Gourds and Gifts

My sister left bright and early this morning.  We were hoping she would miss the tail end of the storms decimating the Northwest, but unfortunately, as it turned out, she ran smack into two storm bursts--made worse by hurling along the very busy and congested I-5 corridor.  Though she made it home safe and sound, it was not without angst and anxiety--always an essential ingredient for a road trip.

Whilst she was battling the elements, I was meandering in the sunshine with the boys on our morning hike before I popped into the store for a container of some kind because my sister never comes empty-handed.  For this visit she brought me a variety of very cool and colorful gourds.  I have baskets and bowls, but either they were already in use or wouldn't work.

After a bit of searching, I found the perfect thing.  A simple woven basket that holds all seven gnarly, warty, incredibly decorative gourds...

Fall is such a glorious time of year.  The smells, the colors, the bounty.  I always imagine it as Nature's final gift before hibernation.  I'm hoping to follow some country roads deep into farm territory one day this week on a photo quest.  After all the storms, Indian Summer is supposed to arrive tomorrow--so beautiful in the Northwest with the vibrant shades of red and yellow and orange from the trees that seem to glow against the clear, intensely blue skies.  I can't wait.

But until then, I have my colorful gourds and a new basket and a very thoughtful sister...