Monday, October 17, 2016

Heaven On Earth

Saturday was such an absolutely glorious autumn day on the mountain top that I started snapping photos the second my feet hit the ground!


I never tire of waking to the sights and sounds of horses outside my bedroom window, although they managed to escape my camera on this gorgeous morning. 


Try as I may, it was impossible to truly capture the golden glow that was shining in through the windows. 


While I was enjoying my coffee, the Monkey was enjoying her usual morning spot....in a sun puddle, as usual. 


She always makes sure she has a few of her favorite things up on the chair with her. When I straighten up the house and fluff the pillows I typically find 5 or 6 toys tucked into the corners of this chair!


After a trip to my local farmers' market, there was work to be done around the house. 

I decided this heavenly autumn day called for a vegetable beef stew in the crock pot that could cook as I took care of some necessary chores. 

I browned some ground beef that I picked up at the market and threw it in with some onions, garlic, shallots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, and celery. All the items were either from the farmers' market or grown in my crooked little garden. 

Next came some beef broth, herbs, pepper, and a couple of bay leaves. I gave everything a good stir, turned it on high, and went about my day. 


Eventually I couldn't resist the pull of the outdoors. It was time to abandon any further chores and enjoy the amazing beauty I am so blessed to be surrounded with. 


The firepit was calling my name. What better way to spend a lovely fall afternoon in the mountains? 


So, I did what any good mountain girl would do and made myself an apple cider martini....with a cinnamon rim, of course.....put on my ugly old uggs, grabbed a throw, and headed outside. 


It was time to settle in and watch the show at the feeder. I gave the birds a bit more seed and some peanuts before I got comfortable, and I knew they would show up within minutes. 


Oh, how I missed feeding the birds and critters! I know the bears haven't hibernated yet, but they haven't been bothering my home lately, so all is well. 

There's nothing I like more than spending time in nature enjoying the beauty God created, while my little furry and feathered friends enjoy the feast I put out for them

That's heaven on earth, right there. 


My sister asked me when she visited last if the squirrels can climb the feeder poles clamped to the deck. 

The answer would be a resounding yes!

There's nothing that keeps the squirrels off the feeders for good - they always seem to figure it out. It's just part and parcel of feeding the birds. 


Although the firepit on my deck is propane, the smell of woodsmoke surrounded me from both my woodstove and my neighbor's. 


I love the way the afternoon sun hits the mountain across the way. The mountain top just seems to glow....and then the sun dips down and is gone, as dusk settles onto the mountain top. 

It was time to put out the fire and go inside, to warm up by the woodstove. 


And enjoy a bowl of vegetable beef stew and some warm crusty bread. 

Heaven on earth. 

I'm so blessed. 

50 comments:

  1. You know I love your neigh- bors! ;)

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  2. It is magnificently lovely there! Wish I had that view. Here it's still hot and the air conditioner is on. I can't feed the birds here. Rats from restaurants within throwing distance. Wish I could. I wish I could sit there with you on your deck and enjoy your surroundings.
    Brenda

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    1. Oh, rats, eek - I had them in the city, also - they scared the bejeezus out of me when I would go out to bring out garbage!!

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  3. I freaking love your home and your view. If im ever up your way im totally crashing you party lol;)
    XO Ellen from Ask Away
    www.askawayblog.com

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    1. And you know what, Ellen? You are freaking totally welcome!! :)

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  4. I loved seeing all the color there. I always like a pot of soup or stew. Perfect for a good supper. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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    1. The older I get, the more I am drawn to soups and stews - pure comfort food!!

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  5. That does sound heavenly! I wish we could get some cooler weather. We're supposed to be in the 90's this week in good old Louisville, Kentucky and I am so sick of the heat I could scream!!!

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    1. Wow, 90's - holy smokes! It's been in the 20's all day here!!

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  6. I would love to rent that deck and view of yours.;-) With all the drama going on right now you have a blessed way to escape all that and that martini helps! I'm in upper Illinois and we're 83 degrees right now, I'm ready to move on.... Thanks for sharing that beautiful view!

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    1. No need to rent, come for a visit, Patti!! :) You would be most welcome! I hope you like martinis....:)

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  7. What a perfect Saturday! Your stew looks delicious.

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    1. Oh, it was, Melanie!! So much so that I have made a second batch since!!

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  8. This is my favorite time in the northeastern portion of the country, the trees ablaze with color.
    Your stew looks delicious...we are still having heat waves in east/central Kansas. My roses are going crazy with this beautiful weather.
    Enjoy the rest of the week.

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    1. As I was preparing for today's snowstorm in the garden, I noticed that two of my climbing Iceberg roses are blooming like mad - how lovely!!!

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  9. What a glorious day! I am so glad you took the time to just sit and enjoy it. :) Well, and share it with us also. Be blessed my friend!

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  10. Your home is so lovely and cozy, Debbie...and your pup is a sweetheart. The stew looks delicious and I think I need to try an apple cider martini...

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    1. Ha!! An apple cider martini is just heaven at this time of year, Linda!!

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  11. Looks soo relaxing! I wonder if it will get cold enough here to pull out my old UGGS? Probably not but they make good house slippers.
    Lisa

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    1. Oh, they do....for me, though, they make great deck slippers!! Keep my ankles warm!

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  12. Your views are "Heaven on Earth". Just so pretty and relaxing. Your little fur baby is adorable.
    That stew with crusty bread yum! Have a great week.
    Kris

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    1. Kris, the views from my house won me over the first time I came to look at the house! I never had a view from any other home....well, not a view like this, anyway!!

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  13. What a perfect beautiful day you had! How old is furbaby? Nancy

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    1. Furbaby is a tiny puppy - she's only 8 years old! Ha ha - But still such a baby!

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  14. A gorgeous autumn view, an apple cider martini and homemade beef stew...what more could a gal ask for?

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    1. Not a whole pile, Donna - perhaps a good movie on Amazon Prime? :)

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  15. Definitely sounds like a glorious day! We had a fire Saturday evening and roasted hot dogs for the g-kids. That was fun, but still just a little warm for a fire. You look all toasty and comfy by yours.

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    1. It's definitely one of my favorite things to do on an evening, when weather permits - sit out by my fire, enjoying my view. And a cocktail, of course!

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  16. Yes, you are blessed. Thanks for sharing.

    FlowerLady

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    1. Without a doubt, Lorraine...and thank you for visiting!

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  17. I guess my phone wasn't working as I didn't receive the call to join you on the deck with a martini! :) Seriously, it looks and sounds like a piece of Heaven! The views are magnificent and your home is so warm and inviting. Isn't it funny how these fur babies choose their favorite spots and have their toys near by? The stew looks delish!

    Thank you for sharing all of God's beauty with us ~
    xo
    Pat

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    1. Oh, sorry, how is it that you missed the phonecall, Pat?? :) You would be welcome at any time, believe me!!

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  18. P.S. It was 92 again today! So disturbing ~

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  19. You are, indeed, blessed! Lovely pictures. I once saw the cutest cartoon: a kid was searching in couch cushions and was pleased when he found a quarter. Meanwhile, a dog was searching the opposite cushions and was pleased to find an old bone! I thought of that one when you said Monkey likes to tuck toys under your couch cushions. Let me know the next time you have a drink on your patio with the fire pit blazing - I'll fly right over to enjoy it with you!

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    1. Oh my gosh, Vickie, yes, without a doubt - I think we would have a lovely time having a cocktail by the fire!! Let me know when you will be in NY!!

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  20. Blessed indeed, Mountain Sister! Cheers!

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    1. My view is nothing compared to yours, Mountain Sister!!

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  21. You just painted a picture of the perfect day :) The stew looks wonderful as do your lovely mountain colors / views.

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    1. Yours must be coming into peak right about now, Deb - enjoy them!!

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  22. Replies
    1. You better believe it, Dayle - at least, MY version of paradise!! :)

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  23. I just love staring all your photos...lovely!

    Stopping by!- Piccolina

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting, Piccolina - I truly love to meet new blogland friends!!

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  24. Heaven on earth can't get much better than this, I agree! Your soup looked amazing, and what a delightful bird/squirrel show too! One of our favorite things to do is have a little fire too, and with the amazing colors you have up there, why even leave home! My leaf-peeping adventures got a little crazy this week, lol! Hugs to you, enjoy every precious moment of this season!

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  25. The trees are beautiful, no wonder you would rather be outside! Your veggie stew looks yummy and sounds like the perfect autumn supper :)

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    1. The trees WERE beautiful, Karen.....and will be again, next year! Enjoy your Autumn, no doubt it is still to come!

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