One Bright Autumn Day

It's one of those days I pinch myself. "This is work?"

I've been asked by my publisher to design a couple of easy quilt gift patterns. I cleared the tables, chose some fun fabrics from my stash and started brainstorming; all before 7a.m.! I wouldn't say I'm excited, would you?

It's the perfect day for quilting and painting. There's an autumn mist in the air and a cozy fire warming the sunroom where I'll do most of my work today.

Cotton enjoying the sunrise. 
Walking thru the maples and firs 
First things first, though. Neither sleet, nor hail nor snow...alas, not even a fun day of quilt design, will keep Cotton and I from our morning walk.

Cold blues and winter whites are not far off, so today we thoroughly enjoyed bright autumn hues. We collected leaves from the maples and placed them in my favorite little vase.

The coleus in the window box is still cheerfully growing.

We live in the heart of Oregon wine country. This was supposedly the best year on record for the wine grape harvest. Most were harvested during the past two weeks.
We grow sweet table grapes and grapes to make jelly.

The persimmons are so plentiful that we had to prop up the branches. When the leaves drop, the fruit looks like bright orange ornaments on the tree. That's when they'll be plump and ready to add into delicious recipes.

The figs are ripening nicely. I'll have to share my fig preserve recipe soon. It is wonderful with cheese and fruit for a bright winter dessert.

Peppers, and more peppers...to my husband's delight!

The last of the apples and winter squash waiting to be stored.

We made a plastic tent for some of the tomatoes, hoping that we will have ripe tomatoes until Thanksgiving.

Rain is looming on our horizon here in Oregon and I hear there is a fierce storm brewing in the east. Wherever you reside, I hope that you get a chance to enjoy the sights and smells of autumn 2012 before they depart with the winds.

Tea With the Girls

I recently traveled to California for a quick visit with my mother and two of my sisters. I knew the weekend was going to be packed with fun at the onset, when mom treated us girls to high tea!


I make a point of trying to find at least one tea room when I travel away from home. It’s a treat that I give myself. Linde Lane Tea Room in Dixon, California is one of the nicer tea rooms I’ve dined at.

The tea bar consists of about 49 different flavors of tea from around the world.
The tea smells are incredible...wish my home smelled like this.
Linde Lane is not just one room, but at least four rooms that are open to each other, yet private enough to feel like you can carry on a conversation without everyone listening. It used to be the old Dixon Fire Station, which was originally built in 1929. I wonder what those first firemen would say now!

The decor of the tea room is Victorian, and houses custom made chandeliers, furnishings and a one-of-a-kind 8 foot teacup booth.

A booth/table within a giant china teacup!


The "Whimsical Room" has a purple chandelier
There are antiques, some older then a century, intermingled throughout. The retail area features Linde Lane's signature line of products along with hand made handbags, soaps, jewelry and an incredible showing of hats. After all, what is high tea without a hat?

Linde Lane houses a pastry chef and a culinary chef, which must be why their food is so delightfully delicious! Together they work to create amazing menus.



With winter’s chill not far behind, I’ll think often of my fun “girls’ trip” as I sip tea while painting.