Goodbye forever my sweet

I'm in Oregon for my dear Aunt Pat's funeral. It has been a tough year and there have been too many goodbye forevers said. My Aunt Pat was quite a gal - she lived a full life in her 81 years. It wasn't easy - she buried her only son shortly after he was married when he was just barely in his 20s. She also buried her only granddaughter who couldn't face her demons anymore. Aunt Pattie watched her only sister slip away from cancer too young; then almost two years ago said her final goodbye to her baby brother. No, life wasn't easy but she was a tough cookie. There were many, many wonderful, funny, poignant times in her life. She worked hard and expected the same from those around her. I miss her red hair, her raspy voice, the wisdom that only comes with age and experience. She was all of five feet tall - maybe, but a firecracker at that. She was there for me when my mother died. We spent many hours talking, walking, sharing, just being together at her Seaside cottage. God - how I love her and will miss her. Rest peacefully my sweet.

Autumn is here!

Spicy apple cider, bonfires, burning leaves, cool crisp air, hayrides, apple pie, candycorn - all splendid reminders of my favorite season - Autumn. This season is rich with color, scents, a true treat for the senses. I'm currently watching an episode of Martha Stewart and she has a vintage Halloween collectibles dealer on with an interesting array of antique Halloween decorations, games, books - from the very early 1900s. Very cool stuff and worth a lot of money! Look in your grandmother's attic or local antique/junk shop and you might be able to score some sweet bank or a start a cool collection of your own. This past Saturday, my friends Robin, Jackie, her daughter Rachel,and I met at Sister's Garden - just down the highway from my house. Sisters and Bloom are two totally awesome vintage/antique/new stuff/junque shops where I LOVE, LOVE to shop. I bought a cute freshly picked pumpkin for outside of my house and a cool, shabby/chipped picture frame that I'm going to makeover. LOVE IT! I'll post before and after pictures. After we shopped we met up in Kalona at the Tuscan Moon for dessert and drinks on their outdoor patio. Very fun. Enjoyed some girl time. Jackie lent me her copy of The Other Boleyn Girl which I'm reading before I watch the movie. That's it for now. Life in the Kalona countryside in Autumn. Makes me smile.