October 19th 2017

Camino, California

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Will This Be The Year? :)

"December, being the last month of the year,

 cannot help but make us think of what is to come."

~Fennel Hudson

A Meaningful Life

Fennel's Journal #1

We put up our Christmas tree last night, and my goodness it's lovely! It is so pretty with it's tiny lights, and happy little stuffed animals at the base, working hard to keep some curious kitties from taking a mad leap into the middle of the tree! There is a small blue bear, that Hendrix claimed years ago, before it ever came out of the box of soft teddy bear decoration we bought at Costco. We put those soft decorations on the tree every year, so if someone does make a mistake, they don't get hurt by falling breakables. So far, they have never tore the Christmas tree down, we have well behaved cats! But it doesn't stop me from wondering... will this be the year?

:)

 Leaf Of The Day

December 11th 2016

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

 

 

Brown Sugar And Cinnamon

"It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust

 of brown sugar and cinnamon."

~Sarah Addison Allen

First Frost

I am going through my archives, looking for autumn leaves from past seasons that I didn't put into my Leaf Of The Day project because I always wish I have more time to post my favorite leaves, but let's face it, it's not possible to post every single beautiful leaf I come across. It's just not reasonable. So, here are a few I found in the archives that I never got around to posting. Each one reminded me of the day I was out with my camera, and how wonderful I always feel at the end of a really good day, photographing incredibly beautiful leaves.

Enjoy!

 Happiness!

Leaf Of The Day

November 23rd 2016

Mood: Quiet

~Me  

 

The Colors Of Apple Hill

"When everything looks like a magical oil painting,

 you know you are in Autumn."

~Mehmet Murat ildan

Alan and I paid a visit to Apple Hill yesterday, and the autumn life filled my heart with so much happiness! Everything kinda looked like it was covered in cinnamon and cloves, and the smell of freshly picked apples was amazing! Truly, it wouldn't be autumn for me, without a trip to Apple Hill, especially in October!

Can't you just taste those apples?

Sweet?

Tangy?

Juicy?

Delicious!

Leaf Of The Day

October 21st, 2016

Mood: Happy

~Me :) 

Walking In Leaves

"Mere color, unspoiled by meaning,

 and unallied with definite form,

 can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways."

~Oscar Wilde

This post is all about the leaves, and the colors. All the different color combinations that can be found in a big pile of leaves, is enough inspiration to keep me going even on the harshest of days. I love playing in leaves, photographing them, studying their shapes and sizes. I always end my photo sessions happy. Happy inside, and strangely hungry for cinnamon and apples and big bowls of soup! LOL. You know... comforting things. Memories too sometimes. Just give me a pile of leaves, and a camera, and maybe a cat to help me enjoy the sound of the leaves crunching under my feet. My cat Elvis always loved walking in leaves with me.

Happiness

Leaf Of The Day

December 8th, 2015 

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Have A Large Glass Of Holiday Whine...

"Once upon a time, the Reindeer took a running leap and jumped over the Northern Lights. But he jumped too low, and the long fur of his beautiful flowing tail got singed by the rainbow of the aurora. To this day the reindeer has no tail to speak of. But he is too busy pulling the important sleigh to notice what is lost. And he certainly doesn't complain."

What's your excuse?"

~Vera Nazarian

The Perpetual Calendar Of Inspiration

I have never needed a reason to complain during the holidays. Lets get some out of the way, shall we?

1. It's too damn cold!

2. I want it all and I want it now! What? I can't have it NOW? BAH HUMBUG!

3. Why is everybody so gripey? 

4. Did I mention it's cold?

5. Did I mention it's TOO DAMN COLD?

 6. Not another pair of slippers! Why do I keep buying myself slippers?

Wait... I can't take it no more! I can't stand to hear my own whining anymore!

It's December 1st!

Cheers!

If you have anything you would like to whine about, feel free to share it in the comment thread! Anything! Consider it my gift to you for this holiday season!

 Happy Holidays!

Leaf Of The Day

December 1st 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

It's Autumn, So Let The Baking Begin!

"The measuring and mixing always smoothed out her thinking processes... nothing was as calming as creaming butter, and when the kitchen was warm from the oven overheating and the smell of baking chocolate, she took final stock of where she'd been and where she was going. Everything was fine."

~Jennifer Crusie

Maybe This Time

It's autumn, and there is a definite chill in the air, so what better time for baking? I love cooking in autumn, especially the sugary treats like one of Alan's favorite cookies... Snickerdoodles! I put tons of cinnamon sugar on them, like everyone I suppose, but in my opinion there isn't enough cinnamon in the world. I LOVE cinnamon! Not only is it good for lowing your blood glucose numbers, but it keeps ants away from your home! Cinnamon is truly a gift. I adore cooking with it, and I have about 5 cinnamon brooms hanging on the walls of the new place to make it smell nice! I got them at Trader Joe's here in Stockton. The are amazing, they smell like cinnamon red hots. They are the perfect touch for decorating for the holidays! But back to baking. I think I will be doing more baking this year, then in previous years. It was good therapy to make the cookies. It has me in the mood for all the great treats enjoyed this time of year, and not just the sweet treats, I am looking forward to making quiches and savory bread puddings as well. And soon, Chicken in Puff Pastry! I haven't made that in several years. Creatively speaking, I am doing a lot better, and that can't help but bring me out of the homesickness I am feeling. Every day I am feeling a little more like I am home.

 Leaf Of The Day

November 6th, 2015

Mood: Content

~Me :)

Sugar Cookie ANTS!

"Ant #1: So, uh, do you ever worry that your itsy little neck is just going to snap under the weight of your head?

Ant #2: Stop asking me that. You ask me that, like, every five minutes.

Ant #1: Sometimes I notice my antennae out of the corner of my eye and I'm all, like, AHH! Something is on me! Get it off! Get it off!

Ant #2: Yeah, the antennae again. Listen, I just remembered, I have to go walk around aimlessly now."

~Jim Benton

Okay, So Maybe I Do Have Superpowers

Ugg. The Christmas cookies were a big hit! I made a batch, then I made another batch, then I decided to make yet another one for New Year's. I think technically the New Year's cookies were the biggest hit, if you consider there are currently about a 1,000 ants in my house. Still, a good review is a good review! It's good to know that old fashioned sugar cookies are still enjoyed by people and ants.

 If you are having an ant problem try putting a line of cinnamon down between you and the ants... they won't cross it. And a plus... cinnamon is non toxic to dogs and cats, and most outside critters. We dust the house inside and out after the rainy season is over, and then repeat every four weeks or so! Another excellent product is Orange Guard. I found it at Whole Foods! It smells wonderful, and is again, safe for use around pets!

:)

"Ants don't make me nervous. They make me antsy."

~Jarod Kintz

Whenever You're Gone, I'm Here For You

Mood: Happy But Busy

~Me :)

ANTS!
Photographed 1/6/15
10:21 PM
HTC Vivid

Autumnal Equinox

"Autumn begins with a subtle change in the light, with skies a deeper blue, and nights that become suddenly clear and chilled. The season comes full with the first frost, the disappearance of migrant birds, and the harvesting of the season's last crops."

~Glenn Wolff and Jerry Dennis

It's here, it's here, it's here! Well, almost! Less than 24 hours! Tonight (Monday night) at 7:28 PM the summer takes it's last breath, and at 7:29 PM we cross over from the season of sadness into the season of healing. At least that's how I feel about autumn... it's the healing season. I live for this season, but more so this year that in any other I can remember! It's not that I expect autumn to do all the heavy lifting to bring me out of the deep sadness I have been in, I know that's my hard work to do, but autumn will make it easier.

 As of September 29th, Alan and I will be on vacation until November 6th! Spending time with him always makes me happy, and we have a lot of new outings for this year that will keep us running, so there will e a lot of new opportunities for my cameras to get a workout! So yeah, I know finding my Zen again will take some work, but if you can't find your Zen in autumn, then you just aren't trying! Right? God I love the light in autumn, it's like the sweetest smile I've ever seen. It's life.

Smiles Of Autumn Pasts

I wonder what will breeze my way this autumn?

:)

Mood: Happy

~Me :)