Boo.

"When witches go riding,

and black cats are seen,

the moon laughs and whispers,

‘tis near Halloween."

~Author Unknown

I'm afraid of the dark.

Horrified.

Terrified.

In fact, I'm so afraid of the dark that I refuse to enter the basement after the sun sets or to get up from bed until my alarm goes off. I simply can't take chances. I mean, it is perfectly logical that some type ghoul or ghostly apparition lurks in the hallway between the hours of 11:30 PM and 5:30 AM.

Ever since I was a child, I've fought fears of the night. I believe I was six years old when my parents finally caved and bought a television set for my room. And no, it wasn't due to my abnormal obsession with Sesame Street or Romper Room. They did it for their own sanity, because every teensie-weensie noise woke me up, causing me to run and scream and alert the entire household of the ghosts and witches hiding in the corners.

To this very day I have some strange habits. For example, I cannot fall asleep unless the closet door is fully closed. As a child, I had an entrance to a crawl space in my bedroom closet. Obviously the witches lived in the crawl space. Closing the door-tightly- kept them at bay. I still insist on a firmly latched closet door, and frequently ask Chad-o to get up and address the situation. Weird. Very weird.

About a month ago, I had to go into my classroom on a Sunday afternoon to do some organizing and decorating. I was honestly frightened to go by myself. Me- alone- in a dark school? No. Not happening. My mom's a saint. She escorted me. She, of all people, realizes the extent of my fear.

Did you ever watch The Exorcism of Emily Rose? I did, and my life was forever changed. Four years later, I continue to wake up at 3:33 AM...it's awful. I'd give anything to undo the damage caused by that horrid film.

So, knowing that I am beyond freaked out when it comes to the dark and noises in the night, you'd think I would harbor a severe dislike for Halloween, right?

Quite the contrary, my dears. Quite the contrary.

I love Halloween. It's my all-time, favorite holiday.

(Please enjoy the snapshots of my spooky little Halloween tree.)

A Little Flame Lights the Way

"Every creator painfully experiences the chasm between his inner vision and his ultimate expression."

~Isaac Bashevis Singer

I promised myself that I wouldn't act impulsively; that I would carefully think each decision through and create the perfect retreat.

I'm so anxious to spend my weekend piecing together the space I have dreamed about for nearly a year. Slowly but surely, I've gathered the ingredients-a lamp here, a picture frame there. Each piece serves a necessary purpose and can tell its own story. It might be a bit hodge-podge, but I like that. Originality.

Stay tuned. I promise a cozy hideaway filled with creamy vanillas, robin egg blues, antiqued metals, a splash of tangerine and some stainless steel. Odd, huh?

Six Word Memoir

I've managed to master the amazing new skill of cardio-reading. Yes-- it's as strange as it sounds, but manages to provided tons of entertainment while imparting ideas and philosophies through the written word. Double bonus, eh? I can read, while sweating like mad, and burning insane doses of calories.

As I was cooling down from my run, I thumbed through a fitness magazine and stumbled upon an interesting article. The article was about a web-site that encouraged people to write a six word memoir. Interesting.

The more I thought about it, the more I found myself enthralled with the idea of writing one of these exceptionally short, yet all encompassing life stories.

I walked and cooled down and tossed around the idea in my mind.

"Humm...This is going to be harder than I thought," I found myself thinking.

Putting together six words that completely summarizes one's self proves ridiculously challenging. One must be exceptionally succinct and specific, while completely capturing the whole of their person and character.

Geez....six words? For real?

After much contemplation I present my revised and edited, final-copy, six word memoir.

...drum roll....

Continues learning, growing, creating and playing.

Always Together

"I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day."

~Vincent Van Gogh

When I lived away from my home, far from the people I loved, I often gazed at the sky.

No matter what, the sky was something we shared. Something that blanketed everyone I held dear.

I liked to think that at the very same time I was gazing at a sunrise or marveling at a colorful sunset or watching stars twinkle in the night sky, my loved ones were looking, too. And at that very moment, we were together.

I continue to take comfort in the idea that no matter where two people are, the moon is a constant.

Even in distance, we can share a common bond.

For Ava

"The only gift is a portion of thyself."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Honestly, I had fantastic and supremely heartfelt intentions. I worked and worked and studied and carefully mulled over the pattern. But alas, I came up short. (sigh)

Ava, my sweet niece, turned 4 on October 2. She's an absolute doll- a spitfire with a twinkle in her eye and a song in heart. I wanted her to have something special; something she would have for years to come.

"I'll make a blanket," I thought. "Yep- I'll knit her a blanket."

I just gave it to her yesterday. (gulp)

Obsessed

"Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping."

~Bo Derek

As as wee one (think five or six years old), I actually had a pair of these "duck shoes" in an ultra-stylish navy blue. And, if my memory serves me correctly, they also had a faux furrish (is that a word?) type of lining. I have a photographic memory, so I'm quite certain I'm not mistaken. (wink)

You can only imagine my excitement and youthful joyish glee when I spotted these the other night. I actually squealed and performed a nifty, energy packed jig around the store. I'm not one to make impulsive purchases, but these had me reaching for my Discover Card quicker than you can say "quack."

Isn't it funny how things have a way of reverting to the past? I suppose history really does repeat itself.

Oh, and just for the record, I'm attempting to fashion a stiletto onto these babies. Then, my friends, they would be perfect. Absolutely perfect.

For Real?

"The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination. "

~Ward Elliot Hour

Imagine this....

Today, at precisely 1:41 PM, snow fell from the sky.

Needless to say, the kids at school displayed the typical signs of first snow wonder-- pure excitement. Naturally, I had to tell them we would dismiss early. I can't resist getting them all stirred up.

They found it hilarious that I actually had a camera and climbed on a table to photograph this monumental occasion, and the snow covered picnic table in the adjacent courtyard.

Seriously, like I'd be caught without my picture taking friend. As if!

I found it hysterical that many of my students suggested I stop at Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Wow. I love these kids.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mrs. Wheeler?"

"Yes, Nate?"

"I bet that since it's all cold and snowy you are going to stop at Starbucks for a 'what-do-ya-call-it'--- oh that's right, a pumpkin spice thingy."

"You got it, Nate. You know me too well."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm going to go get cozy now. It's manicure time.

Wonderfulness: Apple Pear Crisp

"One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating."

~Luciano Pavarotti

I don't know about you, but when I witness the beautiful fall foliage and feel the gentle breeze toss my hair in a delicate whirl amongst my head, I find myself craving yummy autumn treats.

I could go on and on about all the different palatable wonders my hypothalamus deems so necessary, but today brought a craving for something new. Well, old with a new twist.

I present Apple Pear Crisp- the working girl version.

I'm a huge fan of this ultra-simple, especially delicious recipe. If you've got a few cans of sliced pears and some apple pie filling, you're all set.

Don't forget the butter. Smashing it with your fingers provides an immense amount of stress relief, along with an ultra-moisturizing hand treatment.

Be honest, can you really resist real butter and soft, supple skin? I think not.

See, I told you this was going to be a winner. As far as I'm concerned, if I could just remove the calories, this would pretty much be perfection at its finest.

I'll admit it, this crumbly, sweet topping was fabulously decedent, even before it was baked.

I know, because quite frankly, I sampled quite a few morsels. (grin)

Don't forget to add coffee and ice cream and a cute puppy.

Checking Papers

"I believe the children are are future,

teach them well and let them lead the way...

Show them all the beauty they posess inside,

Give them a sense of pride..."

~WH

When I was but a small fry,

I constantly "played school."

And I really loved it.

In an obsessed and fixated kind of way.

I played and played and played.
For hours upon hours upon hours.

I remember using black markers and typing paper

to create worksheets

and substituting my Highlights magazines

as faux workbooks.

I had lists of pretend classrooms,

full of students,

with neatly designed seating charts.

Most of all,

I loved to grade papers.

I'd take those carefully designed worksheets,

complete them with a pencil

and then carefully check over them,

with the utmost of care.

I'd make comments

and smiley faces

and stars.

Sometimes I'd fill the paper with red check marks

and minus signs.

I even went as far as to scrawl,

"See Me" on the top of a few.

It was so fun then.

Grading papers.

It was my little world,

in my little school room.

Times have changed.

Now, as the papers pile up,

I begin to panic.

"How will I ever get all of these checked?"

"Why did I assign two essay questions?"

"I have such a busy weekend and I desperately need some down time..."

It's all worth it though.

When the struggler shows signs of improvement.

Or, when the tough guy

writes a note

on the bottom of his test

that says,

"Thanks Mrs. W.
U make this EZ and fun."

First I am angry.

He's writing in "text talk."

But that quickly fades

and a huge smile creeps into my heart.

We're getting there.

Slowly but surely,

I'll win this kid over.

And he will learn.

And succeed.

And be successful.

Bring it on...

...the weekend, that is.

Hope it's a winner.

Cozy Comfort

"Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week."

~Joseph Addison

I set my alarm for a bright and early rise.

I vaguely remember it going off, but suffice it to say, I failed to heed its wake-up wail. I do, kinda-sorta, remember something about pulling the covers a bit tighter and moving a tad closer to Chad-o, finding peaceful slumber in the new snuggly warmth. It was a sleeping caccoon and dozing-off emerged as the only reasonable option.

Although I'm still feeling guilty about missing church and Sunday School, I did attempt to turn my bonus sleep into some form of productivity. Perhaps my favorite part about today came when I uncovered my toasty sweaters and hung them in the upstairs closet. Or, it could have been the trip my mama and I made for a pumpkin spice latte. Humm, but... I also enjoyed decorating my classroom with spider decor (on a Sunday- ahem) and baking up a new recipe; cheeseburger pie.

I'm just about to settle in with my Lemon Green Teavana tea, the holiday issue of Knit Simple and my mental wish list of gifty projects.

Pupparoo and hubband are curled on the couch, the Halloween tree is glowing softly and I'm loving this Sunday night. Farewell.

Kitchen Knitting

"Insist on yourself. Never imitate."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm knitting while standing at my kitchen countertop.

For some reason, I figured I share this with you.

Wishing You...

"October is crisp days and cool nights, a time to curl up around the dancing flames and sink into a good book."

~O.B.

I'm sending my wishes for a most cozy snuggle season, filled with captivating books, relaxing cups of tea, and baby-soft blankies. Feel free to throw in some homemade soups and freshly baked bread.

These days, I find myself craving comfort food and couch time.

Whatever brings your heart warmth, that is what I wish for you.

Happy October.

Sunday Balance

"Next to love, balance is the most important thing."

~John Wooden

Right now it's just me

All alone in this cute, snug house

The only sounds are the rain

The soft crinkle of turning newspaper pages

The slurp of a puppy licking her paw

And the spin cycle of the washing machine

Later the house will be busy

All full of its occupants

The sounds will be of cheering

The hubband will clap and shout

The puppy shall yelp with glee

And the football game will come to life

Balance. So good. So necessary.

Keeping Promises

Remember, way back in January, when I vowed to "create?"

Well, lookie what I came up with... a new blog header.

I just took these photos today and was dying to put them to good use.

A little photo walk + A dash of Photoshop = Good Times

I pretty much love it.

Ta-Da!

"Come Roger and Nell,

Some Simpkin and Bell,

East lad with his lass hither come;

With singing and dancin,

And pleasure advancing,

To celebrate Harvest Home."

~An Old English Harvest Song

Off in the distance the sound of drums and trumpets sound. Tonight is Homecoming, a big event for such a small town.

...There's something about Homecoming and football games and marching bands that make me want to douse myself in Victoria's Secret Amber Romance perfume and slip on my old worn pair of Simple clogs....

It's also a big event for Munchkin Mania, who has been watching and barking at every teeny-bopper, clad in their football gear, who walked past the house. I know for a fact that she'd love to sneak down to the field. She mentioned something about working as a sanitation engineer, picking up trash and discarded food morsels. I must wonder if her intentions are pure.

It's been a productive week.

There was quite a bit to do, and thankfully, quite a bit got done.

Today, unlike most days, I came home from work and got down to business.

I'm proud to report that the sheets are currently spinning away in the washing machine, fresh towels hang in the bathrooms, the new mums just received a refreshing afternoon beverage, and I'm blogging away. I won't even go on about all the papers I've checked and the lesson plans I've so carefully written.

Thankfully, I even managed to make some significant progress on the blanket I'm knitting little Ava for her birthday.

But, most importantly, I managed to sneak in an hour (right before "Meet the Teacher" night..ahem) to plant my mums and decorate the outside of 403 for autumn.

Honestly, there's no need to hold your applause (grin).

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is welded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

~George Eliot

I couldn't be more pleased.

Autumn, you see, is finally here.

Plus, I'll never foret my dad impressing my brother and I by balancing an egg on its end. I thought that was pretty amazing, because, quite frankly, it was.

Don't go giving me any of that jibber-jabber about equinoxes. It was magic. Period.

O Happy Day!

"Now I belong to you
From this day until forever
Just love me tenderly
And I'll give to you every part of me..."
~Lover's Concerto by The Toys

One couldn't have ordered a more beautiful day. Sunny afternoons, cloudless skies and pleasant temperatures combined to create the most perfect scene for a wedding.

Out on a secluded little island, under the umbrella of shade from a charming gazebo, Mike and Alicia exchanged marriage vows and entered into marital bliss.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Webb...such a lovely couple.

May your new life together be filled with all the wonderful blessings you so richly deserve. Cheers!

Comfort and Joy

"For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love of friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Falling, crunchy leaves are one of the simple joys that I look forward to each September.

Combine a few leaves, a couple brightly colored pumpkins, a blue sky with a smattering of puffy clouds and the scent of a burning bonfire, and I'm in pure comfort mode.

Well, alright, I'll confess. A few candles really up the ante. I'm a sucker for that warm, flickering glow.

Today I treated myself to a little fall treat. I visited my favorite online used book store and ordered this little delight. I'm already looking forward to see it peeking out of my mailbox.

Tea and books and falling, crunchy leaves and knitting and candles and all things cozy, delicately intertwine to fill me with an abundance of comfort and joy.

What about you? What are your little happy makers?

You know it's gonna be good...

"Earth is crammed with Heaven"

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

You know it's gonna be a good day when the front door hangs open and rainbows dance on the living room floor. It just doesn't get much better.

Is it fair to love today? Well, I do. It's perfect. Perfect temperature, perfect sunshine factor, and perfectly productive.

Today exists as one of those days that just inspires me to accomplish things. Laundry- check. Ironing- check. Vacuuming- check. Organizing- check. Dusting- check. Church- check. Sunday school- check. Blog update- check.

I also found time to creep along route 281 and take a few photos of autumn's welcome-back party. The more I look over and reflect upon my photographic journey, the more I realize that I have hundreds of shots of these magical looking dandelions. Perhaps I'll have to create some type of series. Great-- another "thing" to add to my already overflowing list (grin).

Oh, but the lovely blue sky... Today the color acts as my Prozac, putting me in the most wonderful of moods.

And, like icing on a cake, these lovelies were spotted in the backyard. I can almost hear the crunching and rustling...

I'll never grow old.

"Everyone is the age of their heart."

~Guatemalan Proverb

You'd never know I'm growing old.

The recent spit-ball fight between my hubband and I serves as one minor example. I kid you not, it really happened.

There we sat, the two of us, at a local restaurant. We're relatively mature people, but I have my issues. For example, every time we go out to a fine dining establishment I can't help but to gently rip off the end of my straw paper and blow the wrapper in his unsuspecting face. It honestly provides me with sincere pleasure and happiness. I laugh and laugh and he feigns misery. We've gone on like this for years now and I have no intention of ceasing this completely ludicrous behavior.

Apparently, my aim has greatly improved. On Sunday night I managed to hit dear Chad-o square in the nose only to have the straw paper tumble into his refreshing glass of chilled lemon water.

Ever the mature chap, he proceeded to roll the wrapper into a little ball and fling it at me.

Splat! I took a direct hit to the right cheek.

Not to be outdone, I retaliated with a swift toss of the soggy ball.

Shlurp! Chad-o found himself pelted somewhere on his cutie face.

At that point, both of us were laughing so hard that we couldn't breathe and had tears streaming down our faces. For better or worse, we had drawn a small audience. People were pointing. Others were laughing at us.

Oh dear, and to think that the very next day I celebrated my birthday and added another year to my chronological age. Scary.

*Mucho thanks to my mama for the delicious and creative birthday cake. She always makes me feel so special!

Freshly Sharpened Pencils? Check

"It is not what you do for your children,

but what you teach them to do for themselves

that shall determine their level of success."

~ Unknown

Welcome to room 11. We're a class of inquisitive sixth graders and we're set for a fresh, new school year, full of adventure, experimentation, limit pushing and mind bending.

The first day of school continues to excite me. Thank goodness I became a teacher. I still have a great excuse to purchase spiffy binders, purple pens, neat-o notebooks, and those ever-so-necessary colorful paperclips.

I look at this pristine,untouched classroom, filled with new books and pointy pencils, and find myself filled with hope; hope for a year where my students develop a love of learning, realize their potential, grow to love themselves, develop a healthy self-confidence, and understand that they determine their destinies.

Yes, this year shall be one of personal responsibility and challenges.

And books.

May our minds find themselves filled with new words, other worlds, and interesting characters.

See you tomorrow, sixth graders. Come prepared for an amazing year.

The Craving

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."

~ Stanley Horowitz

It started yesterday.

I would have done about anything for a piping hot crock of chili and a piece of warm, sweet cornbread-- the kind where the butter instantly melts, creating the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

The craving gripped me, and so far, it hasn't let go. Along with that crock of chili, I'm also requesting weekends full of festivals, well worn jeans, and down vests. Add to that a palate of warm colors, some crackling fires, apple cider and toasty socks, and I'll be a very delighted girl. Oh, and how about a pathway of crunchy, colorful leaves? I simply love that sound...walking on crispy leaves. Ohh, just the thought makes me giddy.

If you haven't caught on, I crave fall like some people crave chocolate or ice cream or caffeine. Hands down, it's my favorite season, and I find myself looking forward to it with an intense sense of childish glee.

I emerged from the shower and settled on the couch at exactly 8:04 pm. This small instance alone hints to me that fall is near. It was then that I turned to look out the window and spotted the beautiful sunset. Pretty, isn't it?

My photographer instinct kicked in and I knew I had to capture it. It called to me from the other side of the glass, and it was then I realized that these types of evenings are the ones I want to remember forever; cool with an ever so slight breeze and the gentle flicker of lightening bugs. Fire-flies or lightening bugs? What do you call them?

As I wondered the street and lawn, snapping photos like a well-paid member of the paparazzi, I couldn't help but to lose myself in the conversation of nature. Off in the distance, the sounds of chirping crickets, croaking frogs, and the forlorn hoot of a lonely owl echoed calmly. I'd love to know what their calls mean. Are they communicating about their days or are they simply singing themselves to sleep?

Yes, the craving has settled in, and I'm here to tell you that it's pretty intense. Let me know if you'll be joining me for some warm soups, homemade bread and apple cider. We can sit by a cozy fire, consume hearty comfort foods, converse and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

Knit 1, Pearl 3, Repeat

"I like taking a piece of string and making it into something amazing."

~C.E.B.

Wanted: A sweet fairy who can quickly dust, sweep, wash dishes and iron. If you, my winged and magical creature, can grocery shop, an added bonus shall be dolled out.

Why: Because I'm busy being crafty.

Knitting still has my heart. I'm so hooked. Can I please sit and knit all day?

Feelin' Like Fall

"You must give to get,

You must sow the seed,

before you can reap the harvest."

~Unknown


I wish you could smell the harvest pumpkin candle that buns on the kitchen stove. Pure autumn bliss...

It was one of those mornings; dreary and damp and kinda smelling like fall. I couldn't resist--out came the candle and a pretty little sunflower tea towel. It was just me and munchkin and the pile of ironing. We all agreed that a little autumn aroma and some new decor would put us in a most pleasant mood.

As the day progressed, Charlie T. insisted on an outing. Unable to resist her gentle puffs and gurrs at the kitchen door, we ventured (leash-free....she's so responsible these days) to the backyard. She carried the basket and I gathered the ripe crops.

Today's specialty? Cayanne peppers and cherry tomatoes.

While roaming around, the feelings of fall appeared more evident as hundreds of black-eyed susans dotted the landscape. Charlie T. thinks they're the best, can ya tell?

She decided to kick up her paws and perform her version of the happy dance. Isn't she a hoot?