Autumn Images & The Sugar Cookie Recipe

Happy October everyone! It's been such a long strange year, and here we are near the end of it already. My first blog comment of the month was strange too. It appeared today on a post I wrote in December of 2011 (that's seven years ago folks) about finding a sugar cookie recipe from a long lost cook book we had when I was growing up. The post is called Yummy Soft Sugar Cookies and is found here.

I posted this recipe with the story. It's one of the most pinned images from my blog on Pinterest. Pinned thousands of times. So it's understandable that out there in the internet universe it was spotted by someone who has never visited my blog, and doesn't know my shtick. (Ah, my no-cook blogger shtick, that is. LOL!) I don't think I have ever even accidentally posted pictures of something that I have baked/cooked in almost eight years of blogging! Lots of pretty pictures though! Which was noted in this comment of faint praise:

"Always keep my eye out for the cookies my grandmother used to make. This could be the one, but was disappointed to see that there were lots of 'prop' photos but not a single photo of the actual cookie. You seriously wrote a whole post about a special cookie and then didn't even actually make the cookie?? An old neighbor said the secret to soft sugar cookies was to use lard, would also allow them to keep for a long time. Was glad to find this here because it could be the one I've been searching for." Clair Kathryn

But here's a photo (with fabulous props!) for the visualization challenged among us. More cookies to see with your own eyes on this post (Sugar Cookie Love) here. (Okay, so I seem to have made this one exception.)

On a different note, it's Hot Air Balloon Fiesta time in Albuquerque! Still gorgeous days of early fall. There is only a hint of change in the foliage, but a few leaves are beginning to litter the expansive green of the lawn. We will get rain in a day or so, but if not, at some point soon we will find ourselves on some very cool and darkish day when a storm blows in and pelts down a swirl of colored leaves to the ground pronouncing the first real day of autumn. There are not many such days here, and even so you might miss the moment if you are not situated at the best view when it occurs. So it is quite memorable to me. I can see it very clearly in my mind. But you'll just have to take my word for it.

Thank you Sharon, Naomi, Rebecca, and others for leaving word!

Wishing you many lovely days ahead.

Jacqueline 

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French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

Simple Fall Pleasures

Well, hello again, my friends! I thought I would pop in for one of my "day in the life" posts since September has decided to fly on by. We got in a little travel, had family in a few times, went for a mountain picnic on the first day of fall, and fit in all the real life stuff in between the cracks. Isn't September beautiful?

Since an organized post hasn't made it's way into my days lately I thought I would just let you follow me around my beautiful life today. I call it beautiful because it is filled every day with so many things that I love to look at. If you saw the whole picture you would see a pretty good mess, but here in my nursery/guest/work room where I fold laundry, iron, and do shop stuff, there is always something to give me a lift, and the time to reflect on the big things that we always have to deal with in life. Here is a sweet little lamp that I found thrifting yesterday, for instance.

A new lamp shade, and voila! Ready to go!

You have to sift through a lot of nothing much in order to find the gems like this set of lacy cut work napkins that turned up at the same picking place. But it's the sifting through and turning things over, the sizing up and hunting down that is so therapeutic when you just need a day away from it all. And what a bonus! Even if it is the only thing you find!

I am considering for yet one more time whether or not to pass on to someone else this over sized vintage edition of Redoute rose prints.

It looks so beautiful, and makes a nice display among my lacy things.

I found some sweet frilly tops that are on their way to the shop. But they make the room so cheery while they are still hanging around.

The vintage wood hotel hangers that I use for display are only ten cents a piece at my favorite thrift store. You can find some too!

I always look like a giant froufy lamp shade when I try to wear something like this (lol!), but I just love the look of them on display.

Another fall thrifting obsession I get this time of year is balls of fluffy yarn in neutral colors. This was from only three bags of yarn costing only two or three dollars each. I usually knit something simple when the weather turns, but I think I will do a bit of crocheting this year.

This one is wool. . .

And there are a few fluffy balls of a mohair blend with an adorable vintage label attached.

I may make a dolly sweater or two because they work up fast and you think you have accomplished something. But I enjoy the cozy look of yarn just sitting around. (I forgot I was going to show this with my nice wooden knitting needles poking out.)

I am goofy enough to enjoy even the names given to colors so I leave them attached after taking off the labels that I don't love.

September also brought another lovely shop event (with lovely ladies) that we hosted this month at Cielo Heavenly Home Decor where I have space. Vintage is my life!

Okay, so I also waded through the latest tempting batch of fall magazines and selected this one from Victoria.

They have gotten smart and often include some luscious white decor in the center of the mix for all of us white addicts. Do you see me turning this down?

And heaven help us! the Christmas editions are starting to come out!!!

Finally, this scrumptious new book arrived at my house yesterday too. I always love a new book that gets my heart rate up a little when I flip though the pages. See what I mean about a beautiful life?

I know there are people who really do live like this, but this is just a wonderful daydream to me.

What might actually happen to me in a dreamy kitchen like this? Cooking maybe?

I love the collage-y section headings. Really a gorgeous book. 

I don't do any actual fall decorating. Just a few things get set down and shifted around. Still plenty of time for tucking things in on the mantel.

Thanks a bunch for tagging along!

 Your lovely comments add so much to my days.

It's wonderful sharing the simple pleasures in every day with you!

Jacqueline

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French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

&

Shabby Art Boutique

Celebrating September

Well, hello to September! It's arrival always seems so sudden to me, and then everything changes. The hardest part so far seems to be trying to keep from buying too many fall magazines! Haha! But I have been really selective so far. This one has great pictures and some recipes I'm going to try. And the cover has the soft colors that I like.

I always highlight the new season with more texture than bright color. There is always plenty of that outside. But I do love the woodsy and cozy elements that this time of year brings.

We have already started off with a few hearty soups and stews. It is green chili time in our town, and the smell of roasting hot peppers dots the atmosphere here and there, especially at the weekend farmer's markets. I'll have to try to get a few pictures of chili season to share. There was a time when I went no where without a camera at hand, but those days seem to be past.

But I do start to think of having more folks gathered around this table at the center of our little house. Simple late breakfasts and suppers are my favorite sort of thing. Especially on a Sunday. 

It's also a relaxing time to gather my favorite things together in the new early autumn light.

I'm ready for some woodsy walks to gather up more twigs and brambles and branchy things to decorate a little with, or just to tuck in here and there. I never end up doing any more than that.

Our days have turned mild and a bit cooler. Just perfect actually! Nature is so kind to move us gradually in any new direction.

I will do the same with slow changes around the place. Just a tweak here and there to signal that September is here. Early fall is such a cheery time of year!

Thanks so much for all your comments and visits! Some of you pop in sort of incognito with a nice message for me, and I have no way to answer back. But I appreciate so much the lovely comments that you leave for me too! Really brightens up my days.

I hope this September is a lovely one for you!

Jacqueline

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Little Farmstead~Sundays at Home

Between Naps on the Porch~Metamorphosis Monday

Confessions of a Plate Addict~The Scoop