I love to love people. Does that sound weird, or creepy? Here's what I mean: I love to spoil my family and friends with surprises and gifts. A sweet note or nice message to let them I know I care, for no reason at all. It's fulfilling and brightens my day to know that I've brightened theirs. I once came home early from college for a holiday break, didn't tell my parents, and walked into the house without them even knowing I was home. They were sure surprised and excited when I walked in to the kitchen like I had been there all along.
But whenever I have a big surprise brewing I just can't wait to tell someone. Especially the person I am surprising. I am so eager to see their reaction that I want to tell them before it happens. I at least have to tell one person. And then another person. And then my mom. And probably my dad. And while I'm at it I'll tell my brother. And I couldn't leave out my brothers girlfriend. And then I'll give in and tell a coworker. And then another friend. And then the barista at Starbucks. And then the teller at my bank. And then...whoops. Secret is almost out.
There is another downside to this knack for being so generous. I'll constantly want to buy gifts for others, even when my bank account is begging me not to. Those bills and that rent I have to pay each month sure do put a damper on my spending for my friends habit.
Recently I saw a pair of earrings that would look perfect on my bff's ears. So I had to buy them for her. And then, on my way home, I remembered that she had recently worn a pair of my patterned tights for a night out and loved them. So I swung by another store to find the perfect pair of patterned tights of her own, and a card while I was at it. A few minutes later I was leaving her the gifts and "just because" card on her counter. And playing with her dog and letting her go outside while my friend was still at work. Yes, it is good to be a friend of mine. But just remember, I may need to find my way into your home while you're gone. But if you have pets that need to go outside, this could be a good thing. Hope you don't mind.
Christmas time is rough. I think I'm a pretty good gift giver. I always take into consideration the person I am gifting, whether it be a family member, a friend, or someone at work. But as soon as I find the perfect gift, I want to wrap it up and then force them to open it right away. This quality of mine is both a blessing and a curse.
I also tend to give things away of my own. Especially anything that comes out of my closet and gets worn by a friend. I've mentioned before that I have a tendency to lend clothing to my gal pals. I don't know how many times I've put together an entire outfit for a friend as she heads out on an important date. Or how many first dates my clothes have been on. Hmmm...I hadn't thought of it like that before.
And during these closet raids with my friends, a few items of clothing always seem to be given away. I always seem to find something that I haven't worn in months and looks perfect on my friend. In that case, they can have it! More closet space for new items. It's a perfect rotation.
Back to the keeping, or not keeping, of secrets. Dear readers, I have been keeping something from you. It hasn't been easy, but I've had to wait until the time is right to tell you. And even though I could wait a bit longer. I think I'm ready to spill the beans.
In my next post.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Halloween Candy. Halloween Costumes. Halloween Chaos.
Halloween Candy. It should be banned from the office if I'm at all concerned about my waistline. Which I am. I want it to stay where it is, or rather, have it shrink. But I also love candy. Especially bite sized Halloween candy. It's piled into buckets, left out in dishes on desks and counters for anyone walking by. Or for those of us stalking the contents of the candy dish. And know where the extra candy is stashed. For those of us, we are in trouble.
Halloween, like every other Americanized holiday, starts earlier and earlier each year. Pretty soon, Wal Mart will be rolling out their costumes and pumpkin carving kits barely after the Fourth of July. It's ridiculous. Who decided that we needed to start thinking about things such as Christmas and Easter and Thanksgiving weeks or even months in advance? What about us non-planners and non-thinker-aheaders? And those of us that are just content to enjoy the right now. If I don't want to worry about the holidays until they are actually here I shouldn't have to be forced to rifle through costumes and face paint to make sure I get the perfect Halloween digs, in AUGUST. Or shop for Christmas presents in July. I want to buy water floaties, flip flops, and fruit in July. Not stocking stuffers.
Anyway. Rant is over.
Back to Halloween. Every year I want to have the perfect Halloween costume. Yet I always seem to think about it, talk about it, and google it, but never get it figured out on time. Maybe it's because I'm not one of the crazed Halloween fanatics that turn my home into a haunted house and cover my lawn with tombstones, jack-o-lanterns, and skeletons. Not that I don't admire those that get that into the Halloween spirit. It's just a matter of planning ahead.
This year, like most years, I have no idea what I want to be for Halloween. I'm even toying with the idea of...not dressing up. Because do I really want to stand next to a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, a Hooters girl, a naughty witch, Cinderella in a mini skirt, or even a sexy bee? Not particularly. Since when did bees, lady bugs, and other insects get sexy, anyway? Right after a some girl (and by girl I mean a twenty-something young woman) decided to wear wings, an antennae on her head, fish net stockings, and platform heels, is when. Is anything safe from "sex-ification" these days?? Maybe I should go as sexy office supplies. I'll wear a low cut, short yellow dress, with knee high, high heeled boots, a pink hat on my head, and call myself a sexy pencil. Take that, you sexy bee.
I am not condoning skimpy Halloween costumes, merely mocking them. That's probably the only reason I'll put on my fake eyelashes and dress up among the zombies, witches, and ghosts. To gawk at the newest line of Halloween lingerie.
What was the title of this blog post?
Happy Halloween everyone. May you be safe, have fun, eat too much candy, and have the perfect Halloween costume. Sorry if you just clicked submit on your order for the Sexy Bee costume that probably cost $75 and will get here three days after Halloween. But I'm sure you'll be the cutest bee in town!
Halloween, like every other Americanized holiday, starts earlier and earlier each year. Pretty soon, Wal Mart will be rolling out their costumes and pumpkin carving kits barely after the Fourth of July. It's ridiculous. Who decided that we needed to start thinking about things such as Christmas and Easter and Thanksgiving weeks or even months in advance? What about us non-planners and non-thinker-aheaders? And those of us that are just content to enjoy the right now. If I don't want to worry about the holidays until they are actually here I shouldn't have to be forced to rifle through costumes and face paint to make sure I get the perfect Halloween digs, in AUGUST. Or shop for Christmas presents in July. I want to buy water floaties, flip flops, and fruit in July. Not stocking stuffers.
Anyway. Rant is over.
Back to Halloween. Every year I want to have the perfect Halloween costume. Yet I always seem to think about it, talk about it, and google it, but never get it figured out on time. Maybe it's because I'm not one of the crazed Halloween fanatics that turn my home into a haunted house and cover my lawn with tombstones, jack-o-lanterns, and skeletons. Not that I don't admire those that get that into the Halloween spirit. It's just a matter of planning ahead.
This year, like most years, I have no idea what I want to be for Halloween. I'm even toying with the idea of...not dressing up. Because do I really want to stand next to a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, a Hooters girl, a naughty witch, Cinderella in a mini skirt, or even a sexy bee? Not particularly. Since when did bees, lady bugs, and other insects get sexy, anyway? Right after a some girl (and by girl I mean a twenty-something young woman) decided to wear wings, an antennae on her head, fish net stockings, and platform heels, is when. Is anything safe from "sex-ification" these days?? Maybe I should go as sexy office supplies. I'll wear a low cut, short yellow dress, with knee high, high heeled boots, a pink hat on my head, and call myself a sexy pencil. Take that, you sexy bee.
I am not condoning skimpy Halloween costumes, merely mocking them. That's probably the only reason I'll put on my fake eyelashes and dress up among the zombies, witches, and ghosts. To gawk at the newest line of Halloween lingerie.
What was the title of this blog post?
Happy Halloween everyone. May you be safe, have fun, eat too much candy, and have the perfect Halloween costume. Sorry if you just clicked submit on your order for the Sexy Bee costume that probably cost $75 and will get here three days after Halloween. But I'm sure you'll be the cutest bee in town!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Highlight of the Week (so far): My Name in Print.
As most of you know, I work for a newspaper. And for those of you that don't know what I do there, I'm still figuring that out as well. Just kidding. I am a sales representative, or what some might call an account executive. I sell advertising and work with clients on building their advertising programs.
The newsroom is right next to my desk. I'm within sight and ear shot of all that is happening on that side of the office. We work independently from each other for the most part, but both strive to meet the same goal every day: get tomorrow's paper ready for print.
I never thought my love for writing would carry me over to their world. Nor did they, I'm sure. But I'm not all too surprised since I rarely pay attention to boundaries and rules anyway. Recently I nominated myself to write an article for an upcoming special section that needed a little more content. With my last piece of writing that was "published" being something that ran in my high school newsletter, I was a little (or a lot) nervous about my submission.
I've grown up writing. Yet it has always been something for myself, my parents, or my teachers, and sometimes my peers. This blog was a huge step in making my writing and thoughts public knowledge. Not that I hold much back anyway. But writing an article to be published for the company that I work for....EEK!
That freak out lasted about 30 seconds. Then my writing mode took over. Sometimes I feel like a zombie, without the flesh-eating habit, of course. All of a sudden an idea hits me and I stare at my screen and hammer away at my keyboard. When I snap out of my writing zone, I have what is usually a pretty good story. But what could have been 20 minutes of "zombie-writing" felt more like five minutes. I'm not sure I could actually sit down and write something every day for a deadline. Which is one of the reasons why I've never pursued writing as a career. I love writing. But if I had to do it everyday by a certain time and in a certain way I may not love it so much anymore. I sound like a man with commitment issues. Ladies, you know what I'm talkin' about, right? Amen.
Back to my highlight of the week. The newspaper I work for, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, produces a wedding guide a few times a year. This guide, called I Do, includes local advertisers, "wedding snapshots" which are submitted by couples that got married on the Palouse and used local vendors, and a few articles. We were a little low on wedding snapshots this issue and needed some more "guts" to the section. This is where I came in with my bright idea. And apparently it wasn't too bad since they listened to me and then actually let me do it. What were they thinking???
After the initial zombie-writing session I pretty much had it done. Once an idea hits me, I just don't stop. And for once, I had a reason to write while at work! For a brief moment I thought, hey, I could get used to this.
So what was it that I chose to write about? Instead of tell you...why not see for yourself. Ladies and gents, friends and fam, I give you my very first, and possibly last, published article.
Blogs Can Provide Brides Need Inspiration.
Because rustic weddings are so “in” right now. Whether it's old mason jars, chandeliers hanging from the beams of an old barn, or worn-in cowboy boots peeking beneath the lace of your gown, you'll be right on trend with any of these vintage touches.
Now stop staring at that diamond, or checking out the one on the hand of the girl next to you, and hop online for some wedding blog heaven. It's your first step to the wedding of your dreams.
The newsroom is right next to my desk. I'm within sight and ear shot of all that is happening on that side of the office. We work independently from each other for the most part, but both strive to meet the same goal every day: get tomorrow's paper ready for print.
I never thought my love for writing would carry me over to their world. Nor did they, I'm sure. But I'm not all too surprised since I rarely pay attention to boundaries and rules anyway. Recently I nominated myself to write an article for an upcoming special section that needed a little more content. With my last piece of writing that was "published" being something that ran in my high school newsletter, I was a little (or a lot) nervous about my submission.
I've grown up writing. Yet it has always been something for myself, my parents, or my teachers, and sometimes my peers. This blog was a huge step in making my writing and thoughts public knowledge. Not that I hold much back anyway. But writing an article to be published for the company that I work for....EEK!
That freak out lasted about 30 seconds. Then my writing mode took over. Sometimes I feel like a zombie, without the flesh-eating habit, of course. All of a sudden an idea hits me and I stare at my screen and hammer away at my keyboard. When I snap out of my writing zone, I have what is usually a pretty good story. But what could have been 20 minutes of "zombie-writing" felt more like five minutes. I'm not sure I could actually sit down and write something every day for a deadline. Which is one of the reasons why I've never pursued writing as a career. I love writing. But if I had to do it everyday by a certain time and in a certain way I may not love it so much anymore. I sound like a man with commitment issues. Ladies, you know what I'm talkin' about, right? Amen.
Back to my highlight of the week. The newspaper I work for, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, produces a wedding guide a few times a year. This guide, called I Do, includes local advertisers, "wedding snapshots" which are submitted by couples that got married on the Palouse and used local vendors, and a few articles. We were a little low on wedding snapshots this issue and needed some more "guts" to the section. This is where I came in with my bright idea. And apparently it wasn't too bad since they listened to me and then actually let me do it. What were they thinking???
After the initial zombie-writing session I pretty much had it done. Once an idea hits me, I just don't stop. And for once, I had a reason to write while at work! For a brief moment I thought, hey, I could get used to this.
So what was it that I chose to write about? Instead of tell you...why not see for yourself. Ladies and gents, friends and fam, I give you my very first, and possibly last, published article.
Blogs Can Provide Brides Need Inspiration.
You're engaged. You've got the ring on your finger to prove it. And you can't stop staring at it or showing it off. You're definitely engaged. Or quite possibly you're like me and staring at the blinding sparkle of your friend's princess cut rock, or the eye-catching three stone dazzler on the girl that handed you your double skinny vanilla latte, or the platinum jaw-dropper on the finger of your hair stylist, the one you saw glinting in the mirror while she cut your hair. Either way, there is a diamond engagement ring on your mind and its sparkle and shine are causing you to think of one thing: the wedding.
Weddings are beautiful, memorable events that mark the beginning of the rest of your life with the one you love. Your family and friends gather at a carefully chosen venue where it's not only the love between you and your hubby-to-be on display, but also your taste in wedding fashion and trends. Before I paint a picture of doves and roses, let's take a reality check. If you have ever been a bride-to-be, known a bride-to-be, or seen a movie about a bride-to-be, you know it's not all sunshine and puppies. There is a lot of work to be done when planning a wedding. And a lot of decisions to be made. Even the simplest of weddings require a plan of attack. And one that doesn't leave you, or anyone else in the bridal party, feeling attacked.
These days a bride can get a lot of useful information from the internet, especially from a blog. For those of you that are less familiar with the concept of a blog, it's a website run by one or more individuals that is consistently updated with opinions and information. Wedding blogs have become increasingly popular and are great sources of wedding ideas, trends, and inspiration. And they can cater to many different styles, budgets, regions, or themes.
A short and sweet list of some that are worth checking out:
rusticweddingchic.com
Because rustic weddings are so “in” right now. Whether it's old mason jars, chandeliers hanging from the beams of an old barn, or worn-in cowboy boots peeking beneath the lace of your gown, you'll be right on trend with any of these vintage touches.
rocknrollbride.com
For the brides (and grooms) that walk to the beat of a different drum. You and your wedding don't fit the traditional, cookie cutter ceremony. And that's okay. Rock N' Roll Bride just might inspire your one-of-a-kind nuptials and get your happily ever after off to a rockin' start.
greenweddingshoes.com
Southern California inspiration for the modern bride. You can find photos of real weddings, from vineyard to vintage, from beach to barn themed. This is a must-see for those of you about to tie the knot. They've got great DIY (do it yourself) ideas and a list of vendors pertaining to the area you live. Did I mention beautiful photos of real weddings? There is a reason why this made it into my top faves.
thebrokeassbride.com
The name speaks for itself. And many of you, myself included, may relate to the title of this blog. If you are trying to stick within a budget or cut costs where you can, this is a great site to check out. Take advantage of Bride$hare, a social networking site that brings together brides on a budget and helps them share the cost of wedding-related resources and goods. Whether you are in the same area or are using the same theme, there is sure to be a bride with your vision, your budget, and your sense for saving money.
ecoandelsie.com
For the bride that cares about the environment. And wants her wedding to reflect that. This blog caters to the eco-friendly bride, supplying her with plenty of inspiration on all things wedding, with taking care of the environment in mind. Get ideas on planning your eco-friendly honeymoon, too!
weddingbee.com
Don't just read the blog, participate in it! The Wedding Bee is by real brides and is updated over 25 times a day. Get your wedding inspiration from user uploaded photos, blogs, boards, classifieds, and DIY ideas.
Whether you're a bride on a budget, an eco-friendly bride, a modern bride, a cowboy-boot wearin' bride, or a bride without a clue, you are not alone. Your wedding is something truly special and should be uniquely you. Look to the advice and inspiration of the thousands of wedding bloggers that share your vision for your big day.
And there you have it. I have to be honest, as I always am, I have been pretty excited about this. Not merely to have my name featured in print, my picture next to my article (although that is pretty cool)...I love the feeling of putting my heart into something and seeing the final product turn out so well. Hard work, in any form, is something I truly value and respect. You just have to feel good about something that you put honest, hard work and heart into. Whether you are building something with your hands or writing a story with the click of your fingertips on a keyboard, good, hard work surely is a good feeling.
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant" -anonymous
Monday, October 3, 2011
A Few of My Favorite Things.
I may not be Oprah, but I still have certain favorite things. Especially those seasonal favorites. I'm also not giving away cars. So definitely not Oprah.
In my last post I ended it by saying goodbye to summer. And with every goodbye comes a new beginning. Fall is arriving on the Palouse. And I love it. You've heard me say it before and yes, you're gonna hear me say it again: I LOVE fall. Even though it makes you want to snuggle up in warmer clothing, it's refreshing after a long, hot summer. It's also a good time to enjoy my favorite fall-time picks.
Leaves...I don't mean the ones crunching under your boots. I mean the scented candle called Leaves that you can get at Bath & Body Works. It's the ideal fall scent; warm and cozy...a perfect compliment to a Sunday afternoon or a fall dinner party.
Bath & Body Works is like Disneyland to candle and body lotion lovers. If you've ever walked by this store you understand the magnetic-like pull that those scented candles have on a shopper. They obviously know what they are doing when they light up those candles right near the entrance. The first time I smelled the Leaves candle I swear I experienced a whip-lash like effect from how quickly I turned around and headed in that store like a candle-hungry zombie.
They have other amazingly delicious smelling candles such as Apple Crumble (up next in my home), Creamy Pumpkin, Marshmallow Fireside, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Cinnamon Sugared Donut, Frosted Cranberry, Caramel Apple, Mint Chocolate...do I even need to go on? If you aren't hungry yet, you should be grabbing your purse and headed to the nearest B&B Works to pick up some candles and get your fall scented candle on.
A soft throw blanket....perfect for evenings cuddled up on the couch or sitting outside in the brisk fall air. I recently became obsessed with a blanket I found at Bed, Bath & Beyond, which is coincidentally right next to the addictive candle store I was just telling you about.
This blanket has a velvety soft side and a fluffy soft side. It's like a cloud, it's like a little baby lamb...but really, it's not a lamb, so don't worry. And....it was ON SALE. Which is a dream come true in this store. If you see an item you are crazy about at a discounted price--for no reasons other than life is just that good--you gotta scoop it up and take it home. Because if you don't, there is probably a lady hiding behind a window curtain, eyeing you and your prized, price-slashed item, just waiting for you to reconsider and reshelve it so she can swoop it and take advantage of your poor and possibly too-financially-responsible-for-your-own-good, decision.
Moral to the story: find yourself a super soft blanket to cozy up in as the seasons change and the cold rolls in. And if it's on sale, watch your back and hurry to the check out counter.
Pumpkins....pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice lattes, oven roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, pumpkin decorations...and well, the good ol' fashioned pumpkins you can pick up at a pumpkin patch, grow in a garden, or get at Safeway.
Pumpkins seem to be a mainstay during this time of year. Maybe even the symbol of fall. Not just for Halloween and pumpkin carving, pumpkins have been popping up everywhere. I love them and their round, orange, cuteness. I love that you can get them in any size, use them for decoration now, and then, right before they start rotting, can open them up, gut them, and carve faces into them so they looks like glowing heads on your front porch. Too graphic? Don't blame me, our parents tought us this tradition years ago.
Cowboy bean soup...for a truly warm and hearty meal that can last days. And when my crockpot finally gets to see the light of my kitchen. My mom made this soup for us many times during the cooler months. And it's very easy to do. Easy enough for me. If you can open up a can, turn on a stove or a crockpot, you are good to go.
All you need is a can or two of pork n beans, Bushs baked beans, browned hamburger, stewed tomatos, a little water, and brown sugar. I usually just go to the store and pile in cans of whatever beans look good. They have plenty of bean choices to choose from. And as for measurements, I usually just throw it all in, let it simmer for a while and then taste. The brown sugar makes it sweeter, which I like. Use less or more depending on your taste preference.
To complete your meal, place some Grand's flaky rolls on a baking sheet, can't get any easier than that. And have them with the soup. They are the perfect rolls for a hearty soup because you can peel off layer after layer and enjoy with your bowl of cowboy bean soup. Yum!
Flannel...who says it's only for lumberjacks? As a girl who grew up with a dad who was a logger for many years, I've seen and worn my fair share of flannel. But this isn't the only reason why I have a soft spot in my heart for the warm and fuzzy fabric.
I've seen flannel making a comeback recently. You don't need to wear it with suspenders, in fact, please don't unless you really are a logger. And if you aren't ready to wear it yourself, try it on your bed. Flannel sheets are no secret and they truly are amazing. If you don't mind making it even harder for yourself to get out of bed in the morning, flannel sheets are a must when the temp drops and you need some extra bedding.
Boots...my cowboy boots are always a wardrobe staple. I'll wear them anywhere and with, almost, anything. And one pair is never enough. But there are other boots of the season that always catch my attention. Every girl needs a good pair or two or three of boots. They can be very versatile. And they've become a MUST for me.
Leaves...this time I am talking about the ones crunching under your boots. The leaves of fall, with their changing colors, have long been my possible absolute favorite part of the season. I get so excited when I step outside and see yellows, browns, reds, and greens, in the trees and fluttering through the air as they begin to cover the sidewalks and streets. A walk outside is so much more enjoyable with these leaves.
Last year the beautiful, tall, majestic-like Maple tree that towers over my patio and shelters my apartment from the morning sun, graciously shed its beautiful golden yellow leaves onto my lawn, deck, and patio. I adored this tree for doing so. A month or so later, when the snow came sooner than expected, I cursed this towering tree for all the leaves it had left me to deal with that I had not yet dealt with. And in the spring, when the snow finally cleared, I had a soggy blanket-like mess of dead leaves. One day, with rake in hand and unwavering determination, I cleared away those nasty leaves.
This year, the leaves will not win. I'm watching that tree carefully and am ready to brush up those leaves as they fall. I'll enjoy leaf-covered ground somewhere else. Where I don't have to worry about the clean up.
And I'll enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of fall as much as I can before the season is over. I hope you do too.
In my last post I ended it by saying goodbye to summer. And with every goodbye comes a new beginning. Fall is arriving on the Palouse. And I love it. You've heard me say it before and yes, you're gonna hear me say it again: I LOVE fall. Even though it makes you want to snuggle up in warmer clothing, it's refreshing after a long, hot summer. It's also a good time to enjoy my favorite fall-time picks.
Leaves...I don't mean the ones crunching under your boots. I mean the scented candle called Leaves that you can get at Bath & Body Works. It's the ideal fall scent; warm and cozy...a perfect compliment to a Sunday afternoon or a fall dinner party.
Bath & Body Works is like Disneyland to candle and body lotion lovers. If you've ever walked by this store you understand the magnetic-like pull that those scented candles have on a shopper. They obviously know what they are doing when they light up those candles right near the entrance. The first time I smelled the Leaves candle I swear I experienced a whip-lash like effect from how quickly I turned around and headed in that store like a candle-hungry zombie.
They have other amazingly delicious smelling candles such as Apple Crumble (up next in my home), Creamy Pumpkin, Marshmallow Fireside, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Cinnamon Sugared Donut, Frosted Cranberry, Caramel Apple, Mint Chocolate...do I even need to go on? If you aren't hungry yet, you should be grabbing your purse and headed to the nearest B&B Works to pick up some candles and get your fall scented candle on.
A soft throw blanket....perfect for evenings cuddled up on the couch or sitting outside in the brisk fall air. I recently became obsessed with a blanket I found at Bed, Bath & Beyond, which is coincidentally right next to the addictive candle store I was just telling you about.
This blanket has a velvety soft side and a fluffy soft side. It's like a cloud, it's like a little baby lamb...but really, it's not a lamb, so don't worry. And....it was ON SALE. Which is a dream come true in this store. If you see an item you are crazy about at a discounted price--for no reasons other than life is just that good--you gotta scoop it up and take it home. Because if you don't, there is probably a lady hiding behind a window curtain, eyeing you and your prized, price-slashed item, just waiting for you to reconsider and reshelve it so she can swoop it and take advantage of your poor and possibly too-financially-responsible-for-your-own-good, decision.
Moral to the story: find yourself a super soft blanket to cozy up in as the seasons change and the cold rolls in. And if it's on sale, watch your back and hurry to the check out counter.
Pumpkins....pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice lattes, oven roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, pumpkin decorations...and well, the good ol' fashioned pumpkins you can pick up at a pumpkin patch, grow in a garden, or get at Safeway.
Pumpkins seem to be a mainstay during this time of year. Maybe even the symbol of fall. Not just for Halloween and pumpkin carving, pumpkins have been popping up everywhere. I love them and their round, orange, cuteness. I love that you can get them in any size, use them for decoration now, and then, right before they start rotting, can open them up, gut them, and carve faces into them so they looks like glowing heads on your front porch. Too graphic? Don't blame me, our parents tought us this tradition years ago.
Cowboy bean soup...for a truly warm and hearty meal that can last days. And when my crockpot finally gets to see the light of my kitchen. My mom made this soup for us many times during the cooler months. And it's very easy to do. Easy enough for me. If you can open up a can, turn on a stove or a crockpot, you are good to go.
All you need is a can or two of pork n beans, Bushs baked beans, browned hamburger, stewed tomatos, a little water, and brown sugar. I usually just go to the store and pile in cans of whatever beans look good. They have plenty of bean choices to choose from. And as for measurements, I usually just throw it all in, let it simmer for a while and then taste. The brown sugar makes it sweeter, which I like. Use less or more depending on your taste preference.
To complete your meal, place some Grand's flaky rolls on a baking sheet, can't get any easier than that. And have them with the soup. They are the perfect rolls for a hearty soup because you can peel off layer after layer and enjoy with your bowl of cowboy bean soup. Yum!
Flannel...who says it's only for lumberjacks? As a girl who grew up with a dad who was a logger for many years, I've seen and worn my fair share of flannel. But this isn't the only reason why I have a soft spot in my heart for the warm and fuzzy fabric.
I've seen flannel making a comeback recently. You don't need to wear it with suspenders, in fact, please don't unless you really are a logger. And if you aren't ready to wear it yourself, try it on your bed. Flannel sheets are no secret and they truly are amazing. If you don't mind making it even harder for yourself to get out of bed in the morning, flannel sheets are a must when the temp drops and you need some extra bedding.
Boots...my cowboy boots are always a wardrobe staple. I'll wear them anywhere and with, almost, anything. And one pair is never enough. But there are other boots of the season that always catch my attention. Every girl needs a good pair or two or three of boots. They can be very versatile. And they've become a MUST for me.
Leaves...this time I am talking about the ones crunching under your boots. The leaves of fall, with their changing colors, have long been my possible absolute favorite part of the season. I get so excited when I step outside and see yellows, browns, reds, and greens, in the trees and fluttering through the air as they begin to cover the sidewalks and streets. A walk outside is so much more enjoyable with these leaves.
Last year the beautiful, tall, majestic-like Maple tree that towers over my patio and shelters my apartment from the morning sun, graciously shed its beautiful golden yellow leaves onto my lawn, deck, and patio. I adored this tree for doing so. A month or so later, when the snow came sooner than expected, I cursed this towering tree for all the leaves it had left me to deal with that I had not yet dealt with. And in the spring, when the snow finally cleared, I had a soggy blanket-like mess of dead leaves. One day, with rake in hand and unwavering determination, I cleared away those nasty leaves.
This year, the leaves will not win. I'm watching that tree carefully and am ready to brush up those leaves as they fall. I'll enjoy leaf-covered ground somewhere else. Where I don't have to worry about the clean up.
And I'll enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of fall as much as I can before the season is over. I hope you do too.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Camping in a Parking Lot. Riggins Raft Trip.
And not because we're city folk and don't know how to pitch a tent in the dirt. But because the parking lot literally was dirt. And it was directly across from the bars, which was quite convenient. And, no one told us we couldn't.
About a month ago a good friend of mine won free rafting tickets with Salmon River Experience, a rafting company that conducts rafting trips on the Salmon River, based out of Riggins, Idaho. When she asked if I wanted to go I of course said yes. But I didn't have a clue what I was in for since I had never gone rafting before.
The weekend of the trip, two of my closest friends and myself loaded up my Ford Escape with our rafting trip essentials: beer, ice, snacks, water shoes, beer, a tent, swim suits, blankets, beer, and an iPod for the long trip. Oh, and did I mention beer?
Never having gone rafting before we weren't quite sure what to expect so we decided we would have some ice cold beer handy in case. Always be prepared.
A few hours of Jamie and I jamming out to her iPod and her boyfriend, Dave, the worn out farmer, snoring in the back, and one adventurous stop to pee in the bushes, we arrived in Riggins.
Riggins, ID is in the bottom of a canyon, which it shares with the Salmon river. It's not a very big town, but it thrives off of the white water rafting industry. Many call it their home in the summer months when they sign on with a rafting company as a guide. What a dream job, seriously. If I had nothing to do for a summer and wanted to raft all day and party all night during the nicest time of the year...I'd become a river rat and get paid for it!
We rolled in to town just after the sun had gone down. Luckily Riggins is much like my own small hometown in the sense that if you are looking for someone you just drive around until you see their pickup. Since I have years of experience in this area, I quickly found Tia and her friend Amelia, who had gotten there before us. I found the red pickup outside a restaurant and we headed in for some dinner.
Tia is my cousins wife. That makes her not only family, but much like a sister. Her husband, my cousin, Josh, and I are barely six months apart and grew up playing, fighting, and harassing each other just as normal brothers and sisters do to each other. Besides getting into slapping fights in elementary school, wrestling in his parents basement (where I once was able to take him down and sit on him), and playing together or against each other, we really do love each other just like brothers and sisters do as well. So I'm happy that I now have Tia, who is and continues to become much like a sister to me.
I also love that she asks me to go rafting with her when she wins free tickets. What a good friend.
A good friend is also someone you can have a good time with. Which is exactly what the five of us (Tia, Amelia, Jamie, Dave, and myself) did. We hit the Riggins bars that Saturday night, not knowing exactly what we were in for, but ended up closing them down. We met guides, fellow rafters, locals, made new friends, had drinks bought for us, some guy bought me a shirt from one of the bars, we danced and played the jukebox...and then when we decided it was time for bed, just walked across the street to our tent. A perfect way to spend the night before getting up early to go rafting. Trust me.
The next morning, with a rock stabbing me in the side, and Tia telling us it was time to get up, I realized the one downfall to camping in a public parking lot. No restrooms. That may not be the only downfall, but it was sure an obvious one that morning! Needless to say we quickly found a restroom. And some food.
After packing up our tents and belongings we headed out to another parking lot. Everyone meets up where we eventually end up at the end of the rafting trip. We leave our vehicles there and climb aboard a bus with plenty of others that may or may not have partied the night before. On a bus ride that I was sure I was going to die from (apparently I could be a bus driver in Riggins since we have something in common: we drive fast and crazy and sometimes scare people), we traveled up the river to our starting point. Met our guides, packed our coolers of beer into the rafts, strapped on our life jackets, and began our adventure.
Never gone rafting before, after this trip I am truly hooked. And I can't wait for next summer when I can go again. And I can honestly say the rapids were my favorite part. If you're thinking that a white water rafting trip is mostly rapids...then you are, well me, pre-rafting. There was plenty of time to jump in the water and swim along-side the raft. If you don't mind the guide pulling you back into the raft by your lfie-jacket, it's the best way to enjoy the slow parts of the trip.
But, like I said, I enjoyed the rapids the most. In the fact, the more the better. I never felt in danger and always felt very secure in the raft. Not that accidents can't happen, but if you follow the rules and stay in the raft, you should be fine. Especially since the beer is in the raft, and you wouldn't want to leave that!
It was a great way to end the summer. Even though summer wasn't completely over at the time of this trip, it was definitely nearing its end. And after a summer of weekends at the river, a trip to Vegas, watching combines get torn apart at a combine derby, weddings, rodeos, plenty of sunshine, a great tan (that I'm sad to see disappear), a family fourth of July trip, making new friends and enjoying good times with the best friends a girl could ask for...I'm excited for next summer. Between now and then I'll enjoy my favorite time of year, fall, the holidays, my 26th birthday--eek!--, and plenty of more good times. And plenty more to blog about.
Goodbye summer, you were good to me.
Oh wait, before I officially say goodbye to summer 2011...one question:
Want to go rafting next summer?
Think about it. We've got about 8 months.
About a month ago a good friend of mine won free rafting tickets with Salmon River Experience, a rafting company that conducts rafting trips on the Salmon River, based out of Riggins, Idaho. When she asked if I wanted to go I of course said yes. But I didn't have a clue what I was in for since I had never gone rafting before.
The weekend of the trip, two of my closest friends and myself loaded up my Ford Escape with our rafting trip essentials: beer, ice, snacks, water shoes, beer, a tent, swim suits, blankets, beer, and an iPod for the long trip. Oh, and did I mention beer?
Never having gone rafting before we weren't quite sure what to expect so we decided we would have some ice cold beer handy in case. Always be prepared.
A few hours of Jamie and I jamming out to her iPod and her boyfriend, Dave, the worn out farmer, snoring in the back, and one adventurous stop to pee in the bushes, we arrived in Riggins.
Riggins, ID is in the bottom of a canyon, which it shares with the Salmon river. It's not a very big town, but it thrives off of the white water rafting industry. Many call it their home in the summer months when they sign on with a rafting company as a guide. What a dream job, seriously. If I had nothing to do for a summer and wanted to raft all day and party all night during the nicest time of the year...I'd become a river rat and get paid for it!
We rolled in to town just after the sun had gone down. Luckily Riggins is much like my own small hometown in the sense that if you are looking for someone you just drive around until you see their pickup. Since I have years of experience in this area, I quickly found Tia and her friend Amelia, who had gotten there before us. I found the red pickup outside a restaurant and we headed in for some dinner.
Tia is my cousins wife. That makes her not only family, but much like a sister. Her husband, my cousin, Josh, and I are barely six months apart and grew up playing, fighting, and harassing each other just as normal brothers and sisters do to each other. Besides getting into slapping fights in elementary school, wrestling in his parents basement (where I once was able to take him down and sit on him), and playing together or against each other, we really do love each other just like brothers and sisters do as well. So I'm happy that I now have Tia, who is and continues to become much like a sister to me.
I also love that she asks me to go rafting with her when she wins free tickets. What a good friend.
A good friend is also someone you can have a good time with. Which is exactly what the five of us (Tia, Amelia, Jamie, Dave, and myself) did. We hit the Riggins bars that Saturday night, not knowing exactly what we were in for, but ended up closing them down. We met guides, fellow rafters, locals, made new friends, had drinks bought for us, some guy bought me a shirt from one of the bars, we danced and played the jukebox...and then when we decided it was time for bed, just walked across the street to our tent. A perfect way to spend the night before getting up early to go rafting. Trust me.
The next morning, with a rock stabbing me in the side, and Tia telling us it was time to get up, I realized the one downfall to camping in a public parking lot. No restrooms. That may not be the only downfall, but it was sure an obvious one that morning! Needless to say we quickly found a restroom. And some food.
After packing up our tents and belongings we headed out to another parking lot. Everyone meets up where we eventually end up at the end of the rafting trip. We leave our vehicles there and climb aboard a bus with plenty of others that may or may not have partied the night before. On a bus ride that I was sure I was going to die from (apparently I could be a bus driver in Riggins since we have something in common: we drive fast and crazy and sometimes scare people), we traveled up the river to our starting point. Met our guides, packed our coolers of beer into the rafts, strapped on our life jackets, and began our adventure.
Our guide, with his long, red hair, and hippy-ish look, was the best. He had awesome stories to tell us, some which were real and some that were not. Like, who would believe that an old man would climb up a bunch of steep rocks and paint the temperature of the water every morning? The "76" painted on those rocks was obviously painted on those rocks by the graduating class of 1976. So who would EVER believe their river guide when he tells you that it's the old man that repaints it every morning...no idea who would believe such a thing.
Besides the true tales and tall tales, Richie, our "trusty" guide was great. If you go rafting with Salmon River Experience you should definitely request him. Never gone rafting before, after this trip I am truly hooked. And I can't wait for next summer when I can go again. And I can honestly say the rapids were my favorite part. If you're thinking that a white water rafting trip is mostly rapids...then you are, well me, pre-rafting. There was plenty of time to jump in the water and swim along-side the raft. If you don't mind the guide pulling you back into the raft by your lfie-jacket, it's the best way to enjoy the slow parts of the trip.
But, like I said, I enjoyed the rapids the most. In the fact, the more the better. I never felt in danger and always felt very secure in the raft. Not that accidents can't happen, but if you follow the rules and stay in the raft, you should be fine. Especially since the beer is in the raft, and you wouldn't want to leave that!
It was a great way to end the summer. Even though summer wasn't completely over at the time of this trip, it was definitely nearing its end. And after a summer of weekends at the river, a trip to Vegas, watching combines get torn apart at a combine derby, weddings, rodeos, plenty of sunshine, a great tan (that I'm sad to see disappear), a family fourth of July trip, making new friends and enjoying good times with the best friends a girl could ask for...I'm excited for next summer. Between now and then I'll enjoy my favorite time of year, fall, the holidays, my 26th birthday--eek!--, and plenty of more good times. And plenty more to blog about.
Goodbye summer, you were good to me.
Oh wait, before I officially say goodbye to summer 2011...one question:
Want to go rafting next summer?
Think about it. We've got about 8 months.
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