Day 38: Frosty Patch

Ever have a day when you feel it would have probably been best just to sleep in, grab a book, and generally not do anything that requires brainwork because of chances of malfunction?  Well, today is one of those days--and it's only half over!

Every Friday I take an hour long drive to Bedford  for a regular appointment.  The drive has been absolutely beautiful the last few weeks with all the trees putting on a gloreous Autumn show.  I always (OK--mostly) have at least my point-and-shoot along just in case I see something for my photo of the day, and today I was so proud to have brought my DSLR--my baby--along with as well.

Pride cometh before the fall.

To get to my appointment, I drive over a mountain.  OK--in my BC world, it's a hill on steroids, but here in PA--a mountain.  It's always cooler along the ridge, and last night there was a bit of freezing rain, and this morning every twig and piece of grass and plant was covered in ice.  So I turned around. parked, and reached for my good camera.

Only to discover that the memory card was safely and uselessly lying at home beside my computer.

Luckily, I had the point and shoot, but the pictures aren't nearly as sharp. Fog, early morning, and a gentle but persistent misty rain all conspired with my point and shoot to give me busy shots.

Ah well.  Here they are:

On the way back, I always pass this little spot.  Today I saw it, parked, ran back in the rain, and took a picture.  Maybe next week there still will be leaves and it will be brighter and everything will be beautiful and...and...oh phooey.  At least I have this:

I won't go into leaving 20 minutes early for the appointment in case of freezing rain, making pretty good time until missing the turn (not sure how--I was daydreaming, obviously), and driving 10 miles out of the way before thinking, "We're not in Kansas anymore.  Or maybe we are--I usually don't drive by cornfields on the way to Bedford." Long story short, I left 20 minutes early and arrived ten minutes late.

Yup. Halfzheimers and I are getting aquainted.

Day 37: My Honey (Crisp)

When I was growing up in northern British Columbia, the only apples we would get were of the macintosh variety.  When we were feeling particularly decadent, we would find granny smiths.  That was it.  That's all that was shipped up there. Even when I lived in Edmonton for a few years, the only apples we could find were, you guessed it, macs and grannies.  When my horizons had the opportunity to be expanded in the apple tasting department while living in Vancouver, guess what I always chose?  Yup.  Macs and grannies.  I just figured that those were the kinds to cook with--macs for baking and grannies for eating.  And the occasional fugi.  Oh--I guess I'm selling things a bit short.  We also could purchase red and golden delicious.  My mistake.

Needless to say, I wasn't a big apple fan.  I thought there had to be more than somewhat soggy or downright sour. 

Then I moved here to PA.  Holy camoly.  There were apples that I'd never heard of, let alone tasted.  You're going to laugh, because they probably sound pretty standard to you!  Braeburn.  Fuji (every day, not just on occasion).  Pink lady.  Pippin.  Cortland.  Ginger Gold (yum!) and on and on.  I've fallen into apple heaven.

The other day, my husband brought home a few honey crisp apples.  And I'm in love.

Crispy, crunchy, sweet and tangy goodness.

Here's a picture (or two--I had trouble with this one!  LOL).  I'm afraid it's the least attractive pomme of the bunch.  I had already eaten the rest.

Day 36: Corner View--Love

What's NOT to love about a homemade dark chocolate brownie with gobs of ice cream?  It's there for you as a romantic treat when you're in love, and when things are rough and you're feeling lonely, it's there to cheer you up, give you comfort, and get you through the tough patch.  Talk about unconditional love!

For more info about Corner View, head over to Judy's corner at Spain Daily.

Day 35: Brick and bench

There's something that I really find appealing about old brick buildings.  I think it has something to do with the permanence that they exude.  I especially like finding buildings with the faded business name painted on the side, but with a new business inside.  These photos were taken at the Heritage Discovery Center in Johnstown.   I think I might take a drive one day and do a series on painted brick buildings.

What a great combo--the blue against the brick.  Yum.

Day 34: Pumpkins

Photo for the day is of the pumpkins at the pumpkin patch.  I love all the fall colors.  It's fun to see such an odd color like orange given the opportunity to run rampant.  Gotta love that even orange has a place to be free and uninhibited!  :oD 

So, today we had planned to go to this great little farm/pumpkin patch where we go every year (hayride, pick the pumpkins out of the field, corn maze, hay to play in).  Cold and windy last Saturday.  Couldn't go.  Decided to go today instead--but wouldn't you know it but the farm was closed M-W, even though today was a holiday, and it's supposed to start raining tomorrow and all through the weekend.  Figures.  So with two disappointed children, what do we do?  We took a walk over to the little Presbyterian Church pumpkin patch, with a promise to go to the farm the week that it stops raining. Found a pumpkin for our annual stuffed pumpkin dinner, which was good, and the kids had a good time.  It was so nice to get outside in the crisp Autumn air for a little while, even though it wasn't in the way we had planned.

Do you have any fun Autumn activities that you do with your family?

Olivia

I had fun with Olivia down at the tracks, so thought I'd share a few of the first batch that I've gone through.  More to come later.  Other than when a couple of police officers showed up wondering who the rough characters were loitering in a rather crummy section of town, it was a good time!  This is what I want to do more of--portraits.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  So, now I present to you, the Lovely Olivia!

Day 33: Tasty?

Not even this sign will convince me that canned peas or potatoes are edible.  Fresh or frozen every time.