Not mentioning any names ...

 Time to change the header, so the above is placed here for posterity.

 

There are a few people in my house who really don't care for spiders, no matter how photogenic they are.  One in particular, because one fateful day in the autumn, a veritable Shelob left an indelible physical impression on someone who dwells under the same roof as I. I won't mention any names.

 

This is one of the drum majors for the past marching band season, but she does not live in my house. This was their victory lap, their last performance after earning a Division I rating at the State Marching Band  Competition. They are a hard core bunch, playing in the rain both at State and this particular night, like it was nothing. Someone who lives in our house played alto sax for marching band this past year. I won't mention any names.

 Lastly, someone in this house is over 40, and even though her hands look much older than that, she still knows how to rock an awesome manicure.

 We won't mention any names.

Autumn Portraits

Before the weather got cold, while all the splendid color was still around, I was privileged to be asked by Andy's brother Aaron and his wife Alisia for a mini session before they went out for the evening.

It seems that wherever they are, laughter is inevitable. 

They are pretty good neighbors, also. Just having them close by, as well as Andy's other brother Ryan and his wife Jodi and their family, and him mom and dad ... we are in a blessed location. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, we are pretty well covered out here. 

Here is one of our neighbors who isn't actually related to Andy.  Brandy and Layla are our next door neighbors, and happened to be arriving home one evening during a spectacular sunset. Brandy agreed to let me photograph the lovely Layla to harness the spectacular light of the moment.

The leaves are all gone now, and now we await the first snowfall. Fall is way too fleeting.

Yellow River State Park

This past weekend, we took up trip up north to scout out a campground for our upcoming family mini vacation. 

Yellow River State Park is very rugged, hilly, and loaded with trees. We were fortunate enough to catch the tail end of the peak leaf color. 

Lots of trails, plenty of rugged beauty. You really get a feeling of undisturbed nature, like the park is a precious, well-kept secret. 

 

I spotted this lil critter on a sapling as we drove past, on our final swing through the park for the day; Andy was brave enough to hop a ravine and photograph it. I wasn't sure what it was going to do if it lost its grip on that sapling. I knew I was going to flee, whether it was chasing me or not. It was a lot of fun, though, watching it use its tail and claws to cling to that sapling. 

Falling for Fall

 

Some of the best things about a Fall Festival are the Pumpkins

 Such Variety. I love the warty pumpkins. They are so unappetizing, but so varied in texture and color.

 Indian corn. Autumn jewels.

The next photo goes in for posterity, since the banner has been changed to reflect the season.

So long to summer

This past year has been something else. You just never know what life will throw at you. A year ago, I was preparing for a major surgery. I'm so grateful for the healing I've had, and the past year I've had, all the new opportunities and adventures.  Now, my little pal Coral is battling Leukemia. I crocheted these hats and some flower accessories to cover her little head as she lost her hair to the chemotherapy. I am confident that she will pull through, but if you are reading this, you sure can tuck in a prayer or two for her. She is a brave, smart girl who will have a lot to offer the world when she grows up.

We have a lot of Queen Anne's Lace growing out here. I love it. I just know that flowers like these are what first inspired some woman in history to take up a small hook and fine thread to create beautiful, dainty embellishments for her home.

To be sure, it was a long, hot, dry summer. Emily participated in Municipal Band, performing every Thursday night in Central Park in our little nearby town, among the most talented musical mentors in the area. This was one of the few storms we had, just moments before the final scheduled performance of the year was suddenly brought to a halt by the still welcomed rain.

Emily had her first experience at the fair, showing a couple of our young does. Pictured with Emily is our affectionate little doe Sissy, named for another Sissy that we had, and miss. 

Ashley

This past summer, I had the honor of taking my friend Ashley's senior photos. 

We did this over two different days, once in the early part of summer, and once in late summer. The shot above was on a June morning.

 This one on a late August evening.

 The August photos had the benefit of a stormy sky near sunset. Not much else to say, other than I really enjoyed both sessions, and am very happy with how some of the photos turned out. I'm hoping to do more of this in the future.

Late Winter Afternoon Walk

This morning, I heard and saw a red-winged blackbird. First one I've seen and heard since they left this past fall.

This afternoon, I also heard robins. The breeze was a mix of warm and cool, speaking of stormy weather to come. 

The earth and the sky seemed to be vibrating with impending spring. Won't be long and these landscapes will be vibrant green. 

Mimi

We always manage to have one special pet hen. For a while, that spot was occupied by Speckle, who we will never stop missing.

  Now we have Mimi. She just exudes sass. Mimi is splashy, well accessorized, and savvy. She knows how to duck out of the roosters' way, she knows that being held is cozy and warm, and that the goats drop food on the floor in the milk parlor. She is always trying to sneak in to clean up after them!

Mimi is the sole survivor of the group of Mottled Houdans that we ordered. I've always wanted some 'hairdo' hens, and was very happy to be able to order them. She is a white egg layer. Somewhere under that fluffy crown are white ear patches. Did you know if a hen's ear patch is a whitish color, they will lay white eggs? If their ear patch is reddish, then the eggs they lay will be brown. 

Note her right foot. It has always been turned under that way. It has never slowed her down. She has never known it to be any different. She scurries around just as well as any of our hens, with ten times the sass. Keeping the other hens in line is her pet pastime. Mimi is very loud and talkative. 

The day I was taking these photos, I was amused to find that our goat Lady has supermodel aspirations. When she figured out the lens was on her, she struck a pose.

 Then I moved on to some roosters, some other goats. Then back to Lady, who resumed her pose. 

I've said it before - never a dull moment around here. Characters like Lady and Mimi make sure of that!

I've heard quite a few women say, "Don't get me flowers for Valentine's Day, they just end up dying."

I am not one of those women. So beautiful!! Thanks and much love to my boyfriend, my best friend, my dear husband Andy.

This was the view from the barn this morning. I have more photos to post, stay tuned!