ThisTime of Year

I love the autumn time of year.  I love the colors, the foods, the cooler weather, the harvest and the promise of holidays to come.  It's my favorite time of year and this Fall has been extremely beautiful and mild.  I found this picture online and loved it.  My thought was...how many pumpkin pies could be made out of these lovely squash?  My mom used to make pumpkin pies, but she also made squash pies that were even better than the pumpkin.  I miss those times and her pies.  I need to get her recipe.

The Perfect Apple

I went visiting teaching to Nicole's last month, and on the way out she was telling me that her apples were almost ready to can and maybe needed just a couple  more days.    I asked her if I could just pick one and she said yes.  I reached in and randomly picked one. "They are Jonathan's  she said".  That is one of my favorites ...not too sweet, not too sour and so delicious with just a sprinkling of salt.  When I got it home, I washed it up and shined it before I ate it.  Whoa, wait, I didn't/couldn't eat this....not yet.  It was the most beautiful apple I have ever seen.  It was perfect in it's shape, perfect in it's redness and perfect in it's shine. It did not have a scratch, peck mark, or a blemish of any kind. It was like a mini work of art.  When Wayne got home I showed it to him and he didn't even think it was real.  It stayed in my refrigerator for over a week before I gave in and consumed the beautiful orb.  It was as good as it looked.  Sometimes all you need it a tiny miracle to make you remember the giver of all miracles.

Fashion Trends

When I was younger (and much thinner) I followed the fashion trends every year and picked  up several things that went along with that trend .  It was fun, revved up the wardrobe, and with careful shopping, it didn't cost much.  I like to look nice but really don't care much for the trends anymore.  if I like it I'll wear it and if I don't, I won't.  However,  I have been going over the Internet sites and stores lately to see just what are the trends for 2011/2012.  Some are fun and some are really ugly.  The trend for Spring is cropped tops again.  OH HOW I HATE THOSE.  I couldn't wait until Brittney Spears fell from the spotlight because I was so tired of looking at muffin tops and belly buttons.  Not only that, but 99% of the tummys that were bare shouldn't have been. Here is what Internet and TV shows say are the new trends for the year.

1.  Anything with a 60's style to it.  I lived through that once and the styles weren't all that cute except for maybe a couple of things.  I didn't like the psychedelic colors but the brighter colors I did like.
2.  Coats and sweaters with fur trim.  I had that and liked it about 30 years ago. Remember Sony Bono's vests?  I didn't like those, but my coat was pretty darn cute.
3.  Boots, boots and more boots.  Did that too and have some now. LIKE!
4.  Dolmen sleeves on blouses.  Didn't have that and still won't.  They are fine on other people, but on me...no thank you. I look like Humpty Dumpty.
5.  Ponchos.  Been there, done that.  I do like them though.
6.  Scarves, pencil skirts and strappy shoes are still trendy.  I like them all.
7.  Animal prints are still big.  I like some of them but don't own any.
8.  Bright colored pants are really big this year.  I don't own any but I do like them.  Hot pink, yellow, bright blue, and red can be seen everywhere. I don't own any and probably won't.  I did wear them in the 70's and loved them then.
9.  Everything with polka dots. Now I can get on this trend.  I love polka dots and have 2 sweaters with them.  I will be happy to buy more.
10.  Long skirts are back, especially peasant skirts.  I always like them...still have a couple.
11.  Trench coats and parkas.  Like them both.
12.  Color blocking..such as .wearing a red shirt with a gold skirt and a purple sweater.....all solids.  It's OK.
13.  Things that lace up such as shoes, corsets, dresses and belts.  Hmmmm
14.  Layering clothes in earth tone.  I can do that.
15.  Wedge shoes are still in style.  I like them and they work on my poor broken foot.  I can't wear high heels.
16.  Shiny fabrics such as satin, etc.  Wear it on top or bottom.  I leave that to the young.
17.  Big jewelry....it has been around a while and I like some of it but only own one chunky necklace.
18.  Giant bright and gawdy prints.  No thanks.
19.  Jeans with holes all over them.  No thanks again.  Hope this trend ends soon. They will be even worse when worn with a cropped shirt.  I especially don't think they are cute on anyone over 30.
20.  Sweaters....love, love, love.

Friends

I have a friend Marsha that lives in Florida.  We were close in high school and did lots of things together along with our other friend Cindi.  You could find us in Cindi's Mustang or Marsha's VW bug almost every night.  Our lives revolved around boys, dragging main and food from the Rose Bowl drive in.  We went to dances every week-end and they are good memories.  Marsha has a daughter that moved to Utah and so had a good excuse to come.  We had not seen each other for probably 30 years or more but she made her way to my house last week and we went to lunch.  We just starting talking and caught up where we left off.  She is a really good person and I'm so glad we got together.  If the daughter stays here, it may happen more often now.  Love you Marsha.  I haven't seen Cindi in many years either and we need to remedy that.  Our other good friends go to our little town celebration once in a while and I get to see them which always makes me happy.  Friends, new or old, are a treasure.

Less Than Average Accomodations

Last week hubby and I went to Montana and Wyoming for a business trip/wedding.  We went through Yellowstone Park again and Teton National park and then proceeded to go to the Montana towns where he needed to go.  Parts of the drive were exceptionally beautiful in Montana.  We went to northern Montana and saw beautiful fields of grass and trees changing color.  His business went well and since it was the end of September, we thought it wouldn't be hard to find a motel.  WRONG! The oil pipeline being built  had brought men from all over the country to a place that has jobs for everyone and the motels were full up for miles and miles.  From Wolf Point to Glendive to Miles City they were full.  After calling all around, we found a tiny, scary, dirty motel that had a room.  We stayed here for the night and quickly got the heck out of there as early as possible the next morning.

Here is the bathroom window, peeling paint and plastic covering.  The bottom window was covered but the top was clear and anyone outside could just peek in.  I had to shut the shower curtain to use the bathroom.

This was the tub drain.  Enough said.

Funny enough, the floor was dirty and stained and we would not walk around bare foot, but the sheets were clean (no bed bugs) and the counter was a cute 1950's tiled area that I kind of  took a liking to.  It was the most light I had all week to apply make-up.  The house in front of the motel had a red light in the window. Hmmmm

We will take Colett's advise and call ahead for motel rooms the next time we pass this way.