Life lately…
I think this is the only place I’ve shared about Nigel’s hip surgeries. I was reminded of that the other day when a high school friend had posted about her husband’s stroke. When I commented I hadn’t really posted about it, she said we need to let it all out. I don’t know…when I post here, I feel like I’m talking to my friends. If I post on Facebook, I feel like I’m looking for sympathy. Maybe some of you think I’ve got that backward, and I might! But, at Nigel’s last appointment with the surgeon, we got the first truly good news we’ve ever gotten. We were talking about healing vs recovery. Nigel’s implants and incisions are healed. Recovery is another thing entirely. He needs to regain strength and balance in order to walk. So, when I pressed the surgeon about the walking, he finally said he thought Nigel could, indeed, walk again someday…even without a cane. Of course, then Nigel had several days when he just hurt too much to walk. He doesn’t believe in the old maxim, “No Pain, No Gain.” I try to keep my big trap shut, but sometimes, we just have to have a little come to Jesus moment. Today, though, is the third Thursday of the month which means it’s time for another Ageless Style challenge. This month, Jenn chose “Colors of Fall.” Last month, Bo selected “Back to School” looks. In the past we have worn “Back to School,” “Beat the Heat,” tropical prints, and many other ideas. If you’re curious, you can find some of my looks here, here, here, and here. Next month’s prompt is “Favorite Skirts” if you’d like to join us! Please do visit the other hostesses of the link party (oh, yes, there’s a link party) at their various sites!
Let’s talk leaves…
When my oldest son was in fourth grade, he had to put together a leaf collection. I had to do one for Freshman Biology, too. I always wondered why that was such a big thing to do. I suppose, back in the days before cell phones and the internet readily at hand, it was a good thing to know if a tree was an oak or a hickory. I do know the distinctive oak leaf shape, but I’m afraid I’ve forgotten all about hickory leaves. At our house up north, as I’ve mentioned ad nauseum, we had lots and lots of trees. It would take weeks of raking and burning to get rid of them. But, gosh were they beautiful. We had one tree, an ash of one kind or another. It would turn crimson on the outside, and then a week or so later, the inside leaves would turn golden. It literally looked like it was glowing. The year before we moved it didn’t leaf out very much and had these funny little ball things on it. Well, ball things they were (hahaha) because our tree was a male, and it had a bad case of gall. The Purdue Extension officer told us what to do. It looked immensely better by the end of that summer. Unfortunately, the people who bought our house eventually cut it down. It may have succumbed to the Emerald Ash borer.
Drawing on the beauty of leaves…
I have this sweater, though I’m not really sure where it is right now. I bought it on a whim and paid quite a bit of money for it (at the time). It always reminded me of fall…the colors, the textures, and the embroidery. I need to find it (hope I didn’t donate it) and wear it again. Jodie frequently talks about using nature when you’re thinking about putting certain colors together. If Mother Nature thinks it’s a good match, who are we to argue? I think she has a really good point. I love driving down the road and seeing the vast amounts of different colors as the trees take on their fall clothing. I’m not sure we’ll have that colorful end of the leaf season this year. It has been so dry. I think they will just wither and drop off.
Colors of leaves…
I think leaves turn every color on the color wheel and then some. We planted burning bushes on the mound as well as red twig dogwoods so we would have color all year long. Unfortunately, we had the landscaping crews trim the bushes, and the burning bushes are looking quite sad. I think I will take on that chore from now on. But, I do love the color of the burning bushes. It’s such a beautiful red. And, the maples turn all different colors as does the birch (on a regular year, that is). Then, there are all the shades of yellows and oranges and everything in between!
What about mums?
I’m not talking about the fabulous woman who gave birth to or raised you! I’m talking about the chrysanthemum. I love mums and have since I was in high school. We had some kind of club that would sell flowers for certain holidays. In the fall, they sold the most magnificent mums. Of course, Nigel was out of school at the time, but he’d have his sister buy me one! I don’t know what kind of mums they were because they were nothing like what we plant around here. Mums come in so many colors, too. I think, though, the ones that are purple are, technically, asters. I am planning to plant three hardy mums around the base of the maple tree in the front yard this fall. I don’t know what colors I’ll be planting. Part of it will depend on my mood, and part will depend on the stock! But, again, we can seek sartorial excellence there!
Let’s not “leaf” out…
Other plants from which we can draw fall inspiration could be hydrangeas. Mine are white, but as they “age,” they are changing to a color I just can’t quite describe. Do I like it? Hmmm…I’m not sure. But, it would be a beautiful color for a background on a floral print (one I just might have). My roses continue to burst forth with blooms. In fact, I haven’t been deadheading them, and they are blooming like crazy! My coleus also give inspiration. And, then there’s the rich soil left behind as we prepare beds for winter rest. Well, maybe you have rich soil. I have clay. I could build bricks, seriously! We paid the landscaper extra to “amend” the soil. Hahaha! We are such suckers. They dumped a few bags of cow manure into the ground and then kinda dug it into the clay. Our HOA mulches our homes every other year. We pay for the skipped year. I wonder if I should get out there with a pitch fork this fall and do some mixing of mulch and clay. I also throw all my clippings into the mulch (behind a bush so no one will complain). I surely do miss having a compost pile. But, I digress.
The outfit…
This is an example of being Daenabled! Yes, it’s a new word I’ve come up. It’s definition is to be enabled by the beautiful Daenel. She often wears Zuri dresses and just inspires me to indulge myself. Well, over Labor Day, everyone was having sales. That included Zuri. The hardest part about buying a dress here is picking out a pattern. Luckily, they give you the “notes” of the dress, much like you see when perfumes are described. This is the Orchidea dress. And, here are the “Color notes: Black, yellow, orange, red, beige, pink and white.” I thought it was perfect for “Colors of Fall!” These are a very good substantial cotton. I do wash and iron them so that any excess dye is removed as well as to soften them. They just get softer and softer the more you wear them.
The Lewk!
Now, I know the fashion pundits say you shouldn’t wear anything that cuts you off at your ankles. And, to an extent, they’re right. I know those ankle straps really do cut you off where you could be “lengthening” the appearance of your legs. But, I happen to love these Shay sandals by Miz Mooz. I have worn them for hours at the museum, walking the galleries as well as standing while listen to docents. And, they are comfortable, my friends! Are they pricey? Yes, yes, they are. But, at my age, I have learned comfort ant quality are worth the price. Perhaps, I offset that price by my Target earrings whose age can be measured in decades as well as my wooden stretch bracelets that were extremely inexpensive!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I suppose I could go on and on about the colors we find in nature during this particular season. I forgot about bittersweet? Does anyone even remember that? I could talk about goldenrod which gives me the sniffles, but I love its cheery feathery foliage and happy yellow colors. Oh, what about sunflowers? See, I could go on and on! So, can we talk? What colors do you like in the landscape of the autumnal season (whenever that might be for you)? Are you a more fan of spring or fall colors? Do you have any trees that are male or female or do you even know? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Affiliate links, discount codes, and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. My April Cornell code, MARSHA15, now works, but it’s good for only one use. You can get $15 off $100. I’d wait and use it during a really good sale! Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. Use MARSHA15 at Katia Designs for 15% off your order. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Jen – Joyful Jen
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts about denim, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Here are links to all of the lovely ladies in the Ageless Style collaboration. Please do visit them on their various media. Link up with us, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!
What a fabulous dress Marsha. I love the colours of Autumn, all those beautiful burnished oranges, yellows and gold.
We have planted a maple in our back garden and I hoping for wonderful autumn colour from it.
Good to hear Nigel is progressing and is now healed and going onto the next stage, onwards and upwards as my nana used to say.
Thank you so much, Linda! I really love this print and the colors in it. We have two maples in our backyard. One of them is considered an invasive species which angers me just a bit as the landscape company should never have been selling it. While they assured me it would turn all kinds of reds and other colors, it doesn’t do that at all. I hate the idea of cutting it down because it’s a living thing. The other maple needs to grown quite a bit for those colors to be truly spectacular!
I love that…onwards and upwards! I’m going to tell him Linda’s Nana said to do that!
I love the brightness of sunflowers, they are always cheery.
Last week I learnt about an acorn phenomenon, where every 5 or 10 years oak trees produce vast quantities of acorns after a few slower years. In the slower years they hope to reduce the number of critters eating the fruits by producing less. Then when they think it is a peak time to expand all the oak trees produce more acorns for a bumper year to give the highest hopes of reproduction of more oak trees. Nature is amazing!
Wow! That is an amazing thing about oak trees. I had never heard that, but it makes so much sense. Yes, Nature is truly amazing!
That is one gorgeous dress with the loveliest of colours – it’s altogether quite stunning! I do think you could wear these colours more. Autumn is a lovely season and I too love the colours of Autumn/Fall. They’re definitely my colours and I have just recently found vintage jacket which you will see very soon. It’s tweed and just right for the weather now which is variable, grey, wet and windy one day and warm(ish) another. Today would not be a sandal day I can tell you as the rain is apouring down!
I do like it when bloggers talk about the reality of life. It really shouldn’t be all about clothes – we have lives and they go up and down. Good to hear about Nigel and that he has healed. Tell him I know what pain means and despite the pain you have to move. I was just wondering if Nigel has a Personal Trainer. I have one who is first of all, not a young gym fanatic, that I would hate. She is the opposite; careful and very very knowledgeable, but she keeps me moving and it’s more like I have a personal health practitioner. Just wondered if Nigel could find someone he i) trusts and ii)motivates him on a 1-2-1 basis. Just a suggestion, Marsha and feel free to ignore 😊
And back to the dress – it’s ace!
Thank you, Penny! I think what helped with me wearing this dress was my hair color. Now, that’s faded quite a bit, I’ll have to see if it’s as striking! I surely hope so because I love this dress. Oh, my gosh! Rain would be wonderful here. We got less than 2 inches (50 mm) of rain for the whole of August!
Thank you, too, for the words about real life blogging. I sometimes wonder if people get tired of it. I know I’m categorized a fashion blogger, but I just can’t do a post simply on clothing. I have to have a story to tell. Mike doesn’t have a personal trainer, but he has been in physical therapy for almost two years. He goes twice a week for an hour each time. He also has exercises to complete at home. He really likes this guy. Our insurance has been wonderful (though who knows how long that will last) and says as long as the doctor okays the p/t, they will pay for it. Honestly, I would pay for it out of our own money because I think it’s worth it for Mike because he’s moving muscles in a different way with a knowledgeable person. And, it motivates him to do better!
Thank you again, Penny!
That is such a pretty dress! I don’t own much in the way of fall colors for clothing (I though I did until I tried to style something for this challenge!) but I do love watching the tree leaves change so many pretty colors this time of year. So far we’re getting some color but I too wonder how bright it will be since it’s been so dry here.
Thanks, Joanne! I think we do tend to group colors by season, and maybe we shouldn’t do that. Maybe, we should look more at fabrication and texture instead. I am really hoping to get some color, but so many of the trees are already brown (when they should be red, orange, or yellow) because it is seriously dry here. I’m pretty sure I read we were in a drought situation.
So good to hear that Nigel is on the way to recovery even if that is hard (I can so relate to hurting too much to be doing anything although you know you should).
Your leaf story made me laugh and this is why (it’s from an old blog post, so forgive me if it’s long):
“When I was in school, I had to put together a herbarium with tree samples. As usual when it was a project I didn’t really feel like doing, I procrastinated until the last day. Then my grandmother told me she would be taking me to the woods now.
As you know by now I am not a plant expert. I can tell a birch from an oak tree, but that’s about as good as it gets. I hung around in the woods a lot together with my friend, but we didn’t necessarily check out plant life, we were too busy having adventures. My enthusiasm for the herbarium was limited.
Then my grandma took over like only she could. She would point out trees to me here and there and ordered me to get leaves and this and that. Once when I couldn’t reach the leaves, she went into action with her umbrella and got them for me. I remember some red leaves which came from a copper beech as she told me. I liked them so much that I took more of them.
Of course I didn’t have time to press the samples properly, so I just hoped for the best. When I came to school, however, I found hardly anyone had a herbarium. Most of the children had collected leaves and stuff just the way I had and soon recess turned into a swap meet. Now my copper beech leaves were valuable goods.
We never finished those herbariums, by the way.”
Nevertheless I love leaves and I love fall colors! 😀
Oh, Cat! I love this story! It sounds just like my oldest son! He had to do that leaf collection and just had the normal everyday leaves. We went on vacation and collected them from places no one else had. We did the same thing when our daughter had to do an insect collection. We got the most beautiful beetle in San Diego. It was lying, dead, on the sidewalk. I don’t remember how we got it home intact, though! But, her teachers were impressed!
I’m glad Nigel is recovering well and can start walking! I love fall colors and the vibrant colors of your dress! It’s such a pretty print!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill! I am hopeful for the first time in over a year! I was so happy this dress was as beautiful IRL as it was online!
I hope your husband gets all of his mobility back! Do they have him on regular physical therapy? My mom is currently going 3 times a week to rehab after getting 5 stents put in her heart to get her heart stronger. They aren’t sure how much it will help, but she is definitely feeling more energetic than before.
I love fall colors especially the burnt tones. I do tend to wear more neutrals in the fall and enjoy this one dark purple boho shirt I have and more tans. Waiting for this weather to cool off to really wear all the things!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! He has been going to physical therapy for almost two years. Initially, his complaint was his legs not his hips. For some reason, they did an x-ray of his hips and discovered the AVN. So, except for the time when he was recovering from surgery (and that was only a couple of days each time), he’s been in therapy. He also has home exercises as well.
I do love those colors, too. I wear more neutral colors in the winter, I think. I’m waiting for the weather to cool off and stay cooled off. But, it seems fall and spring are just becoming shorter and shorter.
I agree with everything…being inspired by nature (even when it’s colors we normally wouldn’t think about), and that dress!! Absolutely fabulous. It’s one of those that grabs your attention and leaves (see what I did there?) you smiling.
As for those Come to Jesus talks…that happens occasionally in our household too. I always say that I think it’s good to have another perspective than just our own because something we can’t see the forest through the trees.
OOXX
Jodie
Hahaha!! I did see what you did there! Thanks, Jodie! I was just taking my cues from you and Sally! You are so right about not seeing the forest through the trees. I really thought the surgeon’s words would motivate him, but I think they may have frightened him instead. You know…what if I can’t do it even though the surgeon said I could. I’ll just have to be a cheerleader (when I’m not the evil stepmother)!
This is the most Halloween looking dress I’ve ever seen that wasn’t explicitly Halloween! The bits of bright pink really pick up your color, too.
Thanks, Sally! I hadn’t thought of it being Halloween, but now I won’t be able to unsee it! I really is, isn’t it?
I do love fall colours and your dress is such a pallet of gorgeous warm ones. And what a stories you always got to tell. I definitely enjoy it!
Thank you, Nancy! I just can’t show the clothes without telling a story! Isn’t the dress beautiful? A year or so ago, I would never have bought a brown dress, but now I love it!
My thought is that people want to know because they care and want to help you. It seems like the healing has been really rough on you. It’s ok to say that. You have been the caretaker and sacrificed. Is he going to do any physical therapy or anything to help? Would counting steps and trying to go further be motivating?
You seem so young and vibrant so I know this has been hard.
I want to leaf summer behind but the temps are too high!
Thanks, Amy! It has been tough to see him struggle. I truly am exhausted but sleep with one eye/ear opened. He has actually been in physical therapy for close to two years. He started because his legs hurt, but it wasn’t his hip that hurt. Then, he said something which made them think to x-ray his thighs. This is a pretty rare condition. So, except for those times when he couldn’t, like right after surgery, he has been in P/T. He also has daily exercises he does at home. His fear is falling since our street is asphalt rather than concrete, and the sidewalks were added as the homes were built. Nothing is perfectly flat which increases his fear. But, once the weather cools off, I’m going to put on my teacher hat and make him go outside. We bought a new walker, and he doesn’t want to ruin it which is just dumb! I am going to get this man walking one way or another! I definitely hear you about the temps!
Oh my goodness that dress is stunning! I love the deep, rich colors and beautiful print!
Thank you, Laura! I think it may be my favorite of the three I have. The colors are just so good!
This is a gorgeous dress! I love how high-contrast it is. I’m loving these fall posts – they’re getting me excited for all the autumnal beauty we will (hopefully) be experiencing.
Thanks, Edi! Their dresses are amazing. My friend, Daenel, always looks stunning in them. I loved the print, but now I see the high contrast, too! I love autumn colors and hope we see lots of trees changing colors. I worry we won’t since it’s been so dry!
I hope Nigel recovers completely. You have been such a saint of a wife and caregiver. It’s been a long road to recovery!
Your dress just could not be more perfect for fall!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! I’m going to get him there one way or another! It has definitely been a long road, but we finally see the light! And, thank you for the compliment on the dress! I just love the print!
What a fabulous dress for fall, Marsha! The print and colors are just gorgeous. While I am holding onto summer for as long as I can, I do so appreciate the colors of fall. I have been trying to create summer-weight outfits in fall colors for this transitional season. The warm weather is hanging on here and I love it! Sending healing thoughts and prayers to Nigel for a quick recovery. I know it has not been quick at all, but hopefully it will get quick from here!
Shelbee
Thanks, Shelbee! I don’t blame you for holding onto summer for as long as you can! I am ready for a very long season of fall! Thank you, my friend, for any healing thoughts, prayers, or vibes! We will take anything we can get!
WOW the colours on that dress….WOW! I love it so much! So bright and cheerful…just like you, Marsha! I hadn’t thought of Daenel until you mentioned her name and then of course I saw it lol!
I bet your old garden was so beautiful. I wish we had an Autumn like that here, but I guess it’s just too warm, so we don’t really see all the stunning golds and burnt oranges, etc. A real shame.
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Thanks, Suzy! I have to tell you Daenel is just stunning, and she always picks the coolest prints. So, I couldn’t pick the same prints she had because that would just be embarrassing! But, this one really screamed, “Buy me! Buy me!” So, I did. Oh, my old yard was amazing at all times of the year. In the summer, we truly had the making of a fairyland woods. I was completely gutted when I drove by a few months later to see they’d cut all the trees down in the back as well as tearing down the fence. I would miss having four seasons though our two “shoulder” seasons seem so much shorter these days!
I would have been gutted too, Marsha! We live close to the ‘mountains’ and a couple of years ago, they cut down all the trees on the way up to prevent forest fires (apparently)… it was awful! Those trees were what made the area so beautiful. I was so sad about it.
Shame that the two best seasons seem shorter these days 🙁
Hugs xx
I was talking to Mike on the phone (hands free, I promise) when I came up on the house. I audibly gasped, and he was afraid something bad had happened to me. What I couldn’t understand was why they did it so quickly. They didn’t wait to see what kind of shade they would get from which trees. I always wondered if they regretted any of it. Our house was on a corner, and the road beside it was quite busy because of the three schools located across the road. The trees were such a nice barrier to that sound. But, if it ever went up for sale again, I’d have a hard time not moving back!
What an incredible dress! It’s so fallishly festive. A very happy vibe!
As for Nigel, I’m so sorry recovery is so slow. Having suffered with an autoimmune disorder – polymyalgia rheumatica – that played havoc with my hips and shoulders, I understand how demoralizing it is to face pain when walking. Has Nigel been tested for inflammation – sed rate (ESR) and C- reactive protein (CRP)? Maybe something else is going on.
Thanks, Michelle! I was so glad to see it definitely matched the description and the photo on the website. Yes, he’s been tested for inflammation. I’ll have to check on the other one. Something else is definitely going on, but the surgeon said it really wasn’t affecting his recovery. He did suggest seeing a rheumatologist when we’re done with this.
The print of this dress is so fabulous! Love the bold colors and breezy fit. So sorry to hear Nigel is struggling with pain. Sending prayers for healing and recovery.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! The hardest thing about buying dresses from this company is finding the right print! I really love the colors in mine. Thank you so much for your prayers. He will recover…I’m going to make sure of it!
Pingback:The Beauty and Style Spotlight Team! - Marsha in the Middle
This is such a dramatic great look for fall!! It reminds me of the drama of the trees before they drop their leaves, You know how much I love fall too – this dress is perfect!
Thanks, Erin! I love these dresses but have to wait until they go on sale. When I picked it out, I didn’t realize how fall-ish it was.