Fall from my windows...

It's been a really rainy and chilly fall here in Missouri, lower than normal temps, but still no hard freeze. The trees have been beautiful this year. The maples on our street have been brilliant shades of gold to orange to red. These are just a few photos from my front door. The maple here at the front door is always the last to change colors.

This is my view from the kitchen sink.

We closed the pool in September,

because it turned cold so early.

Last year I swam until October.

These really tall trees are oaks.

They are beautiful and old,

but when the leaves come down,

 they are huge and completely cover the ground.

This tree with the red leaves is our neighbors dogwood.

I love watching it throughout the seasons.

I have enjoyed seeing everyone's yards, gardens, trees,

 flowers and outside vignettes.

You have enriched and broadened my view of life.

With winter's snow just around the corner,

I wanted to take a last look of fall out my windows.

It's not the most beautiful or breathtaking,

 the landscape is old, the trees have seen damage

 due to our severe ice storms these last few years,

 but when I'm home and warm and safe,

while the wind blows and the rain comes down, 

I thank God that He's given us this house and 

this little piece of land.

 I'm so very grateful for my life...

every day of it.

Blessings to you all,

as we head into this season of Thanksgiving.

Debra

Vintage Black Friday, A Tribute to my Grandmother

From the time I was just a little girl, October 31 was more than just Halloween, My paternal grandmother was born on this day in the late 1880's. Not sure the exact year, she was in her 40's in 1929 when my Daddy was born. She was always alot of fun and had interesting things for me to do and play with when I visited. We would bake cupcakes together and make homemade popcorn balls. Halloween was always a special occasion when she was alive.

I wanted to share with you a couple of keepsakes that I have from my grandmother, Irma. The photograph below was taken when she was 17. The gold locket from my grandfather Jack, was his engagement present to her. He was so handsome, and beside the photograph is a lock of his hair.

So very romantic.

She was a jokester and very witty, and her father had been a photographer who owned a studio. My mom has photos of my grandmother and her friends, at the river when they were in high school, and then some of her and girlfriends dressed up like men. I'm not sure what the occasion was, but they were having fun posing and being silly in the photos.

The black photograph album is one that I picked up a few weeks ago at a flea market, no sentimental value, but I liked it as a backdrop for this post.

The locket has her initals engraved in it:

 IGR. Irma Gertrude Russell.

My grandfather was a printer and owned a printshop. They were big party goers in their younger years. He loved surprises and hosted a surprise  Halloween Birthday Party for her November 1st., 1926. Below is the invitation he sent out to all their friends.

Can you read it? Click to enlarge it.

 He wrote the little poem for the invitation.
The black cat and pumpkin graphic are original.

And since Halloween is Saturday,

I thought I'd share a few images

 of vintage black fun for your enjoyment.

image from Country Living

image from Country Home

And in closing I'll pay tribute to my old kitty, "Blackie".

Alyson rescued her at a "Haunted House" downtown,

 Halloween Night, of her 7th grade year.

Blackie was 17 yrs. old when she passed.

Still miss her.

(she's on the kitchen counter, where else?)

Be sure to find other Vintage Black Friday Finds

over at Gypsy Brocante.

Thank you Jill!

Have a Fun Vintage Friday,

and a great weekend!

Debra

A "Hog-a-licious" Give-away!

You just have to see this up close and personal!

If you want to be stupified (love that word, sounds like Lil" Abner) and amazed, go see Robelyn over at Red Neck Chic. This is one super-talented and may I say "crazy" gal. I won't spoil the surprise, and words cannot do it justice. Just check it out and tell her that Debra sent ya!!!!!

"Hoggy" Hugs

Debra