Friday Fragments...

Happy Friday!!

**I really want to go for a drive and take pictures of the fall colors.....if it would only stop raining long enough to do this....please Mother Nature gives us a break!!

**This weekend is Homecoming weekend here....Katelyn is on yearbook staff and has been taking pictures...first Powder Puff football game in the rain. Tonight is the Homecoming football game  probably in the rain....and Homecoming on Saturday night thank goodness that's indoors! She is going with friends and than afterwards to an "after party" !! Hope she has a good time and makes good choices!! 

** In between the rain storms this week we are having our driveway extended. It's a long narrow drive and now with a third driver and car we are having to park on grass like other WNYers. Plus my hubby has ran into my daughter car twice now! Always better when it's him and not me! It's prepped and ready for the rain to stop so they can pour concrete....please Mother Nature stop the rain!!

**Katelyn's first of seven college applications went out this week....good thing is her essay is done, letter's of recommendations done, now she just needs to finish the other six applications. I think it's a huge relief to have this behind her....now she can enjoy her senior year.

** Have a wonderful weekend!! 

**Stop by Mrs. 4444's at Half past kissin time for more Friday Frags.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. It is officially fall here in North America...I realize not everyone who participates in the Hodgepodge lives in North America but if you do, what's your favorite memory of Summer 2011? If you're not in North America, what's your favorite memory of the season just ending on your side of the world?


My favorite memory of this summer would have to be our family reunion at LBI on the Jersey shore. 
My parents, my four sisters and spouses and 15 kids the equals 27 in all.  One week of amazing weather, food, drinks, fun and memories to last a lifetime.

2. Your favorite nut? You know I mean the edible kind, right?

I' m a nut girl....currently only trying to have raw almonds, but during the holidays for some reason cashews and pistachio's are my favorite! 

3. What activity puts your sense of balance to the test?

I have no balance....riding a bike as been a test of balance. While our mode of transportation while living in Germany, there were many falling off my bike so randomly  and for no other reason then balance and coordination lacking.  Currently doing lunges at my workout class have but my balance to the test.

4. How would you describe your sense of humor?

I can laugh with the best of them....but it depends on the situation and my mood. I live with a man that is a comedian in his own mind.....I love him dearly but he needs new material!! 

5. September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day...what's your stupid question?

I have certainly ask a few in my time....probably everyday! I'm sorry drawing a blank....

6. Roller skates~hula hoop~jump rope...which activity would you most enjoy? Yes, you have to choose.

Back in my day I loved doing them all....but today I would pick hula hoop it's less dangerous to fall or pull something. Omg I sound like I'm 80!!

7. What's your most sentimental possession?

I would say my wedding ring....but also my pictures, sentimental items bought while traveling, various pieces of jewelry my hubby as given me over the years. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We had our last back to school night this week.....last one...our daughter is a senior....yay! I felt really bad for her teachers, the showing of parents was pathetic. In some classes we were the only parents to show, and others maybe 4 or 5 out of 20. I personally feel these teachers give up their evenings to be there, how can you not show up? To me it shows a lack of respect and interest in your own child's life. 


Have a wonderful Wednesday!! Stop by Joyce's at From this side of the Pond for more hodgepodge. 

Happy Fall

Happy 1st. Day of Fall

I hope the change of season

is a ray of sunshine

in your life...

Happy Friday!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you like chili? Red or white? Beans or no beans? Spice or no spice? Toppings?

Yes I love chili, especially this time of year once the air gets crisp...I like making regular beef chili and I make a Southwest white bean chili and a turkey chili....toppings cheese!! Is it even chili without the beans?? Beans and 2 beano's is a must! 

2. Red~Orange~Gold...your favorite fall color?

Depends on what we are talking about....for fall clothes I love brown and golds.....red and oranges for decorating. 

3. Who did you idolize when you were growing up?

My parents of course .....and various Tiger Beat celebs back in the 70's/80's ! I also have had some amazing teachers over my younger years that made a huge difference in my life. 

4. When was the last time you did something 'arts and craftsy'? Share please.

Probably decorating my front porch for fall...

For me this is about as artsy and craftsy as I get.....

5. What's a place that makes you really nervous?

The doctor's office....not sure why but I get nervous and my blood pressure always shoots up.

6. Horse back riding...yay or nay (neigh?)

Yes for sure but it's been many many years....not sure if I can even get up on a horse now!!

7. What is your favorite cliche?

I don't just have one....

-Misery loves company (I say that once a week at least in my exercise class)

-People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones

-It takes two to tango

-Never say never
-Time flies
-Time will tell 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Along the lines of Joyce's random thought .....about summer fruits coming to an end....I'm sad about all the berries I have enjoyed and now need to switch to frozen. But I'm happy one of my favorite apples are out- Honeycrisp!! I love these apples.....they are expensive so I only buy  them for me and say to my family these are my apples...hands off. You see they aren't picky about their apples so Granny Smith and Red Delicious are fine for them! It's not that I don't share...really!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Stop by Joyce's Wednesday Hodgepodge 

over at From this side of the Pond

Mantle madness and more....

I'm embracing Fall head on....

Started decorating my mantles

Here is my Kitchen one...

I really like how this one turned out.

My Family Room and Living Room

well not feeling the love so much....

They are a work in progress....

Tried to put splashes of Fall through out my home......here's a some of my favorites.....

Halloween is around the corner I will add some witches, spiders and cobwebs to the mix.......

This is what my TODAY looks like....how about you?

Joining the ladies at communal global 

for 

TODAY

I ♥ Fall

This weekend I welcomed Fall onto my porch.....

How about you?

 Do you decorate your porch for the season?

Rhonda at Southern Hospitality 

Sunday in My City-more NYC

Happy Sunday all!!

This is the last of my NYC visit 

I will return to my village in WNY....

This visit we went a few places Katelyn has never been or it's been a very long time since I have visited.

I was nice to see different parts of this big city.

First up Chelsea Market

 I could have stayed there all day drinking coffee and people watching!!

Next stop China Town

We just walked through China Town on our way to dinner in Little Italy. The hustle and bustle of China Town plus the smells, sites etc... it's exciting and interesting.

Last stop Historic Little Italy

I loved walking through Little Italy

The lights, colors, outdoors patio restaurants, shops, Gelato, Cannolis ....

One of my favorite parts to any city is the street art and murals...it took me awhile to appreciate this kind of art. Now living rurally you don't often see this and I miss it.

 Thanks for coming along with us in NYC

Stop by UNKOWN MAMI and travel the world 

Happy Sunday!

Sophie's Spa Day

Yesterday Sophie went to the Spa, it wasn't any Groomer it was one of those La De Da kind of places. Why!! because her usual place is without out a groomer right now and we are searching for a new place....the search is still on. This place did a great job, she loved it and they are very fast.

 BUT.....there is always a but, it was way too pricey for a dog groom. I think a lot of the $$ goes into the whole spa feel....that is fine for me but not my pup. She came home looking like a Diva....

What's that around her neck.....a feather boa!! 

See what I mean.....so foo foo she she..la de da!

She also was given a nice award for being so good...

and a report card too....

I love what the back of the report card says....I guess that's why it cost me more and I will stop complaining now!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year?

I load up on vitamin C and start drinking a lot of water. Yes I always get a flu shot ....once you've had the flu you never want it again.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear?

Just do it....life is too short!

3. Share two good things about your life right now.

Good health and family

4. A hot fall fashion trend in 2011 is a return to sixties style...tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style?

It doesn't....I can't do it! I like cardigans, scarfs, jeans, my dansko's , turtlenecks etc...for fall I like the browns, orange and reds...blacks always. Bold colors are not me.

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult?

Yes I was a Girl Scout until 8th grade...I have fond memories. I help with my daughter's brownie troop but it was short lived. 

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin...your favorite fall flavor?

Apples..... I like an apple spice candle or potpourri.

 

7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher?

Connecting with the students, teaching in a way it captures their interest and peaks their knowledge.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Today I pulled out all my fall decor and started decorating for the season. I love the splashes of red, orange, yellows and browns. But I found these velvet pumpkins on Love Feast Life Shop and am in love with the rich blues and grays.  I ♥ them!!!

I really wish I knew how to sew and had a creative side...I would make these myself! 

Stop by Joyce From this side of the Pond for more Wednesday Hodgepodge .

TODAY.....

I'm enjoying the signs of Autumn

Stop by

Communal Global's

TODAY

The High Line

Unknown Mami

On today's remembrance of 9/11 I thought I would do my Sunday in my City from NYC.

On our recent visit with my sister she took us to The High Line. Have you been? It's located on Manhattan's West Side it's a public park built on evaluated rail structure running 1.45 miles from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street. Originally built in the 1930's this now abandon rail line is a beautiful park with nature, art and amazing views of the skyline.

If you are ever in NYC it's a worth a visit.....

Stop by Unknown Mami and travel the world with her and friends

Today all our hearts are heavy in remembrance of 9/11

My prayers to all the families and love ones

My forever thanks to the Men and Women fighting for our Country

Friday Fragments...

It's Friday.....I love Fridays! 

School started this week for my daughter, her last year in High School. It's was a good thing I'm a big believer in structure. I was never the crying Mom on the first day of school nor was I the cart wheel through the parking lot Mom either....It's just time.

She drives to school now....I think it's starting to hit me, my baby is grown up. Next year it's college away, now I get why the Mom's cry because they know this day is coming. They grow up too fast!Sniff sniff!

I'm mostly glad it's Friday because my Hubby is on a plane coming home. He has been traveling 4 out of the last 5 weeks .....it's too much! I miss him!

I hope this weekend Mother Nature gives the Flooded areas a break and Texas fires some rain instead. 

I've been watching all the specials on 9/11 it's so sad and still so raw, hard to believe ten years has past.

My heart is heavy thinking of that day and all the lives lost and forever changed.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Stop by Mrs. 4444's Friday Fragments at Half-past kissin' time

Just peachy

It's that time of year......the peaches are ready! When I lived in Utah my sister had a peach tree, she was my main supplier. Every year she would bring me a box of peaches. I would cut them up make cobbler, freeze some for smoothies or peach daiquiris! I looked forward to it every year.

Now I have to buy them.....We have a Farmer's Market in our village twice a week. I went in search of peaches and walked away empty handed they wanted $4 for 4 peaches....I need 8-10 to make cobbler!

After a another week of sulking about the sky high peach prices I went back and found a farmer selling smaller peaches for a more reasonable price...$8.00 and 20 small to medium peaches. They were perfect and perfectly ripe....just enough for 2 peach cobblers!

Or one peach cobbler and 1 mix of peach daiquiris! 

Peach Cobbler Recipe

Ingredients 

8-10 peaches  (peeled and cut up)

2 cups sugar

1 stick of butter

3/4 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1 tsp vanilla

Mix peaches and 1 cup of sugar in a bowl.  (Set aside)  

Put butter in a deep pan (13x9) and set in a 350' oven to melt.  

Stir the remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour over the melted butter.  (Do not stir)   Place peaches over the top.  (Do not stir) 

Bake 1 hr. or until the crust is a golden brown.  

Batter rises on top during the baking.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What is one piece of advice you would give a 'just turning' 21- year old adult?

I'm assuming you mean advice because they are of legal drinking age....my advice would be DON'T Drink and Drive. Stick to a two drink minimum, you'll thank me in the morning. A greasy hamburger helps with a hangover or Aspirin and lots of water before bed. 

2. Besides cooler weather (or warmer weather, depending on your hemisphere) what is one thing you are looking forward to this fall?

Crisp air, wearing sweaters and jeans, no or little humidity, not having frizzy hair, windows open, candy corn, my birthday, making soups....I could go on and on....it's my favorite time of year!

3. What sound lulls you to sleep?

Fans or the air conditioning, I have such a hard time come winter time not having that sound. 

4. September is National Preparedness Month...does your family have an emergency 'kit' and/or disaster plan in place?

We are prepared with flashlights,extra batteries, water and canned food, propane etc.. I prepared a winter kit for my car. After being in NJ during hurricane Irene and I learned there is more we need like a generator for our sump dump and baked cookies and wine are essential! 

5. How has your blog changed since you started blogging? Or has it?

I started my blog almost three years ago while living aboard in Germany, my pictures were far more exciting living and traveling in Europe and probably my stories too! Now I think I'm participate in more meme like this and in turn discover new blogs I love and enjoy. 

6. What's something you've recently learned to do on the computer?

I have had my MAC for almost a year and I'm starting to learn Pages and Numbers but I really miss Excel and Word...my teenage daughter says it's the same and so easy (insert eye roll) but I get frustrated and delete. 

7. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.

I think so...I love pictures, the story it tells or how you interrupt it, conversation starters most simply leave you with a smile.

I have posted this picture many times, I took this while visiting Rome. It's the Holy Stairs , to me I can talk about this picture over and over again, it really speaks to me.

8. Insert your own random here.

Through blogging you virally meet a lot of people and in turn hear of many causes and event etc.. 

Along the lines of a picture is worth a thousand words reminds me a blogger that introduced me to Help Portrait, it is a global movement of Photographers using their time, gear and expertise to give back to those in need. Now I'm no professional photographer but knew I wanted to volunteer and be apart of this. For some people in many urban areas and possibly rural have never had their picture professionally taken, it's expensive. Help Portrait is always in December in  cities globally, if not by you, you could start your own. 

Unfortunately the one in my city wasn't taking new volunteers but I joined the Help Portrait community in support of their cause. I purchased a t-shirt and wear it a lot it's a conversion starter and in turn spreads the word.

The message on the tee

Hopefully one day I can help with this project, even if it's just getting coffee for the Photographers!