Happy Halloween!!!!

Happy Halloween to everyone! Wow, what an amazing day it has been! As you all know by now, I love Halloween and today has been so much fun. First of all, the weather was just gorgeous and it warmed up really nicely. My sister came over and spent the day with us.

My sister is my best friend and I treasure time spent with her. She and Addie carved the pumpkin while I was making the caramel dipped apples. That was actually Addie’s first time ever carving a pumpkin. That was very cute to watch and it took a while before Addie would touch the “guts”. She took these pics of Addie after they were done - too sweet. She loved her pumpkin & was very proud of him!

Mom came over too and helped me get things together for the big night. All our neighborhood friends came over and we took all of the kids trick-or-treating and then came back to my house for food & fun. Halloween in our hood is always fun and full of activity.

Addie did wear the 50’s girl costume and she looked so cute - even if she is mine! She had so much fun and it was so much fun watching her having so much fun. Shane and I were married 12 years before we had her and sometimes I wonder what we ever did without her…..life is so much fuller now with her in it.

I'm a bit sad that Halloween is now over & all the decorations must be put away until next year......

Let the Halloween Festivities Begin!!!!

Tonight we took Addie to the Fantasy Maze at the River Park. This is our third year going and it was a lot of fun. All the kids dress up in their Halloween costumes and this year Addie dressed was a kitty cat.
Last year, Addie was a cowgirl.

The Fantasy Maze features cartoon heroes and classic characters hidden deep within a 1,500-bale of straw maze. Characters give away candy and provide photo ops.

The first year we took Addie, she was a poodle.

Addie had tons of fun and had to kiss and hug each & every character there...... Who knows what she'll want to be next year. One thing's for sure, Addie has a mind of her own and is very head strong (hmmm I wonder who she gets that from??) She's especially strong willed when it comes to what she's going to wear. I found the cutest little 50's girl costume for her this year and even found a matching one for me to wear on Halloween and she keeps telling me that she wants to be a kitty cat!!! I know, I'm silly to want to do the matchy matchy thing, but it's so much fun and she'll not allow it too much longer I'm sure. Oh well, either I better get to finding me a big girl kitty cat costume or be a solo 50's girl!! We'll see on Halloween and I'll let you know what the BOSS decided.........

I survived!!!!!

Whew!!!! Today, I participated in the annual craft show at the hospital where I work and I’m exhausted. As much as I look forward to it every year, I’m glad that it is over. Somehow, I forget how much work goes into it ! I baked my little heart out yesterday and baked 24 loaves of pumpkin bread and 3 batches of brownies. I quite literally baked from sun up til sun down. It paid off – I sold every last baked good that I had. I also made some wreaths, and other stuff.

My grandmother, who also works at the hospital, came and sat with me for most of the day. (after she had worked all night) She's practically a fixture there at the hospital - she's been there so long. She's 78 and still works part-time. She knows sooo many people and so many people know her and love her. She's one of those that you can't go anywhere (even on vacation) with her without her running into someone she knows..... She's a sweetheart and also a little on the mischievous side :) She's a mess and a lot of fun too!! She and I have been known to go "people watching". I just hope that I have half of her spunk when I'm her age!

Here is a chair that I made for the show and it didn’t sell – can you believe that? I thought it was cute and I had fun making it. As you know by now, I am a Halloween nut and I love all things Halloween. So, I guess that I’ll just have to add it to my Halloween collection……..bummer

I really do need to downsize my Halloween decorations, but I just love them all so and I seem to keep adding to it every year….. I find way too many things that are just too stinkin’cute!! If you want to see pics of my Halloween decorations, you can click here

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/564339311UTiaRr

My friend, Sandy, also came down and stayed all day and brought some pretty things that she made for Breast Cancer Awareness. Sandy is a breast cancer survivor herself but has now been diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Sandy is definitely the strongest person that I know. Even before cancer, she's has been through so much and everytime that she gets knocked down, she keeps coming right back up. Sandy, you are truly an inspiration to me & I mean it from the bottom of my heart! Keep on fighting Sandy!!!

Remembering "Grammie"

It was on this day, 3 years ago, that Grammie passed away. Addie was only 8 months old at the time and it saddens me deeply that Addie will never know her. Grammie was so very excited about being a grandmother and was absolutely crazy about Addie and just worshipped her.

She flew here to visit the weekend before she passed and I will be forever grateful that we had that time with her. Although she was my mother-in-law, she treated me like a daughter and we spoke almost daily. This picture was taken right before she left to go to the airport and it still gives me chills when I see it. I guess it's just the way the two of them are looking into each other's eyes, it's almost like they were connected on a spiritual level.


Even 3 years later, it does not seem real that she's gone. She will live on forever in our memories and in our hearts, but it's just not the same without her here. We love you and miss you Grammie!

Pumpkin Pickin'

This past weekend, my Aunt & Uncle took us to a friend's farm and we got to go pumpkin pickin'. Most of all, Addie had a blast and picked every pumpkin that she could get her little hands on..... We had a great time and the weather was just absolutely beautiful.

I love & cherish days like these, spent with family. I also love any opportunity to take pics and to use the magnificent beauty of mother nature as the backdrop. I got lots of great pics that day, but more than that, lots of great memories.

Me, Addie and my sweet hubby.

Aunt Joan, Uncle Russell & Addie

I loved the outhouse! Yes, a real outhouse. My sister, my Aunt and I, had lots of fun being silly in it but I won't be sharing those pics!!! Hmmm, might make a great Christmas Card!

Peek-A-Boo, I see you!
Anyone that knows me, knows that I cannot resist when it comes to animals... I love each and every one of them and I just had to take a picture of "Toby". He's the farm dog.

My sweet sister :)

~ Autumn ~

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.-- George Eliot

Ah, my favorite time of year is here...... The cool crisp feel in the air, the gorgeous blue sky, the leaves changing, the smell of pumkin pie.

What's funny is that I used to not like this time of year because to me, it meant that winter was right around the corner. But as I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate it for what it is. It's like a gift from nature - easing us into colder, darker days by giving us a gorgeous display of colors, smells, tastes, etc.

I also love to decorate my house for fall/halloween. Actually, I just love any excuse to decorate my house!!