Tag Archives: fall

Trees, please.

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My favorite trail.

Today I felt a distinct pull toward nature. Not only because fall is fleeting and I don’t want to miss it, but because I just needed it. 

It was so good to be among the trees, with rain drip dropping from the leaves, and birds chirping softly above.

I come alive when the weather is crisp. I love the contrast of bright leaves against dark tree bark, crunchy twigs underfoot, and the strong, peppery scent of the woods in autumn.

This little neck of the woods is a favorite of mine. It always reminds me of “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. But I’ve taken this path hundreds of times over the years, and it never fails to bring me peace.

I hope you have a chance to enjoy the fall season; especially this year, when every experience is precious!

– Debra

“I think that I shall never see . . . “

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” . . . a poem as lovely as a tree.” – Joyce Kilmer

harriet

My neighbors were probably wondering why I was lying in the middle of the yard this afternoon. It’s not something I normally do, but it’s a beautiful day, and I wanted to spend some time with my tree.

I bought my Autumn Blaze maple, better known as “Harriet,” seven years ago as a birthday present to myself. Why Harriet, you ask? I have no idea! It just came to me one day, and it stuck.

I looked it up, and the name Harriet means “ruler of the home.” Isn’t that fitting for a tree? My name, however, means “bee.” So Harriet gets to be queen and I’m just a little worker bee? Hey, who pays the bills around here anyway?!

Ok, so back to my point . . . I think it’s important that we afford ourselves the luxury of a few simple pleasures now and then. How many times as a child did you stare up at the blue, blue sky and let your imagination run wild? Why do we stop doing that? It’s fun!

I pledge to enjoy “the little things” in life more often, and I hope you will too. I really think it’s when we’re at our happiest.

So, go outside and hug a tree.

Oh, and don’t tell Queen Harriet, but she could use a trim!

– Debra

Harriet2

A Warm Welcome

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One of the reasons I love the fall season is because it feels so welcoming. We cozy in, snuggle up, and fill our homes with delicious scents like apple cinnamon and spiced pumpkin. It’s my favorite time of year to have guests.

So, with company often dropping by unannounced, I decided to get a jump start on fall decorating.

It’s fun to decorate the mantel, but the fireplace has always felt a little dark to me. I wanted to brighten things up a bit, and luckily, I saw a great idea in a nearby shop that I frequent. The shop owner had placed a salvaged wooden window screen in front of an old fireplace surround and attached a few tiny light strings to the front with mini ornament hooks.

It was simple and cheerful, so I decided to put my own spin on it for my house. I wrapped white birch logs with tiny lights and suddenly things looked a lot brighter!

It added the warmth and sparkle I wanted, and makes the whole house feel festive.

Join me for a cup of mulled cider?

– Debra

The air is crisp, and so are the apples!

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How about them apples?!

apple tree

Mom and Dad have a cute little apple tree that drops tons of apples each fall. Dad picks them, and Mom bakes them into a sweet, cinnamon apple crisp. Yum!

apple crisp

“It’s like pie with a cookie on top!” Mom says. And heaven knows how we feel about cookies around here. We love this apple crisp so much that she has to make two batches on holidays so everyone can take some home. (Shhh . . . the secret is the double crumb topping.)

Mom’s Apple Crisp

6 c. apples; sliced
3 tbsp. flour
1 c. white sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of salt

Mix together evenly and spread into a lightly greased 9 x 12 cake pan.
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Crumb Topping:

1-1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. white sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1-1/2 c. quick oatmeal
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1 c. butter

Mix dry ingredients together and cut in butter with a pastry blender into small, coarse crumbs. Spread over top of apples and press down.
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Bake at 350° for 30-45 minutes until apples are tender. Chill and serve with ice cream.

Be prepared to fight over the last piece!