Well, it’s almost Trick or Treat time again.  In my neighborhood, there are huge numbers of kids, all decked out in costumes, all toting plastic pumpkins, carrying sacks, or lugging around empty pillowcases.  The amount of candy collected and consumed at this holiday would make Willy Wonka nervous. 

A few years ago I went to the Halloween parade at the elementary school – Autmn is the second one back in the Genie (pink and blue) costume.  This year she will be Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc.  Chris is someone from Monster High.  I have no clue about the boys! 

I’m actually not into this particular holiday, but will jump in to make it fun for the kids if I can.  Sunday night we had Trunk or Treat at our church and we did Charlotte’s Web.  The kids all had a great time, and I think everyone ate too much!  Mike and Dave always grill THE BEST hot dogs, and Mark does homemade donuts that melt in your mouth.  Yum.  My favorite little visitor was a tiny little fairy – just as cute as a button! 

 Whatever you choose to do on Friday, do it responsibly, reasonably, and make sure everyone is safe and sane.  That’s tough enough on a NORMAL day!   God bless!

It has been AGES since I have been on here. A series of crazy events has kept me occupied away from the social media sights for the most part, but I’m working towards being more devoted to the site!

Just wanted to mention here that on Sunday November 9th at 2pm I will be doing a Parlor Talk at West Overton Museum and Village in Scottdale PA.  The event is free to the public but a donation would be appreciated.  The photo posted is of the original house.  The Parlor Talk will be in the Distillery across the street.

Plan on being there to hear the story behind the story; how Letters to Mary came about and what it took to put it together.  I will have copies of some of the original letters, as well as Mary’s wedding gown and Lydia’s Sunday dress (see the photo section of the web site).  I’m SO looking forward to seeing everyone there! 

On top of spending the weekend with my parents, Sunday afternoon I took the drive up to Altoona to be part of a wedding celebration that truly was a joy to share.

My son-in-law’s older sister, Kim, married the man whom every girl dreams about:  Mr. Wright!  We couldn’t help but be thrilled for her, in so many ways!  Greg is a wonderful Christian man, and he and Kim are destined to have a wonderful life together.

As part of the traditional wedding party, my 2 grandsons (Peyton and Logan) stood with the groom.  They are 7 and 8!  Chase (age 5) along with his cousin Drew were the ring bearers, and Riley made an adorable flower girl in her Disney Princess dress.

Here’s to a long and blessed marriage to Kim and Greg Wright!

Over the past weekend my family took a trip up to Albion to visit my parents.  In addition to my sister Kathy, her daughter Sarah and my granddaughter Autmn traveled with us.  Autmn was the expert photo-taker, but I took this one of her in front o one of mom’s super-shrubs!

 Autmn has a great eye for the artistic, and this is just one of the photos she took for me.  She just walked around the yard, taking pictures of leaves and trees and shrubs and interesting bits of nature.

When we were done snapping photos and playing in the chestnuts, we all piled in and took a drive over to Boyce’s orchards.  Autmn helped the lady fill a gallon jug full of apple cider to bring home, then the owner offered her an apple for her ‘good work’.  She chose a sweet Gala apple and we all shared a taste.  Yummy!    After lunch, Sarah climbed out on the porch roofs and helped clean and position the storm windows, getting ready for the winter cold.  We cut dead branches, trimmed shrubs, dead-headed and ripped out summer flowers past their prime, and drug loads of branches to the huge pile in the forest.  All in all, we had a great weekend – big thanks to both my traveling companions for making it such a special day, and to my parents for hosting our little group.  Dinner was delicious, and the company even better! 

Last week at the middle school where Autmn attends they designated one of the days as ‘Nerd Day’.  Now, I’m not really totally sure exactly what this mean as a whole, but apparently Autmn and Jen (her morning care-giver) did. 

I guess if I were going to school these days, I would think that Autmn’s outfit was nerd-y.  However, secretly I really think it’s cute!  She looks happy and ready for the day, and by all accounts everything went very well and they enjoyed being nerds!

I have a feeling that at some point (maybe now!) I will act or look nerd-y, and I hope that I can have fun doing it, and that others will enjoy it, as well.  So whatever you are doing today, or tomorrow, or next week, if it involves nerdish-ness, go for it!  Have a great time, smile, and just be yourself! 🙂

When my daughter Kelly was four (she’s married now with 3 boys!), she and I took a long walk in the cabin woods that fall and plundered for nature’s goodies.  We found pine cones, walnuts, acorns, hickory nuts, grapevines, flower pods.  Along the way we added Indian corn, silk leaves, and dried gourds.

I have meticulously put them away every year in zip-lock bags and tucked them in an airtight container.  In early fall, I lug out the makings of the fall arrangements and fill little baskets, bowls, and leaf or bat shaped plates to set around the house.

This year Autmn was here to help, and I just handed her the box and all the dishes and said, ‘go to it’!  She did about a dozen little arrangements all by herself.  They looked amazing – better than I would have done myself! And she was so excited and pleased with herself for doing such a great job.  We ended the afternoon by putting the window stickees creatively on the doors and windows.  Now my house looks like fall, and Autmn is thrilled with her accomplishments.  I’m proud of the job she did – she’s growing up to be quite a young lady!

Although today started out windy, dark and wet, the day turned sunny and nice by the time April and I got to Smicksburg (PA).  This weekend is their Fall Festival, and there were people everywhere!  I have been going to Smicksburg my entire life and have never seen it so crowded as it was this weekend.  I was happy for the stores and the vendors, but it made it tricky to get around.

We each bought a few little items, but took our time walking through all the displays and getting ideas from the creativity that was abundant everywhere.  From wreaths to framed artwork to spooky goblins and witches – to hot sausages and funnel cakes and homemade baked goods – there wasn’t much missing.  It was a lovely day and we had a very nice time.

Before heading back home, we drove past my aunt and uncle’s farm just for fun, and found a cow standing in the pond having an afternoon drink.  It was the first time I have every actually seen a cow STANDING in the pond drinking.  She looked very content there so we left her and drove on. I enjoyed the entire day, but we decided that next time we planned a trip to Smicksburg it would be an ordinary, nothing-going-on day.  Crowds are not our thing.  But the fun and laughter and beautiful countryside definitely were!

Here it is – October already.  September seemed to fly past, and I barely know where it went.  There has been a lot of trauma in September, and a lot of heartache in the lives of those around me, which is very hard to deal with sometimes.

BUT…. there are always flowers!  I took this picture of the last roses of summer this evening when I went out for my walk.  Still has brightness and beauty, and I can have it in my memory even after it  scatters to the ground and be done blooming until spring.  So glad I could see them just once more.

Was also surprised to see a bloom on my azalea.  All by itself, just reaching for the sun.  Which goes to show, that even when it’s unlikely and seemingly impossible –  there is beauty and life!  God Bless Us, Every One, as Tiny Tim would say.

But possibly the best flowers of all are those created in love and friendship, like the ones decorating my driveway where Autmn and her friend Torilyn were creating with the sidewalk chalk.  Thank you, girls, for the reminder of beauty, love, friendship, and all the good gifts we have each day.  Come on, fall.  Bring it on!  The flowers will still bloom, one way or another!!

Yesterday my friend Mary Ann and I attended the first annual Railroad Days festival at the Darlington station near Ligonier.  It was a small event as these things go, but very well organized and also well attended.  There were several vendors and craft booths, as well as a very talented band (lots of Civil War music!) and great food.

The caboose was open for viewing, and a volunteer described the history and use of the car.  The kids especially loved ringing the bell.

My niece Sarah (seated) and her husband Kyle painted faces all afternoon and did an amazing job.  Thomas the Train was a particular favorite, but mostly the girls liked rainbows or their name among the stars.   

All in all it was a great day, and we met a lot of lovely people and made some good connections.  I sold several of my books and Mary Ann sold several books in addition to her hand-made jewelry (all available at Craftique in Greensburg in the Davis Plaza).

Special thanks to Mimi Owens and the entire committee for including us in this first annual festival.  We’re already looking forward to next year!

This week I can really say I am glad for tomorrow.  I have the rest of my chores to do this evening, then I can play ‘I spy’ for the weekend!  Thanks to my little buddy Snoopy for the thumbs up!

Along with the thumbs up, let’s do a head’s up!  The Darlington Train Station in Ligonier is having their first annual Railroad Days Festival on Saturday from 9am to 5pm.  My friend and I will have a booth there, both of us selling books – LETTERS TO MARY will of course be available!  There are activities for the kids and displays and crafts.  If you are in the area, stop in!  It’s looking like the weather will co-operate, as well.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy your family and friends.  God gave us so many things to be thankful for.  I am thankful for all of you who read and support.  God bless…..