As I was taking a picture of this glorious Ash Tree, I recognized a sound above me, like the whoosh of a wave approaching the shore. I hurriedly snapped the picture and was thrilled when I saw I had “captured” these pelicans in flight! As I stood there and marveled, phone still poised and ready, 3 more “squadron” of pelicans flew over! I felt like I had just been presented with a gift … as indeed, I had! (: NOTE: A group of pelicans have many collective names … BRIEF, POD, POUCH, SCOOP, and SQUADRON … are all names for a group of pelicans.

As I stood there reflecting on what I had just seen, I thought of this poem …
Something Told the Wild Geese
Something told the wild geese
It was time to go,
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered, “snow.”
Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned, “frost.”
All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spice,
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.
Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly,
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.
~by Rachel Fields

Here are the pictures I promised I would share with you of Autumn in November at Cottage Green on the Lake.
Golden leaves on this young Eastern Redbud and more golden leaves on our Ash tree down by the lake contrast beautifully with the red bark and the red roof on our boat dock and stand out brilliantly against a backdrop of green.

The red leaves of the Sweet Gum Tree and the golden yellow leaves of our Ash trees blaze against the blue of the lake and autumn sky. Fallen leaves cover the lawn in gold!

Chartreuse Sweet potato vine rambles over a treasured hand pump that Richard’s mother used in “days gone by.” <3

Flowering Kale and Cabbage and sweet-faced pansies line the the paved sideyard.

Azaleas, Coleus, and Impatiens in varying shades of vivid pink.
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“It was November … the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate winds songs in the pines.” ~ L.M. Montgomery

” … let the whole earth be filled with His glory.” Psalms 72:19
Today is the last day of November and Autumn. I hope you enjoyed seeing “The Last of Autumn” on Cedar Creek Lake! Tomorrow is the beginning of Winter and December and I will be showing you how to make a fun and nostalgic Advent Calendar to begin the countdown to … C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S! (:
From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

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Down the staircase is a favorite picture … “The Lord is my Shepherd” and a metal vase filled with fragrant eucalyptus and peacock feathers.
A little alcove under the hall tree … another perfect nesting spot!
“Bird watching” (; … this vertigo green bird blends beautifully with the green shades of this collection of antique dishes from England.
Antique dishes on the lower deck … “The Old Curiosity Shop” by Currier and Ives.
A nest entwined with spring buds and new leaves is perched on a miniature bird bath filled with millet.
Little birds stand guard on a cake plate watching over two sweet eggs nestled on a bed of moss. A mercury glass bird and a fairy tale toadstool look charming together, sheltered under the glass canopy.
A silver bird perches on the edge of his nest … the perfect cache for a little treat of birdseed! (; The color of the millet matches the hues in the painting above and the in-laid wood of the tea cart.
A beautiful azalea from our own front yard almost “glows” in an antique bird planter. Under a “twiggy” lamp with a little wire nest ensconced in it’s branches, a cloche covers a pair of sweet owls and a moss-lined nest filled with speckled eggs.
The dusty red blossomed “trumpets” of Crossvine cover our fence and are climbing over an antique variety of Boxwood growing nearby. The buzzing bumblebees and bright blossoms seem to proclaim …



















“Love is patient, love is kind …”









Later, as I drifted off to sleep, the last lines of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “Under A Spreading Chestnut Tree” came to mind.


Presuming it will freeze tonight, I gazed a little sadly at our still blooming Encore azaleas, roses, begonias, impatiens, coleus, and ferns. However, Richard (forever surprising me) brought in one last winter rosebud he found blooming in our yard, put it in an antique vase that belonged to my grandmother, and set it on my vanity, where I happily discovered “it” after I showered! (imagine a picture of a heart, here!)
Getting ready for “winter-on-the-lake” comes with a long to-do list … filling bird feeders, decorating the outside of the house with Christmas decorations, putting the potted begonias and impatiens away in their winter residence -our cedar greenhouse (: and last, covering the boat and draining our sprinkler system (which our son came over and helped his father with. PLUS … he also helped his father with our latest DIY project, the remodeling of our upstairs bathroom (pictures upon completion!)







Look at these darling, tiny, sterling silver, salt cellar spoons! I love using these “fairy spoons” and it feels so elegant adding salt in this old-fashioned and queenly way!










