Snow and sneaking branches from the neighbors yard.

Snow. On Saturday we got about 8 inches of heavy, wet snow. It just didn’t feel right. The trees were still filled with colorful leaves and it wasn’t very cold, so why were we getting snow dumped on us?

White impatiens sheltered under a tree, hadn’t yet been hit by frost.

Our garden reminded me of a fairy tale snow garden.

The day before this crazy weather, the news had been warning of the coming storm, so I snuck into our neighbors yard to clip a few branches!  shhhh, it’s a secret. Could I get arrested for sneaking a few branches?

I wasn’t ready to say good bye to the pretty leaves and wanted to make a loose arrangement for the dining room. I speared apples with skewers and added them to the vase.

Then I decided to sit here and have some cider and a snack and watch the snow falling outside. Enjoying Autumn inside, while watching a snow storm outside was a new experience for me.

I even dug out this old embroidered placemat.

Autumn is just too pretty to leave us so soon!

Pears would have worked in this arrangement and adding fruit is an easy way to celebrate the season. It looks so pretty too.

Our neighbor was waving at me from his window while I was sneaking. those branches.

 

Added to Making the World cuter Monday

Skip to My Lou, Life made Lovely

 

Debbie (((xx)))

Star sighting in Central park

 

You can read my previous post about my day in NYC here.

Dave and I took a carriage ride through Central Park and it was beautiful! The weather couldn’t have been more perfect.

 

Our carriage driver was full of knowledge about who lived here and there, like Jackie O, and Madonna. He told us about the bedrock, the number and kinds of trees in the park and other information that I don’t remember. 

 

Our horse’s name was Rusty. I found it interesting that lots of the horses come from the Amish in PA. Rusty was a retired race horse and at one time was quite a fast runner. He looks a little old and grey now.

 

 

A truly beautiful day in the city!

Here’s a glimpse of the ice skating rink.

 

A little glimpse of the lake. These pictures were taken from the moving carriage so they’re are a little fuzzy.

 

And now our star sighting!

 

 

Here’s the story;  a black escalade with blacked out windows was on the corner as we approached the park. A small crowd was gathering to see who was arriving. We saw a guy get out with a baby carriage and figured it wasn’t anyone famous so we just kept walking. We walked about 20 feet and decided to get a carriage, so we went back to the corner to get the carriage and that’s when we saw Jessica Alba get out of the escalade. She tried to keep her head down and covered with her hair but she was still recognizable.

Read about her visit to Central Park HERE.

What do you think of her outfit? I liked the dress and long sweater but didn’t care much for her shoes.

Have you ever had a star sighting? It’s fun.

 

 

Debbie (((xx)))

P is for Pumpkin, O is for Orange

Splashes of orange are popping up everywhere and not just on pumpkins. Shades of orange from peach to rust have always been on my list of favorite colors. Guess that’s why, back in the 80s I was so into the combination of peach and green.

          

Lately I’m noticing pops of orange in decor. Walls, pillows, rugs, you name it. Is it a new color trend? Will I be brave enough to paint my walls orange? As much as I love it, I don’t know if I’m ready for that! But I can still ohhh and ahhh over touches of orange.

Like these stairs, now that’s a bold, happy look in an entry. 

 

Source: bellemaison23.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

Source: houseofhepworths.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

 

This rug is gorgeous! The color and pattern are perfect.

 

Source: bellemaison23.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

 

And so is this one with the complement of orange draperies.

Source: janiemolster.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

 

Speaking of draperies, just look at these beauties. I love this look.

Source: bellemaison23.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

 

Greys are so popular now and this coral headboard against dark grey walls is swoon worthy!

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

 

Here’s a bedroom with orange, aqua and dark brown. I could sleep here. I could live here! Love that zebra rug too.

Source: besthomegallery.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

 

Bright orange walls create deep contrast against white board and batten. You either love this or hate it! It’s just a tad too bright for me.

Source: bellemaison23.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

 

Here’s another orange space with a touch of black and white zebra print in a vase.

Source: houseandhome.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

 

And yet another room with an orange, brown and blue palette paired with a zebra print rug.

So now that I’ve shared my obsession with orange, have I inspired you? I hope it’s popularity lasts. I’ll be so happy to be seeing it more and more!

 

Coming up next is a post about our star sighting in NYC!  Woo hoo it was fun!

Debbie (((xx)))

New York City sights

 

Early Saturday morning I boarded Amtrak to NYC to spend the day with my grandson David.

He meet me in Penn Station and we immediately headed to one of his favorite cafes, French Roast on W. 11th street. We both had eggs Benedict and I can honestly say it was the best I ever had! The eggs were cooked to perfection.

In our cappuccinos, he got a leaf and I got a heart.

Next we strolled around the city heading toward the World Trade Center Memorial. I’ll be sharing that in another post.

 

The buildings were amazing.

Dave has taken classes on the history and architecture of the city, so he was a great tour guide, but I don’t remember the names of these buildings!

 

 

The arch at Washington Square commemorates the one hundredth anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington. I did remember that, it’s inscribed on the stone!

 

The opposite side has a fountain.

Another little park with a fountain, again I don’t remember the name, but this is where a tiny piece of paper flew in my mouth and grossed me out and Dave spilled his Starbuck’s drink all over his boots.

Roof top gardens were spotted here and there.

 

We saw many bikers riding in the crowded streets. I think they’re crazy!

 

I loved the look of these old buildings. Would you live here? Are you a city person.

Soho and Tribeca areas. As you can see, it was a gorgeous day!

No trip to NYC would be complete with a glimpse of the Empire State building.

We took a carriage ride around Central Park, rode the subway several times, strolled through China town and ended our day at a great little Italian restaurant. I took lots of pictures to share with you and we even saw a star! A real movie star! I got some pictures of that too which I’ll post soon.

It was a great day! Love ya Dave.

 

Debbie (((xx)))

The winner of 100, 5x7 customizable postcards from UPrinting is #5, Kathie (Krafty Kat). Thank you for entering the giveaway from Uprinting.com. 

GiveAway from UPrinting

UPrinting.com is generously offering one reader

100 5'’ x 7'’ Postcards,  printed on 14pt gloss cardstock.

Fully customizable by you!

Click on over to my GiveAway page for all the lovely details.

 

 

Debbie (((xx)))

Hot cider, A Fall favorite

The smell alone makes me happy.

At a Fall festival several years ago I had my first whiff of hot apple cider. As the cinnamon-apple scent enveloped me, I knew I had to find the source of that wonderful aroma.

I bought my first cup of hot cider and it was so good that I boldly asked for the recipe.  Amazingly the owners of the stand told me!

Hot cider will warm your hands and delight your senses.

Get yourself a mug of steaming hot cider and go enjoy a windy Autumn day.

Here’s the recipe;

a cup of cider with a splash of orange juice and cinnamon, that’s it! Just adjust to your liking.  I like it really hot with lots of cinnamon! You gotta try it!

Added to Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam 

Serenity Now weekend linkup

I arrived home yesterday after 8 days in Tennessee with my family. I ate soup beans, cornbread, sausage and gravy biscuits and some delicious home made ribs. We went to the Heritage Festival, a haunted house and got lost in the little kids corn maze!  I got a mini makeover from my granddaughter who’s in cosmetology school. She did a great job too!

The trees were so pretty, even more colorful than here. I love spending time with my family.

 

There’s a little giveaway coming up tomorrow!

Debbie (((xx)))

Family Time in Tennessee

I’m in Tennessee this week visiting family.

Meet Jake my grandson. He started kindergarten this year and is constantly counting, adding and spelling and really soaking up letters and numbers like a dry sponge.

We went on a pumpkin counting walk together and he said he counted a hundred!

His nickname is mud digger and the pictures clearly show why.

If there’s mud near, the boy will find it.

He lays in mud, rolls in mud and is pretty much covered in mud from head to toe. You can see more pictures of a much younger Jake playing in mud HERE in a previous post.

Muddy face, muddy hands, one tooth missing, did I mention that he’s a cutie?

 

It’s perfect weather here today and later we’ll be going to the Heritage Festival to celebrating Fall.

Are you enjoying Fall?

 

Next week I’ve got a giveaway coming up that’s perfect for Christmas.

Debbie (((xx)))