Autumn is moving into full swing with each day here. No more is there simply a promise of color in the woods; the color is snapping, crackling, and popping everywhere I look.
Only six months ago, I was eagerly awaiting, even demanding, these leaves burst out of their buds and save me from the long, cold winter and its barren branches.
Now they’re at the end of their life cycle–which is, of course, just another beginning. The next few weeks will be the most beautiful time of the year. The leaves will go out as if in a fiery crash. I love them! And I can’t be satisfied with adoring them outdoors alone. I want them inside, with me, all the time. And why not? They’re free! And oh so plentiful. And, after all, did I not conjure them up with my late winter wishes? I think they’re mine.
I set off for a walk along the old logging trail on the hill near our new farmhouse. Dogs can never pass up a walk, and they always make it more fun.
I don’t have to go far.
The gorgeous color is everywhere. I want some of this:
Of course, nothing worth having comes easily. I have to scramble over there–
–without falling in a hole or sliding off a log or tripping over an eager helper (dog).
Beautiful leaves are worth the effort. And the mud and the scrapes and the canine assistance.
I take my bounty home….
…and claim it as my own, at least for the day or so it will last indoors. It’s like stealing a breath or putting a second in a jar. I can’t keep these autumn leaves for long–and I wouldn’t want to. Their fleeting nature is at the core of their value. But I’ve captured them, for now, for that same breath and that same second.
And tomorrow, I can catch some more!
Melissa says:
I second everything you just said! The summer flew by, as they always do, but Fall has it’s own magic. There is nothing prettier than the trees all dressed in in Autumn finery. (Beautiful pictures by the way!)
On October 10, 2008 at 2:28 am
TeresaH says:
I love the colors of fall leaves! So many different shades from yellow to red. :butterfly:
Coco always looks so happy! :snoopy:
On October 10, 2008 at 5:12 am
Carolyn A. says:
I once had two crimson leaves that I let dry and hung on my bulletin board. They were there for almost 10 years until the day I went to move the board and they crumbled. I loved looking at them everyday though. xxoo
On October 10, 2008 at 6:05 am
Becky says:
I like your mason jar display. Very creative!
On October 10, 2008 at 6:41 am
MissyinWV says:
Our school played football against Ravenswood last night and the hour drive was beautiful thanks to our beautiful West Virginia hills!! What a great idea to bring some of that beauty inside!
On October 10, 2008 at 6:46 am
jane says:
How will the animals stay warm in winter on the farm?
On October 10, 2008 at 7:06 am
Shari C says:
I love this time of year and being in Minnesota we have a very gorgeous Fall. Everywhere you look the trees are changing and showing us their beautiful colors. I love to sit by our windows in the morning and just admire the lovely reds and golds while I enjoy my cup of coffee. I also usually go for a walk each morning (need the exercise) and can then admire the whole neighborhood and the changing colors.
On October 10, 2008 at 7:28 am
annie d. says:
I love the line, “putting a second in a jar.”
On October 10, 2008 at 7:50 am
wkf says:
I love the line, “putting a second in a jar.”
– annie d.
Me Too!
:flying:
On October 10, 2008 at 8:05 am
Suzette says:
It’s my favorite time of year. Down here in Tennessee, fall comes late. I have noticed a golden tinge here and there in a few trees. It won’t be long until we have some real color. Here in the Mississippi Delta, it’s not as pretty in the higher elevations…but it’s still nice. But, nowhere NEAR as nice as where you are…and points east and north. Thanks for sharing. It makes it feel so much more “fall-y” here.
On October 10, 2008 at 8:52 am
warren says:
Wonderful! I love fall in WV!
On October 10, 2008 at 8:56 am
heidi says:
Have you ever tried preserving the leaves by putting glycerine in the jar? I’m not sure of the formula- but we did it as children and had the leaves supple for a couple of years.
On October 10, 2008 at 8:59 am
Letha says:
You are so lucky……the area I live in we never have normal seasons. We are still in the 90’s. However we did get one cold front and the temps dropped to 59 one night but the afternoon still brought us 89 to 90 degress temps.
On October 10, 2008 at 9:18 am
The FringeGirl says:
Just beautiful! I love fall.
On October 10, 2008 at 10:33 am
Jill S. says:
It’s funny we both did walk pictures today. Yours are beautiful.
On October 10, 2008 at 10:55 am
Tresha says:
I am so envious of your view!!! and a logging trail…oh and your river ford and OH your chickens!!
Tresh in OK
On October 10, 2008 at 11:32 am
Robin G. says:
Wow, Coco is getting so big!
On October 10, 2008 at 11:47 am
Kim W says:
Just lovely. I’m a little distressed that the temps are climbing for the next few days, until Monday when the temps will get back into the 60s. I WANT FALL!! Love that sweater and hoodie weather! :snoopy:
Blessings from Ohio…
On October 10, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Sarah S. says:
Very pretty pictures today. You have a bit more color than we do in MD. :catmeow:
On October 10, 2008 at 12:44 pm
IowaCowgirl says:
Beautiful…
And how is your bittersweet supply? Mine is just starting to open. I usually put it all over the house in one form or another, and it lasts for a year!
On October 10, 2008 at 3:31 pm
catslady says:
I’m outside of Pittsburgh and I think we’re just a tad ahead of you – more deep colors. Unfortunately my cats would eat the darn things but I’m surrounded so all I have to do is look outside my window. And we got some warm weather this week so it’s just gorgeous!
On October 10, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Brandy says:
I have been eagerly awaiting Fall. The leaves here aren’t really turning yet, but I can’t wait until they do!
On October 10, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Susan says:
Fall is the most beautiful time of the year! :shimmy:
On October 10, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Estella says:
Gorgeous pictures of the leaves!
On October 10, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Jodie says:
Thanks for the leaves! And the photo of the visitors… I’m sure Coco got a few cookies too. She’s just too adorable, but I confess I still like to go back to the puppy posts and see the GIANT PUPPY photos. Have a great weekend! PS. Are you going to make some walnut pie? Like Pecan pie only with Black Walnuts? Would that even work?
On October 10, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Maureen says:
The colors of fall are great. You don’t even realize how great they are until you take pictures and look at them.
On October 10, 2008 at 7:34 pm
chixnan says:
My walk in the woods this afternoon netted me two large sheephead mushrooms. My first mushroom find in 73 years!! I was excited. Also found 2 more but they were past their prime (and who am I to talk?)
On October 10, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Tobey says:
what beautiful leaves! Have you heard of preserving some of your colorful bounty by dipping in melted paraffin? That way you could enjoy the leaves into winter…
On October 10, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Skip Lineberg says:
Suzanne-
Great blog! Love the Fall foliage photos.
Skip
On October 11, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Kacey says:
I love the crunch sound as I step through the leaves on my daily walk. Love it. Our leaves haven’t changed here much though. I think we’re a week or two away from the full color.
On October 11, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Ginny Manor says:
Craft idea straight from the photographs. Did you know you can keep those beautiful colors in fall leaves? Simple, too!
Grab a white, mostly cottob, cloth, a piece of lumber, a hammer, and your leaves. place the leaves on te board, cover with the cloth, pound with the hammer, and voila–colors saved!
On October 12, 2008 at 10:42 pm