The Fall Festival!

The weather held out for most of the day at the Fall Fest! It was pretty dreary, but it wasn't too cold and it only sprinkled toward the end. Thank goodness! It was a long day... but we didn't do too bad and I thought I'd share some pictures. You can also see pictures on my Sis's blog.

This was when we were setting up... my cousin Molly.

This was my mitten tree... but no one bought any mittens... :( Oh well! I'll maybe post them on Etsy!

This was our table set up and some of the items... (sorry, I'm not much of a photographer). We sold our handmade pottery, mittens and jewelry, as well as some garland and prisms. We also set up some items for another lady we know who makes and sells soaps and herbal products... and she also melts glass bottles (which are really cool to use as cutting boards or decorations) (My boss's wife came by and bought the pitcher in the photo above!) :)
My cousin Molly and her mom helped... which was so nice not to be stuck behind the table all day! Molly also helped my mom and me with Face Painting. We took donations to give to the food pantry. I believe we collected around $90! That was a lot of face painting! Here is Molly painting on my nephew's face. We didn't do all of the kids faces like this - usually just on the cheek... but we spoil our own.
What a cutie!!
And last... but not least... here is Cory hard at work. I'm just kidding! He deserved a nap... he always goes above and beyond to help. I just couldn't resist getting his picture!

I hope you all are getting out to those fall festivals! I'm headed out to one next weekend also, only this time... to shop till I drop!!

Drum Roll Please...........

I am not totally happy with the way my pottery turned out... the colors just didn't really do much for me. But... you never know what will come from each load. There are a few pieces that are ruined because the glaze ran and had to be broken off of the shelf... but over all... it was pretty successful. I guess it will just depend on what other people like at this festival, if I end up selling anything!!

My Current Fav....

**Might want to hit the stop button on my side bar player-->

Well, I have been trying to find something to post on this band, Weaver At The Loom, all night. YouTube has nothing worth posting... and I somehow came across this video. I am a little bummed because it isn't the best song of theirs... for a video anyway. But I wanted to share.... and I encourage you to listen to more of their stuff on Myspace. I really think its worth the listen! I am hoping to get these guys to The Scarlet Cord one of these days! It's definitely nice to listen to something different. Usually I like to keep my tunes to myself (who wants to share!?)... but I wanted to give these guys props for their unique and mellow sound!

From Crackle: You Can't Evade them Weaver at the Loom

Tomorrow is the Day!

Last night, I fired off the kiln! I had to wake up and go over to turn some settings at 4:30 this AM.... and then my mom is going to babysit it while I'm at work today. We probably won't be able to unload the pottery until tomorrow afternoon sometime... but I'm excited! I will take some pictures to show you our creations! We were able to get all but one bowl in - which is A-OK. We are hoping to get our rears in gear to be able to fire one more time this fall before winter hits!

Have a great day! Work is going to be BUSY today. I have to go in extra early to get started!

Falling into Fall....

Hello! Its a beautiful day in Pennsylvania!!! The leaves are just BARELY starting to change... but the air is crisp and clear! I am so excited to be able to wear jeans and a long sleeve shirt and be totally comfortable! This is my favorite time of year!

Next weekend is a fall festival at my sis's inlaw's meat market. I believe this is the 5th year, but I can't be 100% sure unless I asked! Each year my mom and I take our pottery out to sell and also set up the wheel to do demonstrations. We always hope for beautiful weather... and if its anything like this weekend, it will be PERFECT! This year I will also be selling my jewelry and mittens. You can check some of them out on my Etsy Shop. (I haven't been updating much--things are just so busy!) I will post pics from next weekend after things wind down!

The other day, I had tried to do some fall decorating... which consisted of hanging a decoration on my door. My mom stopped over to tell me something and we both agreed that the decoration needed a bow. We set out over to my mom's house - where she magically created this awesome bow. My mom is so creative! (Don't mind my ugly door - and that cat on the right hand side is my door knocker... LOL!)

Last night, Cory and I had a night off from the teen center. We switched because the other volunteers had a wedding to go to today and wouldn't make it back in time to cover. Cory and I stuffed our faces with KFC. I know I shouldn't have... but we don't ever eat there and its such a treat sometimes to have something different that you don't have to make yourself. I do regret not having just eaten a salad or something - I've been doing so good at watching what I eat. But, sometimes you just have to let go! My nephew came over to see us for a few minutes... so Cory snapped some pics. He is such a ham! And of course Boo needs to try to get in on the excitement!!
It was good to finally get a chance to spend some time with Cory. He had been gone last weekend to Boston with friends and then our schedules were full the rest of the week - not to mention the lack of electricity earlier in the week.

Today is going to be busy! I better get moving! Have a great weekend!!

For Matt

Following up on a comment to my Opinion blog... I am posting this video by request.



Personally, I think what it all comes down to... is each person individually. How many soldiers are joining the military because it will help them get money for school, etc? How many are doing it because they want to be selfless and defend innocent people? I guess that's what makes it hard to know whats right and whats wrong. I guess its what your heart tells you. Proof, to me, by the two different views of the soldiers in these videos.

Thanks for your comment, Matt!

My Opinion on a Couple of Things...

First of all, I have to say that I HAVE ELECTRIC! WOOOO HOOOO!! What a blessing to have it back!

Second, I haven't seen Cory in a week and I see him tonight! I AM EXCITED!!

OK, now onto the opinion stuff.

I debated on whether or not to bring this up... but after driving home from work and hearing "Journey" on the radio... I just couldn't hold it in any longer. I am sorry if I offend anyone by what I'm about to say. We all agree, I hope, that Journey is CLASSIC. Totally timeless. We'll still be listening to it in 30 years and loving it. As long as we are listening to the CLASSIC stuff. This new guy they have singing just doesn't cut it. I'm sorry. It's like calling an apple an orange. This guy (I'm sure he is a really nice guy and all) TRIES to do what Steve Perry didn't even have to think about. It just came naturally. Why on earth would Journey as we know it today... try to bring back something that can't be duplicated? It just isn't working for me. I understand that it's all fun to get back together... but maybe if the original band members were all still around. I just feel like they are downgrading their once timeless essence in the music world... into something lame. Harsh, I know. And honestly, it really doesn't matter what I think... and I know there are a lot of bands who have gotten new members and made it BIG. Chicago, Fleetwood Mac, Lynyrd Skynyrd, to name a few... but I just don't see the new Journey guy (I don't even know his name) carrying on the Legacy of Steve Perry and the rest of the band. (I know, I know... I'm sorry).

Secondly... I haven't really gotten political on this blog. Most of the time I just ramble... I'm sure you know! But I got this YouTube in an email. It was made by a young man (he actually looks like he is younger than me--but I couldn't say for sure) in the Butler, PA area. It's a commercial which is NOT endorsed by the McCain Campaign. It is something he did on his own... (maybe with sponsors or something?). I know there are a TON of views out there - but this makes sense to me. So if you care to view it... I believe it will make you think. It brought a tear to my eye and personally, I hope it will be used as a commercial on National TV. If you don't agree with me, that's fine. We are all entitled to our own opinion - but then... thank goodness we have the freedom to choose, right??


God Bless!

Simplicity... without Electricity.

So, we had a horrible wind storm on Sunday night. Totally freaky. I believe it had something to do with Ike. Trees down, branches down, trees on cars, on houses... you name it... it was pretty bad. Luckily, my cars and house are doing well. I am , however, without electric for day 2. It is nice to live by candlelight... but wow... its amazing how hard it is to function. I went to my sis's for a shower. Grabbed dinner at Sheetz. Came home and prepared as much as I could (feeding animals, getting candles ready, laying out my PJ's, etc) before the loss of daylight. Flushing the toilet is a challenge... and let me tell you... trying to use a BIG bottle of water definitely does not work! It does not have enough momentum. I have to admit... it was a bottle of seltzer water. LOL! but it was the biggest bottle I had. I should've put it and some other water from my water cooler into a bucket or something - but I didn't think that fast. So, it didn't work. I'll leave it at that. Luckily, my parents are next door with a generator. I put some of my fridge contents in theirs... but my freezer items had to be hauled out to my sis's in-laws meat market to store in their walk in freezer. It's been an ordeal, to say the least. I even went to bed at 8PM last night because I couldn't read by candlelight anymore! AND, I wasn't late to work yesterday or today. (No internet or news to distract me.. LOL). They project that the electric should be back on by Wed. night or Thurs. AM... but I'm really hoping before then! I think if I had more time to prepare for something like this, it wouldn't be so bad. I like the idea of living simply. But, how spoiled we've become!!

Is anyone else being affected by the storm(s)??

I am Seething.

So, yesterday I filled up my gas tank. The price... $3.53 a gallon.

This morning, I woke up and noticed that my gas tank cover thing was popped open.
My initial thought was that I must not have closed it. So I went over to close it... to find... THIS. The paint is chipped. Now, granted... my car is not perfect and has dings and scratches... but this was suspicious. I re-opened it (it locks when you shut it) just to check it out...... to find these scratches. (by the screw and the other rubber thing)Obviously someone used a screwdriver or SOMETHING to pry the cover open.

I can't even describe to you the feeling. I mean, how can I prove it? Or catch the person?? I can't....

I talked to my sister... who gave me the suggestion of praying for the person. I totally agree... although I admit, when I'm so upset, it's not an easy thing to do... I understand that gas is expensive and some people just can't afford it. But, I can't either if I have to keep putting $30 in every time someone decides to steal it!! I'm really disappointed. :(

On a nicer note... My niece and nephew helped me to make "Applesauce Cinnamon Ornaments". Here are a few pics.
I hope everyone is having a better Saturday than me!!

Look Who Is Living In My Garden!

Ok, so my garden is more just a mass of grape and cherry tomato plants that got mowed over at the end of the season last year... but hey, they are still producing fruit! They are definitely the kind of plant that just goes wild without any help! (although I think the mower, mowing over all of the un-picked tomatoes helped to make the mess bigger!)

I was out picking some tomatoes... and JUST about stuck my hand in this fine spidey's web! I HATE spiders, but I kind of liked this one. I grabbed my camera to take a shot. I looked it up online... and found out that it's just a harmless "Argiope aurantia" or "black and yellow garden spider" (Go Steelers! lol). They WILL bite humans if grabbed at, etc... but really have no interest and are good for eating pests in the garden. I wish they'd eat those darn june bugs!

After my lil research, I'd say that this spider is a female. The males aren't nearly as bright and vivid... which is a bit odd considering its usually the male who is more beautifully colored (like with birds). But, she supposedly will stay in the same general area her whole life... which should end probably around the first hard frost. She'll probably lay eggs though... which I will try not to obliterate - even though they give me the creeps. Kinda neat to look at, don't ya think? All I have to say... is Thank Goodness for the ZOOM button!

Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil, See No Evil

Well, Cory and I braved the tropical storm Hannah that was blasting South East PA on Saturday and went to the Sight & Sound Theatre to see "In the Beginning". I had no idea what to expect. It was pretty cool though. The props and decorations were really really neat! And I especially loved when twinkling star lights dazzled the ceiling during the one scene. I think I watched the lights instead of the actors. There were some... creepy parts. There were these angels... dressed more like mardi-gras parade people than cherubs... they had bright blonde wigs and sparkles and masks. They flew over head and sped down the aisles. I actually laughed outloud a couple of times cuz it freaked me out. But... it was nice to get out and do something DIFFERENT! We enjoyed ourselves. Unfortunately, you aren't allowed to take pics... but you can always check out the website. Sight&Sound

We got totally soaked on the way out of the theatre... but... that aside, I got lots of sleep in the car (LOL--Sorry Cory)... and we got to eat at The Olive Garden! Always a treat! :)

I wanted to share this pic with you of my sister's kids. I took it on my cell phone the day we went to visit my grandpa in the home after his heart surgery. They're too silly.

Autumn is coming in waves... some days very warm.. some days cool... But I am looking forward to the changing of the leaves!! I haven't had much time to check other blogs regularly... so I'm sorry for my slacking. I guess I HAVE had time... but I have been reading a lot and not really online. I'm OK with that! Right now I'm reading a book called "Saving Alice". Seems good so far!! Anyone have any other good book suggestions?

Prayer Requests and Updates

This morning, my mom called me at work to let me know that my grammie is in the hospital. I don't know the whole story, so I'm not going to even try to re-tell it... but they think she may've had some mini-strokes. Please keep her in your prayers! She's going through some different tests and such!!

Today, work has FLOWN... but its had its stresses. I have been stressed out... due to a conversation with a friend over the weekend. It's tied me up in knots... and got my anxieties spinning!! But, I'm trying to get through... with God's help. Please pray for me also!! I have had such a peace lately... and then BAM! It's been thrown outta whack. Also, my co-worker, Cathy, is totally maxed out. She has had so much thrown on her shoulders because another lady is on vacation and she is covering. Plus, some issues at home... she just needs covered in prayer as well!

Tonight, Cory and I (and our parents) are going to check out a couple of more houses. (This is where my anxieties are kicking in again... ARGH!!!)... They aren't as exciting in the pictures as the other house we were looking at... but we're hoping they'll be nice when we see them. I am crossing my fingers... but hey, if not these... then something else will come up another day... at the right time!

I have been horrible at reading other blogs and commenting... my apologies. It was just a busy weekend!! This weekend, Cory and I are going to the Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster to see "In the Beginning"!! You should check out the website! It looks REALLY cool!!