Random Friday

Look around the ol' interwebs a while and you'll see all kinds of folks singing the praises of fall and proclaiming it their favorite season.  Myself included.  Why is that?  I think I've finally figured it out.

Everything about fall is comforting.  That's it.  It's the cozy season. The clothes... warm and cozy sweaters.  The colors.... warm reds, yellows, oranges, browns and rusts.  The foods.... comfort foods - pumpkin, apple pie, cinnamon, soups and stews.  Hot chocolate, pumpkin lattes, warm tea.  It all just says "cozy".  No wonder so many of us are drawn to this particular season!

Autumn

Know what else I find cozy?  Foggy mornings.  I don't know what it is but I enjoy a good foggy start to the day.  The thicker the fog - the better.  Unless of course I have to go out and drive in it.  But even then to a certain point, I'm enjoying the mist.

foggy morning

Here are some other random thoughts I've had this week.  For either your reading amusement - Or to scare you away from this blog forever because you are terrified by how my brain works.  Your call.

I realized this week that it is rapidly becoming decision time in regards to my hair.  Chop it off and keep it shorter - or bear through this stage, stockpile ponytail bands, bobby pins, and hair clips and let it grow out.  Decisions, decisions...

It's also past time for a color change for the little piggies.  And a cuticle trim.  Geez, I am really letting myself go over here! Anywho...  got any suggestions for a fun fall-ish type pedi color?  They're dark blue right now.

I'm keeping pretty busy making hats these days.  Everyone is getting in those orders for Halloween costumes I suppose.   But it's busy in a good way.  Not staying up all night busy.  More like steady.  Steady with a side of busy.

I finished season 2 of Downton Abbey this week.  And this entire season has just wreaked me!  It has apparently also wreaked the Man of the House, but in an entirely different way.  He avoids watching it like the plague, hiding out in the other room anytime I put it on to catch another episode.

I guess that about covers it.  For now. What's been on your mind this week?

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And Then It Was Friday ...

I can't quite remember the last time I was this happy to see a weekend beginning.  I mean, I always look forward to the weekend because it means I have the Man of the House at home for two whole days.  And this time of year, it means lazy Sunday afternoons in front of the television watching football.  But this past week was a real doozy  and I am especially glad to be leaving it in the rear view mirror.  Here are a few of the highlights and lowlights:

Lack of Sleep: 
Which I feel I covered rather thoroughly here. Leaving the only thing left to say to be how despite two good night's sleep I still find myself fighting the urge to nod off.  An afternoon nap this weekend will do me a world of good.

Downton Abbey:
Yes, I am several years behind trend on this one.  But when I pulled my all night work-fest I finally got around to watching most all of the first season.  And I find myself quite smitten with that family of snobby Brits and their servant type peoples.

A Mother's Worries:
Nothing quite sets a mother's heart racing like receiving a message from the local Sheriff's department that her child's school, as well as the middle school next door, is on lock down with one suspect in custody.  Can you say "freaking out"?  Fortunately I was able to text with the male offspring and get his assurance that all was well.  They weren't even sure what was going on except that they were on "hard lockdown" and it was not a drill.  Apparently an emergency call was made to the authorities because of a woman on campus with a gun.  The lockdown was initiated and school resource officers apprehended her in the parking lot.  The lockdown could not be lifted until they did a full safety sweep of the schools and both parking lots. By noon the male offspring sent me a text to let me know it had been lifted.

All's Well That Ends Well:
I have to give credit to the school staff, the resource officers, and the local Sheriff's office who responded quickly and kept our children safe.

Creamy Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup:
Since I discovered this recipe on the Pinterest last year and made it for my family it has been one of our favorites.  In fact, several family members have declared it to be the best soup they have ever eaten. ( one of those members might be me) It is creamy, flavorful and de-li-cious!  Best of all, it's made in the Crockpot with minimal fuss.  A perfect meal for a cool, rainy autumn evening!

And that about covers it.  Another week in the record books (or something like that).

Right now, I believe I will take advantage of this rainy afternoon by making a cup of tea and seeing what the Dowager Countess has to say about her family's latest shenanigans.

Have a great weekend y'all!

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Friday Favorites - Labor Day Weekend

We made it to another weekend, y'all!

Not just any weekend, either.  A Three Day weekend! And I know you gotta love that!  Well, OK,  sure - it's not required that you like it or anything.  But, I mean... c'mon!  An extra weekend day.  That's all good!

Labor Day weekend means the unofficial end of summer.  Which, for me, means the start of Boot season!  That's right, as of this weekend this gal will be pulling the boots out of the back of the closet and gearing up to rock them for the next 7 months or so.  I adore boots, and would own a closet full of them if money were no object.

Around these parts, Labor Day weekend means the North Carolina Apple Festival.  We'll usually head downtown to check out the booths, munch on some candied apples and funnel cake, and head home with a selection of fruit from local growers.

http://www.ncapplefestival.org/

It has been another crazy week for me.  And I'm still not feeling 100% great.  This time last week I was sure it was a cold.  Now I think it must be allergies; because since when does a cold last two weeks??  Or maybe it started as allergies and is now trying to decide if it's going to blow up into a sinus infection or not?  All I know for sure is that I wish it would just end, already.

Because of this, I am not sure if I am personally feeling up to being all apple festive this year.  Honestly, I am just looking forward to a quiet weekend.  Going to bed early.  Maybe sneaking in a nap or two.  That sort of anti-excitement.

What are your weekend plans?

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A Weekly Reality Rewind

I started this week thinking I was experiencing a hard core allergy flare up.  Perhaps enhanced from being tired; as I was not ready for the school day schedule to start back up on Monday.  But after a solid week I feel pretty sure what I am actually dealing with is a late summer cold.

Sounds like a big negative.  But on the bright side - since I didn't feel like doing much, I did a lot of sitting on the couch and getting plenty of work done for my Etsy shop.  So, that's a big win!

The female offspring went back to work and school this week.  Which means lots of grand baby time for this Oma!  That kid is exhausting!  And while my living room looks very much like a toy box threw up all over the floor, he makes me laugh everyday.  And hearing him say "thank you Oma for making me pancakes" one morning just made my whole week!

I signed up for a new Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study which begins September 8th. It's "Taming The To Do List", and y'all know me and my To Do lists!!  I've already started my master list for September.

I also registered to attend two events next month being sponsored by our local  community colleges small business center.

Our weather has been giving us the tiniest preview of fall.  While Temps are still right around 80 degrees, it is much less humid and breezy.  Much more bearable to this gal!  I say, "Bring on the Autumn"!

And, that's pretty much my week in a nutshell.

I'm looking forward to a weekend filled with a trip to the farmer's market, watching some NFL preseason football, and plenty of resting.

Have a good one!

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Everything and Nothing: The Follow Friday Four Fill In

  TGIF!  Which means it's time again for the Follow Friday Four Fill In Blog Hop! Each week, Feeling Beachie gives us four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs.

Want to be featured as a Co-Host to the hop? Come up with four fill in’s of your own and email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, you get a nice little mention in that weeks hop! Please help her out and email some statements! This week’s co-host is Annie from The Lemon Drop she came up with the last two statements.

It's only fair that we share and share alike! So, since Feeling Beachie is sharing with us - be sure to tweet, facebook, etc about the Follow Friday blog hop. If you tweet, please use #f5-bloghop And add the little linky tool there at the bottom to your own blog if you participate!

This week’s statements:

1. I like to __ when I am ___
2. ___ is my favorite vegetable
3. I get ________ when I ___________.
4. I’m surprised by _________ and ____________.

My Responses:

1. I like to read when I am trying to fall asleep.  (This was tough, because I immediately had 3 responses jump into my head when I read this statement!!!)
2. Asparagus is my favorite vegetable  (followed very closely by broccoli and brussel sprouts)
3. I get stressed out when I think of everything I need and want to do.
4. I’m surprised by everything and nothing all at once!