The Bear That Started It All!

This is my Dad's bear ... circa 1923! Isn't he wonderful? I've always loved his face and the fact that he can move his arms and his legs. This bear and all the wonderful vintage Steiff stuffed animals provide a never-ending source of inspiration for me ... from body shape, to texture, to expression.
My Dad still loves this bear, too! I remember when I was little, my Dad came home from work one afternoon and as soon as he headed into the house, he called out, "Hey! Who left my bear outside??"
Oops! Fortunately, this little guy never got caught in the rain like my Dad's tools!

Signs of Autumn ...

The morning air has a decidedly chilly note to it these days ... and the lovely green leaves of summer have already started to yellow. All of my squash plants have suddenly died. They've left little trace of themselves, as if they've simply packed up and sped away overnight!
The two remaining tadpoles have their legs now ... and I'm just waiting for them to lose their tails.

Here's one of the tadpoles. The other one was hiding.

Nana's pecan trees were full of nuts this past weekend. It looks to be a hearty crop this year ... which makes me think of rich pecan pies and buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, powdered-sugar-coated tea cakes. Yes, it looks to be a bumper crop this year ... that is, if the squirrels don't get them all first!
Everywhere you look, there are signs of Fall ... bright yellow, red and russet mum plants line nursery shelves, along with sweet-smelling bales of wheat straw and thick, glass jugs of apple cider.
I didn't have to go very far to find signs of the season ... why, I found this happy group of friends making plans for their annual Halloween party.

"Don't forget the nuts!" Gray Squirrel called out.

I finally have had time to take a few photographs and write up the Halloween Ghost pattern. It's now available at The Pattern Box, as are, of course, Gray Squirrel and Scaredy Cat. Don't forget the Pumpkin-in-the-Round is a free pattern here on my blog. The pattern for Pumpkin Man should be up shortly, as well. Now that our home school has started back for the year, I find it increasingly difficult to get everything done that I'd like to do! Hm ... come to think of it, that's really nothing new! Well, I better sign off for now, but I'll leave you with thoughts of cinnamon and cloves and all things spicy and sweet as we usher in Autumn 2009.