Day Two Hundred Eighty Two

Random TGIF Pics

This is what the sky over my house looked like around eleven o'clock this morning. It took a turn after lunch and by two thirty was pouring rain. Again.

Neil, Holly, Elijah and I went to Panda Garden for lunch. This was in my fortune cookie. I should be receiving my Nobel Peace Prize any moment now. No? Stranger things have happened ...

Does anyone know what in the world this is? After lunch, Holly was driving around, trying to lull Elijah to sleep for an afternoon nap, and we saw this thing laying in the road. At first we thought it was a giant walnut or a knitter had lost her ball of yarn. On our way back, Holly's curiosity got the best of her. She pulled over and snatched it off the road. It was heavy and kind of sticky and had this white stuff oozing out of the stem area. There was a tree on the side of the road that had these things growing on it. Weird. Not to mention this activity jarred Elijah out of his dream state. He never did take a nap. Holly took it home and was going to let Shelby dissect it to see what it's like on the inside. I hope they take pictures.

Day Two Hundred Eighty One

Random Pictures From Today

I love pumpkins. I especially love gnarly pumpkins. This is the gnarliest of gnarly pumpkins I believe I've ever seen.

I set out two pots of red mums on the front porch today. If they could speak, they would say, "Fall!"

I was wandering about the back yard with my camera this afternoon, as I often do, and these bugs caught my eye. They were gathered in a cluster on a rusty garden stake. I know they must be some kind of beetle. I've looked on the Internet and can't find any pictures similar to these. Anyone?

I found some gel sticker Halloween decorations at Super D drug store last week. Elijah and Shelby had a bunch of fun decorating the front storm door with them this afternoon.

They posed with the scarecrow and the pumpkins on the bench out front. Shelby got to go on a field trip to Muddy Pond with her class today. She bought that little pumpkin for fifty cents. I had to beg Elijah to put his nice sweater back on for this picture. He said it was hot and scratchy, but he relented after I promised him he could take it back off after I got done taking pictures.

It's beginning to look a lot like Halloween! I love this time of year!

Day Two Hundred Eighty

Can't Get Enough Of ...

... the October blue sky ...

... the reds, yellows and oranges of Autumn leaves ...

... the sweet little curls on our wilted pumpkin vine ...

It's all good!

Day Two Hundred Seventy Nine

Random Afternoon Pics

Elijah and Shelby were in the mood for a little artwork this afternoon. Shelby drew Halloween pictures. Here she's working on a black cat. Elijah was in random color mode. That works.

Like we needed more rain. But what can you do? Take pictures of raindrops on the window pane.

Elijah and I were sitting upstairs, looking out the window, and he said, "How did that light get out there?" The light does look like it's hanging from the tree limb. I explained it was a reflection. He said, "Oh." We both thought it was pretty neat.

Day Two Hundred Seventy Eight

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year! (I keep saying that because it is true.)

Mr. Scarecrow is ready for Autumn decoration duty. He's usually the first one out of the attic.

I love pumpkins! And I love the colors of Autumn! October rocks!