Fall Reads & Formatting

Formatting and editing are in full swing here. Work, school and family activities take priority, but I still search for good books to read when I have downtime. 

Here is a Huffington Post list of 10 Fall Books That Should Be On Your Nightstand. Not sure, but I plan to check out this list, and the reviews, before I add them to my Goodreads shelf. 

Here's the link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharon-greenthal/best-fall-books_b_8113614.html

Enjoy!

Rock-tober

I've been waiting for fall to really kick in this year. Not sure why, but I have. These past few weeks I spent time with my family enjoying nature's transition. Around here, we've seen trees change colors and leaves falling with each bough-shaking gust. 

Football, drizzly mornings, homemade chili (see photos below) and work spent preparing for upcoming holidays and the deep freeze keep us hustling. And Halloween is only a week away!

In the writerly world, I'm busting out a novel. Yay! You may remember I mentioned getting published a couple of times and in this previous post. It's seriously exciting, and a lot of hard work! At this point, anything is possible!

I plan to share more about the project and the road to publication each week. There may even be a contest and giveaway. So, if you're interested in free stuff, please check back or subscribe to receive updates.

I'm excited about the book this month because a lot of my research and effort seems to be working. As a person who still loves the crack of a new book spine and the feel of holding a weighty page-turner, I planned (years ago) to publish in book form. Now that I've experienced how easy it is to purchase an e-book, and how convenient it is to take that book with me on a variety of mobile devices, I see it as good business sense to publish an electronic version as well. I welcome comments about good books, food,travel, publishing and more. 

Hot chili with cheese and a dollop of sour cream - Yum!

Jiffy corn muffins - double yum!

What's Happening - Ann Arbor Family

If you're looking for fun family events in A2, check out the latest Ann Arbor Family for some cool stuff. You'll find everything from archaeology digs to live performances in the October edition and through these links: 

X marks the spot — The Kelsey
Imagination takes center stage — Michigan Theater
We got the beat! — Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Let's build something — LEGO KidsFest

Stop the madness, it’s not October yet!

There’s just something about a too-early Halloween that bugs me. Normally, I’m a happenin’ holiday kind of girl, but lately it seems as though we’re rushing from one to the next, which leaves little time for enjoyment. 

I get that you need to be ahead of the curve when it comes to seasonal shifts in merchandise. But, can I please finish my poolside lounging and adjust to the back-to-school routine before you drag out ghosts and goblins?

It’s no wonder I’m hesitant to take my kid to Target. They’ve already got aisles of spooky decorations and Halloween candy. Someone in a high place maybe forgot how hard it is for parents to handle eager children begging for sweet treats and costumes — hey, it’s hard for parents too. Some of those lit-up pumpkins are adorable. But, I cringed before school even started when I saw BTS on its way out and Spook-fest on its way in. Yikes!

As a way of protesting, sort of, I’m recommending we hold off on buying candy and costumes for at least one more week. I’d say until the end of the month, but I’m not crazy. I know the selection for costumes will probably be so poor, you’ll be digging through your basement for leftover boxes to make a robot outfit, which is not an entirely bad idea. Last year we saw a kid dressed in cardboard, he was a cereal box, and a darn cute one at that. They used a lot of paint, but he really looked like a box of Fruity-O Flakes or something. (I have to be careful what cereal I reference because my sis in law is now a big exec for the Kellogg Co. I'm not a paid endorser, just a fan :)

With all my soap-box protestation, I admittedly will bring out the end of year holiday decorations as soon as possible after Thanksgiving. You can read about it here, but I think it’s perfectly allowable since it can take weeks of work to get family heirlooms in place when you have kids running around the same indoor space you’re trying to decorate. That being said, I’m saying let six weeks or so be the guide. If you can wait to sell me spookiness until a month and a half out, I’ll buy. Heck, I’ll probably buy sooner, but I’ll be less irritated by it around then.

So, here’s to squeezing out the last drops of summer as it transitions to a bountiful fall. Go outside. Take a walk, bike, hike or drive. Get thee to a festival and enjoy doing something together. Just don’t scare me with your ghoulish garb before next week or I just might bring out the lit-up deer and snowman early and see how you like it, mwahahahah.

Make plans to hit a festival or family event in your area.  Check out these sites and find out more of what’s happening in your area. 

www.festivals.com

http://www.weather.com/family-kids/fall-festivals/top10-fall-festivals-20120828

Remember, every day is special - enjoy it!

SYOAS - See you online again soon!

Aww, not yet.

Autumn’s first blush

A couple of weeks ago there was a shift in the weather—it felt like fall. This past weekend was similar with damp, cool mornings and clear, warm afternoons. The season is changing and there are signs everywhere.

I overheard a conversation between parents and teachers who were excited about the season change, but lamenting the fact dressing kids during these transitional days is a chore. I sent my kid to school in a dress with leggings and a light jacket. By lunch she’ll probably need shorts and a t-shirt. The beauty of where we are is we get to experience a real weather transition. While we may have to pack clothes for three seasons, I think it’s worth it.

I observed and photographed more signs of autumn’s approach and thought I’d share.

On the way to class the other day I noticed numbers of birds perched atop wires as if evaluating their next flight path—contemplating a warm trip South no doubt as it was cold. The sun fought to shine through layers of high, stationary clouds and low, fast-moving clouds. It was quite a scene. Should’ve taken video.

Then after watching the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix Sunday we hopped in a prototype Fiat and took a drive. I can’t say anything about the car other than, wow! I can, however, tell you about other things. Feathery grasses bending and twisting under the weight of autumn’s heavy breath. Cerulean skies, white clouds and pine landscapes dotted with yellow and orange bits as the trees start their transition.

Just take a moment or two to observe the changes going on and you might find a few things to appreciate about this amazing time. Enjoy!

First blush

Birds on a wire and autumn sky

Sunday drive

Cider house rules!

I thought about summer yesterday, but this morning was perfectly autumn. Cool, in the mid-fifties and dewy glistening grass.

So I packed the kids up and headed to the cider mill. We were first in line and first out the door with warm cider and donuts. I feel so much better now. Considering I was up shortly after five with a crying tot, thinking the day was going to suck, that’s saying a lot.

Fighting the urge to fall over tired, but filled with yummy apple goodness, I’ll do my best to take on the day. Bring. It. On.

Kids Storybook/Shopping Experience from Ralph Lauren

I thought this was a fun idea for kids. Real Simple posted this recently. We still have to try it, but virtual stories can be exciting for kids and parents. Plus, it's fall, you know you want to see what they're wearing.

Fall Nights Look Hot

The fall competition is heating up. At our house, we are going to need plenty of DVR space so we don't miss a moment of Alex O'Loughlin, er, Hawaii Five-O or Castle.

If you haven't seen the trailer for Five-O, check it out. And you can watch full episodes, get all the cast info and latest news on Castle too, indeed.

p.s. Thank you networks. Keep going in this direction and I might start watching your commercials again. :)