September brought just as much Out as About. We babysat Olivia every other Monday. She has two teeth! Reaches for everything. Squeals in delight. Can sit up with only a little support. Move backwards in the walker. And what I love most of all smiles with delight when she sees me ☺. . . .
We stopped to view the creek down below one side of the road and the outcropping of rocks on the other side. . . .
Along the way we came upon a community of log cabins. It appeared to be or have been a Hunting and Fishing camp. . . .
As we left the forest and headed home a different route we passed farmers' fields and interesting looking clouds. . . .
I bought these bright orange Mums this year. They don't go with the other colors in my garden, but I don't care. The praying mantis and I love it. . . .!
Gabriel got his semi-annual haircut this month. He looks like a completely different fellow, but much easier to get the burrs out of his coat now. . . .
We did a short, two-day trip to visit Winterthur and Longwood Gardens to celebrate Ken's birthday which you can read about here and here and here. We stayed overnight in a house built in 1714 and ate at an Inn in business since 1780. . . . 
While Ken was up on the roof cleaning the fireplace chimneys I told him in all the 33 years we've lived here I hadn't been up on the roof! So I climbed the ladder, but chickened out when it came to going to the very top in order to step onto the roof. . . .
I handed the camera to him and asked HIM to take the photos for me. . . .
Once Autumn officially arrived the Doll's House views changed seasons inside and out as did mine. . . .
I had the second gathering of the Maryland Chapter of the Tasha Tudor Museum Society this month. My theme was September, the month of county fairs. I made Tasha's County Fair prize-winning oatmeal bread and served it with Vermont cheddar and goat cheeses and local apple butter and apple cider. Tasha's books I displayed were County Fair and Around the Year. We watched the video of Tasha's presentation at the Conner Prairie Museum in 1991, then I served Welsh Breakfast Tea and an apple crisp recipe from Mary Mason Campbell's cookbook Butt'ry Shelf Cookbook that Tasha illustrated. . . .
Some of my yard sale bargains this month--plate chargers, Susan Branch book, and a PeterRabbit ceramic watering can--50 cents each. . . .
We ended the month helping Olivia's parents paint several rooms before they move into their new home next week. The original part of the house is a log cabin built in 1840. There was a blacksmith shop on the property at one time. One room still has exposed logs. They will be a half-hour closer to us, so we are very delighted with this move! Our son is priming the kitchen cabinets for new paint. . . .
Until then,
.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•
Take Joy!
Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post-as usual! Olivia is adorable as ever--what a fun age! And to have your son moving closer is so nice!
Your mums are my favorite color mums. I plant flowers/foliage in front of the house matching the color of our shutters/front door from spring/summer and right into fall. The pinks/purples/bright greens are fine for the backyard here.
Handsome haircut for Gabriel. Spencer just got his bath/brush grooming. I saw a Westie at Jordan Pond House where we lunched in Acadia National Park--thought of Gabriel. You would enjoy the scenery is fabulous and they are known for their famous popovers. We ate here twice last week. It is on the Park Loop Road in Seal Harbor, ME.
Happy belated Birthday to Ken! He took great photos atop your roof looking down at your gardens--well done!
As I mentioned earlier, the oatmeal bread, VT cheddar and goat cheeses sound delicious and your Fall table setting--pretty! Apple crisp is a favorite of mine--YUM!
I found the Susan Branch book "Girlfriends" and gave it to Diane for her birthday, last week. I introduced her to the art/books/calendars of Susan Branch.
It's been a lovely September---here's to October! xoxo
Hello, Mary. The apple crisp recipe I used calls for lemon zest which I think added a lovely flavor to it. The topping was just butter, flour, and spices--no oatmeal. It was very tasty and with heavy cream, delicious! Thanks for dropping in!
DeleteLovely little summary and update ~ oh! to have a doll house again. How Olivia will adore it when she is a little bigger. It goes beyond my comprehension how people can sell off their lovely things, such as the Susan Branch book and your other new found treasures. Truly waiting with great patience for your Downton Abbey at Winterthur piece {who I now also follow via FB!} ~~~waving~~~
ReplyDeleteThank you Deborah. I agree with you--I only buy things I LOVE so I can't understand why the people who practically give away these treasures don't love them, too. I can only think because I was destined to have them! ☺ Thank you for being patient about the Downton Abbey post. I hope it lives up to your expectations!
DeleteLovely month you have enjoyed, Cathy. It's wonderful having grandchildren to love and play with. Olivia is just adorable. How nice that you and Ken help out the parents with the painting and watching after Olivia to allow them to get their new home ready. It sounds quite exciting. I love the photos Ken took from your roof. I personally have never been on our roof and have no intention of ever going up there. I have banned my husband from that duty also. I don't want any accidents around here. We've had friends that have had some bad accidents that involve climbing up on the roof. You find the best bargains! I've even begun to stop at a few yard sales because of you. No luck like you have, though. I'm looking forward to your Downton Abbey post. ♥
ReplyDeleteHi Martha, as you see the front part of the house is pretty flat where the porch is, but I get a queer feeling in my stomach when I'm at the edge of a great height. It's pretty late in the yard sale season. Maybe you'll have better luck next year. After a bit you begin to know which neighborhood will have the best stuff at the best prices. Some people totally overprice their things. I don't even bother negotiating for fear of offending them. They obvious really don't want to part from the item! But just in case, I usually ask if the prices are negotiable. Sometimes people jump in with a price that is lower than I was planning to offer.
DeleteCathy, my husband and I get that same feeling as you at heights. It's become worse for both of us as we have gotten older. Thanks for the yard sale tips. ♥
DeleteOh, what a delight your Olivia is! And, to have her 30 minutes closer soon...Heaven! Kudos for climbing the ladder, at all, and for the beautiful shots (via Ken) of your beautiful garden. Love that you change the seasons in your dollhouse...I plan on doing the same with my fairy tree house when I am finished with it...I adore the miniature world! And, like the others, I look forward to your Winterthur post. Have a lovely week! Hugs ~ Donna E.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna. I took a look at your Blog. That's quite a project you've taken on! The bark on your Faerie Tree looks so realistic. I'm eager to see it when it's finished. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteOh my, that Olivia has grown up so much! Teeth, and smiles when she sees her grandma! Gabriel looks quite handsome with his haircut. Fergus just got clipped too, and the amount of dog hair on our floor has decreased dramatically now that it's shorter. I always love getting glimpses of your dollhouse. I love that the season changes there as well as in your real house. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Kristie. Those photos of Olivia are from the beginning of the month. She is over 20 lbs. now!
DeleteI love this post Cathy, the log cabins are beautiful & what a darling little girl.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could join you with your friends to talk about Tasha Tudor & watch the dvd. We are very limited in England with Tasha Tudor & I have to buy things from America or books on Amazon. Amy Tudor sent me a copy of Yankee magazine so I was a very happy girl.
Enjoy the rest f your day.
Fondly Michelle
That would be wonderful if you could come to my Tasha Tudor gatherings! ☺ If you ARE ever in America, you are most welcome to visit. I have 4 guest rooms available, plus a sofa bed!
DeleteI forgot to say we have started the new season of Downton Abbey here, two episodes down. Has it started in the US yet.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Tasha Tudor link.
Fondly Michelle
Downton Abbey doesn't start here until January. Which Tasha Tudor link are you referring to? Do you mean from a different blog post?
DeleteGood morning, Cathy; happy October! Just turned my Susan Branch calendars and said 'rabbit rabbit!' What a lucky find on the Girlfriends book; I'm still not having success finding her work here in Alabama so far. I did come across a paperback book yesterday illustrated by Tasha, but because it was black & white I walked away from it. Mistake?? Your monthly outings and doings look wonderful. Your Chapter ladies are very fortunate to have found you; what a lovely presentation you shared. LOVE the dollhouse, and you've inspired me to spend a little time fussing in mine; Lauren, at almost 9 years of age, has so many interests that the dollhouse is largely neglected when she visits. Olivia June is so precious, and I would love to see some 'after' photos of her new home - especially the log portion. Gabriel's new cut helps feature his cute little face, and Ken's aerial views really show off the beauty of your gardens. I think I could possibly climb that ladder white-knuckled, but how on earth does one climb off and on without tipping the whole thing?! Thanks for another delightful entry. Looking forward to the next installment of Winterthur. I must head out to exercise class now - a new routine I'm forcing myself to make habitual; in my third week, and so far so good!
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the title of the Tasha Tudor book? It depends on whether it is a first edition and in good condition. Her harder to find books are still holding their high value. Congratulations on your exercise plan! I guess I should go finish my time on the treadmill.....
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