Autumn in the Village

Autumn in the Village. Sigh. It is truly one of the best things I have ever experienced in my life. This is my view as I wash dishes. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my neighbors for giving me this view.

This is Maple Street in all it's glory. We happen to be one of the few houses without a maple tree in front of it. I'm currently scheming to correct that, probably as I do each and every autumn.

On Sunday morning my Sweet Man and I had a little Village adventure so I could capture all this beauty. First stop Main Street.

Our Main Street is amazing, brick lined and filled with charming businesses. We make the choice to support them as much as possible. It almost causes me physical pain to go out for dinner anywhere else. Walking to dinner is one of my greatest pleasures in life.

I have lived in so many places, 6 states and nearly 20 cities and I can tell you that I have never lived any place as charming. The people here care about their town and each other.

It has been pointed out to me that even when I go on vacation, I search out towns like the one I already live in. And then I can't wait to get back from my vacation. I think that says it all. I'm boring. And I really love my town.

I know I've shown you the Mouth before. When Main Street dead ends and you look up the hill, this will be your view. It's a little embarrassing how excited I get each fall when it goes up. It's the official sign of the season for me.

Turn left off of Main Street and you will be on Ash St. One of my favorite views during the peak of Autumn.

I love that our town has signs pointing to the library. Because what could be more important than knowing where the books are?

This Italianate house is one of my all time favorites.

I'm a sucker for iron fences.

And picket fences. Also, I see that yellow door and think I would totally be friends with the people living there.

We took a left on 5th off of Ash and followed the signs to the library. The library is like my vacation home.

I love living in a town that can support a library this large. Some of the librarians live in the Village. Take a moment and try to imagine anything better than walking through the Village on your way to work in the library. I've got nothing.

This lamp post is not located in Narnia, but in Lincoln park where Maddie will be getting married next October. There is a beautiful white gazebo that will be perfect for saying her vows.

I'm always a sucker for white houses.

But this log house could not be any prettier putting on a show for autumn!

I hope you enjoyed getting a peek into my life. I am so deep down grateful for this Village life I'm living. It's a life I never could have dreamed I would have. Someone left a comment on my last post saying how lucky I am and that not everyone will have their own home and she was so right. It made me think back on my path to get here and I wanted to give you a little insight into why I am so beyond thankful to have this life, in this home, in this town. I already shared with you how many different places I've lived but what I didn't say is that I grew up with no stability, security or money. I have lived in all kinds of situations including in a trailer, on and off with my grandparents, in an uncle's basement, in rental after rental, in apartments and for one particularly traumatic period, in a motel. So, more than most people, I understand that comment but I am also a testament to the fact that anything is possible in life and you should never stop dreaming and working to make those dreams come true.