Photographs & Perspective – Autumn Bound

My family often gathers together for Thursday evening dinner. The conversation last night turned toward summer’s end, and the finish of fun activities, picnics, and warm weather. The swimming season at lake and pool is over, school is starting next week, and coatless weather will soon be replaced with jackets and hats. Since my sons have been working in high heat and humidity outdoors, they aren’t sorry to see temperatures in the 90’s disappear, but we all wish the freedom and fun of summer would never vanish. The calendar might proclaim summer not ending for twenty-two days, but Labor Day weekend in the U.S. always seems to announce Autumn.

Although they bloom all summer, sunflowers are commonly associated with Autumn. I recently found these beauties growing in the front of a neighbor’s home. The day was overcast, the sun still rising, and the grey of the sky created an unearthly backdrop for these beauties. I think they will be perfect to use as the September header image for the blog. Good-bye August…Hello September.

This post is part of Skywatch Friday and Fandango One Word Challenge (FOWC) – Bound

Quote & Psalm – The Timely Glow and Shine of Autumn

I find this C.S. Lewis quote very timely:

“Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won’t last forever. We must take it or leave it.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Here are a few timely photographs of the foliage transformation to Autumn colors in my Mid-Atlantic state of New Jersey. These photos were taken at Alcyon Lake Park in Pitman, New Jersey. The accompanying verses are found in Psalm 144:12-15. (The Living Bible Translation) The words of the Psalm, written by King David, 1000 BC, are another timely reminder of what to hope for in our country and in countries all around the world. Let the glow and shine of Autumn warm your heart.

Psalm 144:12-15(TLB) A Psalm of David:
“Here is my description of a truly happy land where Jehovah is God:
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Sons vigorous and tall as growing plants.
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Daughters of graceful beauty like the pillars of a palace wall.
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Barns full to the brim with crops of every kind.
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Sheep by the thousands out in our fields.
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Oxen loaded down with produce.
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No enemy attacking the walls, but peace everywhere.
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No crime in our streets.
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Yes, happy are those whose God is Jehovah.

And to that I add my own, “Amen.”

Project – Autumn Tablecloth

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If you are having a large crowd for a meal during the Autumn, consider making a one-of-a-kind tablecloth. Years ago, several members of my family helped me turn real leaves into stamps to create beautiful coverings for our tables. You will need: acrylic paints, an off-white tablecloth or flat bed sheets, surface protection, and some sort of paint applicator. (paint brushes or foam brushes)

Prepare the tablecloth or sheet: launder them if they are new to remove fabric sizing. If you need a smaller size, cut to size and hem the edges by hand or with a sewing machine.

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Now you’re ready for the fun…gather leaves that are still soft and pliable. Brown, brittle leaves will crack when you apply paint and pressure to them. Make sure to have protection for your working surface under the sheet, the paint will definitely seep through to the back side. Spread acrylic paint, in Autumn colors, in splotches over the leaves, press down firmly, remove. You have just created a beautiful impression of the leaf that will last for decades. After twenty-four hours your tablecloths can be safely laundered in cool water. They should retain their color for many years. Mine are probably over fifteen years old.

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Project – Two on Tuesday/Autumn Rocks


Here’s a way to use the pretty beach and river rocks you picked up on your summer outings this year. I sprayed the rocks with glossy clear acrylic and twisted a twelve to fifteen inch piece of copper wire around the bottom. Twirl the remaining wire around a pencil and squeeze together the final two swirls and lift this piece upwards. These wired rocks can be used to display photos, seasonal letters or cards. I’m thinking of using a few to display my antique holiday postcards too.

Projects – Pressed Leaves

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It’s not too late to press a few Autumn leaves for crafts and Thanksgiving table scatter. They look lovely hung from mantels or chandeliers. They make great place cards. Write the names of your guests on them with metallic felt-tipped markers. Encase within pieces of glass, seal edges with copper tape or decorative duct tape and use as trivets for your holiday table. Have fun!

Perspective – Raking Leaves

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My oak tree is dropping its leaves. This adds up to a huge amount of raking…hours upon hours. My state of mind can become overwhelmed even thinking about the leaf removal job ahead. For me, body and spirit do better if I break the job up into small increments. Each day I try to rake up three to four loads of leaves. It sounds silly, and possibly ineffectual, but it works for me. Little by little those piles of leaves I rake clear the yard and gardens of Autumn’s debris. For those of you facing mountains of leaves…happy raking.

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