Okay, So I Couldn't Resist

I just had to carve a very spooky, very traditional, scary Jack-O-Lantern this afternoon!

These Cinderella pumpkin illustrations are from a vintage nursery rhyme booklet I got at the flea market this past summer. It seemed appropriate to use them today!

Happy Halloween!

~Kathy

PS. Update: Thank you for your comments. My "experiment" taught me a lot already: Yes, it's the drugs that make my so fatigued, and Yes, I still need to take some. So, I will contact the Dr. for info on taking less perhaps! I am so hopeful! I like my energy!

Antique Dresses, Not Halloween Costumes!

These are from our summer day•cation to Canadaigua Lake.

I LOVED the inside of the Sonneberg Mansion with the original dresses of "the Mrs." displayed. I felt such a connection with time...that I was standing, looking at her clothes that she wore over 130 years ago. And, oh, the details: buttons, lace, layers. Beautiful. I love the oldtime wardrobes. Hope you enjoy these too.

Almost Halloween and Happy Friday!

This week went so quickly, I can't believe it's Friday again already. But I sure am excited!

It was an exhausting week for me. I have to admit that I continue to struggle with my health. For some reason, I am feeling profoundly fatigued. Not sure why, but I am a problem-solver...so I made a decision to go off of my 3-times-a-day uro drugs (to rebuild my diseased bladder wall)that I have been taking for 4 months to see if they are what make me so tired.

I am very sensitive to all things, so it's possible that the meds themselves make me over-the-top exhausted. We'll see this weekend. It's my experiment, but I HAVE to know. My quality of life is dimished by fatigue, not just the lingering pain, so, maybe I need to juggle.

Balance in all things...That seems to be my mantra this year!

Have a fun Friday!

Are you getting ready for treat-or-treaters? What kinds of decorations do you have up?

*

I still need to carve my pumpkins.

I think I'll do some on-line searches for scary and fun stencils for jack-o-lanterns.

Maybe a Haunted House one this year?

100 Thank You's

...for joining me on my journey. I appreciate your every visit and comment so much. I am celebrating you today. Thank you, 100 Followers! I am so blessed to have you friends in this great big world. We have beautiful differences and yet are so much the same in so many ways. You've made my world a better, more interesting, fascinating, creative place. You are a net of support and acceptance. I hope I can give you that as well, always. Thank you. Thank you!

~Kath

Not Just Another Wednesday!

I had an unexpected special moment this evening. I was walking Ellie down to end of our little road, and while I usually do see deer (a mommy doe and her fawns),

today's sighting was extraordinary.

Doe was visiting with summer's red fox! I was awestruck. Pure beauty.

I am so sentimental about our little reunion today.

Warm Orange

And here is what I think is yet one more little miracle of nature.

Remember my yellow hibiscus?

Well, it is a tropical plant but it won't give up,

even out in the frosts we've had!

AND, it turned ORANGE!

A storm front is moving in, any minute now, blowing cooling rain on us all, but who cares?

We have warm orange!

~Kathy

Golden Yellows

Happy autumn from my house to yours.♥

Reds

Wishing you a brilliant new week ahead!

Full Moon and This Teacher's Prayer

The moon's golden glow spread out so far that I was spellbound late last night.

It was such a peaceful way to end a difficult week. I love happy endings.

Hope your Autumn Weekend is peaceful, promising, and restful for your heart, soul and body.

~Kathy xo

Fall Foliage Friday

Even without pumpkins and apples and acorns, autumn is so spectacular, isn't it?

Happy Friday!

Stretching Myself

I am in need of yoga or some better stretching, I think. I am too stiff all of a sudden, and feeling old and unfit. If any of you dear blog friends have yoga info and advice for me, do tell! Please!

I am open to new ideas

and your experience in my unknown. ~K

Your Promised Apple Cake Recipe!

Yummm. Here it is, with Michael's touches for that extra deliciousness I LOVE:

Fresh Apple Cake

5 medium apples, peeled and chopped (a variety is good)

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 cup applesauce

2 eggs, to be beaten in

2 cups sifted flour

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. allspice

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup seedless white raisins

1 cup chopped nuts (optional, walnuts)

♥Combine apples and sugar in medium bowl, and let stand for 10 minutes.

♥Meanwhile, in large bowl, stir in melted butter and applesauce, then beat in the eggs.

♥Sift flour with baking powder, salt and spices.

♥Stir in raisins and nuts, then add apple mixture. Mix thoroughly.

♥Pour into greased 13" X 9" pan. The batter will be quite stiff.

♥ Bake at 375 degrees F for one hour (or 5-15 minutes longer, so it's browned. See photos below!)

♥Cool on wire rack before cutting.

♥ This super moist cake needs no frosting! Great for breakfast, too! Sh-h-h-h!

Hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you make it!! Thanks for looking! ~Kathy xo

Favorite Cake of ALL Time

...and it needs no frosting! I LOVE it.

{If you can't read the recipe up top and you would like it, let me know!}

Michael made it for me this weekend.

Feeling This and Remembering That...

I think I really like this vintage-y pink gray page. It so reminds me of my Grama K and the time spent in her pink kitchen so many years ago...in another lifetime. She made every craft and quilt and silver jewelry and afgan and woodworking project imaginable.

And here's a new journal background collage beginning:

My thoughts are wandering lately. At work I feel extremely focused right now, but when I am home, my mind searches and travels...And that's not necessarily a bad thing. It just IS.

Happy Sweetest Day everyone!

May you each discover two boxes of sweets (including orange-chocolate sponge candy)

by your computer this morning! xo