The night that exists outside of time ....

Vincent carved our Halloween pumpkin today while David and I went to town to ship new rings off to some very lovely people. David's brother Vincent has carved alot of pumpkins over the years as a single Dad and an uncle. He was somewhat challanged by the pumpkin we had at hand here. The poor old squash had been adorning our kitchen counter since Thanksgiving and was past her prime to be sure. Still, when we arrived back home after dark, there on the old wooden table next to the greenhouse was a magnificent double sided pumpkin. It's a scene of our house and the meadow and as Vince described her "one lucky witch" making off over the moon wearing a Touch Wood Ring. The other side of the pumpkin is a close up of the ring that his happy witch is admiring upon her hand. There are no trick or treaters out here in the middle of nowhere and rarely ever visitors. The pumpkin carving was a simply a labour of love ~ one that the three of us enjoyed along with any wild critters who may have passed through the meadow last night. We thought it would be fun to share it with a wider audience. Happy Halloween & Blessings on Samhain, the Celtic New Year. Till next time (Here is a good dissertation on All Hallow's Eve should you be so inclined.)

And last but absolutely not least :) Happy Birthday Aiden. Our awesome grandson is One Year Old today.

Late October on the meadow ~ a couple of pics

October sunrises and Mom's birthday

The last few days have seen some spectacular sunrises. The mornings have been crisp and cold with lots of sparkle! It's become overcast and windy this afternoon so it's a great time for being hard at work indoors looking out at the changing season. David and I are staying busy and both feeling so much better than we did in September. The cranial palsy that I developed in early September as a result of the virus we picked up, hasn't let up yet ~ but if the docs are right, it should clear up within a few weeks now. After a month and a half of double vision in one eye and the attending rotten headaches, it makes me supremely thankful for my usual good health and the use of all my senses. Just a good reminder to take care and not take anything for granted.

Yesterday would have been my dear Mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom. She'd be 73 today.

She would have two beautiful granddaughters (my sister Laura's daughters) and would, without a doubt, be happily involved in their lives and marvelling at the bright, lovely girls they are. This time of year, she might be making 'Apple Crips' with them.

It's amazing how evocative handwriting can be ~ In her memory and in her own hand, here's Mom's Apple Crisp Recipe.

Time now for me to make some dinner and perhaps a dessert from Mom's cookbook which has a magic way of making me feel she's close.

Oh, how she would have loved the big wood cook stove I have in my kitchen and the view out my kitchen window ...

Love you Mom.

(Patricia at 18)

Oct 4th Snow in the Chilcotin

The first of October went something like this. . . spectacular fall colours and the sheep content with their lot in life :) Our Canada Geese made a brief appearance yesterday evening to say so long till spring. At least we were pretty certain that is what they were doing...

And then this morning ... Winter, she's upon us!

It's the 4th of October and the snow was falling at 4am last night. It just quit at 2:30 this afternoon. Very pretty and bit of a shock as an early first snowfall always is!

It'll melt, we're almost certain. Still, it's a darn good motivator to get those last outdoor jobs sewn up.

Just as an aside ... Our official ' email responder' ; (that'll be me; Nicola) is still suffering somewhat due to the cranial nerve palsy ~ double vision, headaches .... not much fun, but this too shall pass :)

I just want to apologize again about my painfully slow responses to some folks. I will write ~ we are here ~ and I thank you again for your patience!

How about that snow eh?!