In honor of National Coffee Day let's enjoy a few early autumn images!

It's time for me to enjoy my daily afternoon coffee. 

It also seems like the perfect time to post a few images I shot this past Thursday while up north on the Kancamagus. 

It's not to often I buy Victoria magazine anymore but my curiosity was peaked when I realized it contained an article about the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the fall. Perfect reading for National Coffee Day!

Are you celebrating in any particular way? Or just a cup of joe as usual. Or maybe you're not a joe person at all.

 My hope was to get over to Lil's for a latte and some people watching but that was not to be. Instead I have enjoyed the company of my animals along with a wonderful walk with my neighbor and good friend, Dottie.

Each year I try to make at least one trip up north to view the fall foliage in all it's glory, and though the trees weren't quite at peak, they were pretty impressive. Let me just say if you can get to New England to see the foliage, this is the year to do it! The colors are the most brilliant I've seen in several years. Last winter might have been an absolute bear but we are definitely reaping its rewards this fall!

Seeing as how we live along the coast of NH my husband and I decided to drive 93 north to up around the Loon Mountain area. From there we hopped onto the Kancamagus, had a delicious lunch at Half Baked & Fully Brewed  in Lincoln then continued the 34 mile journey to route 16 in Conway.

I hope you enjoy just a taste of the scenery.

Lily Pond

Swift River

Although the colors were not very impressive in town this tree happened to catch my eye while we waited in traffic. It's located just across from the fire department on 16 in Conway. 

Thanks for tagging along on my day trip!

Happy National Coffee Day! Happy Autumn! Happy everything :)

Moonset on Cadillac Mountain, and a Moose

Although we were only in the Bar Harbor/Acadia area for 2-1/2 days I made sure to see the sun come up and the moon go down each day. 

The photos below were taken from Cadillac mountain. How lucky am I that it just happened to be a full moon! Sometimes I'm not sure which is more impressive, the moonrise or the moonset. At about 6:15 in the morning this happened to be a moonset.

Looking out over the other side of the mountain towards Bar Harbor, the sunrise behind the clouds cast a colorful glow. The Summit cruise ship heads into port on what would be another perfect day in Maine.

Although this image doesn't really tie in with the moon or sun I just think it's a cool view. If you've been to Bar Harbor you surely recognize the moose! 

A golden glow

Some Autumns are just prettier than others 

This happened to be one of those years

Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all other seasons

~ Jim Bishop

Exeter looked particularly lovely bathed in a golden glow as I strolled through town in my flip-flops on a warm afternoon.

In our own yard the leaves fell fast, furious and plentiful. Corralling them as quickly as possible is always the goal of my husband. Leaving a pile for the dogs to run through is a must, at least for a couple weeks anyway.

The oranges, the reds ... oh my! Framed by a blue sky the trees look amazing!

Autumn blazes full speed ahead. Each fleeting day a difference can be seen in color and light. The golds of the leaves can only be matched by the golds of late afternoon shadows.

May Autumn be as beautiful where you live as it is here in New England. 

Though I doubt it ...  ; )

Oyster River Swans

Happy Monday!

I know there were a few of you who said you were looking forward to my Fall photos. Well, unfortunately between work, the rain, and a lousy cold, I still haven't had time to get out and do any photography whatsoever. That being the case I thought I'd go through my mass amounts of photos and post some you've never seen before! And believe me I have plenty!

These photos were actually taken 3 years ago along the Oyster River in Durham, NH on an overcast afternoon.

I had been shooting up by Mill Pond Dam when suddenly a swan flew overhead, across the road and towards the river. Curiosity got the best of me so I drove down route 108 for a better view. As you can see the Swans were quite a ways off in the distance.

No matter how far away, their beauty is unmistakable. 

Autumn, such a glorious time of year!

Autumn fountain

We haven't quite reached orange-leaf-status here in my neck of the woods ... yet ... but I saw these images from last year and thought I'd post them anyway.  My parents fountain always reflect autumns leaves and summers flowers perfectly.

Here in New England the nights have been cold and the days warm. The perfect recipe for gorgeous autumn foliage. If everything goes as planned my husband and I will be able to get away for at least one day to the White Mountains of NH. Between his job and mine though it could be a challenge!

Tonight I'm making a homemade Pumpkin Pie. I hope you're enjoying something of the pumpkin or apple variety this week-end as well!

Burning love and a cold heart

I'd been waiting for a frosty morning. It may be November but we haven't had as many in the northeast as one might think. 

Finally the perfect morning, cold and crisp, with the sun just beginning to rise.

All the leaves from the Burning Bushes had dropped . . .

so it was finally time for a little . . . burning love . . .

A little Instagram love

Autumn's burning love

Burning bush shrubs make a wonderful backdrop for photos in November. 

I took all these shots last week but now it seems the brilliant leaves litter the ground instead of populating the branches. Such a shame watching the bright colors fade away, knowing what we have in store for the coming months. 

Winston ... a surprise shot for sure!

I love it when Lily's ears flop backwards. Love that.

Although I know I'm supposed to get down on a dogs level to take there picture, every time I did this is what I got . . .

I'm not sure if it was nap time or what but she wouldn't open her eyes for me.

So are you ready? Ready for Thanksgiving and December? Because both will be here before you know it. My daughter is so anxious to go skiing. She talks about it all the time. Me, I'm just anxious for Spring. To see all the bulbs I planted last week burst forth from the unfrozen ground. To see the buds on the trees. To feel the warmth of the sun on a brilliant afternoon. 

Okay, back to reality

One day at a time

Autumn bliss ~ Texture Tuesday

This week I thought I'd do something a little different. For the first time I'm joining Kim Klassen Cafe for Texture Tuesday

This weeks texture is called Phoebe, and I used it on the top photo only. 

I don't know about you but I save older magazines that I cannot bare to part with, especially Victoria magazines. Holiday editions are especially nice to revisit as the seasons come around once again.

During the photo shoot I was so fortunate to have a little help . . .

Awe Phin, you steal my heart

and my prop! Ha!

Then along comes Lily who just has to see what all the fuss is about. Where would I be without my animals *sigh*

I just wanted to leave you with a simple joy I love about this time of year. If you live in a place where the seasons change I know you'll appreciate it too. Don't you just love driving down the road and seeing all the leaves blow around in circles behind you? Or watching them fall from the trees in mass quantity as gusty winds give them wings?  

Although there are bursts of color here and there, November is taking its toll. Before we know it there will be nothing but green pine trees and empty branches. This winter I am determined not to go without fresh flowers of some sort every week!

Swans

This morning my husband commented that it feels like a Thanksgiving morning. I guess it sort of  does, except for the fact that the temps are in the low 50's and a wee bit humid. Wouldn't that be perfect for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade!

I adore the Swans. 

They may not be the sweetest of birds but what they lack in personality they more than make up for in beauty.