Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / autumn / Moody Skies: Autumn Edition

Moody Skies: Autumn Edition

November 5, 2013 at 8:10 am by Claudia

tues1

Lately, Don and I have been taking a walk at the end of the day; that time of day when the sun is about to set and darkness isn’t far behind. On Sunday, the sky was full of dark clouds and the late afternoon light blazed through the clouds, creating some spectacular autumn scenery.

Timing is everything.

The walk: a few hundred feet down our road, then a right turn onto another lovely road, then back again. Simple. I’m going to share the photos in chronological order, ending with a glorious sunset.

We live in a beautiful place.

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tues3

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We live on the top of that hill. Just on the other side of this view.

tues10

By the time we got home it was dark.

We looked and gasped and stood in awe and thought, not for the first time, how lucky we are to live here. For all the inconvenience of living so far from the city, for all the days we miss California, for all the days we long for someplace warm, for all the days we wish we weren’t saddled with a mortgage, there are days like this that stop us in our tracks and fill us with gratitude.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: autumn, Don, life, nature 56 Comments

Comments

  1. rebecca says

    November 5, 2013 at 8:55 am

    You DO live in a beautiful place – and it’s doubly beautiful because you KNOW it! Some people live all their lives in beautiful places and have not inkling of just how beautiful it is!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 5:11 pm

      Well, we sure appreciate it, Rebecca!

      Reply
  2. Poppi Linn says

    November 5, 2013 at 9:08 am

    Beautiful photos, Claudia. I saw that sunset Sunday-gorgeous!
    -Lynn

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 5:11 pm

      We just came back from another walk and another beautiful sunset, Lynn.

      Reply
  3. Debby Messner says

    November 5, 2013 at 9:35 am

    You do live in a beautiful place. I have so admired the colors in the trees this past week. I love where I live as well. Love all the photos esp. the sunset.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 5:12 pm

      The trees are lit by fire in that kind of golden light, Debby.

      Reply
  4. Melanie says

    November 5, 2013 at 10:09 am

    Such beautiful photos. After taking a walk in the State Park the other day with my friend and then talking about how much I’d love to live in CA, she said, “But you’d be missing this beautiful color change!” That did shut me up for a moment, lol.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 5:12 pm

      And you would. Take it from someone who’s lived there. There are some subtle changes but even those changes you see in the higher elevations are nothing like we see.

      Reply
  5. Carol says

    November 5, 2013 at 10:21 am

    Your views are lovely with the changing leaves.

    We don’t get the leaf changes in our part of the California coast, but we do have lovely sunsets.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 5:13 pm

      You have incredible sunsets. I miss watching the sun set over the ocean.

      Reply
  6. Francine says

    November 5, 2013 at 10:31 am

    Hi Claudia!! These pictures are beautiful!! Mother Nature is putting on quite a show lately!! The colors are breathtaking and you captured it beautifully!! I enjoyed taking that hike with you too!!! Francine

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:20 pm

      Thank you, Francine!

      Reply
  7. Judy ainsworth says

    November 5, 2013 at 10:34 am

    Absolutely Gorgeous Claudia! This is not what I typically think of when people say ” I Live in New York.”
    -Judy A-

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:20 pm

      Well, New York is a very large state, Judy and NYC is just a small part of it. You should see the Adirondacks!

      Reply
  8. Janie F. says

    November 5, 2013 at 10:47 am

    So lovely Claudia. Will most of those trees lose their leaves as the cooler temps. keep coming? Looks like a great place for a walk year round. Last Thurs. night we were out when the sun started setting and it was so beautiful. Such a shame that we don’t enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets more around here.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:19 pm

      Yes, they will lose their leaves, Janie. The trees will be bare very shortly.

      Reply
  9. Nancy Blue Moon says

    November 5, 2013 at 11:27 am

    Beautiful indeed Claudia!!..I am so glad that we live outside of town..we are at the edge of a ridge on one side here..on the other side is our big yard and a small stream that runs through it..Autumn is a beautiful time here too..Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      It sounds lovely where you live, Nancy!

      Reply
  10. Dawn says

    November 5, 2013 at 11:53 am

    Beautiful pics Claudia, I wouldn’t live in a city for anything. The area with the water is the perfect spot for future photos:)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      I think so too, Dawn. Isn’t it beautiful?

      Reply
  11. Odette says

    November 5, 2013 at 11:56 am

    It’s called “the golden hour,” when everyone and everything has a rosy glow!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      Yes, Don works in film and filmmakers love that moment – they get the best shots during the golden hour. Beautiful.

      Reply
  12. Trudy Mintun says

    November 5, 2013 at 11:56 am

    Beauty is found in the fall. Spring brings us the beginning, and fall is the end, Til next year. My favorite photo is the one with the creek running though . We love the seasons in Minnesota also. Living in the country (22 miles from town) we still get excited to see the wildlife. I feel sorry for people who can’t see the beauty God has presented them with.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:14 pm

      I love seeing all the wildlife, Trudy. I never tire of it.

      Reply
  13. Lori Cassaro says

    November 5, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    Those pictures make me homesick for Fulton County. Upstate NY is indeed a beautiful place.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:13 pm

      It sure is.

      Reply
  14. Betsy says

    November 5, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    Beautiful pictures Claudia. I’m looking out my window to snow, snow, snow falling. So far about 5 inches.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:09 pm

      Oh boy. Where do you live, Betsy?

      Reply
      • Betsy says

        November 5, 2013 at 4:21 pm

        I’m in Spokane Washington. We ended up with about 6 inches at our house. Maybe more later today, but I hope not.
        Betsy

        Reply
        • Claudia says

          November 5, 2013 at 5:16 pm

          Wow, Betsy. I hope you don’t get more!

          Reply
  15. Judy Clark says

    November 5, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    Your photos are so pretty. What a beautiful way to spend an evening. Enjoy your precious time together.

    Judy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:08 pm

      Thank you, my friend. We are enjoying finally being together for more than a few weeks!

      Reply
  16. Pat says

    November 5, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    It is beautiful Claudia.
    I captured some similar pictures the other evening – with moody skies and all. Our trees aren’t as showy
    But I’ve come to expect that. It seems around these parts fall has a bit more
    Greening up to do – the next thing you know (as the song says) “all the leaves are brown and the sky is grey” BAM! Then the trees are naked. No show– I just don’t live deep enough in East Texas for a show. But I do love it here . :) Pat

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:08 pm

      We had some wind the other day and a low of 29 degrees – I saw leaves falling everywhere the next morning, Pat.

      Reply
  17. alicia tillman says

    November 5, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    Dear Claudia,
    Do you realise the lucky person you are? What a marvellous place you live in ! I was already dlelighted whith the posts about your beautiful and cozy cottage ( I”m in love with it ,inside and outside) and now those photos about your neighborhood ! Those country roads the colors of the beautiful trees, water nearby Oh my! as a crazy nature lover this is heaven to me! I surely would take more than a walk a day!I”m sure you thank God for all that beauty.Do you ever take Scout with you for a walk?
    xoxo
    Alice
    ‘

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:07 pm

      We know how lucky we are Alicia! Although I might not say that when I’m shoveling a foot of snow in a couple of months.
      We do take Scout, but a little less frequently than we used to as she has arthritis. She loves to go for rides in the car.

      Reply
  18. Marianne says

    November 5, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    Even grey skies have beauty. Thank you for sharing.
    I smiled when you said “all the inconvenience of living so far from the city” . I live in a rural area and if you ask me the inconvenience is going to the city. I do everything I can to avoid cities.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:02 pm

      But we work in the theater and television and film which involves getting into Manhattan frequently. It’s a fact of life for us – and it can be expensive and time consuming!

      Reply
  19. Laura says

    November 5, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    What a beautiful area you live in, Claudia. Enjoy. xo Laura

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:03 pm

      Thank you, Laura.

      Reply
  20. Linda @ A La Carte says

    November 5, 2013 at 3:23 pm

    You do indeed live in a gorgeous place. i think the beauty that God gifts us with is such a blessing! Thanks for sharing your views!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:03 pm

      You are very welcome, Linda.

      Reply
  21. Pat McDonald says

    November 5, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Your cottage and surroundings are truly beautiful. I’m convinced part of it is you and Don that make it so lovely. My wish is that women will see it isn’t where you live or what ‘fancy’ house you have that matters but that you are happy with what you have. Personally we live on 2 acres in a mobile home(we bought 37 years ago). We can’t imagine living any where as nice.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:03 pm

      Oh, thank you, Pat. It’s all about appreciating what you have, I think.

      Reply
  22. Karen says

    November 5, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    Well said, CLaudia. What a beautiful place to call home! There are always pros and cons, the trick is to appreciate all that is good.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 4:04 pm

      That’s so true, Karen.

      Reply
  23. Chris k in Wisconsin says

    November 5, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Claudia, On Saturday night we were waiting for some friends to arrive before we went out for the evening. I was looking out our dining room window when we had that exact same sunset happening as in your 2nd picture. The tops of the trees were stunningly golden as the sun seemed to select “featuring” them as it was getting ready to set. It then morphed into that red blaze before it got dark. I don’t think I will soon forget that. Other people we saw that evening mentioned they had never seen a sunset like that before, either. It was amazing. (Also, looks like a fun squirrel family lives in the nest in the tree!!!)
    Wishing you many more stop-in-your-tracks sunsets ahead. :-)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 5:16 pm

      Chris, that sunset sounds spectacular! We have a squirrel nest up in one of our trees, too. Today on our walk we watched a squirrel hurrying back and forth across the road carrying nuts – busy getting ready for the winter.

      Reply
  24. Donnamae says

    November 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    Often the greatest beauty is right outside our door. Isn’t it nice you don’t have to travel far? Gorgeous! ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 5, 2013 at 5:16 pm

      It’s very nice indeed, Donna!

      Reply
  25. My Little Home and Garden says

    November 5, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    Beautiful. Views like that make a nice walk even more pleasurable.

    Reply
  26. Stephanie Haworth says

    November 5, 2013 at 10:55 pm

    Ohhhh! That was a lovely walk…. Thank you for taking us along and reminding me to be grateful for the simple sweet pleasures we all sometimes miss along the way…. Hugs to Scoutie!!!!
    Stephanie

    Reply
  27. Betty Sneeringer says

    November 6, 2013 at 6:27 am

    Very nice pictures! God’s wonderful creation is amazing.

    Reply
  28. Missy says

    November 6, 2013 at 11:25 am

    Beautiful pictures..beautiful time of year…

    Reply
  29. Regula says

    November 6, 2013 at 11:54 am

    My husband and I were lucky today and enjoyed a wonderful walk in the sun this evening. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me. I never have …

    Reply
  30. Suzan says

    November 8, 2013 at 11:05 am

    Lovely fall views!! You live in a beautiful area!!

    Reply
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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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