Happy First Day Of Fall!

Although it officially doesn't start until 11:09PM, the first day of fall has arrived in all it's glory! I have been waiting for this day for awhile now. Fall is undoubtedly my favorite time of year with its wonderful sights, smells, tastes, sounds and touch. I don't think I use my senses as much during any other season . The leaves have really started to change here especially in the last week or so. I have yet to see any place as beautiful  as the Catskill Mountains in fall! My goal is to post lots of autumn ideas now that fall is officially here so check back often.

Picture from Mary Engelbreit

I came across this old song entitled September Song written by Maxwell Anderson and Kurt Weill. It was written in the 1930's and used in several movies over the years. Here are a portion of the words.

Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December

But the days grow short when you reach September

When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame

One hasn't got time for the waiting game

Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few

September, November

Oh these few precious days I'll spend with you

These precious days I'll spend here with you

The last two lines especially sum up perfectly my thoughts on fall.

It really is a beautiful song and there are many versions sung by many artists but I really liked this old one from 1955 sung by Jimmy Durante. You can listen to it by clicking this link

September Song sung by Jimmy Durante

Happy First Day Of Fall everyone! Go out and enjoy!

A Fall Decoration To Make

I came across this in a magazine a long time ago and thought it was adorable.Take an old metal lunchbox and fill it with well soaked floral foam. Insert mums or any moderately sized fall flowers into the foam. Attach magnets to the back of Scrabble tiles to make a message board!

                                 

Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Caramel Popcorn

I told myself I would wait until the official start of autumn to start my autumn posts but I just can't wait. Here is a recipe I tried for the first time  about a week or so ago when my daughter Britt held a back to school bonfire. It is called Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Caramel Corn . I found the recipe over at Picky Palate. I made each flavor on its own separate baking sheet. The girls were going crazy for it especially the pumpkin spice. They ate it right off the sheet with spoons warm right out of the oven. You are supposed to use Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses for the Pumpkin Spice recipe but I'm not sure if they even make these anymore. Has anyone seen them this year?

 I used butterscotch chips as I didn't have the Kisses.  I wonder if you could add a touch of pumpkin pie spice to the butterscotch chips maybe? I guess I will have to experiment next time.I also used milk chocolate chips instead of semi sweet for the chocolate popcorn.  Here is what we had left the next morning after 2 large jellypans full. It really was scrumptious!

I think this would be wonderful packaged up and handed out for Halloween or just an autumny treat!

For the recipes and much nicer looking pictures click the following link

http://picky-palate.com/2009/10/19/pumpkin-spice-and-chocolate-caramel-corn/

Last First Day Of School

I just love back to school time. It stirs so many good memories of days gone by. You know, that butterfly feeling in your stomach, the smell and feel of autumn in the air, seeing all your friends again and wondering if there were any "new" kids. Then there were the new outfits, lunchboxes, school supplies and wondering what your new teachers and classes would be like. I remember it always took what seemed like forever to fall asleep that night before school started. Although I was anxious for school to start back up again this year, it definately is a bittersweet year for me. My "baby" is starting her senior year of high school so today is her last first day of school. It seems like she just started Kindergarten yesterday. Where has the time gone? I know this will be an exciting year for her and will fly right by but I will be sad to see these days go. But for now I will just enjoy every day and make the most of them and I know she will too. Happy Senior Year Brittany!


Here is Britt on her first day of Kindergarten 12 years ago!

And here she is her  first day of 12th Grade!

I can't let the first day of school go by without a shout out to two of my favorite teachers, Miss Brewer and Mrs. Shea.


Miss Brewer was my First Grade teacher (1968-1969) at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Brewster, N.Y. She will always be my favorite teacher. She paved the way for my love of learning and reading and teaching. Mrs. Shea was my daughter's wonderful First Grade teacher and I had the extreme pleasure of working with her in Pre-K last year. She taught me so many wonderful and valuable things about teaching and life. She is a dear friend and person who I feel extremely blessed to know. The teacher reading to the students outside in the picture below(10th picture down) entitled The Growing Season by John Sloane reminds me so much of Mrs. Shea.

School days, School days

Dear old golden rule days

Readin' and 'ritin' and 'rithmetic

Taught to the tune of the hickory stick

You were my queen in calico

I was your bashful barefoot beau

And you wrote on my slate

"I love you, so"

When we were a couple of kids

Photo by Jessie Wilcox Smith

Back To School by John Sloane

First Day by John Sloane

John F. Kennedy Elementary School Brewster, N.Y.
My elementary school ,Kindergarten -5th Grade

The Growing Season by John Sloane

Little House On The Prairie Schoolhouse

Click below for the entire words and music to School Days by Gus Edwards/Will D. Cobb, 1907

Music and Lyrics to School Days