Fall's Totchkes

Earlier this month we returned from a several week trip to Michigan. The only kind of shopping I do on vacation is window shopping. Heck the only kind of shopping I like is windown shopping.

And it helps if the windows have flowers in front of them.  This is the charming corner grocery in Leland, MI., www.lelandmi.com called the Leland Mercantile Co., http://www.lelandmerc.com/. Maybe if you go there, you'll go inside.  I was too entranced with the outside to take time to step out of the beautiful sunny day.

Leland is rich in window shopping in Fish Town

and people watching

 Lots of father-son duos taking the ferry out to Manitou Islands for camping adventures.  Even if you're not as adventorous, you too can take the ferry for a day hike http://www.lelandmi.com/find-a-business/recreation/.

What I bring home from trips away are natural tchtotkes like stones, pine cones and shells.

It got me to thinking about fall's tchotkes.  Mostly I leave fall tchtotkes outside so that I can admire them as  I walk.

This autumn clematis came from my good friend, Ann's, garden.  When I walk by it I think of love and friendship.  I think the point of having tchotchkes to be reminded of the person, event or thing that brings happy thoughts.  Why do you collect tchotchkes?

These fall blooming anemones come from our gardener David.  They give me such joy lining the path to the bicycle shed.

I piked up these asters the year we spent living in Nebraska.  They remind me of the big sky and the wild Platte River like a ribbon winding it's way across the state.

Everywhere I look, leafs are beginning to change into their fall wardrobe.

Mostly I leave my fall tchotchkes where I find them, but I can't resist leaves.  I'm getting a pretty impressive collection. Prince Charming is very tolerant as I pause every few steps to pick up and examine a new leaf on our walk.  I limit myself to four or five with each walk, picking up and discarding leaves like an expert poker player discards cards.

And I bring home dozens of apples, different varieties from different orchards. Green, red, yellow, soft, firm, good for cooking, good for eating, sweet, crunchy, tart--can you have enough apples?!

What kind of fall tchotchkes do you collect?