~ Grackles ~ Ravens ~ Crows ~ An Autumn Table

 

November has arrived, and I for one am 

savoring the colors and textures of autumn.

Blackbirds have always fascinated me, and this

fall tabletop post is a nod to those intriging creatures.

There are so many grackles in Austin, that some

consider them the unofficial mascot of the city.

Known for their iridescent feathers and long tail, these noisy birds

often roost in large numbers in trees, creating a cacophony of squawks.

Not what one wants outside their bedroom window!

Perched on outdoor fountains or walking about tables, if one

is dining outdoors here in Austin, grackles are likely there with you.

These aggressive birds are so brazen they may hop right

up onto the table and help themselves to something off your plate.

With fall and the hordes of pumpkins that arrive at local stores 

and garden centers, you are sure to see grackles perched about,

their piercing golden eyes daring you to help yourself to a pumpkin.

They walk about squawking, 

"Caw, Caw!  Caw, Caw!"

Crows are twice as large as grackles, but not often seen in the city.

Their feathers are a true black, as are their beaks and feet.

As one might expect, the resident crow here at Hyacinths for the Soul, 

proudly wears Courtly Check breast feathers 

and a crown upon his head.

Beautiful crisp air and sunny skies called to me and 

inspired a November table on the terrace.

Fortunately no grackles joined us.

One of our local flower farms sells these beautiful plum sunflowers.

I'm drawn to the gorgeous depth of color and 

how they reflect the feel of autumn .

These Creative Co Op plates were spied while on a 

hill country day trip with girlfriends summer 2019.

They are the perfect fall touch for lunch on the terrace.

I paired them with MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check chargers atop ruffled burlap placemats, all to set them apart from the wonderful block-print details of the MacKenzie-Childs Vendage table linen.

Gray and yellow plaid napkins, rattan napkin rings with yellow beads,

 our Christofle Talisman silver flatware ~ each offer texture and continue the compliment to the rich colors of Ventage.

Real grackle feathers gathered from our garden

with a few fallen leaves add organic touches of nature.

One of our favorite refreshing drinks is 

Fentimans Mandarian and Seville Orange Jigger.

Have you tried it?

Fly on over and join me on the terrace.

The sun is shining, but there is a nip in the air.

We are enjoying perfect autumn days in Austin.

If you are so inclined, an older post here shares some crow 

inspired vignettes and an interesting Native American Legend about crows that I shared each year when I was teaching.

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado 

You're the Star @ Electric Red BarnHappiness is Homemade @ Bluesky at Home  Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia  Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House   Celebrate Your Story @ Celebrate and Decorate  Keep in Touch @ Let's Add Sprinkles  Over the Moon @ Marilyn's Treats 

Tuesday Turnaround @ Bluesky Kitchen 

All About Home @ Common Ground  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn
Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Charming Homes and Gardens @ Shiplap and Shells  Embracing Home and Family @ The Everyday Farmhouse   Farmhouse Friday @ The Painted Hinge

Trip Treasures

A recent trip to Baltimore and Wilmington 

garnered a few treasures that have found their way 

into fall vignettes here at HFTS.

Antique Majolica in Various Leaf Patterns

Vintage Binoculars with Leather Details

And a Wonderful Fall Inspired 
Scherenschnitte

Scherenschnitte is the art of paper cutting. The tradition of scissor cutting was brought to Colonial America in the 18th century, primarily in Pennsylvania. A 1930s Quimper pitcher holds a fall bouquet, while a wooden blackbird and wooden pumpkins finish out the vignette.

As with this piece, these works of paper cuttings often have symmetry of design. Here fall leaves radiate off from a Tom Turkey. Acorns, owls, pumpkins, and black crows further embellish the design.

All these intricate details immediately 

drew me to this piece, along with the beautiful fall colors 

that were hand water colored.

This design is by 
Pam Rankin Hultz.

And since black crows play a major roll in my new paper cut, I thought I'd include a few more crow inspired vignettes I created last year when I shared the following Native American legend that I taught my students in the fall of each year.

It was believed that in ancient times, all crows were as white as the snow. The native Americans that roamed the plains in search of buffalo hunted on foot. It was a difficult life, and the people depended on the buffalo to survive. They used every part of the buffalo for food, clothing, tools, and shelter.

The crows were friends of the buffalo, and as they soared high above they could see everything that happened below on the prairie. When they spied hunters approaching a herd, the crows would swoop down to the buffalo and call out in warning: "Caw, caw, caw. The hunters are near. You must run." The buffalo would scatter and leave the hunters without a kill. With time the people began to starve.

Among the crows was one that was larger than the others and the leader of the flock. The people decided that they must capture this big white crow and teach him a lesson. They devised a plan.

A young brave would wear a buffalo skin with head and horns. He would graze among the buffalo as if he were one of them. As the hunters approached, the crow called out his usual warning: "Caw, caw, caw. The hunters are near. You must run." All but one of the buffalo stampeded away. So the crow flew down and perched on the lone buffalo saying: "Caw, caw, caw. Can you not hear? The hunters are near. You must run and save yourself." 

The brave then reached up from under his disguise and grabbed the crow. He tied a cord to his legs and attached the other end of the cord to a large stone. The crow was captured!

The people met again to decide what to do with this bad crow who was causing them to go hungry. As they gathered, one impatient brave grabbed the crow and threw him into the council fire. At once the fire burned through the cord, and the big crow flew to freedom.

But the big crow's beautiful white feathers were now black from the fire, and as he soared above the people could hear him call: "Caw, caw, caw. I'll never warn the buffalo again."

From that day on, all crows are as black 

as the blackened scorched feathers of the big white crow.

You might be interested to know that crows are very intelligent birds and can mimic sounds. These large birds are often a problem for farmers and gardeners because they tend to live in large flocks which consume large amounts of food.

So if you have a garden,

you just might want to add one of these.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Caw, Caw, Caw ~ Black Crow's Warning

There is a Native American legend that I always 

shared with my students this time of year.

It was believed that in ancient times, all crows were as white as the snow. The native Americans that roamed the plains in search of buffalo hunted on foot. It was a difficult life, and the people depended on the buffalo to survive. They used every part of the buffalo for food, clothing, tools, and shelter.

The crows were friends of the buffalo, and as they soared high above they could see everything that happened below on the prairie. When they spied hunters approaching a herd, the crows would swoop down to the buffalo and call out in warning: "Caw, caw, caw. The hunters are near. You must run." The buffalo would scatter and leave the hunters without a kill. With time the people began to starve.

Among the crows was one that was larger than the others and the leader of the flock. The people decided that they must capture this big white crow and teach him a lesson. They devised a plan.

A young brave would wear a buffalo skin with head and horns. He would graze among the buffalo as if he were one of them. As the hunters approached, the crow called out his usual warning: "Caw, caw, caw. The hunters are near. You must run." All but one of the buffalo stampeded away. So the crow flew down and perched on the lone buffalo saying: "Caw, caw, caw. Can you not hear? The hunters are near. You must run and save yourself."

The brave then reached up from under his disguise and grabbed the crow. He tied a cord to his legs and attached the other end of the cord to a large stone. The crow was captured!

The people met again to decide what to do with this bad crow who was causing them to go hungry. As they gathered, one impatient brave grabbed the crow and threw him into the council fire. At once the fire burned through the cord, and the big crow flew to freedom.

But the big crow's beautiful white feathers were now black from the fire, and as he soared above the people could hear him call: "Caw, caw, caw. I'll never warn the buffalo again."

From that day on, all crows are as black as the blackened scorched feathers of the big white crow.

You might be interested to know that crows are very intelligent birds and can mimic sounds. These large birds are often a problem for farmers and gardeners because they tend to live in large flocks which consume large amounts of food.

So if you have a garden, you just might want to add one of these.

Linking to

Friday Favorites @ Whistlestop Cafe Cooking

A Few of My Favorite Things

@ Bargain Hunting &Chatting With Laurie

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Image of the crow with white feather is from Sturbridge Yankee Workshop. As blackbirds are some of my favorites, I've ordered one of these for my own bookshelves.

Fall Nesting

Welcome Fall! Today I'm joining Rhondi @ Rose Colored Glasses to join in the fun of her Fall Party.

No one is more ready to Welcome Fall than I am. This has been our hottest summer on record, and today, the last day of summer, the high was 96. The weather people tell us that a cool front is moving in tonight. We may actually usher in Fall with temps in the 70s. Rain is also in the forecast. Hurray!

If you joined me for Metamorphosis Monday this week, you already know that I've begun to do a little Fall nesting around our home. (Click here to see details on this fall tableau.). I plan to wait till we are into October to add some Halloween decor, but for now I've added a few fall touches here and there over the past few days.

A couple of the white pumpkins and an oversized acorn greet guest in the entry of our home.

I choose not to use the mini orange pumpkins in the setting on the dining room table. So I've scattered them about to give a bit of color elsewhere. These sit on a silver try on the hunt board in our living room.

The vibrant yellows of the sunflowers and yellow bells play off the colors in the painting that hangs above the hunt board.

I preferred using the white pumpkins with the green and gold veining to compliment the shawl on the dining room table, but mixing the orange ones into this group makes for a nice contrast.

I put the remainder of the little mini pumpkins in this brass compote and set it in the bay window.

The painting above the mantel provides a visual salute to fall. I like the simplicity of the wooden boxes and assortment of pear shaped items.

The patina of the wooden boxes and pears adds a bit of warmth below the painting.

The pair of French faience vases on either side are from Desvres.

We have an oak bench that is home to seasonal pillows. The pumpkin is made of felt and the larger one is hooked wool.

This pillow is a favorite with the rooster perched among the pumpkins and sunflowers.

There are a few more fall touches out on the sun porch and in the morning room off our kitchen, but I'll save that for another time. Thanks for stopping in today to help greet the beginning of a new season. Please leave a comment below so I know who was here for the party.

Then click Rhondi's @ The Rose Colored Glasses to see a list of others who are participating in today's Welcome Fall party.