Brown and Bumpy

Let's play with textures again. Can you figure out what this is?

Under the microscope

With a macro lens

On the sidewalk?

Ah. An acorn.

Eugene Park Tour: Sorrel Pond

Dale and I found this hidden gem after lunch one bright afternoon.

Sorrel Pond is a bite-size natural area not far from the Oakway Center shopping mall. It's four and a half acres of forested area surrounding a quiet pond. We walked the loop trail through the trees around the pond.

We were the only people at the pond this day, so quite enjoyed our surroundings. There were signs that others had been there recently. Toward the beginning of the trail, a small fire was smoldering in the damp leaves. It appeared to be the sleeping site of one of our unhoused residents. Further down the path, a kid had lost two packs of Pokemon trading cards. Then we saw this red bottle of glee glimmering in the filtered light.

About half way around the pond is this retaining wall. Up this short hill is the I-105 freeway where we could hear cars roaring by. Along the top of the wall were a series of cairns.

So I built one to add to the collection.

Toward the end of our walk, a few camouflaged ducks were swimming peacefully among the the leaves and Fall debris. 

This is the pond pictured in my post The Clouds of October - 7. It was a lovely way to spend a stunning  Autumn afternoon.

Throwback Thursday: Autumn Favorites

#throwbackthursday

Still Life: Wool Dryer Ball

I lost this ball in last week's laundry. Looked for it everywhere. These usually hide in the deep pockets of my clean bed sheets, but not this time.

This morning while still groggy, I tried to put my sweater on. Why the heck won't my arm go down the sleeve? 

Ah.

I tossed the dryer ball on the bed, then zipped up my hoodie. The wool orb sat there, giggling at me that it'd gotten out of doing it's work for a week.

Fishing For Dinner

I'm back to my favorite "feeling under the weather" activity.

This 500 piece puzzle came from a puzzle exchange. It's well used, but in good condition. The Fishing For Dinner illustration is by Bonnie White.

It's got some lovely vignettes, including this one of the actual fishing going on

as well as this horse-drawn buggy making it's way to home.

These restful country scenes are pleasant to put together. It's a lovely way to spend a quiet afternoon.

The Clouds of October - 12

Sky Blanket

The Clouds of October - 11

Feeling playful

The Clouds of October - 10

Above the clouds, blue sky prevails 

Harvest Time

Yesterday I harvested my little pumpkins!

I have 22 gourds altogether in 5 different colorways. I think some of those green pumpkins may have turned more orange if they'd had more time on the vine. I turned that round one toward the center of the photo upside down to show how the color changed.

But, you know, I planted late in the season, mid-July, and I wanted to harvest them by Halloween. They're "curing" in the back yard for a couple days.

The largest is a bit smaller than a cantaloupe. The tiny one is smaller than my thumb.

They're all so sweet. I adore that I got so many varieties from my small patch.

These will all be used for decoration.

I'll save the seeds at the end of the season. I'm fairly confident that I'll grow some again next year -- but get an earlier start in the planting.

Throwback Thursday: Pumpkins!

I've come to love chubby li'l pumpkins.

So I've crafted a lot of them over the years. In cross-stitch and embroidery

With florals

In puffy crochet versions

Painted

With glue and beads and decoupage and velvet and straw and sequins and even googly eyes

Now and then, I even eat some

#throwbackthursday

The Clouds of October - 9

 Towering over our neighborhood wetlands

The Clouds of October - 8

 A vibrant afternoon at the neighborhood park

The Clouds of October - 7

Still Water Reflection

on Sorrel Pond

The Clouds of October - 6

 A storm rolled in