I love autumn...

Delicious satsumas from the co-op and walnuts from my friend, Marilyn.  Life is good...
That nutcracker has been in my family for as long as I can remember.  It was such a joy to pull it out of the drawer where it's been stashed for years and put it to use.

A new family member...

David with Rosko the Dog

This little guy appeared in our cul-de-sac about a week ago looking lost and very frightened (the dog, not my husband who is holding him).  He figured out how to get into our back yard and stayed huddled in a corner by the wall.  We put out food and blankets for him, speaking gently and trying to make friends.  Saturday, David was sitting outside reading and suddenly felt someone pawing at his leg.  He looked down and our new little friend jumped right into his lap!

We're pretty sure that someone just abandoned him because the poor thing spent a lot of time standing in the cul-de-sac staring at the main road.  Plus, he's housebroken and is such a joyful thing, now that he's not terrified.  The thought of someone abandoning an animal fills me with outrage.  How could anyone be so heartless?

I have to admit that a chihuahua is not the sort of dog any of us imagined owning, and we really weren't looking to add another animal to our menagerie, but we can't turn away someone in need.  Besides, how could we resist those ears?