Finding Fall

~Tiny mushrooms, pine needle wishes, and a forest throne~

~Katydids and coreopsis, geodes and brown pine needles, a secret forest hideaway~

~Treasures found in a tiny vintage shop and our gifts from the forest~

Autumn can be tricky to find here in Arizona. Last week, Lucy, Robin, Elsa and I journeyed to the Mogollon Rim to see if we could find any signs of Fall. Because our natural forest has very few deciduous trees, the colors tend more towards yellows and browns, and as you can see we found many shades of lovely, warm Autumn Brown. The aspens and oaks were just beginning to change colors, as were the ferns. But the air was cool and crisp and every now and then we caught a wisp of woodsmoke from nearby homesteads. A visit to a goat dairy and a tiny bakery provided us with cheese and fresh bread to eat with our apples and hummus and salad as we sat among the ferns and listened to the woodpeckers and chattering squirrels.

Back at the cabin, we cracked open the geodes to find the treasure inside, then scoured a little antique shop for treasures of the vintage sort. Lucy was thrilled to find a beautiful old trunk to restore, Robin's wish for a cool old lock was fulfilled, Elsa found another sweet lacy bonnet and a teeny tiny mixer, and I found a beautiful doily for our table. We all returned home to the desert with Autumn in our hearts - so excited for the season ahead!

Elsa's Real Birthday

Elsa turned six while she and I were in Pennsylvania last month. We celebrated with our friends and had a quiet, relaxing day...

First thing in the morning, Elsa opened her present from me - a beautiful, magical, hand-knitted mare made by my friend Suzanne at "Down in the Meadow". I love Suzanne's shop, everything she makes is made with love and care, and she is a kindred spirit! This pony was knitted while at the seaside with her family, and is made of organic, naturally dyed wool. You can read the charming story of the wool on her blog here. Elsa was so very happy with her little pony - it has become a fast friend.After a very hot and humid morning, a huge thunderstorm moved in for the afternoon. It was beautiful and cool, and the kids and I sat on the front porch and watched the rain fall on the Susquehanna River. Elsa got to try out her new birthday umbrella.

Later that evening Elsa and I had a new experience - watching fireflies! We don't have them here in Arizona, so this was a special treat. It was so amazing to see the little bugs flashing and flying in the twilight. Elsa caught a jarful and we watched them for a long time before we let them go.

Elsa's birthday cake was another first for her - ice cream cake! It was so yummy! Elsa said it was the best birthday ever.

A Day At Knoebels

In July, Elsa and I went to Pennsylvania for a week to visit our dear friends, the Basilottos and Olsens. Our very first day there they took us to the most adorable amusment park! We had so much fun - Elsa was in heaven with her good friend Maria, running around the park and experiencing everything...

Spinning wildly in the teacups with fun-loving "Uncle Charcoal" (poor Michael had to put up with this nickname the whole week!)...

Drinking out of the lion's mouth...

Eating a huge Turkey Hill ice cream cone...

Dancing to a 1907 Wurlitzer carousel organ (it was really loud!)

Knoebels is renowned for having the best amusment park food in the U.S. and I have to say that we agree. Not only was the ice cream good, but the lunch was great and I got to experience a Pennsylvania favorite - White Birch Beer! It's a lot like root beer, but better. Actually, it tasted very similar to my favorite bottled root beer, Virgil's, but better! Now if only I could find it here in Arizona....