Of Fall, Halloween finishes and a Win

It's a beautiful fall day here today and I have to go no further than the windows of my home to see autumn's beauty. I  snapped a few pics of the view but before I show you, it's time for a stitching update.

I've had two small finishes this week. First up is Hocus Pocus.

The Stitcherhood Hocus Pocus
stitched on 36 ct Lakeside Linen Vintage Pear
using DMC floss

I think I prefer this one without the vines and should I ever stitch it again I'm going to leave them off.
Next is a cute little stitch called Spooky Halloween. I'm on the hunt for the right fabric to finish this one off shortly.

Spooky Halloween by Shelly Auen of Primitive Stitchin'
stitched on 32 ct Lakeside Linen Sand
using DMC floss

My black silk floss for Ghoul has arrived so as of last night it's back in my rotation. I should have an updated photo for you soon. I'd still like to do one more Halloween small, yet to be decided on.

Besides the silk floss, I had another surprise arrival last week. Cath of The Stitchin' Chicken had a giveaway at the end of August to celebrate her blogoversary which I was the lucky winner of. All I knew was that there was a suprise package to be sent to the winner. Here's what I found waiting for me: 2 lovely cuts of linen, some 
WDW floss, a pair of scissors, gorgeous fob and Birds of a Feather Bloom Where You Are Planted. I was overwhelmed by Cath's generosity. Thank you very much Cath! I intend to make good use of everything.

 

Last week my family gathered in Ottawa for a memorial service for my cousin's wife who had recently passed due to a long fight with ovarian cancer. It was a chance for us to celebrate her life and also to visit with one another since we are rarely together anymore.
Here I am with my cousins and my sister Laurie (far right).

Two of my sons, Daniel and Chris were also able to join us so I snapped a picture of them with their Aunt and Uncle.

Now for some pics of the colours outside the windows of my home.

I'll be sorry to see all that colour go and it is going, as you can see from that bare tree in the last photo. I've been stuck indoors with some sort of a respiratory virus so I haven't been able to get out and enjoy the sights the last several days. 
Gotta go, I hear the timer on my oven beeping! I'm on for coffee hour goodies at church on Sunday so I'm baking some pumpkin loaves. Mmm, wish they were for us!