Fall Festivals, Apple Picking and the Harvest Moon

Last night as we were driving home, tired from a long weekend packed with fall activities, a huge orange orb was looking down at us. The harvest moon hung over the fields and lit the way home.

It was a beautiful fall weekend and we managed to squeeze in two hayrides, a pony ride, face painting, pumpkin painting, apple picking, dance class, and even most of the laundry.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with so many apples, get the laundry put away and find time for a nap.

Last Minute Pesto

I have a bunch of basil in the garden that I keep meaning to harvest before it's too late. I have to get inspired to make the extra effort one night this week and make a big batch of pesto.

The thought of a delicious bowl of pasta or a homemade pizza topped with it, for when the real cold sets in, will hopefully get me to pull out the food processor.

Photo and a recipe I may try, I like the idea of the lemon.
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2010/08/recipe-for-basil-pesto-with-lemon-and.html

Feeling Fall

This morning it really felt like fall. I'm still wearing a pair of opened toed shoes but know I'm pushing it. The air conditioning is off on the train, thank goodness and the quality of the light has changed. Time to think warm clothing.

This Marc Jacobs shawl has been on my mind since I first saw it. I think I can figure out the pattern and am going to attempt my own version. Hopefully the look will work without the hat.

Weekend Ahead

Wow a busy first week of school! And it was only three days long. I would love to just crash, but boy, do I have a lot to do. Knowing I'll never get it all done, it's definitely time for a "must" to do list.

1. Buy new dance outfit and shoes for the little one.
2. Send out cards to the birthday Aunts. Figure out gifts to send.
3. Birthday gift and cake for my little one who turns five tomorrow.
4. Figure out a bigger party for her later in the month.
5. Outfits organized for next week.

And then there is all the other stuff I want to get done

1. Bags of old stuff to the Salvation Army.
2. Last years dance recital outfit to the dry cleaners.
3. Mulch around the big tree on the side of the house.
4. Two doors and window trim painted in the laundry room.
5. Pack up some of our summer gear.

Yikes! Better put running shoes on.

Still Summer

With school started and the pool closed, it's easy to forget it is still summer. Happily the sunflowers that are sprinkled around town are lending some end of summer cheer. This bunch planted next to a street sign made me smile.

Swimming in the Rain

We were so set on getting in some last minute swimming time, that we braved the dark clouds and headed to the pool on Saturday.

And we are so happy we did. It seemed cold at first, but we dove in and had our last summer swim under a threatening grey sky. No matter, the water actually feels warmer when it starts to rain. The rain makes swimming seem extra special and the drops on the water are pretty to look at. We sang "Rain, Rain Go Away"and "It's Raining It's Pouring" and played "Ring Around the Rosie". I wonder if my little one will still want to do that next year?