Isn’t she cute? Those are button for eyes, held it by stick pins. The straw hat is just what was needed to top it off. This was one of many decorations at the bulb sale in the Oak Park Conservatory, my first stop on Saturday morning.
I want to add more Allium to the late spring garden. The have such a long display time, from their big blooms in late spring, to mid-summer, as the blossoms fade. I was able to pick up quite a few bulbs for a reasonable price, and get some fall decorating ideas to boot.
Like this scarecrow, who had taken up his post in the conservatory. Click on for a better view of the face, which is a bag of leaves.
I love the colors of hay and of gourds. They just naturally lend themselves to decorating for fall, don’t you agree?
Then, it was a short jaunt to the center of Oak Park and their renowned Farmers’ Market, which I wrote about last year.
The market is full of all thing fresh, winter squash, apples, potatoes, honey, and lots of flowers and plants on Saturday. I resisted the donuts, but, did stop for a spell to listen to pick-up band. The group strumming and singing, mostly bluegrass with a few gospel songs mixed in. It was toe-tapping and humming along for the crowd gathered round. My favorite was I’ll Fly Away, led by this wonderful singer.
You can hear I’ll Fly Away by clicking here or, here, both sung by Allison Krauss.
I just love the spontaneity of this group, their ability to work so well together, taking turns leading and collaborating on songs. Today, a young boy around 12, joined in with his fiddle. I recognized a few from last year, especially one gent who played several instruments. Can you find him in the pictures?
Gosh, but it was a glorious day!
I hope yours was as well.
What a glorious day, indeed. I listened to “I’ll Fly Away” and so enjoyed the scenes from that George Clooney movie. I need to watch it again. I’d have loved to hear the bluegrass/gospel group you listened to as they fiddled at the farmer’s market. I can just see toes tapping and arms linked with those of others and the humming and the singing along with great joy. A lovely fall day.
I want to thank you for commenting on my Saturday posting about dishwashing in the convent. I know, deep down, that we were meant to learn mindfulness while doing that obedience but my funny bone got the best of me—internally at least–just as yours would have. It took me years and more years to really learn mindfulness.
Peace.
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The group was really wonderful and the singer was very good. Listening, outdoors in the sunshine, with the scent of flowers and donuts and cider held such a feeling of commonality.
Mindfulness. I think that is something we work on throughout our lives, Dee. I know I do.
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You encourage me to love Autumn, Penny, a season I have traditionally dreaded because of the coming darkness. But those colours, and that singing group, and my favourite, the bag-of-leavses scarecrow in jaunty cornflower blue: how could one not smile 🙂
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I dread the coming darkness as well, Kate, especially at day’s end, but, I love the colors and the sound of leaves crunching underfoot and the sense of rest and peace that comes with Autumn, especially before the holidays round the corner. A mixed bag of leaves, this fall thing is. tee hee I think you would have enjoyed the group, their talent and spontaneity. Isn’t he the greatest scarecrow?
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What fun. I’m enjoying seeing the richness of autumn in your posts. It’s an uplifting song, isn’t it – and I can just imagine the sound of the bluegrass band as you wandered around finding many delights at the farmers’ market. You’ve set my feet a-tapping.
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Thank you, Juliet. It is such a wonderful song and was wonderful to hear in this setting. I do love the changing seasons we experience, but, I know I will miss the farmers’ markets, which will end in just a few weeks. Keep those feet tapping – I hope your arm is getting stronger.
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What a lovely day you had here. I enjoyed the autumn displays and your musicians. You can’t beat acoustic instruments played in the open air.
Quick story about “I’ll Fly Away”. We were having an old fashioned “hymn sing” at church. A bat flew down through the sanctuary. We assume it came from the belfry. It flew around a couple of laps, the singing and pianist stopped for a moment. One of the kids called out “I’ll Fly Away”. Without missing a beat, the pianist started playing it, we started singing it. The bat did indeed fly away never to be seen again. This was several year ago, but the story is still often told to newcomers.
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Oh, I love this story, Janet! You always have the best little vignettes. A bat in the belfry and “I’ll Fly Away”. I can just imagine that being told and retold over the Thanksgiving turkey or future “hymn sings”. Don’t you just love those little moments in life?
You would have enjoyed this farmers’ market.
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[…] Recommended Christian Music Article FROM https://lifeonthecutoff.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/ill-fly-away-2/ […]
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While in Victoria, Canada, with Steve and Ann, I was delighted to see fields full of orange pumpkins. You did have a wonderful day Penny.
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There is something so cheerful about filed of pumpkins, Joan. I am so glad you got to see them. Those bright orange colors in brown fields – all look so happyl I did have a wonderful day, Joan. Thank you.
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What a wonderful day! I loved every single thing about this post. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you, Sallie. It was wonderful, filled with simple pleasures.
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I really need to get back to the farmer’s market in Oak Park! That pick up band looks great, and I even saw a bodhran player in the photos! Don’t you just love natural decorations for autumn and Halloween? I’m not a big fan of the orange pumpkin lights that have been gaining popularity lately – give me gourds and hay and a jack-o-lantern with a real candle in it any day! Great post and photos Penny!
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Can you believe the farmer’s markets are almost through? The pick-up band is always there and always good. Isn’t it fun to hear a bodhran with a bluegrass band? I knew you find it in the pictures. The pumpkin lights don’t do anything for me, either, though they weren’t too bad when my eyes were still blurry. Thanks, Janet.
PS If you go, make sure to get some donuts. I think the 29th is when they make stone soup.
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