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.
