A List for October....

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;

Lengthen night and shorten day!
Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
Fluttering from the autumn tree...
Emily Brontë

A List for October.....

1. Skin Care

The dining room was empty save for the beautiful lady in the painting over the sideboard.  The Songwriter was still sleepily lacing up his hiking boots, so I’d come down to breakfast first.  I made for the table with the view across the meadow to the Scottish sea, and poured myself some hot coffee.  Before long, I heard the door to the kitchen swing open and the sound of little feet pattering on the dark wooden floor.  The innkeeper’s small boy had joined me, unnoticed by the watchful adults making breakfast, and almost immediately he’d dived under my table because, as he informed me with grave seriousness, he was, in all fact, “a spy”.  “Well then, I feel quite safe now”, I told him.

After a few minutes intense surveillance at the large window, he popped up at my elbow.  My phone was lying beside my breakfast plate (see above) and he looked at the case long and hard. 

“Who is that?”, he asked. 

“That's Queen Elizabeth the First”, I replied.  There was a long pause while he considered this tidbit of information.

“Why is her face so white?” 

“Well, because she used to put white powder all over it to make it white.  That’s pretty weird, isn’t it?”

The little fellowed nodded and with a comic’s perfect timing

 he raised his eyes and asked, 

“Why is your face so white?”

The little goober.  Of course I couldn’t help but fall over laughing.  He was right, of course.  I am incredibly fair-skinned, something I tried to rectify in my teens with help from the sun, but to no avail.  So very early on I chose to value my skin over what was for me the ever-elusive tan so prized by my friends, and now that I’m … ahem… more mature, I’m happy that I did.  I sometimes get asked what products I use these days.  Here are a few I rely on in the winter months 

when I’m frequently out in the cold with Edward…

Mario Badescu Chamomile Cream

Wonderful Stuff.

I slather it on every night.

Find it HERE

Mario Badescu Peptide Renewal Serum

My skin seems to love this.

Find it HERE

SKII Masks

I've heard Cate Blanchett wears one of these every time she's on a plane.  I asked The Songwriter if he'd mind if I did that when we fly and by the look of utter horror that flew over his face, I presumed that, yes, he did mind quite a bit.  Truth is, it does make you look like the lead in a spooky movie, until you take it off, that is.  Then I swear you'll have the skin of an eight year old. 

 Marvelous things.

Find them HERE.

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2.  Hobbs Jacket

Please somebody stop me.

I don’t need this.

But I am sorely tempted.

With grey wool trousers, grey cashmere turtleneck….

Find it HERE

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3.  New, Antique Pillows in the Shop!

I went wild this time.

These are so gorgeous.  And yes, I did steal one for myself.

But you can have any one of these you wish.

Find them HERE
Update:  The red ones are gone, the blue ones remain!

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4.  Luna’s Hat for Halloween

When dear Luna Lovegood first appeared in Harry Potter

 wearing this Gryfindor Lion hat, I nearly died.  

What fun it would be to wear this for Halloween.

Find it HERE

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5.  Coastal Quilts

A reader was kind enough to send me this link. 

Handmade quilts featuring the coastline maps of many beloved destinations.

Aren’t they beautiful?  And what a special gift.

Imagine giving one to a couple featuring their honeymoon spot.

Find Them HERE

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6.  Apron

When I’m in the kitchen in summertime, I’m usually barefoot with my hair up and I’m cooking fast and easy - tossing fresh salads, slicing up big bowls of fruit, snapping beans or shucking corn.  But come October, I’m into some serious cooking.  Gingerbread cakes and whole-grain breads are filling the house with aromas of fall.  Hearty soups and stews bubble away in red pots.  We are heading into holiday season, the pinnacle of the cook’s year, and for that, I need a new apron befitting the spirit I feel when I’m at the stove on a holiday morning.  

This one fits the bill perfectly.

Find It HERE

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7.  Return Address Labels

I’ve been making our Christmas cards for years now.  It’s something I love to do, (even though, yes, it’s time-consuming and frequently finished at three in the morning).  If that’s too daunting a task to consider this year, think about these personalized return address labels for your cards.  This company has so many choices, there’s surely one that will fit your family perfectly.  And think of all the time you’ll save if you don’t have to write your return address on every envelope!

Find them HERE

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8.  Kites

The Songwriter always takes a kite to the beach.

But this one I’d hang up in a room inside.

Preferably over a bed where someone could stare at it and dream of celestial journeys.

I’ve always adored the art of Ann Wood.

Now I can make one of her magical ships for myself.

Please Lord, can you possibly create more hours in the day??

Find It HERE

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9.  The Book for a Dark October Night

I just finished this.

With the light on.

Wow.  Now this is a book for Halloween!

Find it HERE.

By the way.... I’ve got a Halloween story of my own to share.

A little gift for my readers to, hopefully, enjoy…

Chapter One starts Tuesday at midnight!

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10.  And Speaking of Books….

A BIG, BIG, Surprise

Is Coming November 1st!

Please Stay Tuned!