I slipped out of the house a bit earlier this morning just as the sun in the east reflected pink light on the clouds in the west. It was a little bit crisp out and I was glad I had pulled on my down jacket - for the first time.
I heard the sweetest song, a long rise and short fall, of a bird I didn't recognize. Pulling out my phone I opened the Merlin app and quickly identified the song as that of the Golden-Crowned Sparrow. I didn't see the bird, but my what a beautiful song. It trilled away for quite some time.
Nature also made itself known with the scent of a skunk somewhere in the neighbourhood. Not nearly as pleasant as the Sparrow's song. Passing a patch of blackberries I smelled their late summer fragrance, pleasantly winey.
In the evening I snapped a photo of the glass bottles, recycled, on the windowsill. I love the abstract patches of light and dark created by the water and glass.
A day-time photo of the same sunflower shows a very different mood. I'm filling vases with flowers all over the house because I know that cold and rain is coming. How I will miss being able to go outside and clip a bouquet or two.
There are so many apples this year. I've made applesauce, apple slices, dried apples, apple galettes, and this week, an Apple Cake. It's a bit different than my usual apple cake, more of a coffee cake texture, and very toothsome. I'll try to put up a recipe on the other blog.
I've mentioned several times that I'm writing a book, a memoir of 21 years in Ecuador with my husband and children. It's finally finished and I'm working with a publisher hoping to have it published around Christmas time.
I've begun a SubStack account and plan to post excerpts from the book there, weekly. I'd love for you to join me there. You do not need to download any app to your phone. Here's the link to my account, LorrieOrr. Check it out, if you like. By subscribing you will get my posts sent directly to your email, something no longer possible with Blogger, and it costs nothing and never will.
I’ve just been over to Substack and checked out your first post. I will enjoy reading about your life in Equador. Many people seem to be migrating to substack. Do you think it’s a better platform. I’ve been with blogger for ten years. So far so good although the number of views for my posts has dramatically risen of late. Not sure why?
ReplyDeleteLoved this post and look forward to apple cake recipe. I too have soooooooo many apples. B x
Such exciting news about your book! I'm so happy for you, Lorrie, and knowing your beautiful writing, it will be well worth reading, I'm sure. Well done!
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xo
I'm very much looking forward to reading excerpts from your book Lorrie. You certainly have covered most of the Apple recipes! Have you tried Apple Jelly? It's one of my favourites and I made quite a few jars this year, due to having a huge crop of Bramleys.
ReplyDeleteI like the recycled glass you are using to host the blooms from your garden. The apple cake looks good. Those morning temps are calling to our down outerwear! Happy Autumn to you.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to have your book almost finished. What an accomplishment! Love your pretty flowers and fun vases!
ReplyDeleteWhat a toothsome post, Lorrie. I love your photos, that cake looks heavenly, and you have encouraged me to sign up with Substack. I love that you said, "...it costs nothing (to sign up), and never will." That's my thought, too. (Well, I haven't signed up yet, but I'm now encouraged to do so.)
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend! xo
I'm looking forward to reading about your life in Equador!
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not mistaken the Golden-Crowned Sparrow sings the Three Blind Mice tune :)
Congratulations finishing your book. Bravo! And I enjoyed reading here of your autumn feeling. Yes, we got apples too by a friend... I made Apple Butter, by the way.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting about your book, Lorrie! I always love your photos of nature and your culinary creations. The bottles on the window ledge look so simple and so exquisite at the same time!
ReplyDeleteHappy Fall!
Lorrie, your photos are absolutely gorgeous! All the recipes you are making with apples sound delicious! I am so happy for you about your book!
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds so interesting and congratulations on getting it published! Pretty photos of your morning walk. Autumn arrives so quickly, it seems. Lovely idea to put the last of the flowers in pretty bottles. Your apple cake looks so delicious - I want a slice! x K
ReplyDeleteA lovely post with wonderful photos. I have a friend who writes on substack so I sometimes visit it to read his stories. I will follow your link to read of your life in Equador. So exciting to have a book published, it will be wonderful to hold the first copy in your hands and know it is all your own work:)
ReplyDeleteThis post has such a comforting cozy fall feeling! I love it! Congratulations on finishing your book! I will check you out in Substack. I follow a few others there yet for some reason I am not able to comment.
ReplyDeleteFabulous picture of a sunflower 🌻 Also the flowers in vases looks nice, like a small art exhibition.
ReplyDeleteApples... our tree gave us zero apples this year. Only my computer is an Apple 🍏
I knew it; I knew you were a writer ! Didn't I tell you months ago that you write so well?
Good luck and much happiness with the book! ❤️
The row of glass flowers on the windowsill is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYour book project is super exciting... I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your success.
Hug to you
Great news about your book? Where can I find your recipes like the one pictured for the apple coffee cake? Looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a glorious way to begin the day -- a pink sky and birdsong! And it seems to get better and better. Congratulations on your book -- I hope all goes well with a publisher. (And that apple cake looks GREAT!)
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photographs on your post.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book project.
All the best Jan
Congratulations for the finished book. I subscribed to the newsletter.
ReplyDeleteI did not know this kind of sparrow. Today a lot of birds were singing in the forest behind the house joining together before leaving as it is colder here. Lots of noise!
I will be looking for the recipe on your other blog.( our daughter did quite well she finished the 42 kms marathon today)
I love the contrast of the evening and daytime photos of the flowers on your windowsill. Both are beautiful, and yet they are quite different in tone. How exciting to read about your book! I am off now to find your Substack as I always love what you write!
ReplyDeleteWonderful about the book. Writing is the best and I wish you much success with your book finished. I love, love, love apples too. A pile of them sitting on the table waiting for something good. Made applesauce to use in a bake. So good. So fun. Happy Fall 🎃
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to start the day with pretty skies and the sparrow singing to you. We love that Merlin app and use it often.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing your book, Lorrie. That must be a great sense of accomplishment. I am off to sign up for the emails.
I've subscribed to your Substack! I usually only check Substack once a month, but I'll try to check it more frequently.
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