Almost the end of summer wrap up

August was a busy month.  And it seemed to fly by.  And it is already mid September.   I am feeling a little bittersweet.  I am feeling a little bad now about cursing summer a few weeks ago.  But, then again, it was 100 degrees out with not a hint of relief in sight.   Now, the temperatures are perfect.  The days are around 80 degrees and the nights have been cooler.  Like-sleep-with-your-windows-open cool.   It has been wonderful.   I love fall and look forward to fall every year, but I do admit that I am a little sad about letting go of these beautiful days.   

This past August, I participated in Kayak for a Cure.  A co-worker convinced me that it would be a fun time.  And it was.  I don't know if you know this about me yet, but, I am not a very athletic type of girl.  In fact, I am more like a curl up with a book and cookie type of girl.   So kayaking was bound to be amusing.   I have kayaked a couple of times before but for very brief periods of time.  Luckily, this turned out to be a brief trip as well.   

I actually enjoyed the kayaking quite a bit.  I do think that the surrounding water and landscape was lacking some.   We kayaked downtown on the Scioto.  And it was STINKY.  I think I am a clear river stream- think Brad Pitt in a River Runs Through It- type of girl.  But I coped.  Somehow.  

In August, I also went to the Annual Grove City Balloons and Tunes Festival.  I missed this festival last year, but made it again this year.   It was a little windy this year and as a result the balloon show as not as impressive as in the past.

But, as usual, the balloon glow did not disappoint.  At night, there is nothing like the sight of a hot air balloon glowing in the dusk.  Stunning.  

Since it was too windy for many of the balloons, there were plenty of balloon owners on hand to talk about the craft of hot air balloons. 

I also know that the end of summer brings about the Millersport Corn Festival.   This Corn Festival is an annual tradition.  It has all of my favorite things in one place- food, people watching, corn, donuts and more food.

But seriously, the donuts at the Corn Festival are a BIG thing.   The best part of this festival is that the proceeds go to the non-profits that help run the concession and game booths.  The donuts- in my humble opinion  are one of the biggest fundraisers.   These donuts are amazing- cake style donuts made fresh with a delicious glaze or topping on them.     The vanilla and chocolate glaze ones are my favorite.

It was supposed to storm that night and the sky was amazing all night long.  Here is a shot I took as we arrived at the festival.

And here is the crowning glory- the sweet corn.    They have long stand up tables where you can salt and eat your corn.   The best part.  Standing with a group of great friends and all squealing as we squirt corn juice on each other from each juicy bite.

No festival is complete without candy apples.

Or a tilt a wheel ride.   Especially with an amazing sky in the back.

So long Sweet Corn Festival.  Till next year.  I will try not to eat two dozen donuts again. Perhaps, I will have developed some will power by then.  

 Despite eating my weight in corn and donuts...... I leave you with this.

Hope everyone is having a great end to summer.    I can't wait for all the fall fun to begin.  Hayrides, Haunted Houses, Pumpkins, apple picking..... ohhh I could go on.

Smiles,
Marci

Bittersweet July

July was a busy month.  And a stressful month.  And a sad month.  

I spent some time at the lake with this cutie.   This is his "monster" imitation.   I must say he is the cutest monster I have ever seen.  Don't you agree?

I went to the Farmer's Market.  The colors and smells at the local market are always amazing.

I also said goodbye to an old and dear friend.  Thumper had been a part of my life for thirteen years.  It is sad to say that sometimes you take for granted the moments and times you have with your loved ones.   I was able to shower my sweet one with love before she left me.   If you are reading this- give your family and loved ones a hug and kiss.   Be kind to others and count every moment as a blessing.

I have been taking it easy on the Jeni's.   I think my Jeni's consumption might be personally responsible for the button strain on my pants today.   I will tell you that this new flavor I tried- coffee- was out of this world amazing.  I think that I find a new favorite flavor every time I go there.

Nature has a way of calming me.  And spending time at the Lake house as amazing.  There was no beach in the plans for me this summer.  Instead, I was surrounded by nature and silence.   Peace for the soul.

 I also made The Pioneer Woman's Blackberry Cobbler.  I have made this several times before.   This time I did tinker with the recipe some.  I did reduce the amount of sugar used in the recipe.   Instead of a full cup- I used about a 1/4 cup less.  I also did not sprinkle more sugar on top.   AND..... I used a mix of blackberries and raspberries.   AMAZING.  Please go here and try out the recipe for yourself.   A note to all you fake cobblers out there with a pie crust masquerading as "cobbler" - this is a REAL cobbler.

As usual, my photos are lacking.   But this cobbler was amazing and I did not even darken my plate with ice cream.  This cobbler is tasty enough to stand alone.  But, if ice cream and cobbler is your thing- knock yourself out because it will be fabulous!

I leave you all with a quote that I found and loved.   It is a grainy image and I apologize for that, but it fits in with my I phone pictures.  I dedicate this quote to my friends- an amazing group of people who have always been there for me. 

I hope that August brings cooler weather, rain, and peace to me this year.  I hope that everyone had a great July.   Drop me a note and let me know what you were up to.

Peace,
Marci

June Madness

For some reason June just seemed to fly by.  I am not sure how, but it sure did.   June was a pretty busy month.  Work and many weekend commitments seemed to make it more "mad" than usual.  

But as always, I find time for food and fun.   I am sure I did some baking this month.  Although by the lack of blog postings, I cannot show any evidence of this.   But, that is the great thing about a blog.  It is my blog and I can blog when and how I want to.  Now, I may not have any followers and I betcha many hard core bloggers find my lack of baking and posting of recipes shameful, but eh- life is like that sometimes.   

I did find a delightful treat this month that I just HAD to share with you.  Mint M&M's.   I do not know how I managed to miss these yummies for so long, but I am telling you about them now.  I like to eat them after meals because they remind me of an after dinner mint.  Now, I am not sure how many people eat a whole package of "after dinner mints", but I always have been a special one.   Anything mint flavored is sure to be a favorite of mine and these do not disappoint.   

I also have had some stress and anxiety this month.  My cat, Thumper, has had a few medical scares.   She is older and recently had two emergency tooth extractions.  I am still not quite sure she has bounced back as well as I would like her to, but I am trying to be patient as she takes time to heal.   Here she is sticking her tongue out at me.   Actually, it is kinda cute, but she does poke her tongue out more than ever.  I am sure that it is because one of her major canines were removed.

I also participated this month as a walker in Columbus's Pride Parade.  I walked with the OSU College of Social Work.  I graduated from OSU with my Masters and was so happy to walk with such an amazing group of students, faculty and allies.   It was a hot, hot day, but worth it because I truly believe in what social workers do and was proud to walk as an ally in Pride.

I seem to find a funny or two every month that tickles my fancy and this one was the winner for June.   I cannot possibly say anything more except- yep.... It's true.....

And I leave you all with a picture I took while walking around my nephew's neighborhood.    I am not sure whose house this is, but I loved the way the ivy was climbing up the wood and tangled around the metal numbering.

Hope everyone has had a safe and happy Fourth of July! 

Smiles, 

Marci

May Wrap Up

May has been a good month.  There have been calm moments, happy moments, peaceful moments and moments where tears have been shed.   There also may have been moments where teeny tiny itty bitty temper tantrums have been thrown as well.  But not by me- of course.  

I always find these sayings all over facebook and Pinterest.  And some of them just speak to me and my soul.   This would be one of them.  I like to think of myself as a spontaneous, spur of the moment, type girl.   But, alas, I am not.  Why else would I carry a purse that weighs five hundred pounds? That way I can be prepared for anything.  Wipes- got them.  Anti-bacterial- fear not.  Chap stick- I got five to choose from.  Books- kindle- of course (but more on that later). Charger- phone, kindle, emergency phone. I have them all.  Pens- ummmmmm I may have a slight problem with collecting pens, but we shall not talk about that now.  

I was especially daring this month.   I tried seafood.  And I am not talking about the Fish and Chips thing- because I already have that down pat.   No, I tried real seafood.   The mussel kind of seafood.  The kind that I would always convulse at the idea of trying.  But I did.  And I enjoyed it.   They did have a slight texture-thing going on.  I tried not to think of that too much.  But the mussels were tender and the sauce they were prepared in helped pave the way to success.   However, I did not like those weird sausage things that were scattered in there.  Yuck.  (and yes I know only four year old children say Yuck.)

My culinary adventures were vast this month.   I was also introduced to Cookie Butter from Trader Joe's.   Oh My.   It is all I can say.  I can imagine that there are all kinds of amazing things you could do with this from spreading it on cookies to baking with it.  But, I just ate it with a spoon.  And sometimes with a fork if that is all I had.   It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.   I will always try to keep you up to date on the most tasty of things and so with urgency I encourage you to run to Trader Joe's to get some of this.

There were also tragedies this month.   My kindle died on me.   Dead. Dead as a door nail dead.   I got mad.  I "may" have called Amazon and ranted a little.  Just a little.  I am upset that this kindle is only a couple of year old and it seems far too soon for it to have died on me.  But, despite my frustration, I know I will end  up getting another one.   Because I love my kindle.  I love reading on the sofa.  I love reading while waiting in the car.  I love reading anywhere and anytime.

I also did bake some this month.  I tried out a new recipe combination.   Banana cupcakes with peanut butter frosting.  And they were GOOD.   I will surely post more about these later.

May was also a busy month in the office.  Surely you can see how productive we have been by the below picture.   I think May has been the month of office pranks.    I do admit the office filled with balloons was the best.   I remember hearing Fred walk into his office after seeing what happened and all I could hear was "pop" "pop" "pop".  But I give the guy credit.  He worked all day in that office with those balloons around him!

I am still day dreaming about getting a new camera.  One that I am convinced will instantaneously make me an amazing photographer.  cough cough.  However, I am always pleased when I manage to take a picture on my I phone that catches my breath.   This is one of them.   I love the weathered look of the house, the creeping vine and the brick contrast.   I just hope that I continue to live life looking around me instead  of running through life looking down.   Because if I do, I am sure that I will catch more gems like this.

Enjoy life.  Be kind and good to others.   Smile and be with friends and loved ones.  And say Thank you.

Smiles,
Marci

April Musings

Recap of the wonderful month of April.....

I had a birthday.... And yes I am now old.   Don't ask how old. Please.  But, I did celebrate with lots and lots of sugar.   Sugar in the form of cookies and cupcakes.   My friends and co-workers surely do know how to make a girl feel special and spoiled.   

And after consuming sugar I went to visit my sister.   I fell asleep in the car.... several times... Luckily my Mom was driving and not me.   While I was visiting my sister we took some walks with the twins.   And let me warn you it is a process getting ready for a walk with the twins.  It goes something like this: shoes- check, jackets- check, hats- check, snacks-check, sippy cups-check, shoes-check.  And yes shoes are there twice for a reason.  Because you may have put the shoes on to start, but by the time you reached the end of your checklist the shoes were off again.  And the twins have discovered zippers, so if you were quick enough to get out the door with the jackets still on- Kudos to you!

I did get this incredible picture at the lake.  It was stunning day.

It is also important to document that I fell in love.. in love with Ryan Gosling.  You see- Ryan Gosling "gets" social workers.   Sigh.

Also, this April spring came.  She was a little early, but she came.  And then she went away.  I am hoping to see spring again this May cause she was purty while she was here.

Lastly, I had a life changing experience.   I was introduced to stroopwafels.  Oh my.   I am thankful for this crispy, buttery, caramel-ly, hint of cinnamon yumminess.  And I am also thankful for Dutch Fellows who bring me in yummy treats to try.

I did do some baking this month as well.  But I only baked cookies- chocolate chip and Snickerdoodle to be exact.   May will bring more baking adventures as I found some recipes to try for Mother's Day brunch.  

Smiles,

Marci