Fall Gifts

Fall, or as my Dad called it, Sweater Weather, is my favorite time of year. In honor of its arrival in full leaf force, I want to share some of the gifts God has shared with me this fall. 

First, we were blessed by a friend bringing over a bag of Melrose apples for us to try to see if that is a kind of apple we'd like to plant. They are delicious, just a bit tart, nice and firm and juicy. My little pink monkey, Melrose, is in love.  <3  If you can't have little pink bananas, the next best thing is an apple that bears your name.

Second, my Mum gave me this lovely ring. It is her birthstone, and mine, the peridot. This ring belonged to *her* grandmother, and her grandfather gave it to her on her 13th birthday, reset with the peridot for her. I love the golden tracery on the sides, and the sheer connectedness of it.

And someone on this property has left lots of lovely things planted. I was happy to find these Chinese lanterns growing across from my kitchen and am enjoying their cheerful color on my dining room table. Aren't they fun? Miss Dance thinks God was good to give us little pumpkinny seed pods. I agree.  :)

Advice for Tourists

In light of Miss Language being in China now and pretty much her whole life involving engrish, it is lame for me to publish more. You may call me jealous as well as lame ~ I cannot resist sharing this:

This could be improved upon as general life advice. I consider myself in many ways a tourist through life. I want to Enjoy the views While walking! though I thoroughly agree about the no smoking, caution in thunderstorm, and mind steps in rain and snow.

And now for a word from Melrose. He does not approve of rule #3. One of the best things in life is flirt by feeding. Especially chocolate, or chocolate covered bananas. With lots of sprinkles! 

Breaking News

Well, actually, this is not breaking news but just something I am finally getting around to posting. Sadly I cannot figure out a way to embed the video so you will have to go here and watch for yourself if you are interested in hearing about a banana attack on a monkey. And, no worries, relax ~ Melrose was not involved in any way. I am sure I'm not the only one who wishes there was actual footage of the attack.

Oh Dearie Dearie Dear

I was working on finding photos for the Bananalets' portfolios and am both shocked and sorry to see I have neglected to post about Melrose's spring adventures. We had several outings to which he was invited.


Here he is trying on the Steelers' One for the Thumb ring. Don't you think it suits him?

And he enjoyed his ride on the incline plane too much to get a photo of himself on it. It rather looks like the Neighborhood of Make-Believe gone hillside to me:

The little monkey wanted very much indeed to try sitting on this metal lawn chair in the midst of an artsy pond. He was pretty sure I could tie a string to him and toss him right onto it but I had some petty concern about being bodily escorted out of the conservatory and disinvited to ever return. Also, it totally fails to look comfortable to me especially the woven metal pillow. Apparently comfort is not a consideration in matters of artsyness.

Loyal readers will recall Melrose has been bold enough to sit in their banana plant on previous visits.   :)

I also want to add this one for the, ahem, special squirrel lover in my life:

and this one just because I think God does such amazing work on the pattern: