SATURDAY POTPOURRI: AUTUMN TIDBITS

We are definitely enjoying autumn colors and scents…finally.  I searched through my Bitmoji images today to find something cute to share here…and also something to use as a centerpiece for my new blog header:

Tonight we are having a special autumn menu in the dining room, in honor of Halloween.  I will grab some photos of the meal…probably.

This season has not been like the kind and gentle ones we used to enjoy over the years, so I’ve had to find images that capture the feeling.

I am also viewing old shows on Netflix that conjure feelings of nostalgia.  Like the show Private Practice helps me grab the feelings.

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Now I plan to curl up with my current read, The Silent Wife, by Karin Slaughter, and enjoy the thrills and chills.

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What are you doing this Halloween season?

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THURSDAY POTPOURRI: CELEBRATING AUTUMN & BIRTHDAYS…

Enjoying a calm October morning, celebrating my birthday with coffee and books.  Later, I’ll join some daughters for lunch.  Yes, I have three daughters!  One bio daughter and two honorary ones.  I’ll publish photos later.

Another October birthday was celebrated by my niece Amy; hers was a couple of days ago, and her dad’s comes in two days (he is my brother, so we shared many birthday cakes over the years!).  Below, see Amy with her daughter America, who was born on 9/11/08.

Here is Amy with her hubby on their wedding day…years ago!

Her three kids, Luc, Gavin, and America, enjoying autumn:

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I am powering my way through the quirks of Daphne, my new laptop.  For some reason, the cursor leaps around when I try to start typing…I will hopefully learn to deal with her!  LOL

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Another October birthday:  my son Brett, below left, in a long-ago photo; on the right, see his eldest son Alec (and my first grandchild).  Note the resemblance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

At our birthday lunch, two of my “daughters” and I took some photos and enjoyed chatting about all kinds of things.

 

 

 

 

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Could there be a better way to celebrate?  Now I’m watching TV and reading.

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WEEKEND POTPOURRI: SEASONAL TOUCHES & BOOKISH NEWS

I am feeling the crispness of a fall day.  I took my book to the neighborhood Barnes & Noble, where I had some soup and an espresso…and relished the bookishness.

I am reading The Whole Golden World, by Kristina Riggle, and loving it.

The story unfolds in alternating perspectives, from a teenaged girl, her mom, to the wife of a teacher.  All of these lives intertwine, and in a sense, change dramatically because of actions taken by the teenager.

Like other books I’ve read from this author, I was immediately drawn into the story.  I could relate to and empathize with each character, even the teenager.  Lest you think I don’t like teens, let me explain.  So often I have discovered that the teens in contemporary literature are bratty and narcissistic.  Not the case with this young girl.

I have taken a break from the reading for a bit, just so I could write this post and visit my social networking sites.  And change the header here to reflect the autumn that is leaving its glow upon me and my surroundings.

In case you hadn’t guessed, I adore fall.  Not just because my birthday comes during October…but also because of my favorite holiday (Thanksgiving) that November brings.

When I checked my mail earlier, I did not find either of the Vine review books I was hoping for…alas!  But no worries.  I still have several others to finish.

I plan to read these in the next week or so:

Two Sisters, by Mary Hogan

The Night Guest, by Fiona McFarlane

And these two books are coming soon….even though they weren’t in the mailbox today:

Mother, Mother, by Koren Zailchas

And finally….

How To Be a Good Wife, by Emma Chapman

How is fall treating you?  Are you luxuriating in adding touches of the season to your home or your blog(s)?  Do you select books that spotlight the season?

Or do you enjoy the season through the foods you eat, like more soups and pastas?