Signs of autumn

We have a sweet farm not far from our home that is offering the most beautiful pumpkins and mums this year. I went overboard this year. We have pumpkins and gourds inside our home in almost every room. I bought a few large pumpkins for carving into jack~o~lanterns, and a medium one for our traditional stew in a pumpkin that I make every Halloween. I even have them outside our home in our window boxes, along the buildup on our patio, and I'm using a few for the table during our party.There are two gorgeous yellow mums at the front entrance of our home. They will stay there until Thanksgiving.
I love the fact that I can use these decorations for two holidays. This is how I justified my over indulgence.
Natures beauty doesn't get much better than this!

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Busy week = lists

I live by my lists.

I can not function without some form of direction. I try to break down my week and accomplish at least one task each day.

Such as laundry one day, food shopping another and errands split up depending on the direction so that I'm not driving all over wasting time and gas.

Each week I make a master list with separate lists for each day of the week. What doesn't get accomplished in that day, gets placed on an unfinished list. This may sound over the top, but it works for me.

I do this simply to stay sane (definition not included). With my husbands constant travel schedule, I can't always depend on him so I've learned to do it all myself and if he happens to be around to lend a helping hand, it's an unexpected bonus!

We are having our annual Oktoberfest this weekend and this year it's all on me! My naval officer promises to be in town, but his arrival date is not known at this time so I can't really count on him to pick up any of the slack. I've been working on this for weeks. Over the weekend my daughter and I went on a "field trip" into nature (our backyard) to find the items needed for my entrance ~ pictures to follow later this week.

I finalized the menu last week, purchased all the candles, extra table wear items, pumpkins, gourds and mum, made and froze some of the appetizers, and hit the package store. This week is food shopping for the party as well as our weekly meals, not to mention thoroughly cleaning our home.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, it's also conference week at school.

I think I need to add extra vitamins to the list!

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Autumn Food Stroll

I have wanted to do this for the past couple of years but something always comes up. This year a girlfriend and I went together.

It was incredible.

You walk along a reviving old New England town sampling food

from various venues and gander into the local shops.

Each and every display was well thought out and the presentation was amazing.

I loved the soup "cauldron" filled with potato leek soup.

The pumpkins cheese cake was delicious and the stacked pumpkin sign

was just too cute and creative.

The gargoyle with his watchful eye is from one of my favorite wine shops

that is next door to an incredible cheese shop.

It was the perfect autumn evening ~ not too cold but a nice chill in the air.

The food was yummy, the shops were quaint

and the time spent with my girlfriend was lovely!

We sampled from amazing restaurants. I can't wait for my husband to

return so I can treat him to my new findings.

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October showcase!

Pumpkins

Come, autumn, come.

Bring leaves of crimson on golden bough; misty morns and amber dusk; a harvest of plenty and pumpkins on the vine. And so the gathering season begins, swathed in exquisite abundance and earthen beauty.

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I adore pumpkins and gourds in any size, color or shape this time of year. I found this little guy at a local farmer's stand. He was adorable all clad in white. I brought him home and decided to dress him up a bit. I added a brown polka dot bow, and a showcase.

Now he is a center piece!

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Quiet reflections ...

While working in the yard yesterday, I became lost in my ever wandering thougths. I was relfecting on what I had accomplished that morning and what still needed to be done before the day was over.

With the background noise of the neighborhood children's voices as they played, birds chirping and the squirrels quarreling, I was very content in the moment while I went through window boxes and cut back our flower garden.

It was then, that I had an odd sense, as though it was something I had experienced before. I felt it early that morning while I was baking. Then it became clear, I recognized the scent and sensation from that morning ... I was baking something my mother had made many times over the years. I guess this is the first time I had ever tried her recipe (I have kept all her recipes and go through time from time to time for new ideas as well as the memories.)

I realized that there are so many things I wish I could share with her ~ thoughts, ideas, frustrations, secrets, joys, sorrows and most of all, laughter.

This lead to my new quiet time of reflection. While I might not have the opportunity to share with her in person, I've decided to create a journal to hold such conversations.

Perhaps one day I'll share it with my children or, just keep it between my mother and I.

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Technology

Time flies fast when you're out of touch!

We had a wonderful time in Annapolis seeing old friends and attending all the events. We arrived back in Connecticut late Sunday night (several weeks ago). My naval officer had to fly out Monday morning but before he left, he checked his emails, sent off a few messages and decided to update a few programs. YIKES!

I love technology as long as it's working properly. I must confess that I am more than a little technologically challenged. I never go for anything that has endless bells and whistles. I like to turn it on and be ready to go. Besides, I married a man who has one of his graduate degrees in Computer Engineering.

I came home from school Monday afternoon to our computer that was acting very strange and making an odd noise (I know enough about computers to realize this wasn't a good thing). I called my husband in hopes of catching him before he got on the submarine ~ I caught him just in time for him to tell me that he updated a few programs (read outdated my ability to communicate with the outside world) and to call our neighbor to take a "quick look" at it as he was sure it wasn't anything all that serious.

NOPE!

Our computer crashed!

I never realized how much I use this vehicle of information. I've had to go into school early and stay late since I can't work from home, I've had little communication with several family members and friends as we are all busy and use the Internet to keep in touch, not to mention my new found friends in the blog world.

We are rebuilt and back on the communication highway once again. I say all this with my fingers crossed as my husband flew out this morning to ride a sub.

Looking forward to catching up and checking in! : )

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Academy Reunion

My husband and I are going away together for the weekend. Our summer was so busy and he traveled for most of it so we haven't had an opportunity to spent any alone time together.

We are heading for Annapolis Maryland first thing in the morning on Friday.

Our weekend is full of reunion gatherings and get together.

It's always so much fun to see people that we haven't in years, hear the "good ole days" stories and just relax with each other. My husband graduated from the Naval Academy many years ago. I must admit that I love a man in uniform! I love going to the Ball with my naval officer all dressed up in his dress uniforms and medals gleaming against his chest.

We will be attending many events throughout the weekend but my favorite is the tailgating and football game!

His year group goes all out and the catered event is amazing. You can literally graze the day away with the endless buffet.

After the game, we will attend a party and end the night with close friends.

Sunday morning we will attend a service, enjoy brunch, finish up any shopping ,and head for Connecticut.

Monday morning my naval officer heads back out to sea for a short "cruise."

we just got word that John McCain will be their for his reunion as well.

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