Country Tradition

The county fair is this week. We usually head over atleast once to grab some fair food and see the exhibits and talk to old friends. That's also usually done on Friday of fair week. (Our big date night!) But we're going to Chicago this weekend and we'll be gone on Friday. So the weather looked like tonight would be the best night to go. It was pleasantly warm and breezy. Perfect fair weather!
We always run into many people we know..but guess who was the first one we saw? Yep, Donna herself trying to sneak on a child's ride...Hey, get a ticket!
Ok, she did have this little monster with her....I like your face painting Bryden!
For the first time ever...I've lived in Ashland for 35yrs...I entered something in the fair. Some photos. I was pleased to see I took 4th place in two categories. I wasn't expecting to win anything, but it was fun to enter and I love the little ribbons! I couldn't find one of my entries though. I did find one that sure looked like mine but it had someone Else's' name on it. Hmmmm....not sure but I'm going to check it out again. These were the two that won.

A good reason to go to the fair is for some really "bad for you" food. We sort of bombed out though this year. This sandwich wasn't very good...the onion rings weren't bad, but the strawberry shake was horrible and had to dumped...I should have stuck by my old reliables...greasy fries and apple dumplings. Thank goodness there's always next year!

We always have to stop at this building. It has the fruits, veggies and other farm products...like this maple syrup section. It also has a few other oddities that always make me laugh.
That will make a ton of pie or one big momma jack-o-lantern!
When is a pumpkin not a pumpkin? When it's Nemo.
Please tell me this didn't grow in someones garden.
I get the judging of fruits, veggies, and other farm crops...But I didn't realize they had a category for dressed up cement geese. Only in rural America.
Darth Vader Goose? I love his light saber..or should I say bubble wand saber? Too funny!
I really did have to laugh at this....seriously, they won first place!
The rides looked very colorful at night.
I told Jack that if I went up on this ride I could get some cool pics. Once he quit laughing he said "OH YEAH! I can see you up there shaking like crazy trying to take a shot! Hahahaha! I hate it when he's right....I'm not fond of heights, spinning, leg dangling a million miles above the earth, and fair rides that are put together by God only knows who...I'll stick to ground shots.
A big wave goodbye from Gorilla girl! Hope you enjoyed our county fair!

Trail Blazers and Red Roses

Last week flew by and as usual I was busy working, doing Church duties, and working around the house, inside and out. Life isn't always a bed of roses but when I came home from work breathing a big sigh of relief and saying TGIF....Jack had this lovely vase of roses waiting for me on the table. The sad thing was I was so involved in dumping my purse, lunch bag, grabbing the mail, that I didn't even notice them at first. I was flapping my jaws about one thing and another and Jack just stood there listening patiently. I finally noticed these beauties. Yep, it was a long week but I need to stop and smell the roses more often...or atleast notice when a wonderful husband takes the time to get me some! Thanks Babe!
Today Donna and I decided we would take a walk in this fairly new trail near Freer Field. It's where the balloon fest is held each year. I didn't know volunteers had made paths and cleared trees and brush and also built bridges over the creek that runs through the area for people to enjoy as a city park. Donna wasn't sure how she would feel taking a walk but she did great. We walked for over an hour and enjoyed this wooded area. I'm glad we gave it a go and learned a new spot to enjoy in our small town.
There were different paths we could take. I think all of them intersected eventually. Some spots were a bit confusing when the trail narrowed and big trees had fallen and blocked the way. We did have a couple of dead fall that we had to climb over. Pretty amusing...those were shots I should have taken! Donna grabbed a nice branch for a walking stick and we headed out.
The day was perfect for a walk in the woods. We've had nice cool and not humid days. In the shade of the trees and the pine needle covered walkways it was very quiet and relaxing. Well it was quiet if you ignore the fact that Donna and I talked non-stop. Are you surprised? If you are then you don't know us!
One of the first things we came across was this weird "Jabba The Hut" looking thing. Donna and I looked at it trying to figure out if it was a rock, dirt, an alien?
The mystery was explained when we walked around "Jabba" and realized it was the roots of a fallen tree...a huge fallen tree! I guess a job as an outdoor guide is not an option.
We crossed a couple of bridges. This one was really nicely made. I thought the area would make a great place for photo moments like high school senior pics or weddings.
This dry creek bed was very pretty with all the stones and fallen trees.
The issue we did have was toward the end when we got a little turned around. Some of the trails were not as kept up as this one. OK, I'll admit it...we got lost. But we hacked our way through the brush and made it to the field where our cars were parked. I think we need to go back but perhaps a few bread crumbs should be thrown in the path to find our way back. I'd hate for the police to have to come looking for a couple of old broads lost in the woods!

Apple Love

This weekend the weather was rainy and very cool. That's why the pie got made. I went to the apple orchard and grabbed some baking and eating apples. I was so excited to be there I forgot to take a picture of the orchard and barn where all the goodies lived. So the pie will have to be my testament to apple love! Then I started to put some fall color inside the house. After I was done I dug these out. OK, so maybe it's a bit early to be planning Halloween. But the time is now for some pumpkin love!
I made these many, many moons ago. Very long ago. So long ago I can't even remember when it was. But I have a soft spot for these little guys. I guess because I don't create many things and I have to not only get excited by what gets put together, I tend to keep it for eternity. My kids will have to dispose of them when I'm gone. Hopefully many, many moons from now.
Fall wreaths are showing up
I do love a pretty pumpkin!
I know it's a few weeks away yet, but go get ready and greet this Autumn season will 'ya!

Ending Season Color

The summer is close to being officially over. Just a few weeks will usher in fall. I can see the changes coming already. We're surrounded by pine trees that never change color, except when old man winter frosts them. But we have plenty of foliage that does share a final goodbye with us. The colors seem to burst out in a last ditch effort to please. Even with the hot and dry summer, we still have a crayon box full of delight. Grab a seat in the red chairs surrounded by falling leaves and let's see what we find.
The dogwood trees are turning from green leaf to a yellowie red. I don't think you'll find that color name in any crayon box!
From the back deck I spied the slowly turning yellow leaves of the trees up on the hill.
You might spy some of these hanging berry looking weeds. I'm not sure of the name but the deep navy color is interesting.
A wise observer would notice this tree with the lovely leaves turning a bright red...but beware...it's poison ivy!
Soft lavender on sedum.
Periwinkle blue anyone?
Deep oranges and white mums.
The yellows...even weeds have their beauty in the fall.
Up near the "Creepy Woods" is this little crabapple tree. I've never seen it this loaded down with fruit. Pretty, almost red fruit. The deer should love it..and hopefully quit snacking on my blueberry bushes!
Fried green tomatoes anyone? A frequent request around here!
These fall raspberries are our yellow ones. I know they look more pink, but they are a delicate, not as sweet as red raspberries, delight.
We planted late this summer. The pretty green peppers are still coming along.
One of the benefits of planting late is still having these show up on my back deck rail...juicy red tomatoes! They didn't just "show up"..Jack actually picked them. Thanks Hon!
This is a very Ohio tree. It's a Buckeye tree. I think the nickname "buckeye" has to do with Ohio State football or something. What do I know, I'm from Chicago. OK, so I've lived here long enough that I should know but, honestly, I don't really care. It's a pretty tree and it's one of the first to have it's leaves turn color in the fall. And it has these weird pods hanging all over it and then they fall and land in the yard for me to mow over!
Inside these alien looking pods are these: Buckeye nuts! A beautiful brown and tan. I make a candy at Christmas time called "Buckeyes"...they are made of chocolate and a peanut butter mixture, not from these nuts! They look just like them though and I bet they taste a million times better. In fact, I dont' think you can eat real buckeyes. Atleast I'm not going to find out! But I will celebrate the end of this season by appreciating all the color it's leaving us in the many fruits, veggies and foliage spread out like a banquet at harvest time.

A Grateful Birthday

I've been cleaning out some...OK...many shelves, closets, and our computer room. It's like a Thomas English muffin..full of nooks and crannies..all chock full of papers, magazines, and pictures that needed sorting and discarding. While on this quest I found another journal I forgot I had. It was started when Oprah suggested a "Gratitude Journal" about 15yrs. ago. That was before we even lived in this house and how it got to the computer room is a mystery. I had to sit and see what I wrote so long ago. I had challenged myself to write 5 things a day that I was grateful for. I did really good...for about 3 days! I did enjoy seeing what made me happy back then. 15 Simple things. I wondered if someone found this 100yrs. from now would they know what kind of person I am/was? I've mentioned this many times, but my blog is a bit of a journal for me and I have it put into book form at the end of each year. Hopefully this would be a better composite of who I was...am..will be. I would hope that they would see a person very grateful for many blessings in my life. I hope the main blessing I'm so grateful for is my family. Today is my 2nd son's birthday. He's 35...Wow is he old...Not young like me! I'm so grateful for his wonderful spirit that has blessed our family. He has a great family of his own now. He's spending this birthday alone while his wife stays with the kiddos until they sell their home and then make a big move across country. I had to call him and wish my "Star Wars" baby a happy day. We were at the very first "Star Wars" movie that came out in 1977 when I went into labor. I stayed as long as I could stand it...the movie was really good but I didn't want Craig born in a popcorn bucket! I always joke that we could have called him Luke, or Han, or Chewie! I think Craig is grateful we didn't! So here's a few snipets of his life that we are very grateful for. He was a beautiful baby!
A spunky kiddo and a good athlete...here he is at his 9th birthday..so happy...so funny...so grateful for his first skateboard!
An Eagle Scout...He put in sidewalks at an elementary school for the teachers who had to walk through the wet grass and mud each day. Recently many of the teachers sent him a "thank you" e-mail..all these years later. Gratitude has no time limit!
Craig spent 2 years as a missionary in Taiwan. Mastering the language, the food, and coming to love the people has blessed his life. We're so grateful for his service.
A graduate with his graduate wife from BYU. Grateful for an education that has helped him in his business career and his ability to make a good living to support his family.
A good father, husband...all around family man who had to celebrate today without his family. Not fun. But he has a great sense of humor as we talked about it today. He's spent a few birthdays in his life without family around. His Dad and I are grateful for a super kiddo who makes us proud every day. Happy Birthday Craig!