Friday's Letters: Continually New

Abi (Queen Esther) and me (Queen of Sheba) at the harvest festival

Dear Friday, You came so quickly this week.  Last week took forever, this week flew by.  I think it is the new work schedule.

Dear Numb3rs, Still watching you and still loving you.  I'm now watching from the first season.  So. Good.

Dear White Collar and Downton Abbey, I can't wait for your seasons to begin! (I'm really not a crazed TV watcher...but I have a few shows that I LOVE.)

Dear Lynchburg, why is it that when I am going one direction, I am driving North and South at the same time?  Oy!

Dear Saturday, I'm so excited for a Skype date and a party to see friends!

Dear Thanksgiving, I have you off!!!

Dear November, I'm excited you are here!  It means I get to see Josh!

Dear God, Thank you for this next/continuing step of life you have given me.  I'm excited to see where it goes (and what's next).  (I realize I am still that girl always wondering what is "next.")

Friday's Letters: A Month Long Week

 
Dear Michael, Happy Birthday week!  You are now 17!  Wow...so grown up : )

Dear Friday, what a busy day you are.

Dear Week, you've been full, sad, fun, and you're not done.  I can hardly remember Monday.

Dear Self, you've got to get a move on. Pack, bake a pie, absentee vote, etc. etc. etc.

Dear Numb3rs, you are an addictive show.  I love the mathematical solutions (I"m not really a math person so it is awesome!).

Dear Mama, thanks for discovering the show!  I like watching it with you : )

Dear Harvest Festival, I have to bake a pie and pick an Old Testament character to dress up as.  But, it will be FUN!

Dear God, Thank You for providing, leading, and changing me plans.  It keeps me guessing.  Also, thank You for the beautiful autumn this year.  The colors are amazing.  I can't get over how beautiful everything is.  I am constantly in awe.

Foliage Festival Fun

Today went mostly according to plan...with a few changes.

Abi ALMOST scored a goal.  It crossed the line, but before it could roll into the goal the other other team kicked it out : (

But, she was all over the field.  Those 5 year olds are very cute playing soccer.  One coach had to remind them to not fight with their teammates over the ball.  Oh, kiddos learning sports.

I went home with Aunt Anna and Abi before we all headed to the Fall Foliage Festival.  Aunt Anna had to help with a booth, and Abi and I walked around, looked at cool stuff, ate hot dogs and cotton candy, and visited a cool antique store (that little girl has great taste!).

When I got home I was wiped out.  So, I watched a Hallmark movie I had started once before, but at that time I did not like it.  Oh my goodness, it is incredible what the TV screen does to a movie.  Dumb HD makes some things look like soap operas.  On our non-HD TV it looked normal (call me crazy, but I'm okay with that).

An invigorating walk followed by a search for a lost cell phone leaves me prepared for a cup of tea, a little dessert, and another Hallmark movie : )

Have a fab Saturday night!

She wanted me to take her picture with the lamp!

 

Happy Saturday!

Photo by K.L.R.

 Today is going to be full of fun!

I am going to see my cousin play soccer in about fifteen or twenty minutes.  She is five.

My town is having its Fall Foliage Festival this weekend and I hope to go down this afternoon and enjoy perusing the stalls, seeing people I know, and enjoying the fall foliage, which is gorgeous!

Later I will try and finish packing my school stuff away.  It is annoying getting everything organized satisfactorily.

But, as always I am open to plans changing (hopefully in a good way)!

Happy Saturday : )

Any fun plans in your day?

Friday's Letters: Life

Photo by K.L.R.

 Dear Daisy Elizabeth Daw, Welcome to the family!  I can't wait to meet you in person (hopefully before you reach your first birthday....or even six month birthday : ) )!

Dear Friday, you come with a full day: substitute teaching, a visit to the eye doctor, and maybe a perusal of the Fall Foliage Festival.

Dear Weekend, hooray!  You have arrived and brought the Fall Foliage Festival with you!  My first one in  close to eight years (crazy, I know!).

Dear God, thank you for this beautiful fall weather!  I am overwhelmed each time I look outside, drive over the mountain, or soak in the beauty.

Dear Nanny (as in The Nanny), I can't just watch one episode.

Dear Mama, I love having a show to share now that White Collar is on a break.
(a few years late, but she discovered Numb3rs...and totally gets it, while I just understand parts).

Dear Deborah, so fun Skyping and Pinteresting and planning ; )

Dear God, thank you for hearing and answering prayers.  You are a great God.

Friday's Letters

Dear Friday, I feel like I deserve you more than I did last week. 

Dear Week, you were full of surprises!  Woohoo! 

Dear Elizabeth and Becky and Uncle Gerardo, Happy Birthday Week!

Dear High Schoolers, you guys are awesome!  I love subbing for your teachers!

Dear Weather, tomorrow you are supposed to cool down!  Does this mean I get to wear warmer clothes?

Dear White Collar, you are the best show ever. 

Dear Matt Bomer, you should really dress like Neal Caffrey does instead of your khakis shorts and sneakers.

Dear Sleep, you and I are going to be buddies tonight!

Dear God, thank you for beautiful colors on the trees as I drive to and from school!

Homemade Caramel Apple Spice with a HobNob!

This afternoon I decided to celebrate Autumn and the cool, crisp air by making a homemade version of Starbucks' Caramel Apple Spice!  Thanks to this cool link, I was able to do it!  But, I made a few changes.  I don't have cinnamon syrup, so I just used cinnamon.  But, I used to much, so, maybe three shakes is good?  Oh, and I don't like whipped cream on my apple cider.  Ew.  Dairy and apples?  No thanks.

Last night my grandmother handed me a box of chocolate covered HobNobs.  So, those are joining my caramel apple spice!

Happy Autumn!

My Favourite Place

I forgot about my blog challenge until I was getting ready to go to bed.
I started it and then decided to just do it in the morning...and then forgot.
So, while it is still morning, here is yesterday's blog challenge: My Favourite Place

I don't like picking my favourite.

Well, if I have to pick,my favourite place is in England.  But, preferably with a friend.  And in the country.  Or at the coast.  Or in Wales.  In the Wye Valley.

New Romney, Kent, England Summer 2010

 But, I love Germany, too.
I think I need to be with a friend in Germany.
Actually, almost any place is better with a friend.  But, especially a place that I have mainly shared with other people.

Reichstag in Berlin, Germany, Fall 2010

Another favourite place is at the river at Kae Lacy's.
It is peaceful and relaxing.  I love being there by myself and with friends.

Photo by Abbie Slate, Summer 2012

So, I don't have one favourite place.  But, my favourite places are mostly because of the memories they hold.

Seasonal Challenge

Today's blog challenge expects me to write about my favourite season.
Whenever I have to name a favourite of anything I clam up and worry because I can't pick one.

I love the changing of seasons.  I love anticipating what is coming, even if I dread summer leaving.

Currently my favourite season is Autumn (I used the right name, Grampaw). 
I love the transition to cooler weather, the smell in the air, the air change, the leaves turning, and wearing light layers.

I am back in Virginia, which means Autumn is arriving.
This time last year I was in Columbia, probably boiling hot.

I am looking forward to the Fall Foliage Festival, Harvest Festivals, pumpkins, corn, hay bales, boots, browns, sweaters, jeans, cider, bon fires in the cool of the evening, and cool walks at dusk.

At this moment, I am able to say, Autumn is my favourite season (but, winter, snow, hot chocolate, and Christmas are niggling in the back of my mind).

The Fall Colors in the NC Mountains

Relaxing, watching the sun set

Fall Coloring the CIU Campus

Like, Like, Like

Hi!

Last night I told you all about my 27 day blog challenge.
Today's challenge is to write about 10 likes.
A little vague, but I can work with that.

1.  Cary Grant.  I like Cary Grant.  He is (was) handsome, daper, English (from Bristol), funny, suave, versatile in his roles, and one of the best actors the screen has ever known.  I will forever be a fan (and will live in denial over any skeletons he may have had).

2.  Christian Louboutin red-soled shoes.  It's a dream of mine to own a pair.  They are gorgeous, comfy (so I've heard), and classy (the pumps).  The red-soles add spice to walking down the street.

3.  My cats.  Rillian and Caspian are cuddly and precious.  They are so sweet when they cuddle together.

4.  Fall in the Virginia mountains.  Fall arrived yesterday.  I'm elated.  The trees have changed shades of green, causing me to believe they are preparing to become hued with red, yellow, and orange.

5.  Diamonds.  I just really really like them.  I don't care if they come in a tiara, a ring, a necklace, a bracelet, or earrings.  I love when Matthew McConaughey says, "Frost yourself."  Yes please.

6.  Laughing.  Forget like, I love to laugh. Till my stomach hurts and tears role down my face.  Or till I hyperventilate (which has happened...and can be a little scary).

7.  England.  Germany.  France (never been, but still).  Europe.  Like the chocolate, countryside, and cities.  I am anticipating moving there.  Oh, that will be a beautiful day.

8.  Earl Grey Tea.  Mmmm, smells scrumptious, tastes amazing, chic.  I am ready for tea with the Queen (just waiting for my invitation).

9.  Chocolate.  The dark stuff.

10.  Pink champagne.  Mmmm.  Classy, chic, and DELICIOUS!

Well, there you go, my ten likes.
Tune in tomorrow for #2 blog challenge.