Officially, fall is here

Hi Folks ~ According to the calendar, fall is here, but you wouldn’t know it by the temperatures we are having here in s.e. FL. In the high 80’s, and feels like it is in the high 90’s or low 100’s depending on the humidity factor. I worked outside yesterday morning for two hours, and this morning for only an hour. I need to buy some Gatorade for the electrolytes I know I’m depleting when I work out there sweating something awful. I do drink water to keep hydrated. But, I can tell when I just can’t do one more thing, and just quit. It will be there the next morning.

This place has become so overgrown, some areas worse than others as those areas were the ones my dear husband took care of. Eventually they will get done. I’m just doing what I can, when I can.  I’ll show before and after pictures, when the work is done. There have been hints of ‘autumn’ and the mockingbirds are singing their hearts out as they know summer is over and cooler weather is coming.

No matter how overgrown, I am still very thankful for my little home on 1/4 of an acre. The house itself is 665 sq. ft. We have been living in a tiny home, since before the ‘tiny house movement’ even began. We moved into here in the summer of 1973. I wouldn’t be able to handle a larger place, this is plenty for me, and sometimes feels like too much on my own. But it is what it is, and I am blessed to have this place.

The little stained glass piece was from my sis-in-law who came down to visit from TN. She had several to choose from and this was the one that spoke to me. Colors and the sentiment, plus I have lots of birds around the cottage.

I had a nice visit with this sis-in-law and my dear husband’s other sister, who lives in northern FL, plus my DH’s brother and his wife, who live about an hour away, so see more often than the other two. Below I am with DH’s older sister, on the left, and his younger sister, on the right, from TN. She drove by herself in one day. That is NOT something I could do. Will you look at their lovely dark hair? A gene from their father.

The next morning after our visit, I woke up with a sore throat, that even effected my ear. I felt like ‘poop’ all day. Took ‘Bioplasma’ cell salts 3 times during the day, ate some delicious homemade vegetable soup from my other sis-in-law Sue, had some ginger-lemon tea with probiotics, rested, to bed earlier than usual and woke up the next morning feeling well again. Yay!

So, since the cottage is cleaned up, I’ll share some photos. Not trendy, but it is artistic-eccentric and home sweet home. These photos were all taken late this afternoon during rainy weather. I didn’t put the overhead light on because it makes it too bright. The lamps create a nice ambiance.

The bookcase in the right corner of the picture below, is made up of the one that had been in the hall, then has two rounded end pieces, which I had had put together under the window before putting them all together here. I was just going to take a picture, but my batteries need charging. I like the ‘coziness’ and most of my favorite books are right where I can take one out and read something. The little floor lamp needs a new three-way bulb, that’s why it isn’t on. This is the southeast corner of the cottage.

This is the north wall, archway to the left leading into the kitchen/scullery area.

West living room wall.

My little ‘creative space’ and also where I blog on my computer. Size is 6’x8’.

This painting is on the little hall wall where the electric rose bush had been. It is across from the bathroom. The hall is 28 1/2 inches wide. Before DH made the second archway in that wall, it was so dark and cramped.  This watercolor was painted in 1895.

Here is the electric rose bush in it’s new location, and lit. It has a dimmer switch, and this is not as bright as it can go. Very pretty and I am happy with it in the new spot and with the newly painted pink wall color.

This is the tiny wall space between the two arches in the living room.

This is the ‘scullery’, which by definition is a room where dishes were washed and was also a pantry. DH served in the scullery during bootcamp for the US Navy, and I chose to call this space that used to be the utility room the scullery. I love it. The kitchen area I didn’t get a picture of today. Another time.

This is my window looking out into the secret garden.

Well, I guess that’s it for now from Plum Cottage. People were wondering if I was ok, so here I am.

My life journey is different, I miss my dear husband more than words can say, and I’m doing the best I can.

Each day is a gift and there is beauty and blessings in each one. To God be the glory. Amen.

Thank you all for your love and encouragement. Priceless.

FlowerLady