The Weekend

 

Autumn Leaf Garland

It's the last weekend in September!  Already?!  The days are flying past!

I took it easy this weekend.  The weather was pleasant.  Cool in the mornings and evenings, warm in the afternoons.  

On Saturday, I dealt with Baby Melon's splitting headache.  Later, my daughter tidied the family room for me, I tidied the kitchen and organized one of the cabinet shelves.  In the evening, I walked in my drive way for about 20 minutes.  That's when I saw this:

Bun Bun!

Bun Bun hiding under some plants!  I hadn't seen him in over a week and wondered if anything had happened to him.  But, no!  He is still around!  He came out from his hiding spot, a bit later, and enjoyed some of the grass.  Later in the evening, I looked out the front window and Snowbunny had joined him!  I am glad they are safe!  Maybe Pirate Bunny is around here, somewhere, too, although I didn't see him!  I had been wondering if I should take down the bunny fort, but, maybe I'll leave it up for a bit longer!

In the evening, I baked a cake.  I added some peaches from one of the packages I had in the freezer to it and it turned out well.  Now that the evenings are cooler, I am happy to start baking!

Today, I took some of the cake over to neighbor T and to N (neighbor S's daughter).  I tried to call cousin P to offer her a piece, but, she didn't answer her phone.  I will try calling her again, tomorrow.  Friend R's share and M's share have been kept aside for them.  

I also made an autumn leaf garland for the living room mantel, today!  I picked yellow leaves that had fallen from the peach tree and the nectarine tree and strung them together to make the garland!  I suppose the leaves will last a couple of days before they dry up and when they do, they will be put in the compost bin!  Later, in October, I'll put out the Halloween decorations.  I've been toying with the idea of doing another Autumn Joy List (I've done seasonal ones and monthly ones, in previous years).  If I do, then, baking and decorating for the season will be on it!  

Tonight's dinner was spicy Italian sausages cooked with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and kale, served with egg noodles.   There's enough leftover for another meal, tomorrow.   

This was a good weekend to catch up with some of my cousins and friends.  I emailed one cousin in Sri Lanka, spoke online with another cousin who is also in Sri Lanka, chatted with a couple cousins who are here in the States, and with a couple of friends, as well.

Today, I am grateful for:

- A relaxed weekend
- Keeping in touch with family and friends
- Being able to bake and share with friends
- The garden harvests
- Hot water on tap and a working shower!

Today's joyful activity was making the autumn leaf garland!

How was your weekend?  What are your plans for the week ahead?

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September Decluttering:  I am continuing to declutter at least one item a day in September, too.

9/1 - 1 Crossword book, completed (recycled)

9/2 - 1 T shirt (daughter's; to be donated)

9/3 - 1 knitting book (to be donated)

9/4 - unused cards (to be donated)

9/5 - 1 participation medal (daughter's; tossed)

9/6 - 1 seashell necklace (to be donated)

9/7 - 3 copper bowls (to be donated)
      - 3 text books (daughter's; recycled)

9/8 - 1 text book (daughter's; recycled)

9/9 - 2 metal spare parts that are no longer needed (recycled)

9/10 - 1 CD (chemistry lecture supplement; daughter's; tossed)

9/11 - 1 bag of small plastic toy reptiles and amphibians (3 snakes, 4 frogs, and 4 lizards; to be donated)

9/12 - 2 crocheted shawls

9/13 - 1 ice bucket printer paper tray

9/14 - 1 homemade iPad cover

9/15 - a set of 4 stem glasses (to be donated)

9/16 - 3 books (daughter's; to be donated)

        - 1 handbag/purse (daughter's; to be donated)

        - 2 telephone directories (recycled)

        - 3 magazines (recycled)

        - 1 knitted shrug (to be donated)

        - 2 zippered plastic covers that bedding came in
        - 2 storage boxes 

9/17 - 1 jacket (to be donated)

9/18 - 3 disposable food containers (given with food)
        - 1 hooded sweatshirt (to be donated)
        - more old make up (eye liner that was dry! Tossed)

9/19 - 1 old wash cloth that was torn in the middle  (tossed)
        - 1 wooden cat shaped letter holder
        - 1 clock radio
        - 3 collectible dolls
        - several posters (daughter's; recycled)

9/20 - 1 broken picture frame (tossed)

9/21 - 3 hair bands (tossed)

9/22 - 1 scarf (to be donated; another bag of donations started)

9/23 - 1 bath mat (tossed)

9/24 - 1 blouse (given to daughter)

9/25 - 1 blouse (daughter's; to be donated)

9/26 - 1 box (recycled)
          1 binder (daughter's; recycled)