Signs of the Season

This year, I'm anticipating the arrival of fall more anxiously than in

years past.

Perhaps the many months spent laboring in the 

sweltering heat—restoring the gardens and clearing the barns—has

 intensified my desire for cooler temperatures.

As a matter of fact, I've been so engrossed in these tasks

that I've almost let the first signs—ones that signal fall is on its way—slip

right past me.

The purple, white, pink, and blue wildflowers that graced our fields, just

a short while ago, have given way to a more autumnal array.

Their bright cheery faces are but one of the many

things that make fall my favorite season.

I'm actually quite nostalgic about this particular time of year.  Some of

 my most cherished childhood memories revolve around

autumns past.

And...

we celebrate my Yankee sweetheart's birthday each fall...

in addition to our anniversary.

But it's also the colors of the season that make it so appealing to me.  The warmth

 of the saturated hues wrap around you like a well-worn,

 cozy quilt on a crisp, cool evening.

And...

around The Brambleberry Cottage, fall also means

it's apple picking time.   ; )

Those juicy, wholesome orbs find their way into pies,

cobblers, and a wide assortment of taste-tempting treats...

and, hopefully, this year, even fresh apple cider.

I'm so looking forward to gathering the benches, chairs, and tables

from the barn, and...

rounding up the extra quilts and pillows for our fall festivities.

It's a time when our family and friends assemble to enjoy

blazing bonfires beneath star-studded skies.

Happily, the signs of the season are upon us...

a season for celebrating a few of life's

 simple country pleasures.

Joining

It's Fall Ya'll: Outdoor Spaces Party with Thrifty Decor Chick

&

Mary's Share the Love Wednesday,

Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursdays, Susan's Tablescape Thursday,

LaurieAnna's Farmhouse Friday, Cindy's Show and Tell Friday,

Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday, Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday,

Meg's Everything But the Kitchen Sink

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Time Travel Thursday #50 - Purple Passions

"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.

Some take us forward, they're called dreams."

~Jeremy Irons~

Welcome to the 50th Time Travel Thursday linky party at the Brambleberry Cottage!
Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!

I love to display fragrant, fresh-cut flowers throughout my little cottage, whenever

I get the chance.  And during the months of spring, there is always an

abundance of beautiful blooms with which to do just that.

But by the time the intense heat of our Southern summer settles in...

the lovely blossoms of spring have all faded away.

Determined to find SOMETHING from nature that was both beautiful and fragrant—

with which to decorate my tiny abode—I took a little stroll around the farm today

to see what my eyes could spy.

Provence Lavender

The lavender lovelies growing in my vegetable garden are past their prime,

but pretty, nonetheless.

So I thought of gathering a bunch to display in the cottage, but...

for a while, there was a standoff...

 between a swarm of these little fuzzy creatures and me.

Having been stung twice in the past month, I had to spend some time considering just

how badly I wanted these pretty pastel picks.

After a few seconds of quiet reflection, I decided to take a walk around the cottage to

see what else I could find—that didn't involve the threat of pain.  ; )

Hosta

Currently, the ONLY thing in bloom in my flower gardens are the hostas.

I thoroughly enjoy their fairy-like flowers but prefer to keep

them dancing daintly outside.

What to do, what to do?

Rather than risk another run-in with the wicked little winged stinkers stingers, I

extended my search to the edge of the woods.

Heal-all Mint

This particular type of wildflower—quite common around our region—didn't appeal

to me in the least.  So...they were left as decoration for the foxes' dens.

Spotted Star-Thistle

I DID, however, find these flirty purple thistles quite lovely

and gathered a small basketful.

Queen Anne's Lace

While I was busily clipping the thistles, I caught these lacy ladies 

out of the corner of my eye.

They grow quite profusely around here.  And since I love the combination of white,

green, and purple, I gathered a handful of them, as well.

On my way back to the cottage, I tossed in a few more odds and ends from nature—

to help round out my arrangement.

As I approached the back steps, I glanced once more toward the vegetable garden

and my lavender plants.

With clippers in hand—AND a bit of trepidation—I walked cautiously to the plants...

to lay claim to what was rightfully MINE!  The bees were

none too happy with my decision.

But I had a plan...

and it involved THOSE lusciously-scented stalks!

Armed with the bounty of my morning walk, several pieces of vintage white ironstone

 from inside the cottage, an old wicker table with chippy-green paint—

borrowed from the front porch...

and an abandoned nest—with an empty eggshell, found on the ground below it—I went

to work to create a sweet floral vignette 

outside one of the barns.

I love how the prissy flowers play with the primitive elements and how

the refined beauty of the ironstone contrasts with

the rustic, timeworn wood of the barn.

Who would have thought that weeds could be so charming?

Personally, I think WEEDS are just beautiful flowers that have gotten a bum rap!

What do you think?    

Now all I need to do is grab a few comfy chairs and some munchies and invite a few of my

gal pals over to watch the nightly firefly spectacular.  ; )

 

Linking also to Susan's for Outdoor Wednesday, Mary's for Share the Love Wednesday, Suzanne's for Vintage Thingie Thursday, Susan's for Tablescape Thursday, Tracie's for Cottage Flora Thursdays, Cindy's for Show and Tell Friday, Tootsie's for Flaunt Your Flowers Friday, and Meg's for Everything But the Kitchen Sink.

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.



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