Falling Into The City

A week ago, I went to the city with my son.  I had to get some bath towels.  I had ordered some on-line, and they were pretty nice ones (so I thought), but they just gradually fell apart in the wash.  I was so disappointed, so off to the city I went to get some new towels.  I thought it was going to be a nice Fall day ahead, but instead it was 97 degrees.  But I made the most of it, cause it's such a treat going to the city now that I live in the mountains.  It gave me a chance to get some of the much needed items I've been wanting.  We first stopped at Starbuck's, and I ordered a pumpkin spice latte, and this time a chocolate croissant.  Warmed up, they never disappoint.

We then headed over to Target.  I bought a glass measuring cup, and I found this peppermint tea.  It's so tasty, and very calming.  Peppermint has many good health benefits too.  

Hobby Lobby was next, and I've always loved this little wooden block (Nel has the same one), so as I was browsing through all the isles looking for it, I was surprised to see it pop up on one of the shelves.

My son wanted to see a movie, so we went over to the cinema, and the only matinee playing was Downton Abbey.  Well, I'll be nice and just say....no thank you, not for me.

We went to Kohl's and I found some nice bath towels.  And I also couldn't resist this sweatshirt for those casual and comfy days at home.

We went to a favorite restaurant and ordered a combination pizza and a big salad.  It was one of the best pizzas I've had.

We hit all the shops that day...Target, Hobby Lobby, Kohl's, Home Goods, Sprouts, Michaels, Trader Joes, Barnes and Noble, and

My feet were sore at day's end, but I put some arch inserts in my shoes for extra support.  It was the best day, even though it was scorching hot haha.  I'll go back sometime this winter for a cooler outing.  There is always traffic driving down the mountain into the city.  And there is always less traffic traveling back up the mountain cause, well, who would want to live in an area surrounded with pines, where it snows six months out of the year, where you find neighbor helping neighbor, where the water is fresh, and the smell of the mountains fills your senses?  I would.  ; )

And as always, it's a must to bring home lots of goodies after a day in the city.

I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies - I really like baking in the Fall, especially when it can get so cold up here during the fall and winter seasons.  Warms the kitchen up a bit.

Picked up some Gala apples at the store, as they are one of my favorites, along with red delicious.  I made some stewed apples with them.

A Tuscan herb pork roast.  Oh man, was it good.

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."

~J.R.R. Tolkien

Another tree in town starting to show its golden color. 

I welcome October.  It is my Jess' birth month, 👱 and a pleasant month all around.  Here is my calendar page for October.  The page features the word "confidence."  I've always had a lot of confidence - don't know when I got it or how, but it's always been there.  I wonder if it's something that the youngest child often acquires?  The girl on the page kind of looks like a Native American, doesn't she?

Speaking of that, I'll leave you with an ~Apache Spiritual Teaching~ I came across recently.

"All of creation is related.  And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.  And the honor of one is the honor of all.  And whatever we do affects everything in the universe."

May October bring you little joys and big wonders.

 

A Feel Of Fall Around The Home

  Today is the first day of Autumn!  It's starting to feel like Fall here in the mountains of northern California.  In the early mornings when I get in my car, it's in the 50's, but then gradually gets a little warmer throughout the day.  There is a Fall feel around the home too, as I've decorated a bit here and there.  I found the cutest pumpkin at the store that had the most delightful stem.  I bought a harvest sign, as I appreciate our farmers in California very much.  They bring us an abundance of fruits and vegetables that are available with every season.  A while back, I bought a soft cream colored pumpkin at Home Goods.  It has sequins all over it, with a gold glittery stem.

My family are Harry Potter lovers, so I've been looking for this limited edition coffee creamer in peppermint.

Here's a little of Nel's Fall decorating too.  Her walls are a sage green, so those greyish/green pumpkins go nicely in her home.  She gets creative and uses silk flowers and beads in her decor.  She also has many things from years ago; scarecrows that belonged to her grandma, and things she had since she was very young that I passed on to her.  I appreciate that her and Jess still hold on to the old treasures.

 

I got a surprise when I looked out my window one morning and saw 3 deer!  Two fawn were on my lawn, while mama deer was next to the fence looking on.  Then, they trotted over to the side of the house and stood right next to my car.  Not the best pictures because, well, 3 deer were in my yard, and it felt like a scene from Snow White for just a minute or so haha.  I just gazed, and took it all in.  Another day, three deer appeared on my lawn once again, possibly the same ones.  They seem to come around in September.

And the northern flicker woodpecker with its sturdy beak.

In town, I noticed this tree starting to change color.  The first sign of Fall.

Do you like my new coffee cup?  Found it at World Market, and with the tall pines painted on the cup, I thought it was so mountain looking, and just right for me.

Mia participated in a fundraiser last week, and the kids were invited to a half-day clinic where they learned four cheers, and then got to perform them later on.  She had a blast!

Are you seeing signs of Fall around your neck of the woods yet?

My Days At Nel's House

 Last week I showed you what we did at Jess' house when I visited, and this week, I'll share my time at Nel's house.  Mia has a new bunk bed, and while I was there, I slept on the bottom bunk.  We didn't go to sleep right away, and instead talked for a long time - it was like having a sleepover with her.  She is into stuffies right now, so we went to this particular toy store in the village, and I bought her a stuffed frog in a mint color.  We got our usual blueberry cream cheese danishes one morning, and also visited a new bakery.  I ordered a cup of coffee and an almond croissant.  It's such a quaint bakery with cool light fixtures, large mirrors, a French atmosphere, and blue cushioned chairs to sit and stay for a while.  Nel usually buys flowers for her kitchen table, but this time she made a cute arrangement with Fall colors.  She has the Disney Villains Cookbook, and she tries to make some of the recipes in it now and then.  One night she made 'Captain Hook's Stuffed Shells,' and it was delicious.  Another night we had grandma's famous enchiladas.  I'm so glad she keeps this recipe alive and makes them from time to time.  We had them for breakfast the next morning, and she placed a fried egg on top.  While looking around at all the unique things in her house, I noticed a picture that Mia drew on the fridge.  It is so very special.  Mia had a "Kona Ice" 🍧 day at her school, and we all stood in line for a very long time so she could get that rainbow shaved ice treat.  I talked with some of her friends, and it was a fun event.  Another day, me and Nel got a Starbuck's coffee in the afternoon, and took Mia over to the ice cream shop to get a treat.  She picked a mint chocolate chip cone.  We went to our favorite kitchen shop at the village, and right when we walked in, the song "brown eyed girl" came on.  I've always loved that song, and it was such a fun surprise for three brown-eyed girls that day.  Me and Nel watched a movie while Renecke entertained Mia upstairs.  I appreciated that so much, cause it was a long movie, and I got to spend some time with my Nel.  Her and Renecke had a little date night, while Mia and I watched the movie, Snow White, and feasted on In-N-Out Cheeseburgers, fries, and cokes.  I thought it was so funny that she likes animal style too.  It was soooo good.

Good times, sweet memories.