A good book and a cup of coffee

A gray weather day is the perfect time for a good book and a cup of coffee (or tea if you like). I'm reading Anne Rivers Siddons, Sweetwater Creek, just one of the many books I've read of hers, and this, too, is another good one. I like how she writes.

This is my favorite spot to sit and read, and as you can see beside my chair is a book stand filled with my favorite books and magazines.

We may be in for a few more gray weather days as Hurricane Katia moves its way up the coast bringing more rain.

I think Otis is looking for some sunshine.

Are you ready for fall?

I'm sorry for my absence but sometimes life just gets in the way. I want to say thank you for all your well wishes during Hurricane Irene. We weathered the storm and had a few limbs down, two small uprooted trees, and standing water in the backyard. It's been a hectic week but my garden is slowly returning to its natural state.

I'm ready for fall to begin, how about you?

Our mornings have been cooler, a sweater has made it's way out of my closet, mums are at the garden centers and market baskets are filled with apples to be enjoyed ~ just a few signs that fall is on it's way! And it's now September.

This coming weekend we will enjoy the last of the baseball games, and a Labor Day get-together at my sister's.

I hope all of you will have a great weekend. I'll be around to visit you next week.

Preparing for the worst....

....and praying for the best.

Hurricane Irene is moving up the eastern coast today and should hit North Carolina late today or early tomorrow (Saturday). I was outside yesterday bringing in anything that might blow away in the yard and moving outdoor furniture to a safer place.

Now we just wait ~

I noticed my American Beautyberry bush was loaded with bright purple berries yesterday when I was mowing the front lawn. It surprised me because I didn't expect to see the purple berries so soon, I think of this more as a Fall berry bush, but then again, Fall is not that far away. These berries are so pretty used in flower arrangements.

My Obedient plant (in the first photo) is blooming profusely and the hummingbirds love it.

Well, now we just sit tight and watch the progress of the hurricane and hope this will not be a big one.

Hope all of you have a good weekend, and thinking and praying for all of you along the east coast.

Hannah

Tropical Storm Hannah has come and gone and, thank heavens, it wasn't near as bad as what we thought it might be. We had heavy rains but not a lot of wind. It seemed to take its course to the west and on to the north. We were lucky.

Saturday morning after the storm we went out for breakfast and I took a few pictures. It was very gray and VERY HUMID!
You can see some debris on the road from the trees.

Some leaves and branches on the patio. The yard was a bit soggy.

And then the sun came out! What a welcoming site!

Now our focus goes to Hurricane Ike. We hope and pray for the best.