The Rebellious Rooster behaves

Finally he came together.  I knew I wanted him to be the star of this show so he is very colorful.  To me this begs to be a poultry feed sign or something like that.  Vintage looking lettering….I will give it a few days to see what strikes me. 

I did manage to get out to take those photos of the Fall foliage and more.  I sometimes forget what a lovely place I live or I should say I take it in stride instead of reveling in it. 

There are lots of little lakes and ponds, gorgeous vacation homes that are art unto themselves and landscaping to match.



This yard has about 12 gorgeous Japanese Maples, including lace leaf that drape down like a bush. All of them are drenched in Fall colors.



From flamboyant red to a bit more orange.  You can see the orange one tucked back in the center of this photo below. The line the large half circle drive of this massive stone house. 



Not far down the road I spotted this bench on a front porch of another lovely vacation home.  I nearly screeched the brakes to stop and get a shot.  I love pew benches and I am finding them around, there are much more than I thought.  It is a lovely porch to enter the house from, there is a large painting above the bench that is quite colorful, I would love a closer look one day.



As I drove (crept) slowly down this same street who do you think bounds in front of my Suburban but this guilty looking lady.  Is that my strawberry plants I see between her teeth?? 



One of the numerous lakes around, the reflection of the trees in the water was what caught my eye. 



Many of the neighborhoods take great pride in the area and try to add to it. And I think they pull it off quite well.  This is the pool house (bathroom, changing area) for this lake.



Because of harsh weather conditions throughout the school year these bus shelters are placed at many bus stops so the kids do not have to stand out in the pelting rain or snow while they wait for their bus.
Obviously this neighborhood takes great pride in making this one not only comfy but picturesque. 



I had to get close ups of this mural.  The artist did an outstanding job.







This cozy little shelter will come in handy this coming Thursday.  Cold, cold weather is heading our way and fast. Today we will enjoy low 70’s for a high with beautiful sunny skies and by Thursday it will top out in the low 40’s with snow predicted here.  Brrrr. And Friday the hi will be in the 30’s.

Good grief that is a 30+ degree drop.  Winter is here. 

I have more of my paintings to share.  I am learning a new method that is more impressionistic and I think I am finally getting it.
I worked on a couple small paintings and the rooster above most of the afternoon between cleaning the house, laundry and getting things more winter ready outside.

I have plenty on the agenda again today so I better get a move on.
   
 

Relinquishing my hold on Summer!

I know many relish the thought of Fall and all it’s burnished colors arriving and you celebrate the crisp air and cooler weather.

But I am a summer girl, I love wearing sleeveless tops and shorts, my Birks and I flourish in the heat.  I am only conceding to Fall as I can no longer ignore the signs of it officially starting next week.

My Dogwood tree in front of my home:



Yes, it is now beginning to change into it’s Autumn wardrobe, I must admit the red is very pretty and though it is a leaf here and there right now I know the rest will turn in the wink of an eye.  The seed pods are just as eye-catching.



My oak tree has not even a hint of fall colors on it but soon it will, the nights are a bit cooler with a nip that is telling. We desperately need to get our winter firewood.  We have the roof fixed so hopefully no leaks this winter. 

I have been busy making oven roasted tomato sauce. My tomatoes are not ripe yet and with the change in the weather I don’t hold my breath that I will get many from my vines but a friend that lives about half an hour down the hill from me has a bounty.  She hands them over to me to process and we split the results.  Here is one big pan of tomatoes, I cook them down with onions and garlic for several hours.



The sauce makes a great base for many recipes like marinara for chicken parmesan,  pizza sauce as well as for my own version of Chili Colorado. 

When I am not cooking, gardening or doing paperwork for the bank (trying to refinance our house) I have been working on painting signs.  I need to restock my website as well as produce special order signs.



See… I am getting into the swing of Fall..

I also added a bit to my Cherries sign…it just needed something. So it went from this…



To this..



And here is the colorful and bright special order sign that is going to the US Virgin Islands when it is complete..



I had a pleasant surprise this morning as I watered my Cecile Brunner climbing rose, I noticed a Tye Dye or it may be a Shibori Flaked Morning Glory blossom..



I had planted the seeds at the base of the rose as it only blooms once, maybe twice a year and I thought some morning glory climbing it would add interest.  I loved seeing this peeking out from under the broad leaves to greet me. 

I ran into the house and grabbed my camera, much to my disgust the battery was dead so I snapped up my iPhone and took the photo with it.  I need to get better at using it anyways, this was good practice.

That all for now…

ta ta..