Outside My Window ~ 11.08.2009

Outside My Window…is a beautiful morning ~ 59F with 62% humidity, skies are clear and a brilliant blue.  I believe we are in what is considered the peak season for the fall colors in our area.  I have noticed the colors on some trees are fading, but there is still much color and beauty out there.  I have been to different locations and taken many photos.  Hopefully I will be featuring some on here before too long.

I am thinking…about how one tree can drop so many leaves.  My backyard is covered in leaves, covered.  But on another note, I found out what type of tree it is that drops so many leaves.  I have lived here a little over 15 years and always wondered what kind of tree was this. I did a little research without much success.  A couple of weeks ago, I went with the John McFarlane (Associate Director of Grounds at the College of William and Mary) to Lake Matoaka.  While we were driving around, he was telling me what kind of tree this one and that one was with the greatest of ease.  It dawned on me that THIS may be the person to “name that tree” for me.  And he did…….I brought in some leaves and twigs and discovered I have a White Ash tree….and FYI…..it drops leaves seemingly all at once.   There could be some of the neighboring maple mixed in to the pile as well.

I am thankful for…rakes, among other things. 

From the kitchen…is a pot of finished coffee at the moment, but soon I will be trying a new recipe for a brunch dish.  It is a variation of one I saw on The Pioneer Woman’s site but I’m reworking it a bit to suit my tastes better. I will let you know if I succeed. 

I am creating…my family Christmas gifts.  I’m also processing photos from a photo shoot I did for a friend of mine.  I needed to practice photographing human subjects and she wanted some images of herself to build a portfolio…a win/win situation for both of us.

I am going…to take Alanna to work soon, do some house cleaning, and transplant some houseplants.  I’m also getting the living room in order for the coming holidays. 

I am reading…nothing right now.  I have too many irons in the fire now so leisure time is at a premium at the moment. 

I am hoping…that I can begin my new running and workout routine as planned on Monday.  I have been terribly sedentary lately and it is time to shake things up a bit. 

I am hearing…adventures from my daughter’s day at work yesterday….the washer and dryer…..the ticking of my many clocks.

Around the house…is progress on my attempt to de-clutter my life.  I have too much “stuff” that I don’t need or use.  I wonder why I hang on to things long after I have a need for them.  I get into the mindset that one day I may use it for this or that……and that day never seems to come.  Of course, if you throw it out or get rid of it ~ then you will need it and spend forever looking for it until it dawns on you….oh yea, I got rid of that.  Well, I’m getting rid of some stuff and I will lament over the loss of it when that time comes.   🙂

Plans for the week include…reworking my running and workout routine as mentioned earlier, photo processing and continuing my de-clutter project.

One of my favorite things…is discovering new places to visit in the city you live in.  I have lived here for 18 years and there are still some places I have never visited or seen.  That isn’t quite so shocking when you consider I have talked with people who have lived here their entire lives and have never visited many of them either. 

A picture I’d like to share with you…as mentioned above, I was happy to discover a new place to visit yesterday.  I have heard about this place, have seen photos but again, have never visited.  I took many photos yesterday, but this guy is one of the stars of the park. I will share my photos from this visit and highlight the area in a post coming soon……