I am not, by any means, an early morning kind of gal. However, I did find myself walking to the shops before 9am today, and I was actually kind of glad I did as an early morning frost remained where the sun had not yet warmed the earth. Just beautiful. This is actually my favourite kind of day: clear blue sky, frosted foliage, the air so cold you can see your breath. Lovely 
However, I’m going to take this opportunity while sharing my delight at the frost-laced leaves, to also share some newsy tidbits with you. Firstly, I’d like to encourage you to enter a picture for the Photography Less Ordinary photo challenge. The topic is Changing Seasons and the deadline is this Saturday, so you’ll need to get a wriggle on!
Secondly, I want to point you in the direction of a Less Ordinary reader who has been a great supporter of this blog and is now championing it on her new blog Slow Blogs. I just love Monna’s new blog, and I’m sure you will too. She has created a fantastic Slow Blog manifesto, which includes definitions of a slow blog as one that celebrates authenticity and encourages community building: both key aims of Less Ordinary! Anyway, check out the first post which introduces the concept, and then subscribe so you don’t miss any future posts.
Lastly, some more personal news for those of you who are interested in how the thesis is going. I’ve almost finished the final chapter now and for the next few months (till the end of Jan) I will be focusing on rewrites and polishing and footnotes and the bibliography. Fun fun! I am, however, very nearly there and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has sent supportive emails, tweets and texts. I appreciate you all so much!
So what’s your news? How’s life going with you?
Your picture is beautiful! It reminds me that autumn too has its wonderful moments. I needed this, because here in Berlin the sky is terribly gray – at least it has stopped raining.
Wishing you all the best for the final work on your thesis!
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Derelict House in Jüterbog
Amy, there is something truly beautiful about the crisp morning air this time of year. As I look out my window now, the sun is playing peek a boo, the grass is still green and the trees are shedding their golden and red leaves. The air is chilly but in that invigorating way that makes you feel alive. We had hail here over the weekend, it fell hard and fast and covered the streets and cars for about 10 minutes and then the sun came bursting through as though it never happened. I suppose it was winter’s way of letting Fall know it’s time is coming to an end.
Congratulations on your thesis progress! I can’t wait to celebrate when it is all done! Thinking of you always and love seeing you even if it is only for a brief time.
Karen xo
Karen Swims last blog post..Write a Novel in Six Months … or Thirty Days
Great news Amy!
Love the idea of slow blogging… popping over there now.
I’m enjoying the cold bright days – what a relief after the rain! – and the skies here are magnificent. I can’t get enough of them
See you soon!
Joanna
Joanna Youngs last blog post..21 Irresistibly Irresponsible Ways to Tweet with Greater Confidence
Beautiful pic.
I love what you do with colour.
Paul Merrills last blog post..You gotta try some
Heading over to Slow Blogs. I certianly am in agreement with the concept! I have been building my community one delightful person at a time! Amy, I am JUST not ready for frost and winter. Only YOU can make it look beautiful to me. Glad to hear there is a light at the end of your thesis tunnel now!
Amy, thanks for sending some of your lovely readers over to Slow Blogs. It seems that a lot of people identify with the manifesto!
This week I’ve featured Heather Cowper from Heather on Her Travels at http://heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/
Have a lovely late autumn day!
I just returned from an extended and not particularly pleasant trip to take care of some business, and now I’m in introspection mode. November is a favourite month with NaNoWriMo and this year I am finishing up the rework of my website Markeroni to make it sustainable in the longer term. I am writing, snuggling up against the rain and cold, and truly enjoying Mother Nature.