Feminine Friday

One of the blogs I adore hosts a little meme called "Feminine Friday". It's a way for us gals to show how many different ways we can include some femininity in our lives. I usually don't participate because in all honesty, I'm not that feminine. Sure, I love pretty things as much as the next girl, but in reality, I 'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal. This week she is asking us to share our favorite scripture that we use in times of tribulation. This week, a good friend of Kelly's lost her daughter. Even though I am not yet a mother, I can't help but feel sadness for this family as they go through this time of grief. The verse that immediately came to mind is:

Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

It is just a great reminder that no matter what the trial may be, God is constantly working in our lives and even though we can't see the "calm through the storm", HE is there working through us and in the end, we will look back at God's great mercy and go "why did I ever doubt Him?"

My thoughts and prayers are definately with this family.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Fall!!

Even though it's still 90 degrees outside, I felt like decorating for fall today! It may as well feel like fall inside, even though it still feels like summer outside! I dug out my box of decorations and got to work and I must say, it looks nice and cozy now!



Here is the overview of the living room. Don't mind the giant fan in the corner. It may be ugly, but that thing really make a difference in the coolness of the room.




Here is a close up of the mantel.




A close up of our coffee table



Here is my dining room table



I haven't even lit any of my candles and already my house smells like pumpkins and cinnamon. I love this time of year!

Apple Pie In the Sky

While my freshly mopped floors dry, I thought I would take this chance to post about the apple pie I made! I was pretty proud of myself, since this was my first pie ever.

Since we bought some nice apples at Oak Glen, I thought I would use some up by making a pie. I used this recipe and the only thing I would change is the type of apples (I used the Spartans I picked, but I would rather use Granny Smith) I used and maybe I will add a little more sugar and cinnamon. Other than that, this recipe is great!



Before the top crust went on




Fresh Out of the Oven




Pumpkin says, "I want some pie mama!"



Yum!

Fall Meme

I found this Fall Meme at one of my favorite blogs! I thought it would be fun to join in!

When does fall begin for you? Once it finally feels chilly enough to wear long sleeves. Usually that's not till November. I decorate for fall in September (I'm decorating tomorrow!) but it doesn't really feel like it until later.

What is your favorite aspect of fall? The cooler weather and the chance to have a fire in the fireplace

What is your favorite fall memory? Our Big Bear trips every Thanksgiving.

What do you like to drink in the fall? At home, coffee with pumpkin flavored creamer. At Starbucks, a pumpkin spiced latte.

What's your favorite fall food? Soups and pumpkin bread

What is fall weather like where you live? Not 100 degrees! September-October is usually around 80 degrees and in November it gets to be around 70ish. Still not cold enough for me.

What color is fall? orange, olive green, brown and red

What does fall smell like? pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, apples

Holiday shopping in fall: yes or no? This year I already have my Christmas money set aside so I will be doing my Christmas shopping early this fall. Not 3 days before Christmas as usual.

If you could go anywhere in the fall, where would you go? New England. I would live to see the fall colors.

What is your favorite fall sport? I'm not really into sports

Do you have a favorite fall chore? Putting away my usual decor to break out my fall decorations

What is your least favorite thing about fall? Not a thing. I love everything about it!

What is your favorite fall holiday? Thanksgiving Day.

What's your favorite kind of pie? Pumpkin

Which do you prefer, the Farm or the Fair? I've never been on a farm, however I think I would like that better, seeing as our fair is ghetto.

Do you have a favorite fall book? I don't really have one. Perhaps I should find one!

How about a favorite fall poem or quote?

No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one Autumnal face.
--John Donne

Weekend Fun!

We had such a fun weekend!

All I have to say is that I'm sooooo ready for fall. The mornings here have been so gorgeous with their slight chill in the air. Sadly, by noon, the chill has worn off and the temperature has risen to 90-ish degrees or so. I'm ready for it to stay below 70 all day. I'm definately a cool weather girl.

To get more in the mood for the fall, we took a drive up to Oak Glen on Saturday to pick some apples. It's a yearly tradition that the cousins do and this year, we decided to join in. While at Los Rios Ranchos, we picked up some apple butter and pumpkin butter in their store, before heading into the apple orchards to pick our apples. It is a bit overpriced to pick apples ($10 for a peck!) but we were able to pick some apples that we can't get in the store. I forgot (as usual) my camera, so I am stealing some pictures from my sister in law (I hope you don't mind Karen!)

Here is the view of the city of Yucaipa from the apple orchard


Here are all the kids


My nephew Joshshua pickin' some apples (I love this picture)


Justin is excited about the apples he found




These are not our apples, but they are just like the ones we picked. They are called Spartans. I really wanted some Granny Smith, but they were not ready to be picked



My nephews, Nick and Justin. They are best buds



Joshua couldn't wait to eat his apple



After apple picking, we all went to the Spaghetti Factory and had a great lunch!

Sunday I decided to take the apples I picked and make an apple pie out of them! For my first pie, I have to say it wasn't half bad. I may tweak the recipe a little bit, but not too much. Maybe a little extra sugar and I will definately use Granny Smith apples. Hopefully tomorrow I can post some pictures of my pie!

Yesterday, my cousin Lisa and our friend Barb went to Culver City to see a taping of the Bonnie Hunt show. Her guests yesterday were Benjamin Bratt (hubba hubba) and Mekhi Phifer. She is totally adorable and we had a great time. All I have to say is that her set seems bigger on T.V than it does in person.

All in all it was a great weekend and now I'm tired.

I think I'm coming back to Blogger.

We'll see though. I'm one that likes change (like Obama, but not really) so I tend to go back and forth on things. I originally went to Xanga because they had cute templates, but now I've discovered an outside source that makes cute templates for Blogger for free (thanks Denette!). Also, my mom would complain that she couldn't comment on my Xanga blog like she could on my Blogger blog.

All in all, Xanga was fun, but I lurk on more Blogger blogs and it's easier to comment that way.

So we'll see. I'm not the stablest of bloggers, but lately I've had a lot on my mind and I may want to blog about it.