Pumpkin Muffins and Posies

Won't you join me for tea in the garden ?
* Table and chair by artist Diane Heyne

I am truly sorry to have departed from you for such a while. I have no real excuse, with the exception that I had very little to share. It has been quiet here at Muse Cottage. My Mother departed to return home, and in the days since I have spent the time relaxing, puttering in the garden, taking long walks, and short naps. I have also been working on my health. The latter takes quite a bit of dedication. Each day has been spent reading and researching natural approaches to healing. I have adjusted my diet in baby steps, and taken on a routine of taking supplements in order to discover and gain balance in my body... and as I can, in ever tiny baby steps in my life, mind and soul. A process that I do not see ending any time soon, nor staying the same for very long as each day, even moment is a discovery and of course a journey. 

There has not been daycations, as I have once again not been able to travel, with the weather, there has not been a lot of cooking or baking to share, and as we have entered into Autumn, there has been less and less to do out in the garden. Many plants have finished their bloom, many their life cycle and some are entering into their next phase in preparations of cooler weather. Some however, as it is California, and still quite warm for Autumn.. we like to call it Indian Summer, have put forth blooms to once again delight and brighten my day and the view here at Muse Cottage. So I thought I would bake up some pumpkin muffins, brew up some harvest blend herbal tea, rich in flavors of  warm cinnamon and of rich, robust apple with a spoonful of wildflower honey, and we could stroll through the garden here at Muse Cottage before it becomes blanketed with fallen leaves and the blossoms have ceased to awaken so to gain strength for when Spring will roll around again.

Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful.  Everything is simply happy.  Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance.  Look at the flowers - for no reason.  It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are.  ~Osho

Pumpkin muffins...
1 box of cake mix.. I used SPICE
1 can of Pumpkin
Mix the two ingredients well,
put into muffin pans.. sprayed will with cooking spray
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 for 20-25 minutes
check to see if done with tooth pick or knife
(should be clean when pulled out ) 

The garden awaits....

The newly expanded bed with transplanted lavender to give them more room to "breathe"
There once was a patch of grass where now the flowers reside. 

The front bed ... now cleaned up and tucked in all ready for the change of seasons.

One of the many little Humming birds that
visit me on a regular basis.
  

Scentsational Rose ... every bloom is unique and
different and a lovely surprise to see what the result will be.

A sage plant... so soft and fuzzy and
full of texture.

A new addition, a gift from my
Grandmother who shares a love of
the wee folk.

Zonal Geraniums....

Love song... perfect for the fairy garden.

Graham Thomas by David Austin Roses..
My favorite...so happy to have it in
my garden once again.

Another frequent visitor on the butterfly bush.

This daisy starts off yellowish, then goes to pink, then to purple,
before it deepens in shades yet again... just like a sunset. 

This little black throat has become quite comfy
with me getting close when he visits the feeder.

Everything getting a little drink

Lavender swaying in the breeze

Barbara Streisand... delicate and bold all at the same time.

This is Norie, she came to live with us
here at Muse Cottage recently, and
we feel so blessed that she did. *By artist Liz Amend 

Norie has made sure to tell me she hopes you will
visit with us again in the near future xx

I am so glad that you have spent this time with me, and for those that have come before... thank you for returning and understanding when I do not post, and for those that are new here, WELCOME !! I do hope you will come again.... and visit the archives there is so many varied posts and series of posts..something for everyone. I just love you all and am so blessed to have you go along with me on my journey through life, and read all my musings.