Autumn Lingers

I went to my edit page to finish a post I started last week and stumbled instead on this half edited file of photos from last October.  It might be a bit "off season", but I say it's never too late, or too early, for anything spooky or autumny, my favorite time of year.  So, here ya go.  Look back and reminisce or look forward and cackle madly in anticipation.

And autumn truly is lingering here, now that I mention it.  We've had no snow to speak of and the autumn leaves are still dry and crackly all over the flower beds and gardens.  Although we've had the cold, the rest of winter appears to have been delayed elsewhere.  Will it ever make an appearance?  Or will we just skip straight on through to the first spring flowers of violets and crocus?  Time will tell....

Books Read 2011

"HelloooooooOOOOooOOOooOOOooo.....?"



*silence*

Yeah, I know, don't blame everyone for wandering away.  Can't expect everyone to wait around forever when I don't bother posting.  Well, it wasn't a matter of not bothering, it was a matter of being .... okay, okay, I'll admit it. I've been seeing other websites. There, I said it.  Facebook.  Tumblr.  There might have been others.  And just a very busy, very traveling sort of year (again) and all my good intentions to blog always ended up being that last little thing I didn't have time to finish at the end of a day.  Maybe blogging more frequently can be a New Year's resolution of sorts?

So, my reading habits of 2011.  For the first time in years, I did not meet my challenge.  Granted, I didn't actually set a specific goal.  I just assumed that I would continue to meet the challenge I set years ago of 50 books a year, about one a week plus a couple of busy weeks off for good measure.  Between travel, family, and working on other goals, reading took a back burner.  In fact, there were a half dozen or so nights when I didn't read before turning off the light, something I can't remember ever happening in past years!

But a goal is simply a tool, not a master, and I feel no disappointment over having read less books this past year.   Okay, maybe a squidge of disappointment, as there are so many books I've been wanting to read or reread and there's just never enough time. 

Another thing I didn't keep up as well this year is my recording of what I read.  In fact, I'm not completely sure I remembered to write down every book I did read.  And, as you can see below, my monthly listing deteriorated into a sort of seasonal free for all.  With no further ado -

January

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
Under the Green Hill by Laura Sullivan
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley

February

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
Something From the Nightside by Simon R. Green
The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell
Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint

March

The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore
Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
The Help by Kathryn Stockett

April through September

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedom
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Murder in the Latin Quarter by Cara Black
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews
Murder in the Palais Royal by Cara Black
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Widdershins by Charles de Lint
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
The Heart of Faerie Oracle by Wendy Froud
A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin

October

Changes by Jim Butcher
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

November and December

Ghost Story by Jim Butcher
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Side Jobs by Jim Butcher
The Wood Wife by Terri Windling
Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris
Goliath by Scott Westerfeld

Thirty five (35) books in all.  Although anyone who has read G.R.R. Martin would probably allow me to count each of his books as two or three books worth of words.

This year seemed to be a lot about series - some old, some new, reading until I reached the last book or until I'm forced to sit and wait for the author to construct the next section of the bridge into his/her character's story.   There was a lot of YA books, lots of fantasy and not a small amount of steampunk. 

One thing I notice is that I didn't manage to read a single classic all year.  I try to read several a year and there were a number of titles that I'd actually been planning to get to specifically.  I did manage to add a fair number of new classic books to my home library.  I don't really know why I never ended up reading any of them.  I think between series and book club choices, there just never seemed to be the right moment.

I also didn't reread any books this year.  That was totally about no time.  I was determined to reread Harry Potter, all seven of 'em, before the last movie came out.  Didn't happen.

And I only managed to read two nonfiction books, one a short diet and health book and the other about faery cards, nothing ponderous or philosophical.  (although The Elegance of the Hedgehog might count towards the latter.)


A Place of Her Own by J. Christensen


Next post - my favorite reads of the year.

Halloween Party Post - A Harvest Tea Party

Hi partygoers and old friends who are probably surprised to find a new blog entry here.  Hehehe.  Life has been busy busy busy.  So busy that I haven't had time to do any Halloween decorating this year.  I wanted to participate in Vanessa Valencia's lovely annual bloggers' party, but I couldn't even manage that.  Cancelled plans tonight gave me a few hours and I decided I could at least put up something party-ish so if I get a chance to go visiting other party bloggers, at least I'd have something fun for them if they had a chance to return the visit.

Here's the link to Vanessa's party.  

The list of participants are in her left sidebar.

I love all things Halloween and so it's making me sort of melancholy that I don't have time to drag out my Halloween decorations this year - I haven't even managed the most important bits, like my Halloween coffee and tea mugs.  Alas! Alack!

I did manage to attend a very magical Harvest Tea Party however.  In fact I was the hostess, the Faerie Queen, at Faerieworlds Harvest Festival, and we gave five tea parties to faeries, ogres, pirates, elves, trolls, and even a few humans. 




Our good friend and artist, Matt Hawk, created the beautiful moss table and shroom stools.




I think he also designed the sign, and another friend painted it.




I designed the beautiful autumn chandelier, and faery friend Willow, who you'll see later in these pics, helped put it together.







This was earlier this autumn, the leaves were just starting to turn.  I love autumn colors, they make my heart sigh and smile and sing and do cartwheels of happiness.




The tree is telling us something important.  We really need to listen more often to these leafy seers.




Here is Faery Willow with her friend, a rainbow dragon.  She's playing in the Wendy House that was on site.



On Bad Faery Day some other visitors arrived early for the party, like this rather slender gentlemen who said he's need a few extra napkins as he frequently tended to spill his tea.  A crow or two.  CAW CAW!  Actually I think he was yelling CRUMBS! CRUMBS!



And this shy black owl who turned his head (all the way around!!!) and ignored me whenever I asked if he'd like anything to eat.  Can you see the leaf saucers that I made, beneath the cups?  I was rather happy with them.




Mr. Rat came but later decided he'd rather go help make the tea and scurried off to the kitchen.  I think he wanted first dibs on the goodies.

When the guests arrived, chaos and silliness reigned and there was not a smidgen of time left for photo taking, so I'm beholden to several friends who managed to snap some pics of the festivities.  I'm borrowing their photos here to share with all of you.  (Thank you to Mish and Anita)







No, we're not all doing "the Egyptian".  We're all singing "I'm a Little Tea Pot". 

I hope you enjoyed this little seasonal party.  If I can keep the momentum going, I'll come back and add more Festival photos in the next week.

There are big changes afoot in our lives and I've been meaning to post more so I can journal the process.

If you've come from the party, I know you must be off.  Thanks for stopping by.  I'll be hopping on my broom and trying to squeeze in some visiting this weekend as well, in between travel, grandkids, and a college football game.  Life is full.

A Bridal Shower

This weekend was a bridal shower for my daughter-in-law-to-be Ashley.  Her mother hosted it, such a lovely spot.  The valley heat eventually won out but it held off for most of the morning so we could enjoy the picture perfect setting.








I wish I could have taken one or two of these bunches home with me, alas I knew they'd have been completely wilted in the 100° plus temps in the car before I managed to get them home.



These were yummy, even the ones that took a tumble onto the grass when they were being handed out.  Hey, two second rule, right?




This beautiful guest fluttered about the entire time.




Guests arriving, gathering the buffet items from the house.




And a delicious buffet indeed!




Then the gift opening began.  Loved the way this was displayed. 




My gift, a storage box with journals, sachets, frame and photo albums to store and remember all the wedding memories.




We all got plastic bling rings.  If you crossed your leg, you lost yours to someone who caught you.  I was more than happy to pass mine on quickly but I was wearing a long skirt and it took a while for someone to notice.  This guest won the game.




Just before I snapped this photo there was much jumping and shrieking.  A spider was hiding inside this bag.




Bella the cat was fascinated with the gifts.




Oooh la la!




Tears from reading a beautiful handmade scrapbook.




A pink squeaky horn for the best gift of all....




A pink bicycle!  (apparently there will eventually be a handlebar basket)




I was tickled at the name of the bike, this is what Ashley and Sam sometimes call Berkley.




Posing with the ribbon bouquet.  Ashley wouldn't take off those sunglasses!




Trying to ride in heels and a dress.




Bride to be with all but two of her bridesmaids, showing off some leg.




And their goofy side.




Ashley and moi.




Ashley with her lovely mom and sister. 


 

Four generations: Ashley with her grandmother, mother and aunt, sister and cousin.

It was a lovely day.  For any friends or family who would like to see more shower photos, visit my Flickr set.