Are You Thinking Fall?

Why on earth would I be thinking of fall when it is August and HOT HOT HOT!

Yes, September is on the horizon.

It is so very comfortable in the house. Perfect for reading a good book with a friend.Donald-Daisy-Duck-Reading

It’s just when I go outside that I realize how hot it truly is. And it seems we’re quite a ways away from fall . . . but I love fall and it is always good to plan ahead.

Some areas have already started a new school year while others have a bit more summer vacation.

Whatever the season, it’s always good to appreciate what you have and doesn’t hurt to look ahead. I have enjoyed this summer. Even with the triple digit temperatures. Some crafters are still working on Christmas items, others have jumped into Halloween . . . and I’m caught a bit in between. I do want to look at nature and see what kind of cute boxes I can make to give to family and friends who stop by to visit.

I was looking at some fall clip art and got a little motivated to decorate some fry boxes. Then I realized that I like to make boxes that will be saved and cherished by others . . . Yes, I’m a dreamer.

TheKnollEntryColumnRay Keim of Haunted Dimensions has a PDF Entry Column box you can make and give to friends and family. I think this would be something they would hang on to . . . Why? Just look at the picture . . . does anything stand out?

Did you read the sign?

Everyone loves having a box that tells everyone to keep out.

Click the image and you’ll be taken to the PDF file. Make up quite a few of these. They are compliments of Ray Keim. He did add some moss to his finished column. You can do the same with some leaves or whatever else you think appropriate to add.

I think a few pumpkins would look nice on top or some miniature books, maybe a skeleton or a pirate’s hat . . . it may be nice to make several “tops” and decorate them for different seasons or holidays. Keeping, basically, with the seasonal weather. A bit of snow and snow flakes on top for winter, maybe some flowers for spring, some seashells for summer . . . or whatever strikes your fancy.

What I like about this box is that you can lift up the top, but no one will know the column is hollow, unless you make a half circle thump hole on the top or the side for easy opening of the “box lid” . . . I would not glue it down . . .

You can fill it with goodies . . . and the person you give this to may want to keep some goodies of their own inside or some treasure of their own. I think teens and the tweens in your household would love this Entry Column. It would look lovely on a desk or on a book shelf . . . even hidden away in a drawer . . . but I would like to display it throughout the year just for fun!

Enjoy!

Sharon

I Got Side-Tracked

As much as I love blogging . . . I did get side-tracked with the Downton Abbey series.


I can hear you say, “I watched that ages ago!”

I hear you. I’ve never claimed to be on top of the latest and greatest trend.  I guess I was in the mood for something different. Maybe an escape from reality for awhile . . . going back in time . . . where there was tradition and a proper way of doing things and behaving. It does seem quite outdated and a bit peculiar . . . but I believe it has its place.

By no means would I give up my computer and the other modern conveniences I can’t live without, but, there could be something to be said about politeness and kindness. Yet, this series does go a bit overboard with the rich and those in service to them.

I did like seeing the changes that were taking place in the 1920’s Great Britain and how difficult it was for people to embrace those changes and to think about their future. One thing was consistent — needing to work and to make one’s money work for them when it was time to retire.

It was quite refreshing to see how those who were in service to the wealthy were thinking of bettering themselves . . . through education and investments.

It’s important for one to have the confidence in themselves to move forward and taking responsibility for their future. They could see how the grand mansions with their lavish parties was becoming a thing of the past . . . with many wealthy and titled families no longer being able to afford their lifestyle.

Well, most of us aren’t wealthy and don’t live in mansions, but we do work and want to provide the best for our families. I just thought this series was a welcome break from the August heat and the news of the day . . . just an escape to another time . . . and seeing how a family, no matter the amount of privilege they seemed to have been born into, were really no better off than the rest of us. They made wrong choices and experienced heartache and sorrow . . . as well as joy . . .

I think there is a lesson to be learned from this series . . . or maybe it was the particular mood I was in . . . Regardless of the setting and the social classes involved, there was truly a sense of “family” that was consistent throughout this series.

If you haven’t seen it, you can get the DVD complete set or sign up for Amazon Prime and watch it . . . if this interests you at all.

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I do love being a Prime member. I have watch movies, listen to music, get free shipping . . . it’s worth checking out. And, of course, I’m going from Downton Abbey to Harry Potter . . . but you may have other interests. Just click one of the images above and you’ll be able to shop for whatever you find interesting.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

 

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun Book Review

This is a great book!

I love the title and subtitle. It’s good to read aloud and discuss this book with your children.

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage To Be Who You Are by Maria Dismondy and illustrated by Kim Shaw.

This is a heartwarming story about a little gir, Lucy,l who is teased relentlessly by a boy named Ralph. She wanted to do the right thing as her grandfather told her: “When you treat others with love and kindness, you’re doing the right thing.”

But it was difficult when Ralph made fun of her constantly.

Then, one day Ralph needed help . . . would Lucy do the right thing?

Here’s a reading of the story you may enjoy before purchasing the book. Some people thought the message was clear, but they were disappointed that the title said nothing about bullying and how Lucy stood up to the bully rather than it being about having the courage to be yourself.

What do you think?

All in all, I think it is a delightful story with a good message. It may be a good story to discuss with children before school starts up again. It’s always good to be prepared for a possible unpleasant experience.

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Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Let’s Think Fall

With the August heat, thinking about fall is refreshing.

I enjoy thinking ahead for fall decorating and I’m even open to Christmas decorating. Now is the perfect time to be looking ahead.FallTree

I enjoy the different seasons of the year . . . fall being my absolute favorite. I love thinking about the falling leaves and the pumpkins and that slight nip in the air. The transition from summer to fall is always exciting for me.

When I saw this fall tree, I thought it was perfect. A great project to get started thinking about. Gathering up all kinds of goodies that represent the season to me. Pumpkins, candy corn, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns . . . witches, scarecrows . . . muffin tins, pie tins . . .

I’m sure your tree would be unique. Just as mine may be, too. I don’t think “gingerbread” men cookies, but I’m not one to criticize. I might want more cooking utensils and maybe an old hat and boots . . . a few of my favorite books that represent the season . . .

Such a fall tree could go through the process of the kids starting back to school and then moving into Halloween and moving into Thanksgiving. I wonder if this tree would make the transition into Christmas . . . something worth thinking about.

Fall is a process. It’s a time of harvest . . . so there would be corn and pumpkins along with other fruits and vegetables. There may be scarecrows and black crows . . . maybe a raven . . . skeletons and who knows what represents fall to you.

Fall is an interesting transition period. It seems to be as colorful as spring .  . yet in a different way. It offers two celebrations . . . Halloween and Thanksgiving. Both times of pumpkin pie and other sweet treats. Caramel corn, caramel apples . . . dressing up in costumes to run around the neighborhood . . . maybe getting scared by someone coming out of the darkness . . .

We do see school buses and children walking to school carrying books or wearing backpacks. It’s a new school year . . . trying out new recipes of pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins and apples — baked and put in pies and cakes and cookies.

The trip to the pumpkin farm is always delightful . . . picking out the right pumpkins to carve for Halloween . . . Then picking out your costume . . . and the planning of your own Halloween party . . . or one for the kids . . .

Fall is definitely an exciting time of year.

And during this latter part of summer we’re preparing for the children to get ready for a new school year. Some of you may be planning the last vacation of the summer. Hopefully, you’ll be visiting family and they will be visiting you. It’s fun when all the cousins get together.

Family is wonderful. It’s great to spend time with them . . . Taking a bit of a break from all our busy routine to relax and enjoy the company of family we haven’t seen in awhile. This is usually great for all concerned.

It’s a time to discover that you do have more in common than you once thought. That’s why these times between holidays are important to get together. It can be much more relaxing and casual.

This would also be a great opportunity to collect items for your fall tree . . . things from your summer vacations and things you learned from loved ones. It is all part of you and what these seasons and holidays represent for you and your family. We are definitely a product of our ancestry.

These are just some thoughts.

It’s important to take a moment out of our daily schedules and think about fall and other seasons. It’s also good to observe how others view the season and what the stores stock up on and what may be missing . . .

I’m always looking for things that aren’t usually stocked . . . but they have plenty of other stuff I have no interest in at all. Do you find that, too.

Enjoy your remaining days of summer . . . and recognize how fall is creeping up on us . . .

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon