The best season to sniff...

Autumn is the best season in which to sniff, and to sniff for pleasure, for this is the season of universal pungency. 
- Bertha Damon

I've said it a zillions times already - I know - but I think it's ok to repeat that which you love, and so I will...repeat it, that is:  I love Fall!

Just some fun stuff to get you going into your September (and your October, which is right around the corner to the tune of three weeks) - wherever you may roam...

Purge the three C's:  Closets, Counters, and Cabinets.  Time to donate to charity that which has not been used/seen/or even remembered within the last year.  Or have a yard-sale and get great tips on how to make the most of it here at YardSaleQueen.com.  By the way, that big pile of paper on the counter?  Toss it.  Ahhh.  Doesn't it feel good?

Candles:  get em' out, ladies!  The thing is, it's so nice - right around 6:00 in the evening- to light up a couple of scented candles - and let the aroma fill the house.  I prefer scents like Apple, Brown Sugar, Warm Vanilla, and Cinnamon.  Mmmm mmmm good!

Clean your fireplace and get ready for the next four months.  Do you not love the smell of your neighborhood in the Fall - when you can sniff all those lovely fireplaces chugging away in the evenings?  Granted, wherever you live, it may not be time for a fire yet - but for many of us - it's right around the corner.  Here's a link to some great tips for keeping your fireplace clean and reducing hazards that can crop up.   Be safe!  Stockpile some great burning wood, or if you're a little bit "fire" lazy (like me) start looking for the easy burn logs at your grocery store.  You can never find them when it gets cold out.  If you don't have a fireplace...see "Candles" above.  Mmmm.

How To Keep Your Fireplace Clean.  

Get out the decor:  ...if you're a decor kinda gal, that is.  I am!  I love my collection of faux pumpkins, fall garland, and friendly scarecrows.  I've built my (ahem) "little" stash to three tubs full.  Oops.  But, I like to start slow - it is three months of Harvest, after all.  So, I begin by putting up a harvest colored wreath on the door to welcome guests, some garland around the fireplace, and some yummy scented candles.  Slowly, as the weeks fade into October - I add pumpkins, and then as we approach Halloween, we get all spooky.  November is a whole post unto itself full of soups, crafts, and more pumpkins...but that can wait.

Change up the routine:  We're already doing it - with going back to school, losing daylight, and getting cooler weather - might as well change things indoors as well.  Give your favorite throws and softest blankets a fresh wash, fold neatly, and place near the couch or your favorite comfy chairs.  Take out favorite family games and puzzles and put them in a basket by the fireplace - you're more prone to play if you see them sitting there!   Watch the perfect "old" movie with your family or honey after dinner - like "Singing in the Rain" or "Guys and Dolls".  (don't forget to light the candles!!)  Bliss! 

Prepare your Holiday Shopping List:  That's right, you heard me.  Might as well get a head start - a tougher economy calls for smarter shopping, coupon clipping, and sale finding.  Now's the time to make a list of must-haves and hard-to-find's.  You'll thank me.  You're welcome.

Halloween Costumes:  Get to it!  Don't wait until October 29th to start thinking about it (like I do).  You can find some great ones at the following sites:

Buycostumes.com
CostumeSuperCenter.com

and for more tips and tricks to create an awesome Halloween -  I highly recommend www.womansday.com/pumpkins

Food:  Last but not least...I leave you with a nice (but short) Autumn Recipe:

Warm and Gooey Maple Butter (with a kick!)

Cream 1 stick of softened butter with 1/4 cup of maple syrup (we like the real stuff...)  Add in 1/2 tsp of Mexican hot pepper sauce (it's called Cholula in the grocery store).  Spread over your corn on the cob or cornbread - and I'm telling you...you will FALL OVER from the mouth watering goodness. 

Cheers!

NEW POST UP OVER AT "BRINGING KEIRA HOME"!

Everyone loves Daddy

We have a sayin' around our house.  Everyone loves Daddy.  

Daddy is a very popular person in our home - and I can't begrudge him that.  Because I'm right there in line with the rest of the crew, ready for attention and doting from AB.

Everyone wants AB's love, attention, hugs, kisses, cuddles, and sweet talk.  Quint.  Me.  Our two puppies, and even Chloe the cat - who swore off all people in the 90's.  

The minute he walks through the door, there's a line vying for his affection.  Quint practically loses his mind when he hears the garage door opening at the end of the day.  The dogs both go monkey - barking and whining, waiting for him to walk through the door.  The cat and I - being distinguished ladies and all - hover toward the back of the pack, trying not to elbow each other aside.

Know why?  Because he's SOOOO extraordinarily good at it.  It comes very easy for him to love people and to show his love for them in grand affectionate gestures.  His love language is touch - and so naturally, he loves to cuddle and give hugs, quick little kisses, and impromptu gestures that melt even the rickety-tickety heart of my 16 year old kitty.  None of us can resist him.  

He gives the best backrubs.  He cooks the most amazing food (every night.  yes, every night).  He loves spending time with us.  He makes us laugh.  He takes an interest in us.  There's almost never a time I can think of, that he hasn't come through the door at the end of the day with genuine excitement to see us and to love on us.  And when I say "us" - I do mean all of us - animals included.  

What's not to love?

Yes, everyone loves Daddy.  And he's got a permanent place as "man of the hour" over here.   And really, that's a warm and lovely thing, isn't it? 

Anabelle, our 8 year old puppy has a long standing love affair with Anton.  From the moment we rescued her as a tiny little thing, she fell hook, line, and sinker for him - and who could blame her?  He spoons with her!  What's not to love about that?  There is no doubt that she is Anton's dog.  Faithful and true to him - kind and loving - and excessively loyal, almost to a fault.

She might have NO IDEA that she's a dog, but truthfully, we just don't know married life without this little gal...since we got her just two short months into our new marital bliss.  Not sure we'd want to know life without her, to be honest. 

She definitely loves Daddy.  Can't really say we blame her...

Love you AB -xo

New post up at "Bringing Home Keira"!!

 

Sports were bound to take their place eventually...

We took Quint to his VERY FIRST BASEBALL GAME!  We were given tickets and free food (can you pass that up?  I think not!) Minor league - and a total blast.  He absolutely loved it!  And we actually had seats on the grassy knoll (not THE grassy knoll, but a grassy knoll) which worked out perfect - because with a toddler...it's impossible to contain them for that long in a seat.  So we had a blanket and it was a perfect night...and he had a such a great time.  Can't wait to do it again...maybe as soon as next year.  Ahem.  (sorry...I'm a basketball kinda girl)

It's so much fun to have a little boy....WHO KNEW?

  

 

Kitty Kitty

Kitty is not doing well...not well at all.  She's been acting kinda miserable and sleeping a lot.  Tonight we found blood in the urine and she'll be making a trip to the vet first thing in the morning.  Could you send up a little heart prayer for her?  Hoping it's just an infection that can be cleared up with anti-biotics.

But she's old...so whatever the outcome, we're so grateful for all the years we've had with her...

Sniffle