September, trying so hard to be but a memory…
Rushing by, leading us to the first day of autumn.
This month has gone by in a flash.
I have a post to welcome autumn, however, I wanted to first say good-bye to summer.
Summer of building a new garden, of growing dozens of pumpkins.
A summer of eating ripe tomatoes off the vine.
Tiny watermelon sweets, endless spiraled zucchini noodles.
Basil, mint, rosemary, cucumbers.
Waiting for rain that never came, jumping into pool water and swimming underwater as beams of sunlight swirl in.
All the magic of summer.
And now – it is autumn.
The time of year when the garden has a second spring.
It’s still trickling in, weather still like summer, but you can feel autumn there, early in the morning.
Endless collections of spring and summer flowers have been amassed.
Turned into paper art of their own kind in their dried form.
I am still picking pumpkins, & still fresh ones coming until the first frost.
I’ve enjoyed tea parties in the conservatory…
And in the pumpkin patch.
Time continues to tick by, seasons changing, all with their own kind of magic.
I’ve collected curiosities a plenty.
Not that I needed more (impish grin).
And am in the throws of moving things to and fro to prepare for one of my favorite times of year.
Black and white knee stockings included.
I just keep myself busy.
My shop has been a very busy place lately which I enjoy so much.
Packing up parcels for folks to enjoy near and far.
I love autumn so much that I already feel it slipping through my fingers even though it’s just begun.
Time to savor each morsel of time.
We are still safe at home.
I believe in everyone doing what is safest and most comfortable for themselves.
I really do not have any place to be, I just go between my houses, ship my orders, hug my dogs, tend my garden and make art.
Oh wait, I forgot the part about endless cleaning and laundry too, tee hee!
There are so many lovely things I want to do and enjoy.
I want to have iced drinks in my garden still, paint in the citrus grove now that it is cooling down.
I have a million things I want to bake.
And so many paintings and creative crafts I want to do.
I just made a recipe for ginger snaps, only…
I didn’t read the part about it being for 10 dozen (smacks forehead) until I had already made the dough.
Luckily cookies get gobbled fast around here.
I’m a salty tooth, not a sweet tooth, but there are plenty of sweet tooths around me, well two 🙂
I will return super soon with the post I’ve been working on for the first day of autumn, even though that was yesterday.
Oooops!
I have had such a busy month, with some continuing education classes for my previous career, I like to just keep up because it seems a shame to let it go.
But I got behind by a week with that.
Then the garden and shop and general chores, and I’m a busy bee.
Which I am grateful for.
Staying busy is good for me.
I have so many fun projects I want to do also.
I have to tell you the most epic adventure story that began last October and is on hold temporarily.
You will not believe it, I must scrounge around for photos and videos of this tale to come.
Also….
Should we have a virtual Halloween party this year?!?!
Let me know what you think.
Be safe and well dear friends.
<3 <3 <3
Love, Vanessa










This is a delightful farewell to summer and hello to fall. I look forward to hearing about your adventure that began last October.
Virtual Halloween party!!!!!!
Those are wonderful, and this is the *perfect* year to bring back the tradition.
Please and thank you 🙂
A virtual Halloween Party sounds like a fun idea…it would give us all something constructive and fun to look forward to!
Lovely post, Vanessa. I’m not quite ready for autumn yet….we have had the prettiest summer this year! Not too hot, plenty of rain to keep our lakes full (which will lead to a colorful autumn), and cooler nights.
xo,
Ricki Jill
Yes, please. I love your Halloween parties! I think I’ll find a way to keep my Halloween lovelies in place all year because they make me so happy. Maybe you can have 2 or 3 parties?
So wonderful to have a Magical Halloween pary! The wheather here in the high desert of California is getting cozy. Wishing you joyeous adventures in your garden! Xoxo Rosalia
This is my favorite time of year! I love Autumn and Winter so much.
i was thinking about the halloween parties just the other day. i’d love to participate if you do it. mmmm…cookies! now i’m hungry.
love, kisses & magical wishes…
~*~
ps…hugs & kisses to matty & miles!
Haven’t visited here in ages, and I don’t know why – your blog never fails to lift me up. 🙂 I think a virtual Halloween party is a splendid idea, and just what those of us still on lockdown need!
Stay safe. 🙂
🖤 Carolee
I always feel uplifted when I read your posts. I feel that hope is worth hoping for, if that makes sense. I feel that even though I don’t have a garden, I can still imagine one. I feel that joy does not have to be put “on hold” because things are not the way I had planned this year. I feel that I can still smile.
I will make sure to share it <3
I really think so too! 🙂
Oh lucky, our summer has been outrageously hot but nice in its own way too 🙂 I think a Halloween party may be a must <3
Lots of Halloween Parties would be wonderousssss 😉 <3 <3
So glad your weather is getting cozy! Autumn is a wonderful time 🙂
Me too Angela <3
Oh yay! Okay I think we should go for it! <3
I’m so glad you stopped by Carolee <3 I think we need one too <3
I agree completely Dorothy. There are still wonderful things in the world and things to do & enjoy. Hope is absolutely worth hoping for <3
Yes please! Virtual halloween party! This is a wonderful blog entry! S
After all the pandemic upheaval….my loved one aging too fast… fire in the canyon, evacuations, recovering self and gardens….pleeeeaze…may we have a virtual party 😬
Yes to a virtual Halloween party! I miss the old days of blogging with the blog parties.