Fall Field Trip

I took the day off of work so I could enjoy my favorite season FALL.  I wanted to get out of the city and experience some color so my friend recommended Morton Arboretum about an hour from my house.  This place is amazing and just what I needed to feel, smell and taste fall.

Pumpkins

Its that time of year when you see pumpkins everywhere.  I'm a big fan of all things pumpkin.

Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin pie
Pumpkin butter
Pumpkin soup
Charlie Brown "The Great Pumpkin"
Pumpkin Ale
Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin muffins
Pumpkin Latte
Pumpkin carving
Pumpkin patch
Pumpkin Festival
Pumpkin candles from Tatine

Favorite Things

I have a favorite things I can't live without.  I know Oprah does her favorite things but I don't have enough money to give you all my favorite things so instead I am just going to write about them.   Not necessarily in any kind of order

1. My Uggs-yes I know everyone has them.  I have to be one of the first to bring them over when visiting my sister and her family in Australia.  I only wear mine around the house and to take the trash out.  They have lasted me about 15 years and they are the most cozy shoes to wear in winter months.

2. My iphone.

3. Milk and Honey granola. This local breakfast/lunch place makes their own and sells at places all over. I get mine at Whole Foods.  I'm waiting for Maggie my niece to make me some of her homemade granola I hear about!  I eat it with fruit and yogurt almost everyday for breakfast.

4. Newman's pretzels.  I have been a fan of his company and products for a long time.  I love that they give so much of the profits to charity.  These pretzels have 5 grams protein per serving so they are a great work snack.  Great dipping into humus or good mustards too.

5. Tatine Candles.  My friend Margo makes the most amazing candles.  I light them almost everyday.  Pumpkin ones are my favorite this time of year.

6. KEXP radio.  Love this Internet radio station.  Listen all day at work.  I get to hear a lot of new music and some great old stuff too.

7.  Apartment Therapy: love this website/blog.  I get so some much great information from it.

8.  This warm fuzzy blanket I got a Target few years ago.  Great for snuggling up on the sofa.

9. Yogi tea.  I drink some coffee usually a soy latte once or twice a week but I try and drink more tea. I love that they have quotes at the end of the string of the tea bag.  They are so inspirational to read.

Says "True Understanding is Found Trough Compassion"

10.  Lucas Pawpaw ointment: This stuff is amazing.  I do not go anywhere without it.  I bring back some every time I go to Australia and pass on to my friends I love it so much. Use it on my lips and hands when they are dry.  Great for the winter months.

What are some of our favorite things?

A Day in the Country.

I was invited view weeks ago to visit an old friend I haven't seen in a some time who now lives in Valparaiso Indiana. Its about an hour east of Chicago. I was ready for some time outside the city.  See I love Chicago but sometimes city life can burn me out.  I love this time of year and I have been so busy a nice day in the country and a bike ride sounded perfect.  Was nice to have fresh air, beautiful scenery, sounds of birds, no traffic and no one to run me over.
It was my first bike ride in Indiana and I laugh because I was never sure why Indian was called the Hoosier  state?

Lesson and Signs

This year for me has been full of reflection.  Not sure if that is mid life or just the things that happened this year or both.  I really try and find the meaning of things and its not always easy to do.  I  look for signs to tell me things will be ok or give me strength to get through.  I was out with some friends Friday after work doing our weekly ritual of getting together to talk, laugh and and have some drinks.  I got a call from my neighbor that my building was on fire but that it was on the south side of the building.  I live on the north side.  Some workers who had been doing work on the roof accidently set the roof on fire.  I have been through a fire before so it was strange I didn't want to rush home because I didn't want to experience the trauma of seeing the building I live in flames as all the neighbors watch.  I knew no one was hurt so I decided to stay and enjoy my friends.  Some may think that is avoidance or denial but I knew I couldn't do anything and I would deal with whatever I had to when I returned home.  I was very lucky as others were not.  My condo only smelt like smoke and I didn't have electric for 12 hours.  I can handle that though it did bring back memories of the first time.  I woke up the next morning and went to my yoga class and the new art work on the walls were these paintings of beautiful birds.  There was also a really great thunderstorm during class.  Those signs brought me peace.  My friend Terry who is Jewish told me last night was the holiday Yom Kippur.  And that they fast after sunset and reflect on the past year.  I like that and hope that all that I experience with the support and love of my friends and family makes me a better and stronger person.

Labor Day

They say its the official last weekend of summer.  I decided to spend mine with my family in St. Louis.  My first road trip there in a very long time.  I normally fly there so my 5 year old car with only 25,000 miles on it was excited and so was I.  I wondered on my drive how Labor Day holiday came about.

Things I did in St. Louis:  some time by the pool, eating, went for a run with my brother Pete around Creve Coeur lake. local brew pub Schlafly Brewing, bike ride, St. Louis Cardinal Game vs. Cincinnati Reds, more eating and drinking.  The weather was perfect all weekend and enjoyed spending time with my family.  Thanks everyone for all the fun!  Mom for all the cooking, Pete for treating the beers and Dad for getting my car washed/gassed up. Great way to end my summer and bring on fall!!

Closing Out Summer

Oh the last days of summer.  Oh so sad to see it go.  But Fall is my favorite time of year...sorry summer.  I will miss summer for being able to swim my laps outside, biking to work, the extra daylight,  flip flops,  seasonal fruits and veggies, outdoor dining and festivals.  I had a pretty good summer but they do always seem to fly by.  I still feel like I'm going back to school and feel the need to buy new clothes and get school supplies.  I look back on the list of what I wanted to do at the beginning of summer and I did a lot but still have a few things to do.  Next weekend I will be visiting my family in St. Louis so I hope I can get a few of them in while I'm there.  Here are some photos of the summer.

My other bike/vintage Schwinn