this and that

No, he isn't eating 2 apples - he is holding his sister's for her while she tied her sneakers! I love this smile. Any pictures I take of this kid, he is all smiles. He is one of those kids whose whole heart shows on their face. He is a sweetheart. (good thing he doesn't read blogs - he'd be sooo embarrassed right now!)

Its been pretty quiet here. Jamie is playing football for the first time and LOVING it. Kate is still riding. A few colds circulating around the house and one husband home sick. So we've been laying sort of low around here.

Some new things going on at the blog ... I added a list of blogs I follow, and that is growing all the time. Please check out any one of these great sites - for pleasure, inspiration, projects ... it's all there. I will keep adding more as I go. Another new thing is the slide show to the right. It is all the photos on the blog. A little inspiration and a look back.

an important issue ...

I saw this on one of the blogs I follow - Rock Paper Scissors. I am not a store owner. But I do believe in supporting your local economy. If you are lucky enough to live in a town with a "Main Street", then you are lucky indeed. My local downtown is within walking distance of our suburban home - we have a toy/stationary/variety store, a few jewelers, florist, home goods and furnishings, and so many more. We have an old fashioned ice-cream parlor/coffee shop that has been open since the 1920's, with a counter, homemade ice cream, and a smile served with the best darn burgers you can imagine. And oh do they make the best fries! We have a great pub with delicious food. We have a store for ices, dry cleaners, and much more. And here's the thing - when I go to these stores, many times I can find something that I can't find at the larger chains. I love some of those other stores, so don't get me wrong. But if I can shop closer to home, I help out a small store, save gas, and a ton of time. Because I can be in and out of these stores in the time it takes to find a parking space at the mall. And they know who I am too. Shop local. Its important. Thanks for listening.

after summer is fall ...

There is such a snap to the air! It is definitely fall in New York! Mind you, I can't bring myself to put away the summer clothes yet - I am hoping for one more warm spell...

It was a quiet weekend. We just sort of settled in and regrouped. I am in the process of putting away some of the summer things I put out - shells, etc. But not yet ready to take out the fall things yet. Not yet. But I'm starting to get that itch. Just a bit. I think I'll wait until October 1st ... when do you decorate for fall?

one last look at summer ....

A "guest photographer" today, my Kate, for one last look at summer. She took this picture a few weeks ago, playing with my old point and shoot digital. Not too bad, I think. The reason I pulled this one out of my digital hat was that everywhere I look, every blog I follow, is all about fall. And they really look lovely. But it is going to hit 80 here today, and there is a lovely breeze and no humidity at all. So I say, lets give summer her last hurrah ... see you next year....

more fall goodness

I really had to get over the pecking thing so I am posting some happy, bright, pretty apples ... now I get to go take a bite out of my day! Hope yours is a good one.

peck, peck, peck ...

Ever have one of those days when you feel like you were just pecked by a hundred people a hundred times? Today was one of those days. Someone got hold of my cell phone number and called me before breakfast and it started then. It didn't let up until dinner. I've been pecked at so much by other people today that I feel like a sieve! Some days, you just can't hold anymore of other people's problems.... so I am trying to sit back, decompress. I looked over the pictures from Sunday at the orchard again, and that is helping. I got pecked at today ... but at least I'm not in a wire cage doing the pecking!

take a bite ...

Go ahead - you know you want to! Aren't those the yummiest looking apples? We went apple picking yesterday - and then went to New Paltz down a bit from the orchard we went to. We picked a LOT of apples. Ate a lot too! Then we walked down the oldest street in America. How neat is that? It was a good day...

imagining America ...

Don't know why, but I find myself itching for some small town America. Old-fashioned small town America. Some Americana. A Main Street USA experience. Positively itching for it! We are always looking for new places to visit, especially ones driving distance from New York. So tell me. What is your favorite small town place ... and I'll tell you if we get to give it a try.

hallelujah

Just taking a quick moment to be thankful. Not my church. Not my town. Not even my state. But the grace and the glory make you thankful. Or hopefully do. Take a minute to be grateful for everything you have. My daddy always told me that every day was a gift. Well, then, don't be ungrateful. I am lucky to have far more than I don't have. Bet you are too ...

this is why

Our kids. My sweetheart. She had a tough lesson today with a new instructor. It did her good. She did pretty well. I think she'll do well with this trainer. But I love how in the middle of a crowded ring, she took a quiet moment with Brody, and then led him to the barn for a well earned rest. She needed one too.

happy trails ...

This picture was composed using a kit from the Raspberry Road Frontier Days set. There is a small cost to buy it, but I find it is worth every cent and very reasonable. I must say, I am finding a hundred different ways to use it with my photographs. Here, I used a scenic paper, added the house, the wildflower, and the butterfly, all from the kit, and then did a cut out from one of my all time favorite pictures of my daughter. I love this one. All the joy she feels in riding is clear on her face. Makes me happy every time I look at it. As does my girl.

a little night magic

Some more digital scrapbooking with a layout I made using elements and papers from a kit purchased by Maelia Designs. It is a beautiful kit - this layout is actually very similar to one she did, I just tweaked it a bit and made it more rustic. I think that the setting goes well with the dreamy look on her face... sweet dreams ...

summer memories

Here are some more summer memories. And more scrap-madness! These were made with Free elements from a site I found - retro diva. Thanks for the lovelies! I will try to restrain myself. Of course, I am beside myself with the fun I am having doing these. Just be grateful I didn't post the ones from past Halloweens and Christmases. Because I DID make them. I just didn't post them! I've gone over the bend with these!