Welcome Fall and a Wonderful Fall Exchange Package

 I woke up this morning to a chilly house with the promise of a stormy wet day. I decided it was time for my flannel shirt and my sock and a nice big cup of coffee in my fun mug.

I joined a fall exchange with a group of ladies in our WE group. Morgan drew my name. She actually is the moderator and does a great job. We have been having a bit of trouble with our Yahoo group site, but she has been able to keep us going. Anyway, Morgan lives in Portland and guess what? We have the same birthday. I received my package from her a few days ago but wanted to save it for today, the first day of fall.

So, with my coffee in hand, I opened the box and look what was on top! Morgan does beautiful work and I was just thrilled to get something handmade by her....a beautiful fall scarf and a wonderful brown shawl which I have secretly longed for!  Everything was wrapped and packaged in fall colors and she had taped real leaves on several packages. Morgan, they traveled well.

A sweet card with leaves and lace and buttons...oh how perfects.

Look at my treats all unwrapped! A little loom, corn candles, fall napkins, tea, a fall hanging, a table runner, a tea time book, a little notebook (very Tasha Tudorish), a lovely glass candle holder,fall potholders and even pumpkin tea. Everything was so pretty and thoughtfully chosen.

This is a piece of fabric that is lovely and has all these words of fall on it. She suggested that maybe I could embroider it  and make it into something. I am thinking it needs some quilting too...maybe a pillow or a little fall bag? Fun to plan!

Isn't the scarf just beautiful? It makes me all warm and cozy just looking at it. I do love all the colors.

And here is the cocoa brown shawl that I was longing for. Isn't it lovely? It will be warm and toasty too.

In a tiny box was this locket from Morgan for me for keeping  a picture of baby Otto. I was very touched by this sweet gift.

Well, I was stunned by all the treats that Morgan sent to me. Thank you so much for making my day very special. You have blessed me greatly Morgan. Happy Fall to you and to all my friends. It is such a perfect time of the year with so many fun adventures ahead.

Tea With Friends and Teacup Thursday # 80

My dear friend Natalie moved into her home about a year ago. It is her first home and she has been wanting me to visit. She invited me to tea on Monday. I picked up my other dear friend Ann on the way which gave us even more time to chat and catch up. Natalie loves fall almost as much as I do and went all out with her tea menu. Isn't the plate just lovely?

Ann is wearing red and Natalie is wearing fall colors. I had to quickly take the picture as Natalie doesn't like to have her picture taken. We had a great time talking and talking and talking!

Then she brought out the desserts and oh my! We had to take a break and come back for the sweets later. Everything was yummy and so beautiful. Ann looks pretty serious her surveying the treats!

I missed Miss Spenser's Teacup Thursday last week. This week, as fall slips away and Thanksgiving will soon be here, I am featuring my favorite turkey teacup. It's by my beloved Johnson Brothers. I love the busy border and the rich brown colors of this pattern. I have the plates and some serving pieces that match.My most cherished piece is the large turkey platter.

It's called Wild Turkeys Native American-Windsor Ware Johnson Brothers...Made in England.

I know that the Christmas season is almost here and I will be packing up my fall decorations soon. I get sad when I have to say good bye to my autumn things as fall really is my favorite season. Some of you have shared that you are tired of the fall colors. It was a gorgeous day here in Oregon, so I went outside this afternoon to snap a few pictures of some of my flowers that are still blooming...just for those of you who are tired of fall. Enjoy.......

Teacup Thursday #79

Happy Teacup Thursday! This is my 79th week of sharing a special cup and saucer on Miss Spenser's Teacup Thursday. Halloween is over and Thanksgiving will soon be here. I'll be setting up all my Thanksgiving decorations today later today. I love all the fall harvest colors and lots of turkeys!

My teacup today is another Johnson Brothers pattern~ AUTUMN'S DELIGHT. It has such a rich blend of harvest fruits with nice brown tones. Of course, you know I adore Johnson Brothers.

We are working on something different for Thanksgiving this year. We have newlyweds and a new relationship. The girls are wanting to change up our Thanksgiving....should be interesting. It's good for
old Jimmy and me!

Teacup Thursday #77

I am a total "dishes" addict.  To me, a set of dishes for sale at a good price is like a puppy needing a good home! We were at a sale a few weeks ago and I spotted a box of dishes and thought it was a Johnson Brother's pattern. Yes indeed! I can spot Johnson Brothers a mile away.

It's called Fruit Sampler and is a part of the Old Granite line. I have another pattern marked Old Granite called Lancaster. I know Lancaster was made in the 1950's so I'm thinking this one probably was too. I got the whole box for $20 and have been able to find some more pieces on Ebay. I think I'm going to order the salad plates next. I just love all the colors and everyone knows that I love brown!

The cup and saucer have an apple in the center. The dinner plate has a pear which makes it fun. Don't you love the trim?

I tried a new tea tonight that I just purchased for fall. It's called African Autumn . It's made by a company that I really like-Harney & Sons. They are always introducing a new blend! This is a combo of Rooibos (which I love) with cranberry and orange. Yummy!

I love that this tea comes in a colorful tin. It's fun to buy things in tins because they are great to use once the tin is empty....recycle!  I love old tins that have survived over the years. This is a spice box that I have from the 1880's. The spices were saved and treasured in this box instead of a tin. It's a great decorative piece for fall too. It has individual spice containers inside.

I do have some old tins in my kitchen that are perfect for fall too. Great colors and fun tins to own.

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."   William Cullen Bryant   Enjoy these fall days!

Thanks to Miss Spenser's Teacup Thursday........ Always a pleasure to participate.