Fall is my favorite
season. I especially enjoy the sight of fall foliage against a bright blue
October sky. Last week, I put my office on wheels and drove to Wisconsin to
work while my husband taught at a local school. We’d anticipated gorgeous fall
color and were disappointed by the gloomy weather that welcomed us. But there’s
beauty even on rainy days, as this photo proves.
After arriving, I began a hermit at the hotel, reveling in the absence of
chores and the day-long quiet, and adding some serious word count to my work in
progress, while pondering new book ideas and reading non-fiction to research
the next book.
On the way home, God blessed me with an unexpected book
sighting. We’d stopped for lunch at a restaurant that offered a view of the
Mississippi River, and of course I was drawn to this lovely Victorian home
across the street.
Turns out that it was a
dangerously wonderful boutique ...
... with a welcoming
porch complete with a canary singing its heart out as it reveled in the lovely
day. You can see the cage hanging just above the porch railing. At first I
thought it was a “motion-sensor,” but it wasn’t.
This is the kind of place that really is a witness to the
shopkeeper’s style. I’d never look at an old bicycle and think “purple, with
mums” … but doesn’t it look great?
I
may have to go old-bike hunting!
The frosting on the cake was a book sighting that warmed
my heart. Right next to a the wondermous Waunda Braunstetter book, there was
the novella collection I’m part of.
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So here’s to fall, and discovery, a book sightings … and
purple bikes. It was a lovely fall drive, and now I’m home again preparing to
take off for Nashville to meet my new editor, to conference with some of my
best writing friends, and to hopefully take in a little music courtesy of
Shannon Labrie. In the meantime, I wish I could order up some fall treats for
you. Here’s the latest production from my daughter’s house. I’m trying to
arrange for curbside delivery …
Happy fall!
Gorgeous pictures, Steph. Looks like you had a wonderful and hopefully very productive time away. And those desserts look sinfully delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy. It was a lovely drive, after all, and the next time I go this way, I'll allow for "Grasshopper time."
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, Steph---thank you for sharing your delightful trip with us. Oh my, that Victorian house looks so lovely, and I'm sure the canary music added to the quaint atmosphere. How fun that you spotted one of your books*big smile*. And the goodies from your daughter's kitchen? Only one word: YUM!!! Especially those cupcakes...(trying not to drool on my keyboard). ~ Have a blessed Autumn day (we've been having gorgeous weather here in Georgia, which only makes me love this season more!). Hugs, Patti Jo
ReplyDeleteSteph, I almost feel like I was along with you! Though I never have liked grasshoppers, I may have changed my mind about one!
ReplyDeleteCathy
Great post Stephanie and I also loved the pictures. How fun it must have been to spot one of yur own books in that neat antique store. I also love those little grape lights they have hanging there (I'm into details) :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a very nice fall get-a-way.
Loved the bicycle with the mums also, purple just adds to the beauty. K-State purple and white. Maybe I should have said Kansas State since there are two K-States. Love, love, fall also.
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