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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Farewell, October...Hello, November!

Hello dear friends!  How lovely it is to be in your company again!  I have been absent from my blog for far too long (since September). I could hardly find the time to write a post considering October was full to the brim with excitement and much goings-on!  I will try to compensate for my absence with a visual account of the past month.

my neighborhood in October

"Oh, Marilla," she exclaimed one Saturday morning, coming dancing in with her arms full of gorgeous boughs, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it? Look at these maple branches. Don't they give you a thrill--several thrills?” - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables





The crabapples on our tree out back turned from green to red in early October.


Look at the vibrant fall colors!  I am in love...





Nuno, the girls, and I had tons of fun at the Pumpkin Festival at Chappell Farms!  We took a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch and picked our own pumpkins - right off the vine! 



We enjoyed getting lost in the corn maze, walking atop the hay maze, and visiting with some of the farm animals there (sheep, goats, bunnies, chickens...even turkeys!)  Speaking of turkeys...

In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October, unlike my American friends who celebrate in November.
  This year we were extra thankful, as we were treated to three, yes, THREE Thanksgiving celebrations!  I would like to thank my parents, my in-laws, and my brother-in-law and his girlfriend for hosting and serving such scrumptious food.  The time spent with family on days like these is priceless!

 Here is Nuno, my husband, carving my mother's turkey on Thanksgiving weekend.  Isn't he adorable?


The beautiful view of Canal Lake in the fall.  We spent Thanksgiving day here with my in-laws at their home-away-from-home.


I was amazed to see several robins in our yard the following weekend!
I have never seen robins so late in the season in my yard before.  The last time I had seen one was in late August.  I found it odd to see them back again.  Maybe they came for one last farewell?  Goodbye robins...I will miss you!  I look forward to seeing you again in the spring!


I am happy to inform you that although some birds have flown south, many others are still regular visitors to my yard.  The black-capped chickadees (on the left) visit daily, as do the house finches.  Occasionally, I see mourning doves feeding off the ground and I've even spotted a downy woodpecker (on the right) three times last month!  Oh, and a cardinal came to visit one day, too!


We also got some snow!  Not much, just a tiny dusting one week before Halloween.
Snow on the rose blooms in front of our house.


It didn't last very long, thank goodness!  I'm not ready for winter yet!  There will be plenty of time for that!  By mid-day the snow was nowhere to be seen.


With October came breath-taking sunrises, like this one; the sky ablaze in pink!  It' so very beautiful to look at, yet fleeting; one minute you see it, the next, it's gone! (This shot was taken from my bedroom window).


And finally, it's Halloween!
We each designed and carved our pumpkins while listening to a medley of Halloween songs.  My favorite part is scooping out the pulp!  Nuno and I helped Annabel carve hers!  I saved the pumpkin seeds and roasted them.  We also made caramel apples!  Mmm!


Even our cat, Buddy, shared in the Halloween festivities!


This year, Annabel dressed as a Southern Belle!  She looked so darling!

And here is Anita, dressed as Cleopatra!  She looked gorgeous...I still can't believe how much she's grown in the last year!


How was your October?  Did you have a fun Halloween?  This last month was filled with beauty and blessings at our house. I hope the same can be said for you!

Happy November, dear friends!  I hope this new month brings you much health, happiness, and blessings! xoxo


22 comments:

  1. Lovely post! Beautiful pictures of such special times...love the new header, too!! Xo

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    1. Thank you, Laura! I'm glad you like the new header! xo

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  2. I love the new header on your blog....so professional! You take beautiful pictures. I love fall, and this post highlighted all the best parts of it!

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    1. Thank you so much, Cadie! I was playing around with the header and I am quite happy with the way it turned out! xo

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  3. Oh boy, I enjoyed seeing all the beauty surrounding your home, the girls in costume, Buddy (priceless expression.) Also the celebration of Thanksgiving. My the roses with a bit of snow so pretty. I can see how much you are enjoying the fall; I am very glad we share that love of nature. The birds in your yard are a special treat. Thanks Rosinda, love the post and you!

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    1. Thank you, Sandy! I am glad we share the same love of birds and nature! I love you, too! xo

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  4. I love the header as well!!!! Great pictures! The girls are so darling in their costumes! It sounds like you've had an incredible Fall already...filled with many memories to cherish for always!! xoxo Joann

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    1. Thank you, Joann! It has been a glorious fall! I am soaking it all in...it's almost gone now! xoxo

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  5. Lovely words, beautiful images of a blissful October! I do agree with Anne~I am so glad that I, too, live in a world where we have Octobers! Everything about this blog entry is so October! Debs xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Debs! I appreciate your visit and your comments! I fully agree with anne, too. October is a very special month! xoxo

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  6. Absolutely gorgeous, sweetheart! The photos are so beautiful...lovely to see what your part of the world looks like. Happy happy November, Mrs Sunshine! Xoxo

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    1. Thank you, sweetie! Happy November to you, too! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post! xoxo

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  7. Wow, great picture! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures and October experiences. Have a wonderful November! Take care, Diane

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    1. Hello Diane! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment! I really appreciate it! Happy November to you, too! xo

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  8. Everything is just lovely in your corner of the world! Rosinda I just love how you have been enjoying the autumnal activities with your family. Your children are just beautiful, and my how wonderful their costumes were! We're having a mild autumn day--a good day to rake the leaves that have fallen so far. We rake once a week and add them to the compost. Our trees are mature and produce tons of leaves. Thanks for sharing! xoxo ♥

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    1. Thank you so much, Martha Ellen! Our trees are still young, most of them planted by us, so not too many leaves to pick up. I'm glad you enjoyed a nice autumn day! xoxo

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  9. Dear Rosinda...My Sunshine :)
    Loved everything!!! if I had to comment in every little thing about your blog, I would have to write all night long :)
    In a very few worlds I'm going to say how you, Nuno, Anita and Annabel make me feel :)
    I'm the Happiest and the Luckiest Mother, ( in-law ) and grandmother in the World. I thank God everyday for giving me such Blessings in my life :)
    Thank you for sharing your happiness and the love for life and nature.
    Love you with all my heart!
    XOXOOX <3

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    1. Thank you, Mom! We, too, are lucky to have you in our lives. You are a blessing. Thank you for always being there for me! Love you dearly! xoxo

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  10. Oh how totally wonderful in every way. It's so beautiful where you live I just adore seeing all the shots of your changing weather. It looks like a truly magical month for you all. And Buddy is adorable in his Halloween costume. ♥

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    1. Thank you, Nancy! I loved seeing Buddy in his little costume. I find it funny that he doesn't complain when I put the collar on him. I think he actually likes it. xoxo

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  11. So happy you are back! I loved this post Rosinda! Lovely to see Autumn through your eyes in Canada! Everything looks so pretty. You've had a very busy and filled October. Your girls are darling and looked so cute in their Halloween costumes! Glad it was enjoyable. Are you still picking on candy like me??? I'm loving all your pictures and the new header is great too!

    Danielle xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Danielle! I'm glad you enjoyed the post! I am a sucker for the miniature chocolate bars. Thank goodness they're almost all gone! Happy November! xoxo

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