Well, I guess one advantage of having sick kids at home and now a car in the shop is I have more time for collecting, gathering and putting little packages together for the bellas! Silver Bella is next weekend!! I can hardly wait to see so many of you.
The apron has arrived.
My journal is ready. 
Some crafty projects are finished.
I'll see (many of you) in a few days in Omaha!
Have a great weekend!
This little autumn cutie is from Melissa McCobb Hubbell as part of the art exchange that's going around the blog-o-sphere lately...
...and this tag.
Paged through some lovely autumn images in these magazines.
And baked up some yummy treats. These apple cookies from naptime chef are delicious...and not too sweet!
Our November guest designer on A Year of Color is Jeska Hearne. I have adored her blog Lobster and Swan for a long time. She's the perfect guide for inspiration and beauty for this month's theme of brown and sepia tones. She encourages us to move into a season of warmth and calm with cozy accents before the holiday rush. Her tone is perfect! Please join us in these last few months of the blog. All the archives are available, so you can catch up on the whole year. I won't be doing another like it next year, so now is your last chance.
No, this 15 ft. witch is not in my yard, I spotted her (how could you miss it!) on the way to school today. Isn't she amazing!! Reminds me of this old photo which I've always found incredibly creepy. They are similar in size. Look at her teeth. Yikes!
What about this guy!?! creepy...
If you like creepy decor, I posted a bunch more of this yard (I do not know the creator) on my flickr.
This time of year, I feel like I'm suspended in time between autumn and the coming of winter. There is a very brief period of time here in Minnesota that is gorgeous almost beyond the imagination. The trees are ablaze, the blue sky goes on forever. It is truly a remarkable time. So today on a picture perfect fall day, I took a long walk. 
As I was walking along, there would be a gust of wind that would send thousands of leaves dancing, twirling through the air. Swirling about a slowly settling to the ground. I noticed that many of them didn't quite make it to the ground, but would get caught in a branch or a plant and would be there suspended for who knows how long, on display for all to see...or for those that noticed.
We seem to be getting a second "peak" this year with leaf color. For this last hurrah of fall, the oaks are brilliant orange and red. They made my heart sing today.
Soon all the leaves will lay to rest on the ground to be covered under a blanket of snow, tucked in for a long winter.
Hope you're having a wonderfully spooky Halloween eve.
Costumes and jack-o-lanterns are definitely may favorite part.
We are now in final preparations for the big day.
