November is probably my most favorite month.  The weather typically is just right “sweater” weather and the colors are fabulous.

Watching Mother Nature turn her paint palette to these colors is like watching a painter in action.  The city of Ashville, North Carolina encouraged the art community to come out on that particular Sunday and paint at various locations.  There were over 100 participants.

Enjoy your week, as we embark on fabulous month of November. Where, for me it’s a month where few expectations push us and being THANKFUL is the month long theme.

Click here to view the embedded video.

An early morning in Ashville, North Carolina

If you live within a world of discontentment, you will find it wherever you go.  Only by changing your consciousness will you start to see positive results in your life. –Louise Hay

Reading Louise Hay’s new book, “You can create an exceptional life” I am learning so much about the power we have all been blessed with.

She notes:

How you start your day is how you LIVE your day.

Think about this for a moment.  Too many people start their day with “Oh Sh*t! It’s another day and I’ve got to get up damn it!”  If you have a lousy way of starting your day, you are not going to have a good day ever– it’s not possible. If you do your best to have the morning be awful, your day will be awful.”

I used to be one of those who would push the snooze button while groaning… Ugggh I have to get up.

With some changes in my life lately, I know that if I focus on the negative or worry about what might happen — I will certainly achieve exactly that– the negative.

So, I have started a new ritual daily.  I snuggle into my bed a bit while taking a conscious moment to say my prayers of thankfulness. Thankful that I have a comfortable bed to sleep in and rest and thankful for a new day that is starting.  I remind myself that it will be a wonderful day and I will be surrounded by loving people who will inspire and encourage me.

That simple start to my day has helped me have wonderful mornings then wonderful days.

I am not such a Pollyanna that I think my day will be without hiccups.  However, I am learning that today is a perfect place for me to learn and to grow.  And it all starts with a good morning.

I am finding it a bit challenging trying to muster up the energy to cull through my MANY photos of my recent trip to Ashville.  But the colors of fall inspire me and make me smile.

My dear friend tossed on some Pink so I could participate with Pink Saturday at Beverly’s. She is not only beautiful on the outside but has a fabulous heart as well!

(Thanks Beverly for letting us steal Jeanne– she was the BEST hostess ever!)

Find the beauty that is right in front of you!

Hugs

Besides the autumn poets sing,
A few prosaic days
A little this side of the snow
And that side of the haze.
~Emily Dickinson
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October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, “October’s Party”

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May your week be filled with Joy in every way.

Stop by and visit Ms Susan at Out door Wednesday.

TTFN ~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
You’ll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in the fields of gold

Sting (Lyrics from Fields of Gold)

Stop by and visit Mary at Little Red House for Monday Mosaic. There are some wonderful vision there.

Thanks so much for stopping — I really do appreciate your time.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

I love my camera– yes it true; I have a THING for a “thing”… But this delightful object brings a focus to the joy in my life, that my often foggy memory can’t do. 

 Forcast calls for 6″ of snow in the mountains tomorrow.

On my day off this week the mountains were whispering to me … “hurry, come see us!”

With paint brush in hand, look at the artistry Mother Nature unveiled.

Traffic was quite busy on the winding canyon road… but each person I encountered had a stunning smile on their face.

Please be sure to visit Susan At A Southern Daydreamer,who brings us to another Out Door Wednesday…

But look at this little Bugger!! We had such a delightful day… he is too big– all of 2 years old now.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

Just like Melissa at Inspired Room (where she is celebrating make overs) Mother Nature does her best ever transition from Summer to fall. Visit her by clicking her name above.  Also, Julia (at Hooked on Fridays)  wants to know what we are hooked on this week… for me is Beauty … beauty in everything and everyone around us!

Stop by and visit Mary at Little Red house, where she hosts the Mosaic Monday.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

You have to bare with me on this far fetched story — I have been working full time 6 days a week lately AND trying to keep up my blog, so yes you could say I am a little rummy… but play with me here a bit! 

Mr. Farmer has worked very hard all summer long… even Ms. Clucky, his prize winning chicken can vouch for him! His corn fields are full of wonderful corn!

The kind of corn that is FULL of colors– some folks even call it CANDY CORN (though kids would definitely disagree) — the kind of corn that dirty-rotten CROWS love to Snap up and EAT!

 He wants to make sure his Red Prized corn is safe…. Whats a farmer to do? 

I know!!

I have an idea! (okokok…its a stretch!)

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Everyone—Meet Bud and Cassie– :)  not so scary Scarecrows — but aren’t they just the  BEST you have ever seen?

They stand approx 6 feet 6 inches! HAND crated every inch!!! If they don’t scare off the crows they certainly will help Welcome in Fall.

The patio setting before Bud and Cassie arrive! (I tried to round up some lingering Crows for demonstration purposes, but I must have scared them off with the circles under my eyes!)

Details, Details…

Cassie– up close and personal.

Oh yes, and that Dashing handsome BUD…

And look– they have already started attracting admirers!

Autumn… A time to Harvest Friendships!!

Thanks so much to Julia, who hosts Hooked on Fridays party , Melissa, at Its a Beautiful Life and even Bev at Pink Saturday. ( I know, I have kinda pushed this one, but if you look VERRRY carefully there are some still lingering PINKS in our pots!)

 In Honor of Havesting Friends, I am spot lighting Claudie at Bubblin Over –  She has been nothing but darling to me, since I started my blog, and I have to admit our new friendship simply blossomed because she has such a Snappy verson of MY name   ( At first I kept thinking she was just typing Claudia … with a typo… but nope… its CLAUDIE!  Vistit her and say hi!

This has been a blast of a First week of Fall with help my very VERY BEST FRIENDS Beeb and Poppz.  They are simly the best and I can never thank them enough for their love.

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

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Do you remember my creative sister’s yard from this past summer? 

These baskets spilled over with luscious flowers– ( my clever BIL “jimmy rigged” special watering tubing to help keep the flowers from getting too thirsty.)

(BIL = Brother in Law)

First day of Fall was technically yesterday…  I have always loved this season the most I think. It reminds me of when my family was young and we spent such fantastic times preparing for the new school year… (yesss love those new pencils and paper) Great baking and soup and sweater weather!

 Look at the transition from baskets of flowers to color popping pumpkins!

This is breath taking! Beeb, my very creative sister took plastic decorative pumpkins any one can find at Hobby Lobby and created these master pieces. I stand in awe when I watch her do her magic.

She even thinks to add a darling flag on the bottom to punctuate the Season.

After all the complements over her yard, Beeb even found time (seriously she is one of the most giving people I have ever known) to create a couple of these pumpkins for my mother’s porch.

Wow– what colors!!

Please stop by and say hi to Susan at A Southern Dreamer where everyone there is looking to celebrate the new season. Also, at Rose Colored Glasses with Rondi is having another party. It’s my first to participate- so go take a peek over there.

Another first for me is Do It Yourself –  DIY with Kimba — stop by and take a look at all the projects.

If you think these pumpkins and wreaths from the other day are fun… just wait till I show you what we have been working on for weeks!! You will LOVE ♥ love ♥ love ♥ what is coming towards the end of the week…….

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥