I know, I know… the first day of spring was March 20th. But up north where we live, March can be pretty harsh. It doesn’t really feel like spring until at least April to me. April brings sunshine, fresh turned soil, pussy willows and colorful blooms from the bulbs we planted last fall. The earth is whispering awake again. And most importantly, spring brings renewed hope. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for some bright color, a refresh, and renewed hope back in my life.
Planting bulbs in the fall is an exercise in hope.
Spring is full of new growth and wildlife babies
Little lake life has been a whole different type of wildlife entertainment than when we lived up on the mountain in the woods. From out home tucked up in the mountains we would see deer, turkeys and the occasional moose.
Momma turkey watching over her young and the frequent deer we would see in our yard at our previous home in the woods.
We would see the rare moose at our home in the mountains, but this momma moose drinking out of our bird bath was a once in a lifetime sight.
Here at the lake, we observe great blue herons, eagles, muskrats, tons of different ducks and even the occasional otter. The otter stopped by the other day to roll and play on our dock for a short time. If I were an animal, I would definitely want to be an otter. They just enjoy life so much.
This playful little otter (left) showed up one morning on the dock at our new home. The wood ducks (right) marched right through the garden gate.
Meet our new neighbors
Life is chock full of wonder, if we are aware and open to it. Such is the case with our neighbors. When we moved to this house last fall, we had a couple welcome us to the hood. They stop by unexpectedly and bring joy, smiles and entertainment. They are not your typical neighbors. They are a geese couple (geese mate for life) and while they roam the lake, they usually stop by here once a day. While many geese fly south in the winter, this couple braved the cold and stayed on. It helped that the lake did not freeze over in this unseasonably warmer winter.
Since they are here so much, I decided they needed names. Not just any cute animal name, but something quirky, fun and with a meaningful story behind it. When my mom was growing up, she had a beloved chicken that she coddled and carried around. The chicken’s name was Genevieve. My grandpa, who gave my parents this property, had the middle name Isaac. So, the couple have been crowned with the names Genevieve and Isaac. It fits them.
Genevieve and Isaac come visit us every day.
We enjoy their company. However, if they start leaving messes on our dock or yard, I will be chasing them off. My dad has fond memories of my mom getting up in the morning and going outside in her robe, armed with a broom, to chase off the geese that would come up in their yard. Perhaps the apple does not fall from the tree… we shall see. I might need to buy a new robe.
Hope springs
The bright colors and wildlife that emerge in the spring are signs of new life. Signs of fresh starts and hope. May you take the time to enjoy the wonder of spring!
Mornings are cool and crisp with a layer of fog, the leaves are turning bright orange, red and yellow, the tamarack trees are taking on a golden hue, and the geese are honking as they head south. Summer has given way to fall. And autumn whispers a quiet “hello, slow down and enjoy me.” This season of color brings some of my favorite things.
The soup is on
I miss soup in the summer. I am not a big fan of gazpacho. It is not that I dislike the taste; it just feels wrong to eat cold soup. So, when autumn arrives, I am ready to fire up the soup pot. It is one of life’s little delights to come home on a chilly afternoon to the aroma of soup simmering in the crockpot. Bonus that dinner is already prepared.
Squash soup simmering before it gets pureed into a wonderful bowl of yummy.
Oktoberfests and street fairs
Is there anything more festive than a fall street market or festival? It is a feast for the senses with the aroma of pumpkin doughnuts in the air, and colorful textured gourds and corn stocks decorating every corner. Grab a cup of steaming hot cider and wander around. While spring outdoor markets boast of lively new growth, fall markets have a more subdued ambiance. They are a quiet salute to the end of the season.
Even the music is a soulful goodbye to the season.
Slash fires
Summers in the PNW get hot and dry. Not safe conditions for slash fires so there is usually a burn ban during the summer months and sometimes into early fall. But after a few rains, you can smell the earthy, pungent aroma of smoke in the air as people burn the outdoor debris from summer. These are perfect conditions to get a beverage and sit outside to do a little fire watching. A heavy-duty burning barrel came with the property, so we have been pulling up a couple of old wooden rockers next to it to enjoy late afternoons feeding it sticks, leaves and pine needles.
This heavy-duty burning barrel has come in very handy. Recipe for apple cinnamon drink is in the Apple Palooza post.
Football
Having raised four boys that all played football, I have spent a lot of time wrapped up in layers of warm clothes while sitting on unforgiving bleachers. But somewhere along the way, I grew to really enjoy football. Now football games are as much a part of fall for me as a rotund orange pumpkin. They are especially fun now that I get to watch my grandson play.
My grandson is #15 (left). I have to take a second and be a bragging proud grandma – he received the defensive player of the year award for his team (right).
Fall decorating
I enjoy decorating for the holidays, but my absolute favorite time to decorate, hands down, is fall. The oranges, golds and browns call to me. Fall is the perfect time to bring the outdoors in and decorate with nature’s palette. Autumn is a wonderful season to gather some Roadsidea to decorate with. Think acorns, water chestnuts, colorful leaves, and of course, pumpkins and gourds. We moved into our new home just in time to decorate for fall (once I unearthed the fall decor. boxes.)
Pulling out the orange for decorating.
My friend and I spent a lovely afternoon making these chubby little pumpkins. I added some roadsidea to create interest and texture to this monochromatic tablescape.
Leaf peeping
Just observing the change of the seasons is a delight. Driving around you can see bursts of colorful trees almost everywhere. It becomes a pleasure just to drive to the grocery store. But up in the mountains is where you will find the tamarack trees changing color. Tamaracks are unique because they are considered a deciduous conifer; they are the only pine trees that turn vibrant gold before they lose their needles. My dad loves these distinctive pine trees, so every fall we make a point to take him on a drive to Look Out Pass (on the border between Idaho and Montana) where there are an abundance of tamarack trees changing color.
The tamarack trees taking on a golden hue up at Look Out Pass. Notice the ones near the fog line are covered in frost. Winter is close.
Fall drives are lovely, but the best way to really sink into the colors is to walk under them. Go for a stroll around town and take in the scents of brown sugar and cinnamon with your eyes. Stop. Contemplate. Exhale. Let the quiet beauty of autumn settle into your soul.
Take a walk around town and breathe in the shades of brown sugar and cinnamon.
Autumn on the water – a new discovery
The lake changes in autumn. Summer is full of fast boats and kids splashing and laughing in the water. It is BBQs and cannonballs off of the dock. Everyone is outside enjoying the sunshine. But come fall, people crawl indoors and the quiet world outside is left for those more contemplative souls.
I have discovered foggy fall mornings out on my kayak. Life will never be the same.
“I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
And that, my friends, is autumn at its best. What a gift to be able to spend some time doing my favorite things when the weather turns cool and earth prepares to hibernate for the winter. What are some of your fall favorites that stir your senses and feed your soul? Be sure to take some time to do them before the season slips away.
Cheers to the retirement years!
Feature photo credit to Mr. U who took the picture while I paddled away into the foggy morning.
Lover of flip flops, waking up without an alarm, fireside chats, street tacos, waves lapping up on shore, creativity, family, the cork and all things garlic.
