Dad's Halloween Museum 2009

My father has been collection all things Halloween since I was a young girl. It's safe to say that he just may be a Halloween maniac! I love going into Mom and Dad's house during the week before Halloween because it really is a sight to see.
In addition to giving out candies my father likes to mix it up a bit and give the children a choice between candy or baseball cards. He knows what the kids like! My parents live on a very busy corner and the neighborhood children come out in droves, especially since this year the date falls on a Saturday I am sure that the candy will be flowing at their house.

It really is quite interesting to step into the Halloween museum at Mom and Dad's house. I just had to document all of the interesting things that are on display there. I'm looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next year.

Happy Halloween!
~Thyme2Sow

Field Trip

I love this time of year. But you already knew that!!! I was lucky enough to be able to go on my daughters first field trip with her kindergarten class. We went to a farm on Long Island called White Post Farm and enjoyed a fun afternoon with friends.

First we all fed the animals...





Then onto the tractor ride into the field for pumpkins.



It was a truly beautiful day. I really enjoyed watching my daughter with her new friends. I'm glad to have this opportunity to be involved with her school. She'll only be little for a short amount of time. I intend to live my life with her in the fullest way I know how.

I love you little one! God Bless you always.



~Mama

Madeline

If my grandmother knew that I was posting pictures of her on my blog she would probably say..."oh, why would you want to do that?" But the real reason is that I truly love and respect her and always want her around me.

I find that since I am older now, 30 something...I feel a bit closer to her...woman to woman. I've always known that she has much love for me, but not until I came back from Florida in the late 90's did I really spend quality time with her, as an adult of course. I cherish these moments we have.



She is a great-grandmother one time to my daughter Autumn. She turned 80 in August and is a very active lady. She founded a quilt club at her local library with some friends 25 years ago called Patches and Pieces. She is a devine quilter, always by hand and everything very nicely done. She's always wanting to learn new techniques and teach them to her girlfriends. That's another wonderful thing about my grandma, she's a great friend!



Every chance my family gets we go upstate to our cabin owned by my grandmother. She loves the mountain air, as I do. She rises early and snuggles down after a hot cup of Lipton. When we are up there she likes to take a walk down our road and gather wildflowers as she goes, always coming back with a handful of sweet little buds ready for the old milk bottle vase we keep just for that. She loves the wild red Columbine that grows on our outer burm. They are spectacular!




Last time we were in Windham we made a really nice turkey dinner with all the fixins which all of us ladies shared in the making. The turkey came out superb, of course because she made it, and we all really enjoyed it FULLY. Of course it was a great meal that we enjoyed left-overs from all weekend. I took a picture of my mom and grandma in front of the oven as they were taking out the bird. It's kind of a tradition in our family.



I really feel blessed to have Madeline for my grandmother. I love our conversations and the time we spend together. I hope my daughter has as fond of memories of her as I always will. I hope she lives for a long time and has more wonderful healthy days ahead. Love you grandmother!

~thyme2sow

My next project

So, I grew loofah for the first time this year in my harvest garden. It's mid October and I decided to do a little research and came up with some ideas.





I asked a Japanese friend of mine if she knew anything about this strange gourd-like, zucchini-like fruit/vegetable. She did a little research and asked her mom in Japan. She told me to soak it, cut it into slices if I want to, then wait. So that's what I am doing. It can be eaten when it is young, sauteed is probably the best way. I prefer to make it into a useful item for the household. A personal sponge. I'll let you know how it turns out!

It's Fall Y'all

Little 'Jack'

Another doll to add to my collection. Right now I am all about Autumn colors, smells, textures. I have been so inspired to create due to all of this that I decided to create a pumpkin boy doll. I used a pattern I found in one of my favorite magazines and changed it up a little bit. I really enjoy using coffee and tea to change the look of my fabrics. The added benefit to this all of course is the pleasant scent that you end up with. I am proud of my latest doll finish. His name is Jack and he is one of the characters I am using in my latest craft...childrens stories. I have always wanted to write a childrens book, and now I am really feeling the need to create one. Wish me luck!



A little more close up view of his cute face.



I love his little crow friend. I'm looking forward to creating more dolls, but have to start on some Christmas ornaments first...I'm going to decorate a small tree with only cross stitched ornaments this year...just for me!!!

Have a blessed day!

~thyme2sow

Random thoughts from the weekend.

I had such a beautiful weekend with my family in the mountains. We baked pies, stitched, hiked, sang, antiqued, visited a local winery and so much more. I love spending time with my family. I am blessed to be able to say that.




Autumn is very lucky to be able to say that she has a beautiful great grandmother too. You would love her as much as I do if you ever met her. She is into everything that I am and she is the best quilter I know. I love spending time with her and talking, or going somewhere together and just spending time alone. I took her to a local nursery the other day and I took some photos of her there. It was such a lovely time.


Unfortunately the colors were a little past peak in the mountains but I really had a great time hiking in the woods with my 5 year old daughter, which I had on piggy back almost the whole way down...





Being away from home for a few days really gave me a chance to reflect back onto my own busy life. I am a homemaker these days and I find time to do a lot of volunteering. I think it is really important for people of all ages to get involved in their communities. I volunteer at my church and at my daughters school. I really enjoy it and hope that I can carry on for as long as I can. Thank you God for giving me such a wonderful family and for keeping us all in your loving care.
God Bless you all,
thyme2sow