Autumn at the Lake -- Post Cook-Off Sunset

The cook-off ended, and it was time for me to head down to the dock and the lake and the sunset.

Sometimes the best sunset picture is a while after the sun sets, as the clouds turn brilliant purples and pinks.  Tonight, though, I think the best picture was just as the sun was setting, with the sky painted in a patchwork of  white clouds.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Cook-Off!

Saturday afternoon meant it was time for the Lake Bonaparte Columbus Day Cook-Off!!  Let the festivities begin!!

The pumpkin basket where we put our votes.

Tucker hanging out under the food table.

Bea and Terri.

I learned to take just a bit or two of each dish; otherwise, I'll end up stuffed after sampling the appetizers, then the main dishes, then the desserts.

Voting time for the main dishes.

My dessert entry:  salted caramel popcorn. 

My cousin Tom.

Tom announces the close of voting.

A baby!!

Terri and Rich are co-winners of the coveted apron and chef's hat.

All the winners!

Janet, Bea, Al, Aunt Bonnie, Tom, Rick, Terri, and Rich.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Saturday Boat Ride

Back from my Saturday morning walk yesterday, I relaxed for just a bit until one of my cousins came up and told me there was a boat ride that very minute.  No time to waste!  Dad, Mom and I trotted on down to the dock and onto the pontoon boat for a relaxing first autumn ride.

The lake was like glass that morning, and the colors were brilliant.  Even in the cold, it was the perfect boat ride.

Little Round Island, forlorn without its little house.

Someone spotted a loon with its winter colors, and Rick (our boat driver) angled for me to get a good shot--oh, for a decent telephoto lens!!

Mini suns reflected on the water.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- Saturday Morning

A crisp, cold Saturday autumn morning at my lake seemed like the perfect time to take a walk down Hotel Road and Hermitage Road and see how long I could last in the 30-degree cold.

Standing at Hotel Road and Creekside Drive, looking toward Hermitage Road.

It would definitely be beautiful this morning, as far as color was concerned.  I heard a tap-tap-tap, and looked up to see a woodpecker in the tree below.  You'll have to look closely to see him as I didn't have my telephoto lens with me.  He's almost at the top of the main trunk, with a red head.

I stopped on Hotel Road right where it meets Hermitage Road (the main road out to Route 3), and looked up.  Oh, yes, the colors were beautiful!

Up Hermitage Road is a nature preserve--actually, the preserve covers a good sized space along Hermitage and Hotel Roads--and this morning it was still and peaceful, with a few pops of color.

 Crossing the old railroad tracks beyond the nature preserve.

Wildflower along the railroad tracks.

I lingered a while, then came back to the nature preserve, below.

As I made my way back to Hotel Road to turn and go back to my parents' cottage, I paused for this shot below.  It's the best one from my morning walk, with a variety of colors and trees, with the leaf-lined road curving to the right and to my parents' cottage.  I know the lake is there, just around that corner; that makes this particular photo that much more meaningful.

Back to life,
Christine

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Autumn at the Lake -- First Day

I got to come up again!!  Since my parents came home for three weeks or so in September, they asked me to accompany them back up for their early October close-up-the-cottage trip to my beloved Lake Bonaparte.  Of course I could go!  I'm no longer homeschooling, football games weren't on the radar until the end of the month (photography client--I get to shoot a home game!!), and Fernando was home, trying to drum up business for his company.  He gave me the go-ahead, and so I'm here!!

The lake from our dock, looking left (generally south).

The lake from our dock, looking right (generally north).

So blue, so cold!  And so good to visit during autumn's peak color.  I can't wait to go out searching for colors.

My parents' lake home (lake is to my back).

I braved the cold to huddle on the dock with my coat and a blanket to capture this evening's sunset.  Summer sunsets can be plain and cloudless; there is usually more activity with the change of seasons, and even in winter.  I was hoping for a beautiful one tonight, and the Lord didn't disappoint, painting his sky with blues, whites, and oranges for me.

A good sunset can last 45-60 minutes, and this was a good one.  Fortunately, I prepped my parents so that they knew I may come in late to dinner if sunset conditions were optimal!  They understood, and let me do my thing--my dock date, as I call it.


Back to life,
Christine

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Early October in My Garden

Today I sweet-talked Fernando into helping me dig up the green bean plants in my garden.  He's such a great worker!  Thomas had dug out a tomato plant or two recently, and it looks like this year's winter garden prep will be done one phase at a time.

In the photo below, you can see some red Early Girl tomatoes on the left.  They're still ripening in the warmth we continue to experience, so I'm letting them remain on the vine as long as possible.  I hope to have tomatoes through the end of the month, and if I'm really blessed, into November as I have in some years in the past.

Below is the overview from our pool deck.  I love taking my garden overview pictures from up there, but I know that it may come to an end after the 2013 "pool destruction" winter and the past year of having to let it sit there while we struggle just to make ends meet in our home.  A season for everything...

Later, we had fun inside.  I took a phone picture of Thomas working diligently on a drawing of something car- and/or mechanic-related.  I don't have a clue.  He has a really big brain!

We also shared a rousing game of Settlers of Catan, Allie included!  It's nice to have another girl in my home.  *happy dance*

A hard day's work definitely earned us a fun night of play!


Back to life,
Christine

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