And We're Off To A Great Start!

Yesterday.

The first day of autumn... a fog-lifting, sun-shining, rain-falling, wind-blowing kind of day.  Dynamic, yes - but isn't that pretty much the way Autumn is?  So many changes across every aspect of nature happen at this time of year.  

It's Spring in reverse!  

Yesterday was the perfect day for naps in the sun - just ask MaryAnn. 

 She spent quite a bit of time lying next to the pasture fence soaking up the sunshine as the cool winds blew.  I stopped by to check on her and she was very content.  It's time to empty the pig pool... they won't be needing it in this weather. 

It's black cat season... according to my two Bea's.  

They are coming up on their third year here on the farm.

"Black cats get their own season?" asks Pete.  "Don't worry, Pete, every season is your season!"  Pete has the ability to insert himself into everything.  He's a very needy (and talkative) cat.  He's quite irresistible, and I think he knows it!

I took the dogs to our Field of Dreams, in the middle of the woods, for an acorn hunt. 

Of course, Chester had to ride most of the way.  He learned well from Brown Sammie to conserve his energy for more important work... like chasing Annie!

We gathered a handful to place in a wooden bowl on the coffee table... just another touch of autumn for the house.

I added a couple of tiny pumpkins and some autumn foliage to the dining room centerpiece... an easy way of changing the season of that room.

It was also the perfect day for baking bread - the oven helping to warm up the cold morning kitchen.


I will freeze 1½ loaves for future use.

During one of the sunny moments of the day, I planted the first of the willow trees that I grew from cuttings this summer.  It's about 3 feet tall.


If this little one survives the winter, you will be amazed at how big it will grow in just one year!

Here is one of last year's trees.  It is now 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide!

 As I waded through the growth of asters in the chicken yard to reach the upper henhouse and collect eggs, 


I couldn't help but notice I was being followed.  Ruby (Hubbs' girlfriend) stood and chatted with me as I gathered eggs.  I think she was giving me her opinion on the change of seasons.  Whatever she was saying, she had no shortage of "words"!


 PS... Marcia (a blog friend) sent me a link to THIS article about amazing mushrooms.  Take a look - the photos are unbelievable!  Thanks again, Marcia!!

Comments

Marcia LaRue said…
The collection of mushroom pictures are fantastic! Sadly, I was not the one providing the website!
A wonderful start to this Friday morning!
This N That said…
Love the mushroom video..Who knew there were so many beautiful mushrooms??
Today is beautiful too...Big change in temps!!
Yesterday was a good day for a nap anywhere..
I have little pumpkins on my dining room centerpiece as well...with grapes..
Your willow trees are amazing.I think I remember that their roots are super invasive so be careful where you plant them..
Enjoy today!! Have a good weekend..Hugs
Agent X, not said…
As always, love your posts. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the autumn weather. 1st day of fall in Texas usually still means sunscreen, shorts, and mosquito repellent, although temps in the low 80s are supposed to happen this weekend. One can hope...
Leslye said…
Thank you for sharing those amazing pictures of mushrooms, I never knew mushrooms could be so beautiful and magical!
THE BEARDED ONE said…
THE PICS OF THE SKY ARE TRULY INBCREDIBLE...ANIMALS HAVE A WAY OF GETTING INTO OUR HEARTS AND "STAYING" THERE...THEY QUICKLY BECOME OUR CHILDREN !!!!...YOUR ARRANGEMENTS ARE TRULY AMAZING..YOU HAVE SUCH GREAT TALENT AND YOUR BAKED BREAD IS LIKE SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER SEEN...YOUR NAD HUBBS FARM IS ALSO OLKE N OTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN AND I HAVE SEEN AND BEEN ON MANY..I AM AN OLE COUNTRY BOY...RAISED ON THE FARM ANDPLOWING , DISCING AND CULTIVATING AT THE AGE OF 7 TOTALLY BY MYSELF...DADDY DID ALLL OF THE PLANTING..I DID MOST OT THE REST...THE MUSHROOM PICS ARE TRULY INCREDIBLE... BEAUTIFUL BEYOND BEAUTIFUL...AWESOME...SURE HOPE YOU AND HUBBS AND ALL OF THOSE WHO ENOY THESE HAVE A SUPER WEEKEND!!!!!!! KEEP SMILING !!!!!!!
Every day is a fun trip to your place for me! Love MaryAnn stretched out asleep in the pasture! Loved your Fall centerpiece. Loved your delicious looking bread. Loved the black Beas and of course, talkative Pete. We grew willow trees like that in our first house and they did very well, just like yours! And I see Hubb's girlfriend continues to chatter. Too bad you can't understand her! Have a terrific weekend!