autumn Archives - Keeping With The Times

Mountain Ash Bliss

October 11, 2017 by Barb 3 Comments

Good morning! We’ve been under a heavy snowfall warning since yesterday, but so far it hasn’t materialized… apparently it’s still coming.

At any rate, it caused me to rush out and snip a few leaves from our Mountain Ash before the snow came and demolished them …

When I posted this to Instagram so many people said they’d never seen one! Shocking! (the things I take for granted ;)

Today you’ll find me inside drinking hot coffee under a warm woolly blanket (not so bad:)

Have a lovely one my friends!

If you care to learn more about Mountain Ash in my area check out this article from Salisbury Greenhouse

Hello November! Goodbye October

November 1, 2016 by Barb 7 Comments

Hello November! I love your stark beauty.
Goodbye October! You were beautiful!

A bald eagle paid a visit …

… along the path on a calm October afternoon…

and oh yes, we had a wee bit of snow :(

But October really was about a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family; making the most of the weather with great food, playing cards, and gathering around fires in the fireplace.

My IG account wrap-up has everything from leaves, to succulents, to clocks, to fresh peonies preserved in the fridge! (I’ll be sending out this 9 photo LR template in the next newsletter.)

Looking forward to this new month so much!

Have a wonderful day everyone, and thank you for stopping by!

xo
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#NaBloPoMo

A Cup of Calm and a Free Printable

October 12, 2016 by Barb 5 Comments

“An open home, an open heart; here grows a bountiful harvest”
Judy Hand

Yesterday I was reading Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach and enjoying a cup of calm after our busy and beautiful Thanksgiving weekend.

I had planned on getting a lot of photos, but I didn’t.

What I did get was memories, and a massive feeling of gratefulness …

“Come, my thankful sisters, come. Offer grace for the bounty of goodness. Raise the song of harvest home, the glass of good cheer, the heart overflowing with joy. We have so much for which to be thankful. So much about which to smile, so much to share. So much, that in this season of plenty, we can embrace the season of relinquishment. All we have is all we need.”

Sarah Ban Breathnach

I’ll be sending out a free printable of the quote by Judy Hand with my next newsletter.
xo

David Thompson Highway, Alberta Canada

September 13, 2016 by Barb 6 Comments

The David Thompson Highway holds so many memories for myself and my husband. We’ve taken that route many, many times on our summer/autumn holidays, usually on the way from Central Alberta to British Columbia.

Alberta Provincial Highway No. 11[1] is a highway in central Alberta, Canada. It is known as the David Thompson Highway, and runs from Saskatchewan River Crossing in Banff National Park east through Nordegg, Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer until it connects with Highway 12 near Nevis. The highway is named after David Thompson, a British-Canadian fur trader, surveyor, and map-maker who explored the area between Rocky Mountain House and Kootenae House (near present-day Invermere, British Columbia) through Howse Pass. Wikepedia

We started out on a little September getaway early Friday morning (destination: Emerald Lake, British Columbia.)

And so it begins … the colours!

On a whim we decided to drive into Nordegg to see if we could find lunch … we followed the aroma of fresh bread and pies cooling in a window at the Miners Café in the Heritage Centre.

We each had a bowl of homemade potato soup that was like eating a whole new potato swimming in cream. In addition we shared a grilled brie and cranberry sandwich on homemade bread. Lastly,we shared a piece of peach/apple pie still hot from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting all over it … bliss! I highly recommend stopping at the Miners Café if you’re in the area and are looking for some wholesome local food!

We made a quick stop at Abraham Lake, but I’ll be posting more photos in a future post since the leaves were even more spectacular as we made our way home from British Columbia 4 days later.

Mount Michener

Next up: Emerald Lake, British Columbia

What Sets Your Soul on Fire?

August 22, 2016 by Barb 6 Comments

What sets your soul on fire?

When presented with that question, I think we all assume we must come up with the most amazing and astonishing answer. But the truth is, we don’t. Maybe what sets your soul on fire is reading a good book (and having the time to do it.)Lots of things set my soul on fire … like a drive around the countryside listening to oven birds as they flit along a fence line, or the grasses as they sway in a gentle breeze.

One of the biggest things that sets my soul on fire is autumn and that “new beginning” feeling.

I know, it’s still mid to late summer and I don’t want to to rush it, but … I’m seeing slight changes in the landscape and feeling those old excited stirrings in my heart.

For me, autumn feels like a new beginning, and I suppose it harkens back to childhood; returning to school and the new clothes, shoes, books, and pencils it brought. Our family didn’t have a lot of money and any time we got new stuff it was a big deal.

I grew up on a farm and harvest was the biggest event of the year. I’m quite sure I picked up on the energy of my parents as they brought in the crops and put the grain safely away in bins. My mom would start baking bread, and hearty soups and stews. It was a satisfying time and I felt safe and secure.

So I’ve decided it’s time to craft an autumn bucket list of sorts … something like my 30 Ideas to Make June Magical post. I’d love it if you could join me (if only in your mind and on your private journal pages.) I’ll be posting mine in bits and pieces as we get closer to September.

And because I love quotes and word art, I’d love it if you could share some of your favourite quotes … and maybe, just maybe one or two will appear here as a freebie ;)

*****

I think this quote is by Jennifer Lee

Autumn is Definitely on the Way Out

November 18, 2015 by Barb 5 Comments

As much as I am in denial, autumn is definitely on the way out. Pinecones and holly berries are waiting in the wings, along with shortbread and sugar cookies.

Last night’s blustery snow squall, and today’s freezing temperatures are the cold hard reality.

I just got back from shopping for groceries and my hands are so cold! I neglected to wear gloves, but at least I was wearing shoes and socks, which is something I put off for as long as possible. Sandals, sandals, sandals … to the end … brrrrrr.

So now, I shall bid adieu to autumn with a few more pressed beauties:… and another one for Frankenstein …

Dragging my b*tt today for Day 18 #nablopomo

Garden Cleanup (it’s not pretty)

November 5, 2015 by Barb 5 Comments

I’m always showing you the “pretty” in my garden … today I thought you might enjoy seeing the garden cleanup … aackk … it’s not pretty … .

The truth is we live in a rather untamed area, surrounded by boreal forest which is constantly pushing against any attempts to keep it back … roots invade the lawn, leaves cover it, branches fall all over it.

The hubs goes around cutting down foliage with a hedge trimmer/chain saw, then I pick it up, put it in a wheel barrow, and dump it in a makeshift compost behind the fir trees; stringy stuff in one pile, composted matter in another.

Hostas need to be cut off and the leaves removed to discourage slugs … ugh …

I adore daylilies but they are the stringiest things to clean up.

Gah! I don’t even have an “after” shot to show you. I’ll wait ’til the snow falls and makes everything look perfect.

This post would likely never have seen the light of day if not for #nablopomo (Day 5)

Autumn Vignette

November 2, 2015 by Barb 14 Comments

This year my Autumn Vignette shows I am definitely into the neutrals: soft greys, blues, creams, and browns, all working together to create a sense of calm and peace. I’ll quickly note right here that before I even began decorating, I got rid of a ton of clutter; clearing my space and my mind for what I really want in my home and my life. Lately, if something isn’t working for me … I let it go … but that’s another story.
The decorating started with the ladder … the 10 foot, 6 inch ladder. When I first dragged that thing home, I was petrified as to what the hubs would think, but I knew I could make it work. I knew I had to have it, and I knew I could prove it to be useful.

I shared my woes and fears with my friends and co-conspirators in The Studio | Online. They were more than supportive—helping me come up with solutions on how to promote this thing. But now I think I have been redeemed. It’s the perfect place for holding and displaying cozy new throws and blankets, ready for someone to grab and curl up with by the fire.

I then added my small vintage nightstand (rescued from the basement) since it it just the right height, and the bit of brown adds warmth. It also gave extra room to accommodate that gorgeous white jug which I filled with the dried Echinops picked from my garden this year.

The mirror adds sparkle and light, and the pumpkin pillow from The Pottery Barn was the perfect finishing touch. It was on clearance here in Canada since Thanksgiving is over, and already the stores are filled with Christmas merchandise. But I’ll hang on to autumn for a bit longer, thank you very much.

I’m also loving my vintage letter holder which I found at One Man’s Treasure (where else?) it’s the perfect size to hold my contact cards from Social Print Studio.

And then, because what would autumn be without some lovely warm tea? and a few golden leaves …

Decorating for the seasons doesn’t need to be complicated, especially when you choose classic, timeless pieces. If you keep your palette simple and neutral, it’s easy to introduce a bit of colour and then to change that colour with the seasons. I suspect next month you may see some red here instead of gold.

I’ll share the full ladder story in a later post … .

Day 2 of NaBloPoMo … you can read about it here.

Autumn in Alberta II

October 6, 2015 by Barb 4 Comments

Autumn in Alberta II … because it’s just so amazingly gorgeous out there and I want to remember it … one of the reasons I continue to blog.

The wood pile photos were taken a few weeks ago as we started the preparations. We ordered a full cord of birch which will probably last us three years! Hubby stacked it all … I begged off because of a bad back, and sore knees, etc. etc. etc.

Most of my Upcycled Toolbox Planter is going to have to hit the compost heap … I simply cannot save everything (that succulent in the middle being an exception).
I dropped everything and took a walk …
If you click on the following photo you will be taken to my new IG account @barbbrookbank where you can watch the leaves fall, and listen to the sound as a light breeze blows through them …
Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Good Monday Morning!

November 3, 2014 by Barb 5 Comments

bare branches back home

Good Monday morning! I’m just popping in to say hi! and ramble on a bit.

I just sent out my newsletter, and oops … embarrassed face here … I neglected to check all the links and regrettably a couple don’t work (argh). If I was hiring myself, I may very well have gotten myself fired. My apologies to all my readers! What good is the test email I send to myself if I don’t check it thoroughly? Well, now I have a checklist written down, and am not relying on my memory.

Hubby and I are on a bit of a vacation in Arizona right now, in an effort to extend our autumn? summer? We spent the whole day yesterday at the Champions Tour. Not only watching great golf, but enjoying the warmer temperatures and just getting out and about.

Both of us were so tired last night we fell into bed before 9:00 pm. It’s going to be a busy couple of weeks, golfing, shopping, and sight-seeing. I’ll be making a side trip to California for a few days … so excited to be attending Gather California, but more on that later.

If you are an iPhoneographer, please remember that “app” happy wednesday is on November 5th. Come link up your art and share some tips and techniques. I’m so hoping to see you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday Finds: Inspiration

October 24, 2014 by Barb 22 Comments

Friday Finds … what did I find this week?

Well, I found two plaid flannel shirts at Superstore. What shouts “autumn” more than that?

kk_gentle

Bright, cozy, classic.The colour of leaves. But I found lots of other things too.

Autumn Plaids, friday finds

Such as how much I love the photo processing and inspiration that I’m finding in both Start to Finish, and Be Still 52. In fact, last week when I saw Kim’s photo of a pear and some leaves, I absolutely knew I had to re-create the whole darn thing! Incredibly it has ended up as my new blog header! I’ve been trying to come up with a new idea for ages but was at a loss as to what to do.

My WordPress theme is set up with a rather (giant) space for a header and I have no idea on how to change it. It’s simply too complicated and risky for me to go into the html code and mess around. I’d be flirting with disaster.

Suddenly, I saw potential with my pear and leaves photo. I took it into Lightroom; toning, straightening, and cropping. Then I used the preset kk_darkmood and finally, sent it over to Photoshop.

What you see in my final header is a combination of four copies of this photo, merged and cloned to extend the white bead board. Here’s what I started with (after LR edits) …

KWTT Header

I’m pretty happy with it. I needed something that fit with the photography element of my blog but still had lots of white space.

I also want to thank Beverly (our sweet blogging friend) from Lavender Bleu … she felt the same way about Kim’s photo and we conspired together that we were going to re-create it! What an inspirational community!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Finds at kimklassen.com

Pumpkin Plant Pot Display

October 3, 2014 by Barb 17 Comments

I’m so thrilled with my little pumpkin plant pot display! This week I found some cute little ceramic pumpkins at Home Sense and I thought they would make great plant pots for this time of year. They look great in a simple display, but also fit nicely with a Thanksgiving tablescape I’m working on.

Pumpkin Plant Pot Succulent in Pumpkin Pot_3 Succulent in Pumpkin Pot_2 So what else did I find this week? I found that sometimes I feel like I’m on fire, and other times I feel like I have a wet blanket draped over me. This past week was the wet blanket week. I have a project hanging over me and I’m dragging my feet, and consequently I don’t even feel like working on the fun things. When I read Kims post this morning … well, oh man … how does she manage to hit the nail on the head every time?! I really needed to hear her gentle encouragement today … I’m going launch Microsoft Word right now, and start writing.

Potting Bench Adventures

September 30, 2014 by Barb 17 Comments

From the potting bench this morning, I bring you my crabapples, clay pots, succulents, pumpkins, and mums, with a sprinkling of autumn leaves! #iseehearts

from the potting bench, texture tuesday, keeping with the times dot com

from the potting bench_3

from the potting bench_2

from the potting bench

Yesterday we had a “Be Still Connect”. I always look forward to them and inevitably come away with fresh new ideas.

One thing that struck me was how overwhelmed a lot of us feel with all our commitments. Everyone agreed that we should cut ourselves some slack, and then try to whittle away some of the stuff that isn’t working for us anymore.

I made a list and found one thing I could finally let go … it was a hard decision and has taken me over a year to finally get to this point. We resist change, but it’s happening to us every single day.

Our interests, goals, passions … they change … just like the seasons. I first needed to accept that, and now I can let go. I’m off to send that e-mail …

Have a happy Tuesday!

kk_within LR preset with adjustments

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

Dolgo Crabapple “Find”

September 26, 2014 by Barb 25 Comments

Finding these beautiful Dolgo crabapples has been a highlight of my autumn preserving ritual. When making jelly, you won’t find a more beautiful, red, jewel-like result.

Earlier in the summer, I kind of “stumbled” upon the trees in a Superstore parking lot! At the time I didn’t know what they were, but every time I filled up with fuel, my eyes were drawn to the “berries” that were forming on them.

I assumed the trees must be some kind of ornamental variety … why would there be crabapple trees in a parking lot?

dolgo crabapple, keeping with the times

Yesterday, I was simply driving by and I couldn’t believe how loaded the trees were. I actually made a u-turn, headed back, and stopped to pick one of the fruits. I could smell the most wonderful “apple” scent and I knew right away. These were the real deal. Whoa … how could I walk away … well, obviously I couldn’t.

dolgo crabapple, keeping with the times,

I went back to my car, grabbed bag, walked up to the trees, and started picking. I didn’t look at anyone, in fact I kind of tried to hide behind the branches. It was one of those moments where, as a child you think “if I can’t see you, you can’t see me.”

dolgo crabapple, keeping with the times

At first I thought I’d just pick a few … enough to take some photos … but who was I kidding? I could not stop until I knew I had enough for one batch of jelly, at least.

dolgo_crabapple02

I rushed home and started cooking them right away. Oh the house smelled divine, absolutely divine. And the jelly is red, shimmery, tart and tasty. Oh yumm …

So guess what I did? I went back and picked some more. Now that is chutzpah! but wait until you see the jelly …

Go here if you want to check out a good article on the Dolgo crabapple.

These images are also for the Be Still 52 class where the prompt is “Organic”. I love this prompt … so full of possibilities (especially at this time of year) and I do have another “Organic” theme on the way …

Have you signed up for my newsletter? I’d love to be able to send you a happy note about once a week! Many, many thanks to those of you who already have!

Ink Cap Mushroom

September 25, 2014 by Barb 4 Comments

It’s a sure sign of autumn around here with the appearance of the quirky and fun Shaggy Ink Cap mushroom! Now, you may not think mushrooms are fun, but wait … they’re having a convention on our lawn!

shaggy ink cap mushroom {keeping with the times dot com}

It seems to be a good year for these guys. It must be all the moisture we had this past summer combined with a mild autumn (other than that freak snowstorm we had a few weeks ago).

shaggy ink cap mushroom {keeping with the times dot com}

shaggy ink cap mushroom_02

shaggy ink cap mushroom_04

shaggy ink cap mushroom_05

They start out as a white tube-like shape, then sprout up and literally melt into a black puddle.

shaggy-ink-cap-10-copy

shaggy ink cap mushroom {keeping with the times dot com}

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shaggy ink cap mushroom_07

So, apparently, you can eat this mushroom if you pick it very early before it starts to sprout up, and of course before it starts to melt … I personally do not recommend it … yuck is an understatement. You might want to check it out at Wikipedia.

Again, I’m so thankful for everyone who has signed up for my newsletter! It’s inspiring me!!

Have a wonderful Thursday, and I hope to see you here tomorrow for Friday Finds, where I’ll share my Superstore parking lot adventures …

Autumn is a New Beginning

September 23, 2014 by Barb 13 Comments

Good morning, and happy first day of autumn! Where I live, the autumnal equinox started at 8:29 pm last night. It’s astronomical! Literally …

“autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower” albert camus

I love September, I love autumn, and I love the feeling of a fresh new start. To me, it feels more like a new beginning than January 1st.

I’ve been feeling extremely energized and creative. One minute I’m outside cleaning flower beds, then suddenly I spy a mushroom and I’m off to grab my camera … 30 minutes later I remember what I was doing in the first place, and head back to the garden.

Next, I spy some gorgeous, mottled cotoneaster leaves and am off to grab my camera again. This time, the quote by Albert Camus came to mind and I ended up creating an autumn flower.

Right after breakfast I’m heading out on a photo search … it’s another perfect day with a little bit of cloud cover. I want to soak up every single delicious autumn moment before it’s gone.

I’m excited to begin the new Start to Finish class later today, and I have some more baking to do, so I’d better get a move on!

Have you signed up for my newsletter? I’ve already sent out two this month, and there’s been a great response so far. You can sign up using the form on the sidebar – I’d love to have you!

One last thing … there’s going to be a slight change to “app” happy wednesday, starting tomorrow. I love seeing your art, and I hope to see you there!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Purple Coneflowers – Fading Beauties

November 2, 2013 by Barb 13 Comments

What is it about coneflowers?

barb brookbank, photoshop, photography, purple coneflower

I love them at all stages, but it’s at the end of the season when the petals are crispy and curling that I find them the most beautiful.

Purple-Coneflower-1

Gorgeous Gourds

October 22, 2013 by Barb 18 Comments

barb brookbank, autumn, kim klassen, texture tuesday

I’m still getting mileage from these quirky little white gourds that I found while visiting our favourite market garden. I first used them in my Autumn Tablescape, and since then I’ve had them lined up on my kitchen table along with two sedum bouquets. Every day the sun pours in on the little vignette and the scene warms my heart.

autumn, barb brookbank, kim klassen, texture tuesday

Yesterday I took them outside and played around, trying different combinations of props, different camera settings, and different backgrounds.

Sometimes I think my creations look forced. Do you ever feel that way about your own work? That self-doubt creeps in… next thing you know, you’re paralyzed, and you can’t get anything out. Happens to me all the time… but I fight it, which is why I managed to get this posted for Texture Tuesday – although I’m quite late to the party.

Kim is giving away a copy of “What Katie Ate”. I would sure like to win that – wouldn’t you? Head on over to Texture Tuesday for some eye-candy and a chance to win that book!

Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_3003

Autumn Photography

October 18, 2013 by Barb 19 Comments

adobe, photoshop, barb brookbank, autumn, nurture photography, friday finds, kim klassen

This tenacious little Amur Maple sits at one corner of our house, underneath a window.

Two years ago, it got so big and unwieldy that I cut it right to the ground. I did say sorry while I was doing it though…

It must have forgiven me, because it has come right back and its beautiful fiery orange, red, and yellow leaves are gracing our yard once again.

barb brookbank, autumn, nurture photography, friday finds, kim klassen

Just one of those perfect autumn moments…

Orange-Fiery-Still-Life

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

Autumn Yellows, Going, Going…

October 16, 2013 by Barb 7 Comments

Yesterday, as I was driving back to my country home, I stopped for a coffee at Tim Hortons. The sun was up, but still low on the horizon and it made these poplars glow. Poplar-Trunk-Leaves

Our autumn displays are fast coming to a close. Most trees have lost their leaves and the landscape is starting to look a bit bleak.

Poplar-Leaves

Hard to believe when you see this, right?

Poplar-Leaves1

But it’s true, and I’m soon going to have to see the beauty in stark bare branches. And beauty is everywhere, you just have to see it, right?

I’m Thankful

October 15, 2013 by Barb 11 Comments

autumn

We celebrated Thanksgiving this weekend. Our oldest daughter and our son-in-law hosted the whole shebang. Wow! What a feast they prepared, from home-made bread, several different types of vegetables, to a delicious turkey. Oh and the dessert… oh my… pumpkin pie, and pecan pie…

All I can say is that I am thankful; for my family, my friends, and my life. As I write this, I have Kim Klassen’s husband on my mind (as well as Kim and her boys, of course). Yesterday was their 24th wedding anniversary, and she wrote a heartfelt, and powerful post that brought tears to my eyes. No matter what she does, or writes about, she is an inspiration to me, and to hundreds of others. I am thankful for her.

It’s Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

I used kk_day, and kk_wake in my image

Yellow, Yellow, Everywhere

October 11, 2013 by Barb 21 Comments

Yellow-Lake-Scene

Yellow-Trees-Lake

Yellow-Single-Autumn-Leaf

Yellow-Leaves-Nurture

Yellow-Autumn-Love

This past week I spent one full day at our country home soaking up our autumn colours and taking photos. I felt guilty, but this beauty is so fleeting that I knew I would regret it if I didn’t. Now, as I sit here this morning in my city home, I absolutely know I did the right thing.

I’m looking forward to getting together with family this weekend. It’s Thanksgiving here in Canada, and I see a turkey in our future.

I hope you have a lovely weekend too!

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

Beautiful, Bountiful, Autumn

October 8, 2013 by Barb 25 Comments

Don’t you just love it? Autumn-Leaves-Pumpkins-1

Autumn-Trees

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Have a wonderful Tuesday!

The top photo is for Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen dot com

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Autumn Greens

October 5, 2013 by Barb 14 Comments

Blissdom Canada is fast coming to a close. I can’t wait to share some of the insights that I gained from this blogging conference but that’s going to have to wait until I get home and get my thoughts together.

There was a lot packed into these last four days, and my head is spinning. Thank you everyone, for your words of encouragement – you were right! Everything went well and I am very proud of myself!

For now, I simply want to celebrate the greens of autumn with Kristy at Live and Love out Loud. Kristy has teamed up once again with Rebecca of Bumbles & Light and they are hosting the Nurture Photography Challenge.

I took this photo before I left home – it’s another one in the series #fromthepottingbench that I put on IG. I love the greens in this one! And I can’t wait to get home…

Nurture Photography - Autumn Greens

I spied these cabbages in the planters in front of the hotel where I’m staying – aren’t they gorgeous! Love these!

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Nurture Photography - Autumn Greens1

… and this… as seen on the wall in the Tim Horton’s lounge…

write-about-what

… is what I’m going to continue to do…

Autumn Tablescape With Warm Whites

September 29, 2013 by Barb 27 Comments

Fall is such a gorgeous time! I love the bright colours it brings; the oranges, the reds, the browns, and the golds. But there is a lighter side to it as well. This is when the soft pink Autumn Joy is blooming and I find it amazing that it comes into its own, just as the days get shorter, and the nights get colder.

I also love the white pumpkins that are so popular right now. I couldn’t find any, but I managed to snag these wonderful white, odd-shaped gourds from a farmer who was about to plow them under. He said they were just an experiment, were kind of weird, and he couldn’t see how anyone would want them! Ummm, just a minute, I’ll take a few (dozen)…

autumn, tablescape, decor, keeping with the times

For my autumn tablescape this year, the only new things I bought were the wicker chargers, and the cloth serviettes, all from Pier One. I chose a patterned serviette, and a plain one, put one on top of the other, shaped them into a loose cone, and slipped on a big silvery jewel ring. I already had the rings since I had bought them at a garage sale a few years ago for $1.00/ea.

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I’m not usually into sparkly stuff, but for some reason, these really grabbed me.

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All my other stonecrops are still growing beautifully as well. My pots are full of soft blue-green whorls, bright mossy-looking mounds, and tiny grey-green leaves. I plan to bring them all in for the winter, and I’m hopeful that they will do well in the sunny south window in my basement.

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Pink, and green, and white. Light and airy.

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Hmmmm, I think that pear needs to be poached…

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… but it’s so pretty…

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…don’t forget a few candles…

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… and a white cotton tablecloth.

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My dining room has some wonderful light, and I managed to capture this sunburst off the wineglass!

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I hope you liked my autumn tablescape. I don’t have any sage advice to pass on, except maybe to pile on the layers. Layers of plates, serviettes, plants, candles… use lots of stuff! I used the same concept when I created my “Pier One Inspired Tablescape” when I was in Arizona. In fact, I find that Pier One is one of the best places for inspiration!

Thank you for dropping by!

Friday Finds with Kim Klassen

September 27, 2013 by Barb 19 Comments

Friday Finds

… and a little sneak preview of my autumn tablescape.

Last Friday I went to the market garden with a friend, where we found all kinds of fabulous veggies, and pumpkins, and squash. As the owner was taking us for a ride in his little ‘gator, and we were tearing around in his fields, I spied a patch with some white “things” way off in the distance. When I asked what they were, he told me that they were some kind of weird squash, just an experiment, and he was going to plow them under.

OK, wait a minute… take me over there…

As soon as I saw them, my heart did a little leap! How pretty, and how fun are these?! They were just what I was envisioning for my autumn decor. They sparked an idea that led to my autumn tablescape. Warm whites, pinks, greys, and greens. Love!

friday finds, autumn, sedum, squash

I do have some amazing light in my dining room…

friday finds, kim klassen, tablescape

Later today I’m going to post my complete tablescape. I’m so thankful that I was able to finish up the photo shoot given the fact that for most of the week I could hardly move. My back has much improved and I am so, so thankful!

Have a wonderful Friday!!

Linking up to Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com.

Fading Sunflowers and Texture Tuesday

September 17, 2013 by Barb 17 Comments

In a few short days our summer will be over. The forecast is for cooler temperatures, and even a few thunder showers. Up until now, we’ve been enjoying one of the warmest and sunniest Septembers ever, and it certainly hasn’t felt like fall.

texture tuesda

But every season brings it’s own beauty and excitement. Cooler, crisper days make my thoughts turn to crock pot meals, candles, and pumpkins.

I’m trying to put my autumn mantel together, but it’s been a slow process. I just haven’t been inspired. I’m hoping that a trip to Crate and Barrel tomorrow will fix that! My walking friends have asked me to join them on a shopping trip to the big city, and then for lunch. How fun! This walking gig has turned into so much more than I expected… some mornings it’s hard to get myself out the door but every step has been worth it.

I’m showing up for Texture Tuesday today at Kim Klassen dot com.

Fading Sunflowers: a slow shutter speed, high iso, large aperture, a bit of Photoshop magic, and a couple layers of kk_villa

Friday Finds

September 6, 2013 by Barb 14 Comments

Here are just a few of the extraordinary things that I found this week…

A nasturtium and a marigold that I dug out of the garden about a month ago and put into a pot on the deck are rewarding me with a profusion of new growth.

friday finds

Crispy and colourful leaves on the driveway leave no doubt as to what is on it’s way.

friday finds

Morning sunlight streaming through the trees and onto the dewy grass.

friday finds

Some beautiful light shining into a farmyard.

friday finds

This slippery salamander was on the road as I walked to meet my friends. It seemed to be frozen, so I had to push it along to the ditch so that it wouldn’t get run over. In the ten years that I’ve lived here I’ve never seen one until now.

friday finds

It was a beautiful week.

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

5 reasons to take a hike

October 4, 2012 by Barb 18 Comments

1. It clears the head and makes room for some good stuff to get in.

2. It can cause creativity.

3. It reduces stress.

4. It’s great exercise and will help you sleep at night.

5. You will see amazing things.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.

~John Muir~

Entertaining on the deck in autumn

September 20, 2012 by Barb 26 Comments

We are having the most beautiful September. Warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. It’s very bittersweet – I love autumn but it’s simply so fleeting.

We live on a small lake and it’s this time of year all the permanent residents come out of the woodwork. Most people are back at work, boats and docks pulled in for the winter. But not us.

This Saturday we are planning a little neighborhood get-together. Appetizers and drinks followed by a tour of the lake on an early September evening.

I wanted to pretty up the deck a bit beforehand, so I put a tablecloth on the patio furniture bench and put a bit of burlap over top. I topped that with an old mirror (old and chippy) and put candles all around.

Aren’t my Belgian Mums gorgeous!? After our summer pots were shredded by hail – these were a welcome replacement. Hubby brought them home one night (from Costco).

I’ve been busy this summer hauling home any kind of old wood “thing” I can get my hands on. When I saw this bench at our local country store I could not run to the counter and hand over my money fast enough! It’s a handmade bench made from old wood – beautiful, heavy, old wood. There are moss and lichens growing all over it. It’s so sturdy – it was such a great find!

Now, what to serve? I think it’s going to be Brie topped with Vidalia Onion and Maple Conserve (recipe to follow soon).

Happy September Everyone!

Happy Autumn!

The ink cap strikes again . . . and various musings . . .

September 19, 2012 by Barb 9 Comments

It must be September.

Our lawn is covered in these crazy mushrooms. I know they’re Ink Caps since I did all the research on them last year.

They make a colossal mess . . .

. . . dripping black ink everywhere . . .

. . . so that’s what I’m going to tell hubby when he sees that I haven’t cut the grass (it’s too yucky) . . .

. . . and I just haven’t felt like it . . .

. . . I’m feeling tired today since I woke up at 4:00am which seems to be becoming a pattern. Ugh . . . if I could only sleep till 5:00 . . .

Tonight we’re going to an annual autumn dinner in the city. (Now that seems to have woken me up a bit!) It’s called the “Feastival of Fine Chefs”. All the great restaurants in our fine city get together in one large building and proceed to cook up a storm. Each person gets tickets (randomly) for an appetizer, soup, salad, entree, and dessert – each one from a different restaurant. It’s really quite fun and the food is always outstanding.

I think I had better go and get ready (I have to find my black, stretchy pants).