Autumn Beauty at Dawn

As I sipped my first cup of coffee this morning, everything in the room turned to a coral hue. I looked out the sunroom window to find a perfect rainbow in the western sky.

I grabbed my tablet. Cotton and I scurried out the door to view the beauty that God sent us this autumn morning. 

Rainbows, sunrises and sunsets are all the more special because, like a flower, you have to enjoy them in the moment; the beauty doesn't last but through a couple of sighs. No photographs or words can do them justice.

As we turned away from the western sky, the sunrise in the east was just as spectacular. The small storm last night blossomed into a beautiful morning.

So, as Cotton and I walked the paths around our home, we marveled at the eastern sky...

and the western sky, sharing our secret joy of this early morning together.

Fall Already!

It's a cliche, but true none-the-less...time flies! One minute we're sowing the garden and, in what only seems a matter of days, it's time to preserve and then put it to bed. It's been a busy summer. It seems each year gets busier, and this is no exception. I'm working at warp speed to finish a 2017 calendar...yep, I said 2017! Most of my artwork doesn't show up in the shops until a year later. There needs to be time for revisions, manufacture, marketing and so much more. However, I couldn't let the first day of autumn come without a proper greeting.

My walk this morning made me realize that I should spend more time checking out the latest that nature has to offer and breathe in the fresh autumn air. It is good for the mind and body and so art-worthy!

I can't decide if summer or autumn is my favorite time of year; it's nice that they run into each other and share much of the glory. I especially like October, though. My husband has decided, along with his brother, that he doesn't want to celebrate any more of his birthdays, which is in the beginning of October. I, however, whose birthday is at the end of October, am always looking for a reason to celebrate. I want to celebrate every accomplishment, every victory, every birthday and holiday! This year I am looking forward to one of those milestone birthdays. I can't wait to celebrate it with my family; there's a fun shopping trip planned with new places to try out teas, pastries and all sorts of other goodies. It's nice to have celebrations to present us with pleasures we deprive ourselves of other times of the year. I don't believe calories go straight to the thighs when it is a worthy celebration, do you?

I really must upload some favorite fall recipes soon. I promise to do that, as soon as some art projects are sent to my licensees. Meanwhile, I hope that your first day of fall, and each day after, is filled with moments of awe and joy!

Patience, My Dear!

Although there are signs that autumn is trying to enter our part of the country early, I say,

"Have patience, my dear!"

Yes, the spring and summer houses scattered throughout our property are vacant;

the renters are enjoying the last of lazy summer days, fluttering among the pines and feasting on sunflowers.

The honey bees have chosen to enjoy the sweet nectar of summer a little longer, too.

The showers have made the "johnies" jump up in the oddest places,

but they can mingle with the summer blossoms until it is their time for the spotlight in a few short weeks! 

Meanwhile there are tomatoes to savor and

the never-ending summer squash and cucumbers. Yep, those are apples in the corner...a few are ready to pick, but I am going to wait at least another week for them to sweeten even more.

Meanwhile, maybe there will be time for one more (maybe two if I'm lucky) lazy afternoons to dream and read and sketch and enjoy the last days of summer 2015!