Delicious autumn!  

My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  ~George Eliot

Here are a few shots from when we were in Nelson, BC the last week of September.

I love summer, but fall has to be the prettiest season of all.

Fall Greetings!

Wow, can you believe it's September already? I want to thank everyone who expressed their concern regarding my recent bout with tendonitis. I really appreciated your well-wishes. Thankfully my hand has now completely healed-up. 

I recently spent a week at a cottage on Bob's Lake in southern Ontario. It was a rejuvenating time of relaxation and deep reflection.

If you have followed my blog for any period of time, you'll already know that every so often I feel the need to check-out of the blogging world. While I love visiting your blogs as much as I appreciate your visiting mine - the time has once again come for another bloggy-break... not sure for how long... 

In the meantime, take care of yourself and I miss you all already :)

'The Hobbit' As Tolkien Imagined It

Greetings!

It's been quite windy here the past few days, as a result...

this was what things were looking like on Sunday,

and here's today...lol!

Kind of depressing to say the least :( 
I just returned from a long walk and had to wear my hood the whole way;
the wind is quite nippy in spots.
On my walk I passed a number of homes that were very decked out for Halloween.
No pics to share as I forgot to take my camera with me today grrrr - 
I remembered when I was three blocks from home and decided against turning back. 
Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a few shots to share with you - one house had a whole
graveyard set up, complete with freshly dugs graves!

Aren't these amazing? I stumbled across them at StumbleUpon :)

The below images and descriptions are courtesy of The Guardian (guardian.co.uk)
I try to keep an ear to the ground for all things surrounding The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings
and these were published in Monday's edition. Peter Jackson's facebook page hasn't had an update in many weeks - I had high hopes for it when it was first announced, but it's turned out to be a big disappointment. If interested, The Hobbit Movie is an interesting site.

When The Hobbit was first published almost 75 years ago, JRR Tolkien provided a set of wonderful illustrations. But buried among the author's papers were 110 drawings, watercolours and sketches, some of which have never been published before. Here are some of the earliest images.

Smaug Flies Round the Mountain 

This watercolour is similar in composition to Smaug Flies Around the Lonely Mountain. Beyond the bridge are the ‘ancient steps’ by which Bilbo and the dwarves climb the ‘high bank’, and the road running around the spur to the path leading up to the look-out post. To the right are the ruins of Dale

Smaug Flies Around the Lonely Mountain 

This is probably the earliest of four pictures of Smaug flying around the mountain, and is an untitled ink drawing with an elaborate sky. It appears to be set in daylight, though in The Hobbit Smaug flies only at night. The dragon is black against the mountainside, as is the front gate and Ravenhill on the south-west spur. At the bend of the river are the remains of the old bridge that Bilbo and the dwarves cross in chapter 13 (‘most of its stones were now only boulders in the shallow noisy stream’)

The Lonely Mountain 

This drawing is demonstrably set at night, the dragon a stark white against a jet-black sky. Although this and The Lonely Mountain are more finished drawings, neither seems to have been offered to Allen & Unwin for publication – because they were made too late, perhaps, or because they contain varied greys or dense blacks not well suited to line-blocks

The White Dragon Pursues Roverandom and the Moondog. When producing his art for The Hobbit, Tolkien borrowed from his short story Roverandom, which was written for his son, Michael

Smaug in Flight and Dwarves Marching 

This earlier image was reused in Thror's Map, and on the dust jacket of The Hobbit.

You Know It's Fall When...

Sunday Greetings!

We had our first real fire of the season last night :) This pic is one I scooped off google images - I forgot to get out my camera and catch Emma who'd cozied up just about as close as this puppy. Our wood stove is in the basement and is very efficient to say this least; it wasn't long before we were too warm, lol! We've actually been using our gas fireplace upstairs in the mornings for the last month or more. A sure indicator of what we already knew; winter's on it's way!

Here's a very yummy tea to drink on colder evenings :) I discovered it when I was in Nelson, BC a few weeks ago and it's my current favorite. It's Delicious, but I freely admit packaging often plays a big part in my enjoyment of a product - I love the tin! Not sure who all carries it, but I bought some more in London Drugs the other day, if interested.

Another sure sign that our weather will be changing soon. This was snapped Friday afternoon, you've got to act fast - they cover a lot of sky in a very short time! We have a pond directly behind our home and the geese make a pit-stop there; I've been seeing (& hearing!) waves and waves of them over the past few days.

This is a smaller pond a few blocks from home. We often remark on this pointless sign as we pass by it on walks. You've been warned lol!

I'm presently getting ready for my mom, who arrives tomorrow evening from southern Ontario for ten days. I'm extremely pleased to say that for the first time ever, I have not taken any extreme measures: no major housecleaning from top to bottom, no marathon cooking sessions (we will be 'winging it') - she'll have to take us as we are: warts and all! Seeing as I've lived away from relatives for over twenty years, I'm not used to the 'drop in'. In most cases I've had many weeks notice that company would be arriving and would start preparing from that point forward - so that everything would be perfect. A whole lot of pressure I put on myself - nothing anyone expected, but age and hopefully maturity have finally caught up with me, I guess!

I was planning on doing a bit of housekeeping outside this afternoon. Our leaves are coming down in droves and I probably should get out there and rake them over towards the flower beds, but I've decided to leave them for today. All in due time. It's like a painting and I really just want to enjoy it for now.

Hoping the rest of your weekend is lovely :)

Amazing Little People

"Delicious autumn! 

My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth 

seeking the successive autumns." 

- George Eliot

I love the above quote as it so perfectly encapsulates my feelings this time of year. If only there were two seasons: summer and fall.... sigh. Seeing as it's October, I turned another page of my Inuit Art calendar, featuring artists from Cape Dorset, Baffin Island.

This was September - which I never did get around to showing you.

It's entitled Yellow Bear, Brown Bird (Kenojuak Ashevak)

For that matter, here is (was) August. Sheesh!
I took a bloggy break in August - so I do have a good excuse.
Swimming Bear by Sheojuk Etidlooie

And finally we reach October's Legend of the Little People by Kavavaow Mannomee 

Our son worked on Baffin Island at one point a few years ago and brought us home a number of pieces from local artists as gifts. Legend of the Little People immediately brought to mind this one:

 Known as an Ulu, this all-purpose Inuit knife was traditionally used by women

for skinning and cleaning animals, cutting food, trimming blocks of snow and

ice used in building igloos and cutting children's hair.

The edge is very sharp, the handle and rest are caribou bone.

Legend of the Little People reminded me of a darling picture I stumbled across a few weeks ago and have been meaning to share. Like a lot of you, I adore little people, be they forest folk, elves, hobbits, fairies, gnomes... have I missed anyone? However, I had never thought to include Smurfs in that list! (probably because they're imaginary... lol) Isn't he adorable? If you click, it will expand further.

"The Smurf is actually the result of a symbiotic relationship between two organisms. We believe that Smurfs put their 'embryos' in the button of a developing mushroom. From a distance, Smurfs seem like they are wearing a hat and pants but as you can see this is a fallacy. The fungus provides camouflage and protective epidermal layers for the creature, while the creature provides nutrients and mobility for the spreading of spores."

Mr. Smurf got me thinking about a book I found a couple of years ago while rummaging through a large antique mall in Brantford, Ontario. I was instantly enchanted, yet set it down after few minutes and moved on. A few weeks after returning home I regretted that decision, called my mom and requested she pick it up for me; unfortunately it had apparently been purchased. Approximately six months later, I returned to the same establishment and did another thorough search myself - still nothing. In the end, I ordered it through Amazon.

The wonderfully detailed drawings and accompanying stories are simply precious. It richly describes everything you've ever wanted to know about gnomes, but didn't know who to ask:

how do they make a living?

how is a gnome's home built?

their history, 

legends, 

clothing, 

courtship and marriage, 

physiology, 

gnome acupuncture, 

animal aid,

where do gnomes go on their honeymoon?

Burning questions, and thankfully no detail is too small or overlooked!

Ha ha, I'd crawl in the pages if I could!

That's all for today - I'm not quite sure how we got from George Eliot to Gnomes... but we did! Did you know that George Eliot was in fact Mary Anne (Mary Ann, Marian) Evans? George Eliot was her pen name, which she is said to have used to ensure her works be taken seriously. She also hoped to escape the stereotype of women only writing lighthearted romances. (Wiki)

Tomorrow morning we set off for a few days in Nelson, BC. My husband has business there and I am tagging along. If you've never visited Nelson, I highly recommend it. It's a very scenic location and the town itself is both quaint and quirky, it has sooo much character and fabulous shopping - a lot of it very earth muffiny and handmade. I'm taking along my camera - hope to bring back some pics which show the town at it's best. Have a great week - I'd really like to say have an amazing week, but after reading a few of my previous posts, I have only just realized how much I use that word: A LOT!

Cheers!

Out of Spray Starch

Yesterday afternoon and again today, I did an early autumn clean-up. I'd purposely let my hanging baskets and flower boxes dry out over the last two weeks; the plants were spent and the risk of an early winter season always looms in the shadows - there's nothing worse than working with numb fingers in a bitterly cold wind - I expect you've also been there done that yourself! Cut down the shasta daisies, bellflowers and columbines as well. By no means done - but it's a start. I leave the vines which cover our deck up throughout the winter months; love their gnarled, brambly branches set against the snow. 

I rescued a few sprigs :)

Throughout the growing season I throw everything back into the beds as I deadhead and for the most part do the same during fall cleanup. Most of the leaves from our trees are raked onto the beds to blanket plants throughout the winter. Granted it's all a bit messy come spring, but leaves return most of the nutrients crucial to soil health.

A favorite little book of mine is In the Garden, by Canadian author Marjorie Harris. Inspiring musings which look at the role changing seasons play in the life of the gardener. In it she states "you need to think like a forest when you garden. No little elves rush about tidying the forest floor. Fallen leaves lie and slowly break down into the magnificent duff that feeds the trees" I think she makes perfect sense. The same should follow in our own gardens.

Don't you love the wind-swept look daisies have as they dry out? I've noticed the whole world takes on a sort of rumpled elegance in the fall; like the well-worn, yet still chic leather purse or boots you can't quite part with. Everything feels lived-in and comfortable.

Kind of like Meryl Street and Robert Redford in Out of Africa...

Autumn, Allergies and Affaires de Coeur

"I love the fall. I love it because of the smells that you speak of; and also because things are dying, things that you don't have to take care of anymore, and the grass stops growing."- Mark Van Doren

Greetings! I stumbled across this quote in my travels and had to laugh.

Two friends expressed this exact sentiment to me recently; that they are in fact relieved when fall arrives and they get a break from all the watering and yard work ... lol!

Today's post is a bit of this 'n that...

It's a glorious fall day here, 15C and scarcely a cloud in the sky. I can hear numerous lawnmowers rumbling throughout the neighborhood - we just did ours (well, hubby did that is :) and now I'm watering. Fall watering is something a lot of people overlook, but it's crucial to preparing your plants for the long, dry winter months ahead. We are particularly dry right now as we have not seen any real precipitation, save one day of light rain, in close to two months; hard to believe after our very wet spring.

The above pic was taken at the farmer's market this past Wednesday. I took a leisurely stroll through with my daughter, admiring all the lovely fall bounty and then we popped into a local coffee shop where I had a spiced pumpkin latte and she a chai tea. Something in the latte (perhaps an ingredient in the whipped topping?) did not  agree with me and I had a noticeably swollen top lip for the rest of that evening and half of the next day...! It was very tasty, but I think I will pass on the pumpkin next time.

On two separate occasions this week, I spent a number of hours in the local Goodwill. Here are a few of my treasures; one I will save for closer to Halloween...

These are Corningware (2.5 and 4 liters)

and are in mint condition.

First published in 1859,

I look forward to sharing selected (often amusing) tidbits

from this fascinating little book. 

This looks like it will be a very interesting read.

I've already tried (& loved) the following recipe:

Spicy Sardine Salad

(serves 1)

I know sardines are not on everyone's list of favorite foods - but they have been on mine for many 

years based on the simple fact that they are a powerhouse of a food: 

an excellent source of protein, calcium and essential fatty acids. 

Also, cheap and fast!

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (I used less)

1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced and cut into half-moon strips

pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

pinch of chili powder

1 can water-packed sardines, drained

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 bunch of arugula or watercress, coarsely chopped (I used mixed greens)

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute with a pinch of salt.

After 2 minutes, mix in the cumin, coriander and chili powder. Continue sauteing, stirring

frequently until the onion is tender and translucent, about 5 more minutes. Transfer from the skillet to a serving bowl and let cool. Add the sardines and lemon juice (it says mix well here, but next time I plan

to dice the sardines and very lightly toss with the onions - makes for a more attractive presentation)

Serve over a bed of greens.

I threw a few pieces of lemon in as well.

It was very yummy.

3-volume boxed set, superb condition: $2.99.

I am finally going to read the Harry Potter series, lol!

(This is so typical of me: crazy about Seinfeld, but only watched it in reruns)

I'm already in chapter 4 of the first book and can hardly put the silly thing down, haha.

Anyone for a skiing holiday in the French Alps?

I freely admit to being a sucker for all things 'French'.

I leave you with this lovely painting by Emile Claus entitled, 
The Old Gardener (Le Vieux Jardinier, de Oude Tuinman)

Emile Claus was a Belgian painter, and although not French, (if you've ever read Agatha Christie
or watched a movie featuring her character Hercule Poirot, you will know why I am being so specific!) he was greatly influenced by the French impressionists, like Claude Monet whose works he got to know during his trips to Paris in the 1890's. Claus gradually shifted from naturalistic realism to a very personal style of impressionism called 'luminism', because of the luminous palette he used.

I would love to have this hanging in my home to warm me throughout the coming winter months.

All for now,

Cheers!

Harvest Moon and Look at Them Apples!

A pic of the lovely full Harvest Moon. 
It was taken this morning at 4:30. 

The Harvest Moon, also known as the Wine Moon, 

the Singing Moon and the Elk Call Moon, 
is the full moon which occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. 

It is often mistaken for the modern day Hunter's Moon which will occur Oct. 11.

A few fall images from my walk this afternoon...

When did this happen?

Most trees are still green, but not for long.

More apples :)

Days bright as a 'Golden Delicious',

nights crisp as a 'Granny Smith':

Apples make our favourite dishes,

tempt us as the serpent did.

- Old Farmer's Almanac 'September' 2011

This may have been a great shot,

if I'd had an opportunity to move in closer and bring it into focus,

but thankfully I noted the ground beneath my feet was spongy and slightly mounded:

looking down I realized I was standing on an ant hill

and there were already two scouts crawling across my shoe...

Gorgeous color!

When I returned from my walk, I turned on CBC Radio One and 

found out about another walk taking place in Edmonton.

The annual "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" campaign.

Each year, an ever-increasing number of men, women and their families are joining the award-winning Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence. A Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® Event is a playful opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about the serious causes, effects and remediations to sexualized violence.

Here's another link with some hilarious pictures from today's event in Edmonton.

That's all for now.

I just heard on the radio that we are looking at a low of 4C overnight,

with a risk of frost in low-lying areas.

I leave you with Neil Young's Harvest Moon :)
Enjoy!