September Smiles

 I love the month of September.  It has always been a calm month for me, except when my little ones were in school, and all the activities were busily piling up.  Nel and Renecke's anniversary is in Sept, along with two special birthdays - my mother's and Mother Mary's, which are just two days apart.  (The Catholic Church celebrates Mary's birthday on September 8).  The deer seem to come around in Sept, and one surprised me the other day on my front porch.  She was so close, looking out my window, and I didn't take any pics because sometimes we just have to enjoy the moment for what it is.  We had rain last week, and some chilly days.

A comforting food I always make in September is oatmeal, adding a little of this and that.

Brother-in-law came in for a visit, and we talked about everything - family, politics, food, life.  We don't always agree on everything, and if I ever get elevated in discussions on certain topics, let's just say he knows me. ; )  I made him a cup of coffee and some pastry bites.  He's never tried them before, and since I bought two packs, I popped one in the oven.  He loved them.

A batch of Dolly's pumpkin spice cookies to remember her. *I placed a piece of Hershey's chocolate in a few, because cookies just taste better with chocolate. 🍫🍫🍫

A simple meal of chicken with soul food seasoning.

When I have leftover chicken, I love to make chicken salad sandwiches.

The kids are all in school now.  I do hope they have a good year doing well in their subjects, school projects, and everything in between.  Oh, I remember being excited about that first week of school, and picking out those favorite outfits to wear.

Changed my coffee cup to one with a mountain scene because when fall arrives, these mountains are so pretty.

My blog friend, Susan, who has been with me since I started blogging, sent me a couple of gifts in the mail.  This is one of them.  It reminds me of my three grandgirls, Francesca, Mia, and little Charlotte.  It was a thoughtful gift, and I don't see these porcelain figurines at the vintage shops that often.  They are hard to find, and she knows how much I love them.

I can't forget about caramel and apples this time of year either.  Instead of the plastic wrapped caramels, I found these mini Caramel Bits.  Just melt some with butter and dip the apples in.  I can only have a couple, as it's such a sweet treat and I have to watch my sugar intake.

So much to smile about in September.

Everything's Fall In The City

 I needed some good insoles for my shoes, so I had to drive to the city to get specific ones.  My son had to get his laptop fixed, so he went with me.  I knew it was going to be a hot day there, and I don't like the 50 minute drive with fast morning cars and trucks behind me, but thankfully, the highway wasn't too busy.  I had a really fun day, and brought home lots of goodies.  Except for the weather, everything was Fall in the city.

We first stopped at Starbuck's.  I ordered a coffee and a pumpkin loaf, and my son ordered a croissant and a pumpkin latte.

Our next stop was Target.  They open early, and I like to beat the crowds.  I bought some make-up and a soft white pumpkin.  I also noticed this neat looking tea pot and had to put it in my cart.  It's a cream color with a copper handle, lid, and spout.  I've been wanting a new tea pot, and this one is so unique looking.

I have a thing for soft items, and I bought this pumpkin just because it was the softest thing.

We next went to my happy place, Hobby Lobby.  Yes, there were so many cute Fall things, but nothing that sparked my desire to bring home.

Our next stop was Barnes & Noble.  Jess gave her brother a gift card, and he browsed and found something.  He bought a Greece cookbook and an iced coffee.

While my son went to get his computer fixed, I moseyed on over to Michael's.  Didn't find anything there that caught my fancy either.  My son ended up getting a new laptop, which will be good for his college courses.

We then drove over to get my foot inserts.  I need good support in my shoes, especially when walking long distance, and these particular arches were recommended to me.  

It was the afternoon, and we were starting to get hungry, so we saw Olive Garden in the distance, and I said, "Yes!"  Their Chicken Alfredo, salad, breadsticks, and iced tea never disappoint, and it was all so delicious.  I brought half of it home to eat later that evening.

It's a must to visit Home Goods when I'm in the city.  Soooo many cute things there, and I usually never leave that place without getting something special.  I bought a pretty glass pumpkin.  It's from the Martha Stewart collection, and it's the most unique pumpkin I've ever seen.

Our last stop was Trader Joe's.  Oh my, they have so many goodies there to enjoy.  Nel and Jess love this place as well.  I always have to get the Pastry Bites with Feta Cheese & Caramelized onions.  They are amazing.  Just pop them in the oven, and enjoy.

I also picked up a bottle of the French Sparkling Pink Lemonade.  Me and the girls used to get this drink for wedding and baby showers throughout the years.  It's got a fizzy taste and wonderful.

And I can't come home without picking up the moistest pumpkin spice cake.  Nel was thinking the same thing, cause she just picked up one from Trader Joe's too.  This cake is the best.

My son also picked up a Turkish Shawarma chicken and Persian cucumbers.  He made a meal on Saturday, and it was really good.  Our family loves different cultural dishes.

After a scorching hot day in the city, it was time to head on up the mountains to the cooler temperatures.  When we got into town, we noticed the trees were shaking from the breeze.  Fall is coming!

Toys That Keep Us Young

 A dear friend just sent this to me, and I had fun looking at all the different toys and activities that we had back then.  Some of these things are still popular for the kids today.  We are in a world of go go go, do the next thing, travel to the next place.  It's nice and comforting sometimes to reflect on the simpler times, and to remember our parents who made such an effort to make our childhoods happy and wholesome.

The Radio Flyer wagon.  I didn't have one of those, and my kids had the Fisher Price wagon, but Francesca got a Radio Flyer when she was a toddler.  Pretty fancy, huh?

The lunch pail and thermos.  I always wanted a neat looking lunch pail and thermos for school (a red plaid one to be exact).  My kids had them every school year with all the popular characters, and the ones used now are softer and easier to carry.

Jacks.  I was really good at Jacks.  It was always a fun recess pastime at school.  I reached a point where I could scoop up 10 jacks on one bounce.  We were easily amused.

Marbles.  I was also good at marbles.  My son had marbles in his collection of toys, so those magic marbles went around for years.

Teddy Bears.  We always loved that special teddy bear.  My mom had a collection of teddy bears, and when she passed, we were all given one of her bears.

The Yoyo.  I was so talented with the Yoyo.  I could do many tricks with this delightful toy - like the classic "walk the dog," and even "walk the dog around the park," where the Yoyo spins around your back.

Paper Dolls.  I didn't have any paper dolls growing up, but my girls had a few.  Their heavy cardstock cutout figures and interchangeable outfits always delighted me.  Friends, if I came across paper dolls today, I would get them for the grandgirls....or myself.  ; )

Twister.  It was the game of the decade.  I didn't have one, but I played Twister at friends' houses, and to get all tangled up on the floor with others was a great time.

Record player.  Me and my childhood friend would listen to the 45s on the record player every time I came over her house.  It was a fun time to hear the latest songs sung by the popular groups.  The Jackson 5 was our favorite.

Coloring Books and Crayola Crayons.  I have always loved coloring books since I can remember.  Those Crayola crayons combined with coloring books and construction paper gave me hours of pleasure, making things with felt pens, glitter, and glue.  My kids had a lot of coloring books, and my grandgirls love to use their imagination and color too.  I think it runs in the family.  Mia draws the most beautiful bright pictures, and I love the moments we spend coloring together.

Books.  Friends, children's books are the one thing I can't part with yet.  I read to my little ones every day, and would cherish this quiet time of storytelling and wonder for as long as they were interested in hearing it.  Now, 40 years later, my daughters read to their children with as much enthusiasm.

And Jess has a whole wonderful class with eager students to read to.

Jump Rope.  I think we all jumped rope at one time or another, right?

And last, but definitely not least.....Barbies!  I used to play Barbie's with a neighbor friend, and we would play for hours accessorizing and putting on dazzling outfits and just having fun.  My children had a few Barbie's growing up, and they still have them in their keepsake boxes.  Francesca loves Barbies, and every time I see her we play Barbie's together.  Now, little Charlotte is 3, and loves the world of Barbie's too.  I will forever be a Barbie girl.

Today, they have a new line of toys, and it's interesting to see all the fun things the kids play with daily.  My son had the Woody character growing up, and Jess still has Jessie, the Cowgirl from her childhood.  These characters from Toy Story are still making their way into the hearts of children today.

While me and my children didn't have a great amount of toys, we had a few beloved ones, but we always had the great outdoors, with sticks, rocks, cardboard boxes, and dirt forts.  Nature was our playground.

A time when the ladybug was fascinating, sneaking into the neighbor's yard was bold, and picking red plums off the tree was exciting.  It was my uncle's, so it wasn't too daring.  ; )

It pleases me that my grandgirls also love the outdoors, and they are captivated by nature too.

So, tell me some of your most special and favorite things you did growing up.  I'd love to hear.