I woke up this morning and it was October! It’s been a beautiful day – sunny and warm and inviting. I did spend a few hours outside weeding – with my right hand! It felt good to accomplish something as well as getting some fresh air.
Quote by Anne Shirley (Anne with an ‘e’) in Anne of Green Gables
Not much at work – waiting for funding on a few deals. I was home before 11am. I did change clothes since I was going to work on some projects. I grabbed a bowl of potato soup for lunch and read a chapter in my current book before going outside. I paid bills, as well, and changed all the calendars, including the Snoopy wooden one.
I hope this is the last time I have to weed the flower beds – although I still have a few spaces to get finished yet.
Pinky Winky got a lot bigger….
,,,And the pink color is darker.
Rose is blooming in the Azealia bush.
This is mostly weeded and the dead stalks cut back.
The Dutch iris beds before I cut them back.
Front walk – took out the Dutch Iris
More Dutch Iris gone.
A lot got trimmed here.
Side bed is cleaned up.
Downspout in the back corner.
Should flow better now.
Around the Butterfly bush.
Quote of the Day:
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW October 2nd is:
Smile! 🙂 I don’t name my cars… Farm animals! Cameron lives those! God bless…
Here we are – the last day of September, 2026. The year is just speeding by! I feel like I’m missing out on things.
I spent the day – as is usual for a Wednesday – cleaning and doing some laundry. I had a little ‘scare’ — The power must have gone off, or something, and the washer did not spin! I unplugged it, started it over again, and it was fine. I was very relieved. That was for sure a blessing! I found a new author that I am enjoying, who is very descriptive in her writing. I was getting bored with the same ones so this is a pleasure!
I’m enjoying this…
Dom was able to come over and mow. It always looks so nice after he’s done. He does a great job.
Bottom yard
Side by deck.
I got an email from my friend Tamara. They got a new puppy. She is so cute, and her name is Josie. I’m sure she’s equally a lot of fun and a lot of work!
The sky this afternoon was beautiful – as was the weather. I did not spend much time outside but enjoyed the sunshine.
QUOTE of the DAY:
We should all remember to do this!
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW October 1st is:
Lots of fun things for tomorrow! Pick several and have a great day! God bless…
On this day in History:
Scripture:
Cool picture: (Pittsburgh)
This is a photographer I follow occasionally. This photo is amazing!
Work this morning – Rege is on vacation but Ken and Barry were both there. Ken can usually get us on track to hack through the ‘Smail’ days — we all three worked there together. So it was a lively morning. I stopped to help Mike P with a deal, then got gas in the Jeep. I had just enough time to buzz home and grab the items that Autmn requested (school supplies, diapers for Cameron, and a case of Coke!) before heading to Elizabeth. I went the few extra miles to the Belle Vernon plaza and picked up lunch at McDonalds and got to Autmn’s a little after noon.
View when you turn onto the road to Autmn’s housing plan.
Cameron was so excited to see me! He picked at his lunch, but was showing me his room and his toys and his new riding toy, which he was very good at. We played with his Shark flashlight, read books, had dragon fights, watched A Bugs Life. I gave him his purple Matchbox car and he was very cute. He was thrilled! He kept saying, ‘Thank you! Thank you so, so much! I love it. Thank you, Mimi!’ It was like he didn’t have another toy in the whole house! We had a great time. Autmn explained her online classes, and showed me her notes and her homework and her schedule. I’m excited for her – and she seems excited!
My sweet Autmn Rose
He has complete control!
We had dragon fights….
A dragon in each hand.
Taking a turn with my brace.
Cooking dinner – it was a SHARK!!!!
I stayed until naptime (for Cameron, not for me!) and headed home. I had driven down on Route 70, but went home Route 136. I was ready to finish the afternoon and settle in, although it was super fun to be there! Hoping we can do it more often. And once Noah repairs his ‘limping’ truck, he can give Autmn back the Nissan and she can come visit us, too!
Cameron showing me how to brush his teeth – he doesn’t like ‘stinkies’ coming out of his mouth!
Mimi hugs!
Cuddles.
Quote of the Day:
My dad INSISTED on this – but more for the fact that Mom’s family lives 62 miles away and gas stations closed in the evening and on weekends! I still do that religiously to this day! Never less than half a tank.
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW September 30th is:
Orange Shirt Day; National Love People Day; National Chewing Gum Day; National Ai in Work Day; National Hot Mulled Cider Day; National Mud Pack Day; National Women’s Health and Fitness Day; World School Milk Day; International Podcast Day.
When I was in early elementary school, our school milk came from a local farm – Silvis Farm! I don’t think I’ll wear an orange shirt tomorrow just to clean the house. God bless…
I had time to make the bed, get a shower, have tea and breakfast, and start laundry before Paul got here to pick up the truck. Of course everything looks fresh and nice with it gone. Again, I walked around and took more pictures. I reset the fall projector so it highlights the porch with the pumpkins. I’ll check it tonight after dark.
Front yard – coming on fall.
While I was outside, I got my trimmers and cut back a few stray branches on other shrubs, like the azaleas along the front walk and a few dead limbs hidden in the bridal veil bush.
Front porch
Near bridal veil bush
Found a rose bud in the Azelia
My next chore – in between changing laundry loads – was to organize more of the bins in the garage. I was able to put all the bins of lights for all the seasons and occasions on one shelf. I hope that helps. Easter wasn’t included, as when I packed them away I had the lights in several different bins. I’ll get that handled this spring. I also got the ironing done and put away.
A little more organized.
Left side is supplies
I also – although not too neatly! – made note cards and taped them to all the bins except Christmas. Those I know well and won’t get them mixed up.
All the lights – See the note cards taped on?
Autmn is starting classes online this week, and needed a few items for taking notes and getting organized. Since I was in the total middle of all these projects I told her I’d bring some things down for her tomorrow. I had everything here that she’ll need – notebooks, pens, pencils, hi-lighters, note cards, folders. I will go down tomorrow, grab McDonalds for lunch for the 3 of us, and spend an hour or so with her and Cameron.
I did pop over to the bank – I needed to get some cash for a few small projects. I dropped them off a package of Peanut Halloween M&M’s — they are always no nice, and very patient (Not the M&M’s – the tellers!)!
QUOTE of the Day:
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW September 29th is:
No coffee or mocha. We all need to have a heart! God bless…
Sunday School is still in Acts; Todd’s message was in the book of James. Both were informative and inspiring. After church I stopped at Ollies and got a pack of batteries for my light sets. They should last me through the year. Lee Ann – in charge of kids’ projects – shared her current project for Trunk or Treat. Noah’s Ark — did you ever see so many stuffed animals ever?
Lee Ann in the background. See the skunks?
Had a salad for lunch, then did some of the things on my list – like I put the projector out in the yard. Paul was to come get the truck but looks like it will be in the morning, which is fine. I wrote out a birthday card for my friend and got it ready to mail. I double checked the 9th Life auction bids and I’m pretty sure I won the bid for the cow!
I actually love it already and I don’t even have it yet!
Since I had everything I needed, I did make cream of potato soup and had a bowl for supper. I generally don’t eat before I post this but it worked out tonight that I did. That leaves laundry and ironing for tomorrow, along with a few phone calls I need to handle. I slept well last night but I’m starting to get sleepy!
I did snap a few more pictures of outside – the ‘no lilacs’ places and the freshly washed driveway surface.
Down the hill.
driveway
front yard.
Nate brought me over the crocheted Snoopy they bought me. Isn’t it the cutest?
Somehow I snapped a photo without realizing, and got a pretty unusual photo of – – I have no clue!
QUOTE of the DAY:
PEANUTS?
M&M’s of course!
TOMORROW September 28th is:
I can celebrate my family, and my son – and reading! God bless...
BUSY all day. It was a really beautiful day to be outside all day. Right after a quick breakfast I went out and started trimming the little lilac sprouts that pop up – ones that a chain saw wouldn’t handle. Nate got here about 11am and we got started. I cut the smaller shoots and he cut the thicker ones. We both lugged (and lugged) all the branches up to my cousin’s dump truck (parked in my front yard!) and got everything cleaned up by about 3:30pm. I finally remembered to have my homepressed Apple Cider with breakfast!
From the festival
Ummm — didn’t do THAT right!
This is better – got it shut!
We took a quick break – Nate had pretzels and a brownie, and I had a flax ball and some Cheetos. We sort of just skipped lunch! Nate power washed the driveway (which was quite the chore) and I cleaned up the spriggly branches and raked them into a trash bags. I think he finished and left about 5pm. We worked hard, but he worked harder.
My brownies – I gave the rest to Nate and Jen
Driveway – a mess!
The yard looks so different without those huge bushes.
Top fence – before.
Upper yard by the fence -Lilacs gone
By the porch and by the road.
Lower – on the hill – lilacs gones!
After Nate left, I put on warm pajamas and am settled in to post this. I got a txt message from Beth with some pictures. They are in Vermont – Sugarbush. It does look enchanting there – the leaves are changing and the cows are grazing!
Beautiful view!
My neighbors trees are changing too – these 2 are usually the first to turn.
There were 2 butterflies on my butterfly bush. First I’ve noticed this year!
Happy butterfly.
I had planned on putting the Fall light projector out today but never managed. I realized that it wasn’t a good idea until the truck was out of the yard.
Takes up most of the yard!
QUOTE of the DAY:
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW September 27th is:
National No Excuse Day; World Deaf Day; World Rivers Day; National Chocolate Milk Day; Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day; National Day of Forgiveness; National Crush a Can Day; National Scarf day; National Corned Beef Hash Day; World Tourism Day; World Patient Safety Day; Ancestor Appreciation Day; Morning Show Host Day.
A lot to choose from – whatever you celebrate, enjoy. God bless…
My neck is aching today – all around. Dr. ‘Mom’ would tell me I get swollen glands every time it’s windy, whether I’m outside or inside. I have to believe her. Speaking of outside, I took a picture of the harvest moon just before dusk.
September full moon.
But my day was busy. I changed and washed bed sheets, then did regular laundry. Made French Toast for breakfast and read a few more pages in MURDER AT ROSECLIFF. Almost done! I paid a few bills, wrote out a card for a long-ago friend of mine from Home, PA, and watered the Mums and the rose bush. Also fixed the lights in the Fall house. Then it was time to go to the doctor.
Dr. Cole is so nice. He went over my bloodwork and we discussed my wrist at great length. He’s prescribing a different medicine for me to try – something that worked the last time I had this issue in the other wrist – back in 2021. We have 2 other plans in place if that doesn’t help. Got my flu shot.
Tree in doctor’s office is fall now!
I left there and went to help Mike P with a problem title, then got my oleo and aluminum foil at Walmart before heading home. I had leftovers for lunch, but it was the same meal I had on Wednesday when I woke up sick. I felt ok but my stomach has been rumbling all afternoon. I threw the rest of the leftovers away. I’m done with all that. I found a cute little pumpkin for Cameron – when you squeeze it, the ghost pops up! I think he’ll love it.
Normal
When you squeeze it.
My cousin Paul came over and I took him to get his big-bed dump truck. We are borrowing it overnight as Nate is cutting down the lilacs along the fence line and we’re going to throw them in the truck. Paul will dump them in his woods for us. So tomorrow will be a busy day.
So I still have 2 things to do tonight so I must get moving. Hoping to post tomorrow but if I don’t, please don’t panic. It will be a very long day.
QUOTE of the DAY:
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW September 26th is:
I’ll celebrate Lace – did you ever read the story LACE that I wrote? It’s one of my super favorites! Bunnies are great if they don’t eat my flowers. I probably save more photos than I should but I love looking at them. God bless.
Rough night last night! Couldn’t sleep, couldn’t get warm, stomach issues into the morning. Couldn’t even eat anything until after noon. I worked slow all day but got work done, then cleaned the house. Good to have that done.
Nate called and is going to do some work for me Saturday that we’ve been putting off! So that’s exciting – two major projects!
power washing the front walk and the driveway; trimming shrubs
But I promised a photo dump of fall decorations – so here we are!
Pumpkin Snoopy
Bookshelf
Poor Snoopy cooked in a cauldron!
Kitchen leaf lights
bench with pumpkin lights
Hallway: Leaf garland around mirror – green lights in the flag room, ghost hanging from the mirror. Podium with leaf lights and Halloween book!
Kitchen counter – M&M’s…
Table
Halloween blankets and lights on the bookcase.
I had fish sticks for supper – now I’m so sleepy I could fall asleep on my desktop! So I’ll post this and be done!
QUOTE of the DAY:
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW September 25th is:
Chase will celebrate Quesadillas! I’ll celebrate my daughter (Love you Kelly!). God bless….
You would think that it wouldn’t take all day to put up fall decorations, especially since I had already done the blankets, flags, and coasters! But I am particular about where everything goes, and try to switch some things up each year. I did get rid of a lot over the last 2 years so it went smoother – but it still took until 5pm to get done. I put off cleaning until tomorrow and Friday, as I knew I’d be stirring up dust and dragging dirt in from the bins (stored in the garage). I put on my new GREAT PUMPKIN tee-shirt ($5 at Five Below) and got to work! But we’ll start with catching up on Wren Drive from the weekend!
First, just a little sky view that struck me as being amazing! You know I love clouds!
I also broke down and ordered a new Yeti. When I originally bought mine several years ago there were no shades of purple to choose from. Now they have a few. I wasn’t going to spend the money but a few things fell into place and I ordered a beautiful shade. I put my identifying Peanuts stickers on the tumbler and now I’m set to go. I plan to pass the pink one on to a good home, but haven’t found one yet.
My neighbor Al had given me a few fat orange pumpkins last week, which I sat on the front porch. I came home on Friday and there was a white one on the walk for me! So I bought 2 super-mini mums for in my little cauldron and a few very mini orange pumpkins, and the porch is festive.
Orange pumpkins
Added white one, and mums.
Final effect
When I was out shopping I had to replace my outdoor mat – the old ones disintegrated. I had 3, but only needed to replace one. I love it – and it helps that it’s a cow, even thought it’s a highland cow!
I also walked around and took pictures of the flowers that are currently blooming which probably shouldn’t be. The rose bush that I rescued from the neighbor’s ‘national forest’ in their front yard looked like it was dying last week. It is currently flourishing, thankfully! Probably won’t bloom till spring.
Morning glories and a other purple flowers.
Butterfly bush.
Stella D’oro
Two different plants
Seedum
purple/pink ones
Lavender
One lone ‘brown’ eyed susan
Rose bush looked dead last week! Now it has leaves!
Out of controlrose of sharons
All trimmed up.
Not exactly sure….
No clue what this is!
Dom was able to sneak in between the rainy days and get the grass cut. It looks very nice and I’m excited that he got it done.
Perfect!
Autmn and Cameron stopped yesterday when I was putting Festival supplies away. I had a skein of yarn that I was rolling into a ball. He thought that was marvelous and was running all over the house with the end of the string. A few times he was totally wound up – in more ways than one. It was fun to see them, though – they brought me a PEANUTS movie collection DVD so I’ll be excited to watch it!
stringing along.
All over the place!
tying things up.
Tomorrow I will post a few pictures of my favorite fall decorations. Here are the flags that I changed – although I have more than two. For now, I’m done for the evening and will finish this before I grab a sandwich or something else easy.
Welcome!
I love the colors in this – I have a little garden flag that matches.
QUOTE of the DAY:
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW September 24th is:
National Punctuation Day; National Cherries Jubilee Day; World Maritime Day; Blue Bird of Happiness Day; Heritage Day; Remember Me Thursday.
Punctuation is more important than people give it credit for. Just — be happy! God bless…
Well here it is Tuesday – I’m going to try to recap the festival weekend. Kelly got here about 6pm Friday night – we got a pizza for supper, organized our supplies, and packed the car. In the morning we left about 8am and headed up Route 130 to Stahlstown. It was cool but not raining and we did have patches of sun. There were bails of straw scattered over the festival grounds to keep the mud down and the guests safe walking. We got there, set up, and took a few pictures. I didn’t take nearly as many photos as usual – we were ready for the kids and family when the festival opened.
Ready to open.
Honey, wildflowers, homemade goods.
The pavilion that we are adjacent to is where the demonstrations take place – the entire process from planting, harvesting, preparing and spinning the flax threads into linen threads. There is a loom that demonstrates making the cloth. This process was very important during the 18th century and into the 19th, as that and wool were the only way to have material for clothes, blankets, and even rugs. You lost the crop, you lost that year’s new clothes!
Flax plants – festival photo
demonstration area.
It took a while for the crowds to come, but they did. It wasn’t packed but it was steady. The repeat kids knew where we were, and loved our crafts, and spent the day popping in and out! They loved petting Puppers, our stuffed puppy, in order to receive a fall Hershey Kiss.
Passing out kisses – he loves to be petted!
Too many kisses???
A friend of Puppers!
Another Puppy!
We had a scavenger hunt with Tootsie Pops or glow sticks as prizes. People came looking for the cards as the kids really enjoyed the activity!
The kids had colored construction paper, bright markers, and glitter self-sticking foam leaf stickers. They also did yarn weaving on paper plates, and made bracelets on looms cut out of cardboard and woven with variegated yard. I think that was their favorite. They love Merilee’s toys, too!
Creative kids!
The day ended with the native Americans burning the settlers cabin. It’s pretty impressive if you’ve never seen it! We packed up what we had to take home with us, and stored everything else in the Flax building. We stopped on the way home to grab more Tootsie Pops and kisses, and Kelly got a bag of Oreos. The funnel cake booth promised to make her some deep fried Oreos if she brought the cookies!
Settlers (courtesy of festival)
Native American – festival photo
It was obvious that Sunday was going to be a wash – no pun intended. It was cold and windy and started out with heavy rain. Some of the vendors did not open. There was to be a church service before the festival started, but it was so damp and windy that they cancelled. The benches were soaked and the rain blew onto the equipment on the stage. So Kelly and I stopped at the Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown and grabbed a bag of Snails (A pie-dough type cinnamon roll) and passed them out to our little group as a morning treat. Everyone LOVES Snails so it was a great pick me up.
RAIN! Courtesy of festival
My friend Shirley from the Ligonier Library
Won’t be using THIS one!
The ladies at the next table offered quilt squares for the kids to draw and color. They created their own picture, then Dolores and Dorothy collected the squared and tucked them away. Throughout the winter they will have the quilt squares made into a custom quilt – they have a new one every year. These ‘young’ ladies – who are twins! – are 80-plus years old and still love being part of the festival family.
Dolores and Dorothy – the quilt ladies.
There is entertainment all day both days – but my favorite is always Cathi Rhodes, who portrays Patsy Cline. I can sing along with most of the songs, and love hearing her sing and explain some of the songs’ origins. She closed out the festival this year.
The deep fried Oreos were a hit, and after Kelly got hers, the Funnel Cake booth fried the rest of the cookies and passed them out to the other festival booths.
We finally got everything packed up and in the car, and talked to Merilee (director) about future plans and expectations for next year. She always seems very happy at with our interaction with the kids (they love it, too!), and about having us there. We got home, unloaded the car, and drove to Blairsville to meet Kelly’s sister- and brother- in law to pick up Chase (who was there for the weekend). We were pretty worn out by the time we got home and were glad to have a simple supper. The Soup Kitchen had sold their soups for half price during the last half hour, and we got fresh bread and a quart of chicken noodle soup which was probably the best homemade chicken soup I’ve every had.
Merilee
Kelly and Chase left about 10am on Monday morning – at which point I tackled all the supplies from the weekend. Sorted them out, took inventory, repacked them, labeled the boxes, make notes as to what we needed to do different or replace, and toted them down to the shed. So that’s a wrap for 2026! Now to get back to life on Wren Drive – which I will continue tomorrow.
HOME!
QUOTE of the DAY:
But tea, not coffee!
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW September 23rd is:
National Snack Stick Day; National Checkers Day; Dogs in Politics Day; National Great American Pot Pie Day; Teal Talk Day; Restless Legs Awareness Day; International Day of Sign Language; National Bakers Day.
I never met a political dog! I like pot pies – especially homemade with Thanksgiving leftovers. Kathy will celebrate sign language. Kelly will bake! God bless…
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