Last weekend we experienced temperatures which warmed to 20C (68F), allowing us one final fling with summer before the earth hibernates for the long months ahead. Frank and I were sitting outside, having our morning coffee when our neighbours Erin and Ron brought their little guy, Winston over for a visit.
Winston and Benny provided us with entertainment which was nourishing to our collective soul. I'd like to share their recipe for Autumn Cheer. Please click on each image to enlarge
A leaf-biting, puddle-stomping, snow-eating, bubble-chasing, stick-fetching little dog.
Second Helpings, anyone?
Winston and Benny in action.
And a little something extra for dessert.
A turtle hat.. whale.. pohipopus.. hipopus.. oppopis.
63 comments:
Oh! What beautiful pictures, and touching words. It had me lost for some time. I am so glad I peeped in to your post quite unexpectedly, as I haven't been visiting much lately. But this is lovely.
I am off to read and view it again.
Thanks for sharing!
I can't get enough of Benny, whether it's via pictures or videos. Wonderful post as ever!
Tom
What delightfully enchanting autumn cheer!
Lovely, lovely! I enjoyed the collages and the clips.;)
I am totally amazed by the fact that you had 20C. That is highly unusual for us. In fact, from the pictures it feels like you are about 2-3 weeks behind us. Here winter is already in the air.
Have a lovely weekend,
xo
Zuzana
This is a brilliant use of your blog and so heartwarming Hilary! We just got thru that nor'easterner which brought about 10" of rain to our area and has set us up for the real feel of winter coming... even though our gingkos haven't lost all their leaves as yet.
Such wonderful fun.
Long Overdue
After days of being enforced to stay inside and avoid the flying limbs and pelting rains this was a very nice break!
lovely pictures!! i really wanna try this one day!
Too cute!!
So, were there both hippopusses and oppopusses on his hat?
OMG Winston's giggle is so infectious, lol...I was laughing so hard the whole time, thanks for sharing that! Benny is so funny too, chasing leaves, ha ha....great post Hilary!
:)
What a cool post! Love your recipe for autumn and yes, I'd like seconds please!! Sweet little boy. Toddlers look so alive and happy at that age, especially playing in the leaves with his faithful companion.
Lovely colours and collages!
Incredible infectious laughter! :)
Delightful dog and beautiful boy.
i like the smell of what you are cooking...think i will have seconds and thirds...on my way home to do a little cooking with the fam as well. happy saturday!
It's a chilly overcast day down in the midwest U.S., your lovely recipe has just made me feel a little warmer :)
Beautiful blog! Thanks for sharing!
The perfect blend for a delightful day.
Well, that's what it's all about isn't it? Finding happiness in little things....
Hilary, love the pics, but the videos are priceless. Makes me miss my grandchildren in VA. He absolutely darling!
Great collages!!! Looks like a ton of fun!
OH! benny is such an exuberant angel :)
Oh, don't you wish you could bottle that laugh! Benny is a great sport, too. Thanks for the smiles.
• Introspection, thanks very much for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks kindly, Tom. I trust you'd find your limit sometimes if he were to be there in person. ;) Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thank you, LadyFi. Much appreciated. :)
• Thanks, Protege. We did have some pretty cold weather through most of October but this one weekend warmed so nicely. It's been around 12 - 14C this current weekend, so still quite pleasant. No doubt that winter weather will arrive soon. Until then, I'm quite content with this. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. :)
• Thanks kindly, GS. We also have a number of trees which steadfastly hold onto their leaves (though most are bare) but it's only a matter of time now. Thanks always for your warm words.. much appreciated. :)
• Thanks Nessa
• Thanks, Tabor. I'm glad you could enjoy the pleasant weather vicariously through my blog. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks, Inty. Do you mean leaf-tossing or collage-making? In either event, I hope you do. :)
• Thanks, Baggie. There were just turtles, whales and oppopisses - all sea creatures. ;)
• Thanks, Rain. It took a lot of restraint on my part not to laugh along with him in that video. I'm so glad he gave you a giggle. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks very much for the kind words, Wendy. The truth is that Winston and Benny often don't get along very well. Benny generally feels very nervous around toddler play because he's been bonked and clobbered a few times. But they've found this mutual activity which pleases them both, and hopefully they can build upon it. Watch for snow-tossing videos this winter. ;)
• Thanks, KC. He's a cutie, eh? Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thanks kindly, Brian. I hope that you and your family cook up a storm together. Make sure you have plenty of leftovers too. ;) I wish you many similar giggles. :)
• DK, thanks very much for your kind words. I'm glad that this post brought some warmth your way. Thanks for stopping
• Thanks, Susan. I'm glad you think so. :)
• Gaelikaa, you've got that right. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thanks, Karen. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos and videos but I'm sorry that it made you miss your grandkids more. I hope you get to see them very soon. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks SD. It sure was fun to watch. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Gary, you've described him well but make no mistake - there's plenty of devil in that little beast too! Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks, Cloudia. :)
• DS, a kidlet's giggle has to be among the best sounds ever, eh? I'm glad it made you smile. Thanks for stopping by. :)
I had seconds, and thirds.Lovely visit with you Hilary, the colours! Magnificent and those little charmers, both child and canine and opoptis. Lovely, my cheeks ache from smiling...why is that? It isn't as though I never use my smiley muscles.
Oh darn it.... my sound on this bleepin' computer isn't working so I can't hear the video! Love it when boys and dogs play together.
Yes, the weather has been awesome hasn't it.... I managed to get all my leaves raked and all the eavestoughs cleaned out, now it can rain and snow all it likes and I just don't care!!!!
BTW my son and DIL have sold their house in B'ville, and are moving S'ville in January. Just a 5 min drive from me, woohoo!
That peal of laughter and the wagging tail made my morning.
Hilary -- What a wonderful post! I can't imagine anyone could watch the video of Winston and Benny playing in the leaves without laughing out loud themselves. The who post was just darling. Thank you.
Oops. Does it mean I'm getting old when I just leave a couple letters off the end of a word? Of course, I meant "whole" not "who"! :)
I like the leaf photos the best. The dog getting the stick out of the water... makes me wonder how cold the water was?
What a great post!
Just loved the videos of the little one playing with Benny and his laugh is so infectious. Made me laugh.
Nuts in May
Looks like a bright wonderful day. Fabulous pictures!
Talk about a perfect post. That is very, very lovely. What a cute boy.
Cute as the dickens, even the second time around. :)
But your dog is (still) crazy. ;)
OMG what a cutie pie, well 2 cutie pies...loved the video and the pictures and glad your fall is going so "swimmingly"...it was 80 here today, going to be 45 when I get up...these temperature changes are killing me!!! Great post!
xo
Sandi
What a fun post! Visiting via Protege! :D)
The giggles make the video! Made me laugh out loud, and I could feel that freedom and simple joy that only your recipe could evoke.
How fun! Thanks for sharing your "recipe," it was delicious!
Damn, that dog is highly cute :)
Found you thru Gaelikka's entry on begging in India; her and I know each other thru blogging as we both are expats living in India and today I posted an entry on begging also, not knowing about hers. Interesting coincidence :)....and nice to meet you :)
A very happy blog Hilary. Enjoyed the photos and videos.- Dave
Oh, goodness, Hilary, I can only take so much cute at one time! Lots of giggles here, which always do the soul good. Thanks!
Very cute! Had my cat looking all around for the noise.
I think I may swoon for the cuteness.
That was like a condensation of exhilaration! That bubbling mirth and boundless energy!
Congratulations, you've found the antidote to the doldrums for anyone. "Feeling a bit blue, you say? Stay right there, I have just what you need!" Unleash the Cuteness!
Oh what a lovely bunch of coconuts, er, mosiacs .. I am not sure who is cuter that adorable child or Benny!
Gotta love the sheer joy in the child's giggle.
Glad you had such a beautiful day. Always appreciated before the onslaught of winter.
• Moannie, I'm glad you indulged and satisfied your appetite for autumn cheer. I know what you mean about the achey cheeks. I think that kidlets make us grin just a little bit harder. It's good for us. Thanks for stopping by to share. :)
• Shammie, what a shame about the sound. You're missing a treat. You sure have been busy but please don't wish the snow here too soon! Congrats on your family moving closer to home. Now we're just going to have to meet here instead of B'ville.. when you hook up with Bogey. ;)
• PSHT, I'm glad you enjoyed it. They're pretty cute, eh? Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks, Sandra. I'm glad you enjoyed the kidlet and the pooch romping around together. And of course you're not old. If typos denoted age, I'd be ancient.. almost as old as Frank! ;) Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Tom the water wasn't very cold at all. That particular image was taken in late summer. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Iailani, thanks kindly. Much appreciated. :)
• Thanks so much, Sandy. He's a little cutie, isn't he? Thanks always for the visit. :)
• Frank, I agree about the cuteness factor. But how come Benny is MY dog when he's being nuts and he's yours the rest of the time? And yet he's with you much more of the time .. and he's ALWAYS crazy. Think about that, willya? :)
• Thanks very much, Sandi. I'm glad you got a kick out of Winston and Benny. I sure wouldn't mind the 80F temperatures one bit but I can see where the swings from high to low would get to you. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Welcome, Michael and thanks for the visit and the kind words. I'm glad you stopped by, and that I, in turn have become acquainted with your fine blog. Thanks, Protege!
• EthelMae I'm so glad you got some giggles out of Winston and Benny's antics. They were too cute not to share. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thanks, Crabby. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Low in fat and carbs too! ;)
• Welcome, Braja and thanks for the kind words. I read the two posts and both were well written.. offering a view of a country unfamiliar to many. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)
• Thanks very much, Dave. I'm glad you did. :)
• Thanks, Suldog. I'm glad you enjoyed it, even though you may have overdosed some. :)
• Thanks, Reb. I've seen both of my cats go nuts when they hear another cat on TV or a computer file. It's quite funny. Give Sibu a scratch behind the ears for me, please. :)
• A swooning Shimp! Never saw that happen before. :) Thanks so much for the sweet comment. I think kidlets and animals.. together or apart are the cure for much of what ails us. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thanks, Daryl. Let's just call it a draw. They're just both cuter than words. ;)
• MJ, I'm glad you got to enjoy these two with me. Thanks so much for the kind words. They're much appreciated. :)
Here I sit with a big fat silly grin on my face. Perfect combination...little guy and funny pup in the magnificient fall colors. A+++++ Hilary.
I watched the videos several times
the giggle is so wonderful, if only it could be bottled it would be a miracle med
and Benny is a good boy to entertain so well
I love how he sideways jumps, he's a bit cat like in that aspect which makes me love him even more
So very sweet - good for OUR collective souls too.
Thanks Hillary.
Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
Those are such nice montages. How did you do it?
Wonderful imagery as always.
Here I was expecting a belly warmer, but instead you posted a heart warmer :).
Have you ever seen anything so adorable??? Oh my, he reminds me of my little grandson, age 23 months! What a fun day and the pictures are priceless.
Hahahahahaha, maniacal laughter....
My belly still hurts (from laughing, of course; the recipe was delicious!).
I have a nomination for POTW:
http://thesmittenimage.blogspot.com/2009/11/recipe-for-autumn-cheer.html
!!!!
Kathleen
I could never have too much of this luscious concoction!
Oh Hilary, this just made me smile so much. Loved all the collages and the video clip is so adorable. Winston's enthusiasm and Benny's energy just jumped out of the video and onto me. This post was so delightful. That Winston is such a cutie, and I've never seen a cuter Bam Bam.
That joy and those giggles remind me that it's still within us all. We need to bring it out as much as possible.
Enjoyed the photos and the video!
those are abso gorgeous pics! just gorgeous! and completely captures a late fall day! glad you enjoyed it - we did too!
You cannot watch that video and not laugh. It's impossible. How cute they both are!!!
That beer guzzling will give a bloke the red cheeks. Thank you for the autumn colors for my hungry autumn color starved eye. Sounds like you had an Indian Summer holdover.
I love the beautiful dream like quality of all of your posts. I feel so much happiness from them and appreciate you sharing. :)
• Thanks so much, Sue. I'm really glad you enjoyed the post. They're a cute pair, aren't they? :)
• Dianne, I had a hunch you'd enjoy this one. It won't be much longer until Hope is at that delightful stage.. among her many. You've nailed Benny for sure. He's very cat-like in many ways. Never is it more evident though, than when he's playing with my cat, and he adopts some of the paw grabs, swats and other moves. He's a goof. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks, Cloudia. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Aloha! :)
• Thanks very much, Clowncar. I used a combination of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.. my old friends. :) I'm glad you like them. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Aww MT, that's a sweet thing to say. Belly warmers are for winter weather. I won't let you down once the snow flies. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. :) Thanks for the visit, my friend.
• Thank you, Nancy. I'm glad you got a kick out of this dynamic duo. Difficult to resist, eh? Thanks for stopping by. :)
• ;) Shammie.
• Kathleen that's the best kind of belly ache, isn't it? :) Thanks for the kind words, but my own posts don't make it into the POTW. I won't do that! Thanks very much for the thought though. :)
• MPM there are plenty of bottles waiting to be uncorked. Please help yourself. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thanks, JarieLyn. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. You would have just loved to have seen him at Halloween. He made a perfect BamBam. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your enthusiasm. :)
• Thanks, Anita, You're so right about that. We all need to allow our inner child to come out to play more often. Thanks for dropping by. :)
• SFTC, thanks so much for your kind words. Very much appreciated. :)
• Elizabeth, I totally agree. I've seen it so many times now and I still laugh along with him. He's a cutie, eh? Thanks for the visit. :)
• Mansuetude, we sure did have Indian Summer for a few days and it was delicious! I'm glad you could enjoy the autumn colours vicariously through these photos. Next time, you have the beer and we'll leave Winston to get his red cheeks by just running around in the cool, autumn air. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Margo, thanks so much for such kind words. I'm glad the photos make you feel happy. That's such a lovely thing to say. Thank you! :)
BRILLIANT pictures and post!!! Absolutely priceless ... LOVE your recipe for Autumn!
Thank you,
that really was a great romp into autumn glory!
• Thanks very kindly, Kelly. Much appreciated. :)
• Thanks, Merisi.I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
"Eat more leaves Benny!" So cute seeing Winston playing with Benny...or was it the other way around?
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