On A Walk

I found this lovely branch. And now, Autumn greets each cold morn...

Pumpkin

The first Pumpkin Pie of the season. It only looked like this for a few seconds. Everyone dug in before it had even cooled. Yum. Warm pumpkin goodness topped with toasted pecans and vanilla whipped cream. Wish you were here.

Sewing

Lots of pillow making. I only use bits of fabric I have thrifted. Once in a great while, I will allow myself to buy fabric retail, little bits I can't resist.

The linen fabric I purchased from the great sale bin here. The paisley fabric is a bit of leftover from the curtains I made a few months ago. I found that fabric at a consignment store. I did not love it at first, but now, it's golden color makes me happy to be in this room. I just covered one of the many guest bed pillows with this envelope style pillow. Merry the Wonder Beagle requires frequent washing of all sitting areas.

On the chaise is a duvet I stitched from a tablecloth I found for $4 at Target. I couldn't pass up the yardage, knowing one day, it would find it's destiny. From one tablecloth I made two shopping bags, a small duvet, and an envelope pillow. I think I used EVERY scrap of fabric. Love that.

The vintagey pink pillow is some fabric that used to be Cameron Diaz's old curtains. It is a long, silly story about how I came to have these curtains in my possession. It is vintage, so it is fragile. Where the sun hit the curtains, the fabric just crumbled. I washed and dried the fabric several times to make sure everything that was going to rip, did. I was left with a good chunk of usable fabric. I stitched together another envelope pillow with a bit of thrifted cotton lace.

The brown fabric with red and teal was another thrift store treasure. It was a panel curtain for french doors and had the same sun damage as Cameron's curtains. This piece had tons of good fabric, I even added a few vintage Bakelite buttons. I am trying to make the chaise area a bit comfier. I think the space is starting to warm up, just in time for the cold weather...

The couch is usually draped with a white tablecloth with a crochet trim, as the weather turns, I was looking to warm up the room since we haven't found the perfect rug yet. I found this tablecloth at...you guessed it, the thrift shop. It is a thick linen and in perfect condition. I can't bear to cut it, just yet.

It is raining outside, so come cozy up with a cup of Caramel Rooibos and a handmade pillow. It is warm and cozy inside The Hen House.

The Spider.

The Spider and the Fly

by Mary Howitt

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly,

"'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy;

The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,

And I have many curious things to show you when you are there."

"Oh no, no," said the Fly, "to ask me is in vain;

For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;

Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.

"There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin;

And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"

"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said

They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend, what can I do

To prove that warm affection I've always felt for you?

I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;

I'm sure you're very welcome - will you please take a slice?"

"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind sir, that cannot be,

I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature," said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise;

How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!

I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;

If you step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say;

And bidding good morning now, I'll call another day."

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,

For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again;

So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,

And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly.

then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,

"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;

Your robes are green and purple, there's a crest upon your head;

Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are as dull as lead."

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,

Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;

With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew, -

Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue;

Thinking only of her crested head - poor foolish thing! At last,

Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den

Within his little parlor - but she ne'er came out again!

And now, dear little children, who may this story read,

To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er heed;

Unto an evil counsellor close heart, and ear, and eye,

And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.

We have had a bit of a Spider Epidemic here in The Pacific Northwest. Of course, this follows the Great Mosquito Epidemic of 2010...It is fascinating watching the spider condominium building up around the yucca. The bigger ones eat the smaller ones until there are only a few HUGE spiders Lording it over The Manor. Personally, as a sweet treat to all stinging critters, I can't wait for a good cold snap.

Autumn Comes

The Autumn

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Go, sit upon the lofty hill,

And turn your eyes around,

Where waving woods and waters wild

Do hymn an autumn sound.

The summer sun is faint on them --

The summer flowers depart --

Sit still -- as all transform'd to stone,

Except your musing heart.

How there you sat in summer-time,

May yet be in your mind;

And how you heard the green woods sing

Beneath the freshening wind.

Though the same wind now blows around,

You would its blast recall;

For every breath that stirs the trees,

Doth cause a leaf to fall.

Oh! like that wind, is all the mirth

That flesh and dust impart:

We cannot bear its visitings,

When change is on the heart.

Gay words and jests may make us smile,

When Sorrow is asleep;

But other things must make us smile,

When Sorrow bids us weep!

The dearest hands that clasp our hands, --

Their presence may be o'er;

The dearest voice that meets our ear,

That tone may come no more!

Youth fades; and then, the joys of youth,

Which once refresh'd our mind,

Shall come -- as, on those sighing woods,

The chilling autumn wind.

Hear not the wind -- view not the woods;

Look out o'er vale and hill-

In spring, the sky encircled them --

The sky is round them still.

Come autumn's scathe -- come winter's cold --

Come change -- and human fate!

Whatever prospect Heaven doth bound,

Can ne'er be desolate.