I love the Fall...those crisp nights and....

My October - Things I like to do

1. Apple picking and pie eating with your sweetie
2. A visit to a pumpkin patch with the grandkids
3. Working in my garden preparing it for winter, enjoying nature
4. Putting back the area rugs in the living room and family room
5. Stopping by Starbucks for a Skinny Chai Tea Latte
6. Decorating the front porch for Halloween
7. Digging out my old holiday magazines for inspiration
8. Taking the last of my walks before it is dark when I get home and looking for our owl family
9. Making soups. Lots of soups.  
10. Inviting a friend over for yummy and healthy 5-star rated Apple Muffins
11. Make homemade applesauce - my childhood favorite is Red Hot Applesauce
12. Trick or Treating with the grandkids, and hot apple cider afterwards to warm up. 

What's on your list for October?

New Project: Inspired by California

Kirby Scudder an artist is traveling throughout California to talk to Californians about those things that inspire us about this great state.

Kirby Scudder is Director of the Santa Cruz Institute of Contemporary Arts in Santa Cruz, California and an accomplished Artist. He has chosen to take a road trip around the State of California to find out what inspires people about the State of California. At a time when language about the State is frequently negative Inspired by California seeks to ask whats great about this state.

Take a peek at http://www.inspiredbycalifornia.com/

Bucket List: New York -- CHECK!

Finally I can wipe New York off my bucket list. Coming into the city my eyes were wide open hoping to spot some of the most talked about buildings in the world. The Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the lights from Times Square and the best known Statue of Liberty. We grabbed the city bus into downtown from the airport where it dropped me at Grand Central Station. Having been restored back to it's 1913 splendor, Grand Central has become a midtown desirable destination. If I hadn’t been so tired I would have taken The Grand Central Self-Guided Tour http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/info/walkingtour.cfm

Breakfast at the Double Tree wins over adventure as having come in late last night I have developed an appetite. I'm pleasantly surprised to see an excellent buffet breakfast complete with my favorites. I love how as I step outside a doorman is ready to hail me a cab. A mix of business appointments and pleasure today I must be poised to greet the day.

Creative Way to Display Your Scarf Collection

Over the many years of my travels I have collected a scarf as a memory of each trip.  I recently figured out a way to display my collection and I find that I wear them more now that I can see them so clearly.  This was easy and went up in one afternoon.  The perfume prints above the scarves were collected in Tours, France at an antique fair by my daughter Jenna on our trip there many years ago.

 

Directions:

To make the scarf rack, I used an old wooden drapery rod.  I attached it to the wall and then knotted each of the scarves in color order on the rod.  I then thoughtfully chose each of the prints to be displayed above.  It was by far one of the simplest projects I have done, but it has quite an impact.  It's a great way to usefully display your scarves and add a pop of color into the room.

Things I like...

Well...  I know it's October, but here I am thinking about summer already...

Big dog sloppy kisses

watching the sun set in my backyard

flea market finds

window boxes full of flowers

giggles at the drive-in theater

dining al fresco at home

summer memories growing up

swimming as the sun sets

the smell of clothes fresh off the clothesline

the dog hanging his heads out of the car window

bare feet on cold grass

sound of ice cream trucks

laying down to watch fireworks

pink painted toes

road side fruit stands

watching a roller coaster from the ground

the sound of frogs around the pond

outdoor summer concerts

water balloon fights

the smell of suntan lotion

white lights in trees on the patio

tiki torches

narrow winding roads

bike rides at dusk

popping strawberries right into my mouth

sunglasses as a headband

pink snow cones tongues

the sound of lawnmowers from down the street

the sound of a vintage fan that “clicks”

a good yard sale

neighbors stopping to talk

ice cold watermelon

drive-in movies

singing in the car with “the girls”

sparklers for the kids

falling asleep in my chair

weekend trips

laying on the grass on a summer night

planning a vacation

the California shoreline

drinking lemonade out of a mason jar

collecting driftwood and shells

being spontaneous

homemade Grape juice popsicles

Sandcastles

cute elderly couples holding hands

day trips

picnics

drippy ice cream cones

veggies from farmers markets

running for ocean waves

spending time with my family

Pismo sand dunes

big sunglasses with no name brand

wedding cake with buttercream frosting

the smell of a campfire

a hammock by the lake

flip-flops in bright colors

lingering daylight hours

kids playing in the sprinklers

neighborhood block parties

white linen

Italian opera while cleaning

600 thread count on my bed

planting spring annuals

eating dinner off the grill

the sound of silence

a cool shower after a long day on the lake

hanging clothes on the clothesline

lemonade stands

high school baseball games

camping in the backyard

a cool breeze on a really hot day

sundresses with sandals

marching bands in small-town parades

beach hair pulled back

fresh blackberries right off the vine

picking my salad from my garden

the smell of my neighbors grill

dreamsicles

making s'mores on the camp fire

grilled corn on the cob

a blazing bonfire

fresh peaches

beach balls

squirt gun fights

sparkling blue swimming pools

teak wood outdoor furniture