Welcoming Fall

Fall has to be my favourite season ~ especially September and October!  Sunny days, cooler temperatures, that gorgeous golden glow ... what's not to love?

I've started to bring a little Autumn colour into my home.  For the past couple of years, I find that I'm drawn to natural elements.  Whether that's a reflection on what's happening in my life or I'm growing in a different direction, I'm not sure.  This year is no exception.  I bought a few branches of bittersweet at our local farmer's market and tucked them into a vintage ironstone pitcher.  I'll be adding pumpkins soon.

I love burnt orange ~ the colour and the name!  I'm usually not a huge fan of orange but burnt orange is different.  Softer, more muted, I think.

My jelly cupboard is on my list of things to make over.  It's one of my favourite pieces of furniture (I have a lot of favourites in this post, don't I??) but the colour, not so much.  Natural pine tends to take on an orange-y hue as it ages and definitely NOT burnt orange.  I'll be experimenting with some milk paint that I've just purchased, tackling a few small projects to see how I like it before I take on this cupboard.  Stay tuned!

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I am really, really behind with reading and commenting on your blogs.  My sincere apologies for that.  I love getting comments and I know you do too.  I'm always grateful that you take the time to leave them.  I will catch up with you all.  Soon, I hope.

I just realized that this weekend is the last weekend of September.  Didn't September just start like a week ago???  

And a quick update ... I saw my oncologist on Monday for my monthly check-up.  My ca125 was 1575 in July so I was expecting it to be somewhere in the same neighbourhood.  No such luck.  It jumped to 4918 in August (below 35 is considered normal).  So Dr. H. has me scheduled for a ct scan next week and another visit to him the following day for the results of the scan and my latest ca125 from Monday.  In his words, it looks like something's definitely going on.  I know so many of you are already keeping me in your prayers (thank you!!!!) but I'm asking if you would say an extra one for me that my scan reveals no change.  I'll update you on the latest results next week.

Now let's get back to some fun stuff!  My project list grows longer by the day and I can't wait to start getting to a few of them.  In my next post, I'm going out on a limb and tell you what I plan to get up to.  That way, you'll be waiting for the results and I'll have to actually accomplish something!  At some point, I'm going to have to stop coming up with ideas and put a few of them in motion.

See you soon!

xoxo,

Lynda

Serenity by the lake

The lake is never the same.  The colour of the water is altered by the sky, by the seasons.  On this day, it was slightly overcast making the water a soft grayish blue.  I always find serenity by the lake, watching and listening to the waves.

Saying good-bye to Summer today.  Just one more day and Autumn officially arrives.  I've already started to decorate my home for the season and I hope to share a few photos with you next week.  But for now, I'll remember blue skies and warm days.  Wearing flip flops every day.  Going to the farmer's market on Saturdays and enjoying delicious fresh fruits and vegetables in season.  Spending time in the garden or just sitting on the porch with a good book.  All of a sudden it's dark so much earlier.  The robins have disappeared from the garden.  The geese are flocking together.  Even the crickets that sang so loudly are quiet.

"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under the heaven." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

Have a lovely weekend!

xo,
Lynda

Drying hydrangeas

I haven't had much luck with drying hydrangeas.  From what I've read, I usually pick them too soon and they wilt within a couple of days.  This year I waited until their colour faded and then picked them.  I placed each stem in a separate jar with water so they wouldn't lose their shape as they dried.  They're not wilting and one or two are beginning to dry.  I've got a basket ready to hold the dried blooms.  Keeping my fingers crossed!  xo

A symbol of hope

Hi everyone!  It's good to finally be back!  These past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind.  We had a really lovely time with my brother-in-law and his wife but I'll admit that it was a little tiring.  I'm not used to that pace anymore!  We've just been catching our breath this week, slowly getting back to some sort of routine.

 
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Before beginning my journey with ovarian cancer, I have to admit that I knew very little about this disease or that it even had a month, a symbol or a colour (it's teal just in case you were wondering).  The sunflower is a symbol of hope.  Hope that there will soon be a screening test so that women can be diagnosed when the cancer is in its early stages.  There isn't a screening test for ovarian cancer ... yet.

The symptoms are vague (it's been known as the disease that whispers) and often misdiagnosed (like mine!) resulting in most cancers being diagnosed at an advanced stage.  The statistics are pretty dismal.  I don't pay any attention to the statistics anymore.  I know what they are but I'm not a statistic.  I'm a survivor. Or surthrivor. Or overcomer.  Whatever term you want to use.  I'm fighting this disease with everything I've got.  And I'm going to win.  {You hear that cancer?}

Click here if you'd like more information about ovarian cancer.  "Knowledge is power."

Yep, that's me!  My husband took this while we were visiting Niagara Falls last week.  I wanted to show you how long my hair is!  lol!  It's nice to finally have hair again, even if it is super short.  I don't look like a cancer patient anymore.

Hope you have a great weekend!  See you next week.

xoxo,
Lynda