Fall.

“Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile.” 

― William Cullen Bryant

I love fall! I love the colors, the crisp air, and the harvests (pumpkins and apples!!). I am most certainly a fair weather girl. You'll scarcely see me in any thing but sandals, yes, even in the snowy weather. Spring and Summer are wonderful. I'm more active, heck, everyone is more active. But Fall..there is just something about it. The weather is still warm enough during the day to be out and about but starts cooling off enough to light a fire. To wear scarves! I know many people wear scarves all year long. They have light material and fun colors and floral prints. Just like this Summer Printed Scarf from JCrew:

Gorgeous, right? I just can't do it. It's hot and I sweat man! BUT when Fall comes... bring on the scarves. 

Another reason I love this season is all the colors and food. I just began putting up my fall decor, but still have a ways to go.  Here is my table center piece for the moment: 

And here is the very beginning of our mantle. I want to make a banner but not quite sure how yet. Any suggestions? 

I plan to make a wreath for our front door soon, try out a few fall floral arrangements that I'll post when done, and some Thanksgiving Decor. 

I'd love to know, what is your favorite season and why?

~B

The little things.

“I must have flowers, always, and always.” 

― Claude Monet

I read some where that people who wake up to flowers are happier throughout the day. I couldn't tell you where that came from or if it's statistically true. But I'd like to think it is. I love flowers and they definitely make me happy. So why not wake up to them? 

We've had some guest this past week and more coming any minute now and flowers were among the first thing on my shopping list to prepare for them. Unfortunately I don't have any photos of the flowers I got both myself and from our previous guest but I do have some I've set up for the upcoming guests. We only have  a two bedroom condo at the moment so both of our rooms are set up as "guest" bedrooms this week.  

These flowers I took from a bouquet from last week. The book on top was given to me by a friend from high school..it's a quick good read. The book below it is called the "The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments" by George Johnson. Also a quick good read. 

Here's a wider view of our guest bedroom. The black and grey pillows and grey throw are new. the Hubster made fun of me for wanting them you can't skimp on comfort.

This is our bedroom...I get made fun of for the pillows here as well...but they look so darn cute.

Up until TODAY the left side of the bed was a space for the dogs crate which has been relocated for the upcoming guests. I'm loving have an actually place for a lamp on that side of the bed. (My side:)  We plan to get side tables more suited to our bedroom furniture in the future but these will have to do for now.

Up close photo of the flowers on the side of the bed. (And really I wanted to show off my rad orange lamp)

Other side of the bed with more flowers and my new lamp for my birthday!

Some times it's easy to feel like an "intruder" in some ones home so I really like to just add a few little things to make it more comfortable for people. 

What is your favorite type of flower to wake up too? 

-B

Gathering and Food.

Let's face it....the majority of gatherings today coexist or are based around food. Haven't seen a friend in a while.."lets go grab a drink and appetizers." It's Mother's day...."let's have a brunch." It's your kids 5th birthday...."let's make really cute superhero cupcakes!" I don't think there is anything wrong with that. In fact, I am a true believer that good food makes for a good gathering. It sets people at ease...it can get conversation flowing.

Even weekend breakfasts are something to look forward to in this household. Mike likes to experiment with pancakes and crepes. And I can't complain one bit! The photo on the side is a recent experiment of peaches, homemade nutella from a local bakery and homemade crepes. We we had grilled some peaches earlier in the week for a dessert and were given some more from some family. In other words, we had PLENTY of peaches for just two people. He mixed some sugar, flour, vanilla and water with the peaches in a sauces pan and made a peach cobbler like filling for our crepes. It was delish! I don't have exact measurements because it's based off the amount of peaches your have and amount of filling you want. So experiment away with those ingredients....want it sweeter add more sugar or vanilla....or more juicy add more water/peaches.


 I'll try to post different recipes of food, drinks, and more that we use over time but for now check out a few of these blogs I have used many times if you need some ideas.

A blog dedicated to just food with pictures to boot!

This blog is written by a couple who both loved to cook. I have used many of their recipes but their comfort foods are the ones we go back to again and again in this house.

Need a dessert? Check out this young lady, 17 and baking...her recipes are amazing! And she writes about her recipes in such an emotional way.

I'll dedicate a day to sharing some of our favorite tested recipes but in the mean time Happy Cooking from those above!


-B

Kebabs

I have eaten plenty of kebabs in my day, some I have even questioned what I was actually eating. However, I came across a new sort of kebab that I don't think I would have ever thought of. Grilled fruit kebabs! 

I came across this article in the May issue of the Better Homes and Gardens where the subject of the article suggested allowing guests to roast their our fruit kebabs instead of marshmellows. Now you can't beat roasted marshmellows but grilled fruits is awesome! Tasty and healthy....can't argue. We have grilled pears and peaches many times but this allows individual guests to choose their favorites and grill to their liking. Must remember to try this soon. 

-B

Dogs and their owners...

We own a puppy, a 9 month old chocolate lab. named Skye. And upon moving to Colorado she was, hands down, the reason we met the first few people here. Dog owners...love dogs. It's just that simple. And they can't resist puppies. I think I knew the dog's names around us before we knew their owner's names. But that is besides the point of this post...the point is our local Day Care/Boarding facility hosted what they called a "Yappy Hour" at their facility to raise money for the local Humane Society. Now any fundraiser for a local charity is great and usually good fun by my book. A fundraiser for a charity that includes my dog...is SPECTACULAR in my book. Unfortunately I only had my iphone to use as a camera but here are a couple of shots of the chaos.

Skye is the one right in the middle of the pool with the ball. Hubster is in the background shaking off some dog water splashes. :)

It doesn't look crowded from these photos but there were probably about 60-80 dogs spread out over two grassy areas and the pool. They provided hot dogs, snacks and refreshments. The dogs got treats as they left, which was a good thing because we needed something to bribe Skye to leave.

The Hubster attempting to grab a ball from Skye. She swam like a champ! 

The little pup behind Skye up against the fence was running around meeting every one moments before and I think was just tuckered out from the excitement.  

Not only did they fundraise for a good cause but many people brought young puppies to socialize them.   It's so good for the puppies to get a chance to be around so many different types of dogs and people. And good for me to be able to play with them :) 

Great gathering....no frills just show up, eat and play!

-B

Surprise Date

The Hubster and I have been pretty busy lately and have not found a ton of time or money to go on dates. So I decide to surprise him with a fun but affordable morning date. Spending time with each other doesn't always need to be about both of us equally....some times it is nice for an outing to be just about you! Or him in this case. Hubster has been golfing more lately and eager to improve his swing... so I grabbed some breakfast and snuck his clubs into the car and took him to the driving range!

A bucket of balls was only $8.00! That's $4.00 per person and plenty of balls! Of course we were there long enough that those just warming up for an actual game of golf (which intimidates me a little!) gave us their left over balls. Added on an extra hour of hitting!

The Hubster smiling about all the extra balls.

Our breakfast! There was a "hers" but not in a neat little package.

I just really loved this shot and was very impressed that my phone caught the swing at two points.

 I wish I was this cute and came up with this idea all by my lonesome but I didn't. I googled "golfing dates" and I got this idea from this fabulous website:


They have wonderful date ideas for just about any occasion. Check them out. Seriously. It was nice to get outside for a couple of hours and do something that He clearly enjoyed. He definitely enjoyed critiquing my swing. But I'm happy to report that my worst swing wasn't the shortest distanced ball out there! 
-B

gath·er

  

verb (used with object)

1.

to bring together into one group, collection, or place: togather firewood; to gather the troops.

2.

to bring together or assemble from various places, sources,or people; collect gradually: The college is gathering a facultyfrom all over the country.

3.

to serve as a center of attention for; attract: A good footballgame always gathers a crowd.

4.

to pick or harvest (any crop or natural yield) from its placeof growth or formation: to gather fruit; to gather flowers.

5.

to pick up piece by piece: Gather your toys from the floor.

verb (used without object)

19.

to come together around a central point; assemble: Let'sgather round the fire and sing.

20.

to collect or accumulate: Clouds were gathering in the northeast.

21.

to grow, as by accretion; increase.

22.

to become contracted into wrinkles, folds, creases, etc., asthe brow or as cloth.

23.

to come to a head, as a sore in suppurating.

I love "get-togethers" and I mean LOVE. Whether it is one person or 100...I get giddy just thinking of it. I love the little details of large events, simple meals with family, or laughter late into the night with a friend. Here is a place for me to share my gathering ideas. And maybe steal some the wonderful world wide web. 


-B