JACK TURNS 1!!!

It's hard to believe our little darlin' is 1 already!

IT'S OFFICIAL-FALL IS HERE!

WHEN I LOOK OUT MY DOOR, IT'S EVIDENT THAT FALL HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED!  Oh I know, the calendar told us so several weeks ago.  But now, in South Central  PA, its lookin' like Autumn.  See for yourself.

 A look outside the back door

(no- I didn't stage this photo)

And a  look outside the front door

And the true "fall test" is that camper sitting in the driveway.  It's all ready for my guys to go on their first hunting trip.  On the first weekend in November it will be rolling down the I-81 headed to Virginia.  Its their home away from home every weekend, and for the entire week of Thanksgiving.  I am sooo  looking forward to a little R&R for myself while they're gone!  

Savoring the season~~~~~

Tammy

TRANSFORMING SOMETHING OLD INTO SOMETHING NEW

 THE photo below is the old part of this post.  Very OLD.  So old, that I sat on this rocker when I was child.  Yep, that's right- It was my old rocker from my childhood.  Imagine the stories it could tell.  Probably best that it can't!  But thinking where a vintage piece has been is what brings richness to the item.  I love old stuff.   And speaking of old...check out the next photo.......

Now this is old!  This is the original vintage fabric that covered my little chair.  Oh how I wish I could replicate it.  But since that wasn't possible, I chose ........

.......this golden fabric.  Yellows and golds match nearly every room in the house.  So I will be able to enjoy it in any room I choose.  

 With the upholstering part completed, there's nothing left to do but clean up the wood a bit...AND....

smother my sweet little model with kisses!

FOTO FRIDAY- Autumn has arrived

Proof that Autumn has officially arrived is right outside my front door.  As the remnants of hurricane Nicole blew through yesterday, so did the leaves from the trees.

 Saw this little critter on the bird house.

Happy Autumn Everyone!

Touting the benefits of WATER AEROBICS

As you may (or may not) know, I teach water aerobics at the local Y a few mornings a week.  Its a great job!  Most (but not all) of the participants are seniors.....very smart seniors. 

 They have discovered that the fountain of youth is actually a swimming pool! Ask any one of them about the benefits of water exercise and they will fill your ears about what its done for them.   Some can attest to the actual physical benefits, like they've become more flexible, and some will tell you that they have been able to eliminate some of their medications.  Most would exclaim how wonderful they feel for that hour while they're in the water.  And I'm pretty sure they would all agree that the camaraderie of the group is the greatest benefit of water aerobics.  

Recently, the group gathered together in the Y's lobby to celebrate  a special birthday.  A very young Miss Betty was turning 80!  (Doesn't she look great?) There were a few other September birthdays as well to celebrate.  One special lady turned 89!  However, she couldn't attend because she was visiting her family in West Virginia.  So we just partied in the spirit of Miss Elsie anyway!  


Here are the pics I snapped of this celebration:

                                     

This is my friend and "student," Bob (below).  Yes!  We have men who enjoy the class too.  Notice his empty plate.  Hey chowed down on a piece of coffee cake.  He's so cute.  He thought coffee cake had coffee in it.  He doesn't drink coffee- he's a tea drinker.  I had to convince him to taste the coffee cake.  Finally he did, and he liked it.

If you'd like to try this coffee cake, just click here to get the recipe.  

Until next time, live simply and deliberately.  And go join your local YMCA.  Its a great place for fitness and fun!

Road Trip-Niagara Falls

Before I forget.......HAPPY AUTUMN!!! This is my favorite season. Love the sights and smells and feel of this wonderful season of change.

Okay, onto other stuff and the purpose of this post~

The Tuesday before Labor Day my mom had shoulder surgery. Starting to feel a bit better, and unable to do much of anything with her right arm (of coarse she's right handed), we decided to take advantage of the situation.....Make lemonade out of lemons you might say! So we piled into their 15 passenger van and headed north to Niagara Falls and the Finger Lakes on a 3 day ROAD TRIP.

Since our return, I've been working on digi-scrapping all the photos I took. And I took a lot! So here's just a sneak peak of the progress. Remember, you can click on the pictures to enlarge them. These photos are of the Falls taken from the US side. In a future post, I'll share the photos taken from the Canadian side, a much better view of the Falls. So stay tuned!

The cover page of the album

The folks, Hubs and I, and Mother and Daughter!

What a pair! The one arm bandit and a crazy driver on a scooter.......LOOK OUT!

Until next time.....

FOTO FRIDAY-Tobacco and Watermelon

Even though I snapped over 200 pictures this week, I have only 4 to share with you today. The others will have to wait for another day when I have more time...a lot more time!

Lancaster County tobacco field

Tobacco harvested and drying in the barn

Jack's Great Grandpa dropped off a treat for him...

A huge watermelon....

A 53 lb watermelon!

Enjoy what's left of summer....