With the fall coming to an end, I thought these shots were appropriate. Our pumpkins are fading and the tree I snapped at a cemetery has lost most of its leaves. I will try to keep up with blogging, but I might be a slacker in the blog department over the coming weeks. (Comments DO keepme motivated to come back, however!) I have many card orders and prints to do as well as product to create for the holiday show. Many of you are already "pre-ordering" before the show. VERY SMART!! Those teacher, bus driver gifts begin to stack up in December-before you know it, piano lessons are over and you forgot a little treat for your instructor! xo shawn

After this week, I will never underestimate the power of a cup of coffee, or a phone call, or a quick note or email. The week was a tough one, for reasons I won't bore you with. But, after reaching out and catching up with some friends, I feel re-charged. Thank you to all the friends that made me feel better-you know who you are.

As the fall leaves rain down on the ground, I feel winter coming on. The grey branches of the trees are looking stark in contrast to the golden leaves covering the grass. Our last little holdout-the pear tree is showing her magnificent fall colors in a burst of yellows, oranges, peaches and crimson. Football ended this weekend in a disappointing loss to our competitor, and soccer wrapped up the season as well. A little quieter on the weekends for a few weeks. Thanksgiving is right around the corner........where has the time gone??

weekend update!

Another beautiful weekend here in CT and we were lucky to share much of it with our good friends P&K from CA and their children. They celebrated HALLOWEEN with us Friday night and had a sports-filled weekend. We kicked it off with a nail-biting soccer match for my 6 year old and they WON (though we are NOT keeping score). We then went to a YALE game where we watched the children of a friend play some great defense against Columbia. It was a very festive atmosphere hanging with the parents of these players and now all three of my kids want to go to YALE! We hurried home for a playoff football GAME for my 9 year old. It was another nail-bitter but with some great plays and excellent blocking they won! We capped off the day with dinner at our favorite local restaurant the Schoolhouse at Cannondale. Check out their blog: http://schoolhouserestaurant.wordpress.com/. Chef TIM is cooking up some yummy things-I thought the LOBSTER Risotto was out of this world! While this is a busy month, I am looking forward to all the creativity that will flow with the holidays. I also look forward to family, friends, cooking and relaxing over Thanksgiving! It's going to be a great month. xo shawn

This is a picture of the dogwood by our barn-someday to be my studio! Look at those colors! I love to look out onto this while I work!

There is just something about pork and apples that remind me of fall. This is dinner two nights ago. Cajun style pork grilled on BBQ, Sauteed apples with cinnamon and cardamom and grilled asparagus! YUMMMY!

Okay, I admit it.......sometimes I have tree envy. This is my neighbor's tree and it is SPECTACULAR!!! Every fall I catch afternoon glimpses of it as the sunlight hits it just right. Fortunately I have a little fireplace and sitting area to enjoy the vista!!

COLOR!

Every year I am surprised by the vibrancy of color in the fall. This weekend we had some time off from SCHOOL and we took a trip up to see the fall colors and visit the lake house. It was breath-taking. I took this SHOT from the shore of our house and all weekend, at sunset, we could not peel our eyes away from the glowing colors. We feel so lucky to be in New England-especially at this time of year. I worked on getting some shots of the kids for our HOLIDAY card! We had a great weekend and are ready to get back into the routine-though 6am came EARLY today. xo shawn

Fall

Finally the chill is in the air! My daughter SAID to me this weekend, "I love the changing seasons, it's why I love living in Connecticut." I admit, I think the FALL is the most glorious time of YEAR for New Englanders. It is making apple pies, stewy meals and hunkering down with family in front of the FIRE. I am really looking forward to the holidays this year-we're spending it with lots of family and I can't wait! Thinking of fires, familyAND holidays, I have to tell you about a a wine from Paso Robles, CA we discovered. It is called Treana, http://www.treana.com/ and if you are in Connecticut, you can FIND it at Stew Leonard's wine shop in Norwalk. It's a blend of cabernet and syrah that is soooo delicious. It sells for about $40, but drinks like it's $100. It is so tasty. AND, for you chardonnay drinkers, they make a fantastic Chard....salud! xo

New Stuff!!!!

Some new goodies-finally! It was a good day of cleaning out the studio (some) and working on new fun things (lots!) One of my favorite new papers on a handmade card with a new product: envelope seals. The perfect way to top off your correspondence! The other is a hot new paper for holiay cards!! Ahhh, I love fall.
xo

Exciting new things ahead!

I am so excited about the new products we're offering this fall. I have been working like crazy to come up with fun new things with the fabulous paper offerings this year. I promise to show some sneak peaks!! There are some GREAT new holiday lines and beautiful fall colors. Very sophisticated patterns and fun and whimsical. The manufacturers and their artists just never cease to amaze me! I love the way they make every day items more fun!

I had my meeting with a local photographer today and man, was I blown away by her photography!!!! She is THAT good. Such an eye with black and white. I hope to get some clients of hers for my holiday cards. They would look great with her work!! Her website is linked but if you are in the Wilton, CT area, you must go by her studio!

I guess we just missed a tornado here in Wilton...thought that just happened in Kansas! Skies were black, I was saving work......thankfully nothing so far but hubby stuck in traffic and I listened as hail was hitting the car....fun!!!

I guess it's time for dinner. My little one is asking, "mom, what's for dinner?" Hmm, I don't know........

xo
shawn