BAR HARBOR MAINE (Part 1): Acadia National Park, South Bubble, & Lobster...
My favorite autumn video on YouTube. Their hike is insane, gorgeous views and scary.
Mum, Weather, Drained & One Thing
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| Middlebury Garden Center |
Selecting mums this year was a challenge. In the various stages of blooming, I wanted plants that will bloom into October at a time when I want to see a lot of flowers open.
The large golden mums bloomed early. If I don't look close, then those mums have nice color.
The golden rust mums have been the most spectacular. The deeper red is a close second on length of bloom and vibrant color.
Next year will be easier to chose using my notes from this year.
The large golden mums bloomed early. If I don't look close, then those mums have nice color.
The golden rust mums have been the most spectacular. The deeper red is a close second on length of bloom and vibrant color.
Next year will be easier to chose using my notes from this year.
Weather. The ambient temperatures are cooler at this lower elevation at 194 feet (59 m) in Vermont close to Lake Champlain. In comparison, Stowe, Vermont is 889 feet (271 m). The highest peak in Vermont is Mount Mansfield at 4395 feet (1339 m) with the lower Stowe nearby.
In my backyard, I see a lot of green just barely turning colors. Up in Stowe, the foliage map indicates it is peak foliage. I expect with this week's lower temperatures, that peak foliage in the mountains and hollows will excelerate. In other words, this week is good for a leaf peeping excursion.
Drained. Not everything that happens in life needs to by ananlyzed. Feeling drained of energy, for example, doesn't need to reason unless it is chronic. I have no idea why I feel so drained of energy, especially when I love to see the foliage.
The other morning after getting a take out coffee, I wanted to keep driving up to the mountains. I had on long pants and a jacket. Problem, I was wearing sandals! By the time I got back indoors, I didn't feel like getting ready to go back out. I told myself it is a peak holiday weekend where there are lots of folks out and about. For a few minutes, I thought about why I was so lazy. Two days later, I might go for a short looksee at the foliage. Or I might stare at the fabric foliage I stuck into the window lace curtain.
One Thing. If I don't go out to get a best autumn photo, and hopefully a landscape to paint, then I won't be ready to start the as I go progress painting series this year. My plans depend on my doing that one thing.
Still in my pajamas at noon time, I think laundry can wait. The floors were washed yesterday. The dishes are almost finished. There's a flannel shirt waiting for me to get out and about...sometime this week.
How are your energy levels? Do they fluctuate in the fall?
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Held in Stowe, Vermont on 8 October 2023,
as a yearly event, the celebration has
next year to plan for. Sign up to
volunteer, particpate or sponser.
Check you local area for IPD events.
PBS Programing
This is the long weekend of October celebrating on Monday,
Indigenous People's Day.
Searching the local PBS schedules, thinking I will find programs about the Indigenous people of America, I find nothing being aired today. Instead, one station has an afternoon marathon, for a Black American series, and the other station is airing programs about Elvis.
I'm guessing this is only Sunday. There will probably be programs about Indigenous people tomorrow. On Monday, 9 October 2023 EDT, one station at 10 PM EDT has a program schedule to be aired, "The American Buffalo: A Story of Resilience," hosted by Judy Woodruff. The Vermont PBS station has nothing about American Indigenous people on Indigenous People's Day.
I have no words.
Reflection Monday, October 2023
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| The Pondering Squirrel |
Balance
Fair vs unfair
Light vs dark
Heavy vs light
Rough vs Smooth
Wavy vs still
Pure vs sullied
Windy vs calm
True versus false
Of all the contrasts, the opposites, the antonmyms
where does our society presently lean?
Common Sense versus Stupid
Pumpkins & Crafts
Links to websites with lovely pumpkin
Three 7.5 to 2.5 inch pumpkins in the kitAn easy way to gorgeous up a faux pumpkin
Hurry Back on Etsy, Faux Rustic Wood Pumpkins
Love the rustic look!
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| Salt Dough Pumpkin Face at Salty Pumpkin Crafts |
Selecting a favorite pumpkin to buy or to make can be daunting there are so many lovely design ideas out there. The marbled pumpkins are gorgeous. The Rustic wood pumpkins melt the heart. Crocheting pumpkins from a kit feels like an easy and relaxing project while watching television or listening to an audio book.
Ah, The Pumpkin Hunt!
Along country roads, grocery stores, garden centers, you can make it into a yearly special excursion event.
The local Shaw's supermarket has huge boxes of good sized pumpkins for sale already. I like the small pie pumpkins because I can bake them. The larger pumpkins can be used for cooking as well. Roasted pumpkin seeds I have had no luck with.
Browsing the many pumpkin crafts online, I've decided to use some scrap wood I have to make a flat twig style pumpkin to hang on the wall. Similar to the one at Thistlewood Farms website. Burlap ribbon from last year tied with jute twine will be the decoration. After Thanksgiving, I can add a spring of pine and pine cones for the holidays.
Not a sponsored post
Arranging Furniture Fun
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| Abstract Untitled |
The change of seasons means moving furniture to the winter arrangement. Table space is premium for craft, sewing and art projects. This year there will be more surface area to use after I finish making a larger craft table.
The wood card table will be used for puzzles, and odd projects like a place to allow things to dry.
During the furniture moving, there's also clearing out stuff. The tall trash can where I stored rolled up drawings, wallpaper and such is now a clothes hamper. A file cabinet is in the corner instead. More has moved here and there to organize, tidy up, declutter. I've also found small projects to add to the cold weather indoors project basket.
The abstract is one such discovery rolled in a tube with other stuff. I recall it as being on gesso primed paper. To my surprise, it is on primed canvas without a stretcher.
Who know moving furniture could be so much fun.
I found a 1982 duck applique and stuffed decoy book with the pattern; a cross stitch door pull kit; wood pieces for projects; tons of buttons; a knitting project; drawing paper; and more.
So that's where that was!...ruled.
Day 259 of Week 37, September 2023
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| Creeping Smartweed (Persicaria longiseta) |
The location of the random photograph is a mystery to me. Taken in 2014, I see a piece of blue braided strap, a chunk of red sandstone, and, a dry leaf in the center that looks like a duck. The dark area is a deeper crack the red sandstone leans over.
Big landscapes leave out the small things we are closer to. The amount of feeling we have for the outdoors, the large and small views, I feel, doesn't differ widely. I believe our need to connect to Nature is one size fits it all.
Have a naturally wondrous weekend!
Sing to your dish towel
Read about ducks in your area
Write a poem about midnight
Browse photo editing software online
Learn how to make pineapple syrup
Draw blueberries
Study a map of New Hampshire
Give your favorite coffee mug a name
Happy Collect Rocks Day!
P.S.
Oh Wow!
I just realized my change to the default font on this blog to the Delius font works! I went into the HTML page, found the header where the font I chose is, and changed it to Delius. I realize it work because the comments are also in the Delius font.
Tis the Season to Shop Coffee Mugs
Bennington Potters Tankard Mug
Made in Vermont, quality and style for a crisp and robust morning
Crate and Barrel Lina blue stripe mug
Pretty round shape, wear a stripe tee and dream of summer sailing as the snow falls
Etsy, Woodland Forest Mug
A beautiful cozy and rustic design ready for a dash of cinnamon
Pottery Barn, Pumpkin Mugs set of 4
A lovely bright orange pumpkin favorite
Target, Wild and Free Mug
Colorful birds and fruit fun design
Sheepscot River Pottery, Maine Isle Barrel Mug
Made in Maine barrel mugs in various designs
Deneen Pottery, Love + Protect Your Parks, National Parks Series
Footed, green glazed and sturdy with a beautiful park design
Blanket Creek Pottery, Rustic red mug
Curved with wonderous shape, a mug for day dreaming
Set of 4 Rustic and colorful at a good price
⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕
Autumn craft fairs will probably be back this year.
Check out your area for local potters.
Set a budget, and write a gift list.
Select a special coffee mug just for you and your daydreams
Not a sponsored post
Folklore & Forecasts
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| Wooly Bear Caterpillar 2014 |
According to folklore, the longer the brown band on the Wooly Bear caterpillar, the milder the winter. In 2014, the band was long, visible as he scurried stretched out across the driveway.
North American Winter 2014~2015
Maybe the Wooly Bear isn't such a good weather predicter.
The Old Farmer's Almanac and the National Weather Service, have better weather forecasts.
🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁
This fall consider being on the look out for signs of what the 2023 ~ 2024 winter will be here in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, fluff up those sweaters and dust out those boots.
Autumn is only 9 days away.
Out my window here in Vermont today, it looks like summer with rain from a dull overcast sky. Out and about, I will wear shoes and a rain jacket instead of sandals and a sweater. Thankfully, today is a very light on errands.
There are some days, like last Saturday, when I was out all day hunting down things. Overall, doing errands can be very tedious when there are many stops or long distances between them.
In winter, that changes. I bundle up both clothing and errands wise to reduce my time out in the cold. I have begun stocking up on just in case food, planning meals for leftovers and freezing, flashlight batteries, reading list, and projects. A positive about winter is that being outdoors can't be ruined by too much snow like summer is ruined with too much rain.
Earth needs the snow, not to excess, but enough to replenish water supplies, and give plants that need a cold spell for growth, like apples do.
Instead of being grumpy about cold and snow, enjoy watching Nature on the go this winter.
🌟
Today, I got Wordle in 2!
😂😁💖
I do feel humble and sparkly.
Creating & Holiday Preparations
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| Handmade Holiday Stockings |
Cleaning out sewing drawers to organize winter projects, I found a bunch of pretty fabrics folded up. To my surprise, they are holiday stockings I forgot I started to make using sturdy upholstery and draperies' fabrics.
As families age, gift giving can be difficult on the budget. The gift basket style in a handmade stocking is easy and fun.
I take the discovery as a sign to get busy design my holiday greeting cards. I go for the rustic Nature outdoor minimalist vibe. Whatever I create, I'm sure it will require hot glue and lots of cutting paper. A card that can be an ornament is interesting.
Have you started your holiday cards?
There is often a stage with designing where I over do it, and have to take it back to the practical. The scale of a design as well as the project has to be enjoyable. This year I decided on a vintage Christmas card theme for decor. Down to 2 small artificial trees, I can make small cards to fit them using magazine cut outs.
Before the trees go up, there's faux foliage and pumpkins to dig out of the closet.
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