NEW! WEEKWORD = ABUNDANCE

ABUNDANCE = WEEKWORD

Katy at Creating Misericordia asked me to select the word for this week.

I had an ABUNDANCE of apples, so I made a Dutch Apple Pie for dessert tonight. Our Thanksgiving includes both Pumpkin Pie & Dutch Apple pie...  I'm ready to welcome NOVEMBER & getting my holiday planning started...

DUTCH APPLE PIE

6-8 tart green apples

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1/2 c sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cloves & nutmeg

9" unbaked pie crust

Peel & cut apples into thick slices. 
Sprinkle with lemon juice to keep the apples from turning brown.

Measure & sprinkle sugar & spices 
(cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg) over the sliced apples. 

Arrange apples slices in unbaked pie crust.

CRUMB TOPPING

3/4 c flour

1/2 c sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/3 c butter
 

Mix crumb topping ingredients until mixture 
resembles coarse crumbs. Spread evenly over apple slices. 
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Serve with ice cream or thin slices of EDAM cheese! 
Yummy to the tummy!

For those of you new to WEEKWORD, you leave me a note in the COMMENT section below, letting me know you will be posting your interpretation of the word ABUNDANCE on your blog (by Friday, November 5th). 

Then, check this blog on Thursday night, and I will post a list of the blog participants for this week. You can hop around the blogs, leaving a comment that you have visited... It's an easy way to make new blog friends!!

Anyone can participate. Please consider posting a link to this blog to let others know about this week's word.

Do you have an ABUNDANCE of family, books, recipes, craft supplies, dreams, or ???? 

You can see examples of other WEEKWORD selections HERE or HERE.

Have a safe HALLOWEEN!

WEEKWORD = ELDRITCH

Dia de los Muertos = Day of the Dead

Katy at Creating Misericordia selected 

"ELDRITCH" as the WEEKWORD. 

I have to say I'd not heard of this word... but it's a Middle English adjective (descriptive word) meaning unearthly, alien, supernatural, weird, spooky, eerie.

While not spooky or weird, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), could qualify (in some people's minds) as a supernatural celebration. 

My dad was Hispanic, Mexican, and Mission Indian descent, so it seems natural that I would be interested in this celebration. To my knowledge, this was not a tradition my dad's grandparents participated in, but they did have Ofrendas (altars) in their modest home. Although not as elaborate as the altars found on this link, I marveled over my great, great grandmother Lucinda's personal altar.

Basically, this beautiful ritual, Day of the Dead, is an annual event for the living family members to remember their departed relatives. In addition to our tradition of taking flowers to the cemetery, families also took fruits, Pan de Muerto bread & spend some time eating, reminiscing, praying and decorating their loved ones burial plot with Cempasuchil (yellow, gold marigold flowers) and Calavera's (sugar skulls). 

So what do you think? eerie, scary, weird? supernatural experience... I plan to experience Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in my lifetime! How about you!!!

 

Sounds interesting enough to add Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México to your travel list?

Don't forget to stop by Katy's BLOG to get additional "ELDRITCH" interpretations.

I've been asked to host WEEKWORD... I'll be posting the word tomorrow! Check back on Sunday.

AYE! EYES!

pic taken 10.23.10 ~ Whittier Historic Home Tour

"One day at a time - this is enough.

Live in the present and make it so beautiful that it

will be worth remembering."

~ Ida Scott Taylor

Talked to SLE, ACE & Mom in the last 24 hours. Feel like a "mother hen" checking on my chicks! (YES ~ I enjoy "mothering" my MOM now! she gets a laugh out of ME telling HER what to do).

SLE is so happy living in Washington DC! Still unpacking boxes, organizing the kitchen, and cooking.  Lots of girlfriends! her "guy" is there too! & "seasons" (she was standing in the glassed atrium, watching the downpour as we chatted)! she's loving it all! 

ACE was putting the finishing touches on her Halloween costume ~ all five "kinder" teachers are dressing as "tooth fairies"... gauzy skirts, jeweled sweaters, glittery crowns, sparkly wands, & purses with "teeth" (chiclets gum) & plastic coins... her 5 year olds will love it! 

MOM chatted about the "samples" she tried at Trader Joe's ~ her TJ's gets new items a couple of weeks before ours does. On the "watch-for-list" ~ mini-meat loaves (expensive, but worth it)...

JPE is on his way home from Oakland ~ gave a presentation today! We're having a "houseguest" for the weekend... can't wait for Marcus to arrive.

Emergency eye appointment ~ all is okay, but "floaty things" are bothersome! Trying to appreciate TODAY! Hoping a good night's sleep will chase the anxiety away!

 

WHOA! WEDNESDAY??

image found at http://www.whittierhistoric.org/index.html

Can't believe it! Already Wednesday???

Thank goodness for strong legs! 

Last Saturday's Whittier Historic Home Tour was spread over 7 blocks!  The weather cooperated - comfortable enough for a 3/4 length sleeved top, jeans & tennies. Last year, I "melted" wearing flipflops, cropped pants & short sleeve shirt (& if I remember correctly, we all got sunburned - the sunscreen dripped from our bodies)...

Don't you love peeking into people's lives? we stepped into the five homes shown on the Whittier Historic Neighborhood Tour. 

My FAV = 1909 Craftman... the picture of the exterior doesn't reveal the magnificent restoration found on the inside. Luckily, the owner was our guide! she had "lovingly" painted the living room frieze (decorative border around the parameter of the room) with trees, birds & mountains... She spent over 100 hours painting the guestroom frieze (an ornate floral blossom typical of the Craftsman era). Talk about "detail" - the owners have spent 9 years sanding layers of paint off the doors, window sashes & baseboards. Unfortunately, photos are not allowed inside the homes!! but I did capture this photo of my mom & aunt...

Suited UP! & Waiting!!

Similar to quilt shows, people are asked to cover their shoes to protect the wood & carpeted floors...

*FYI ~ quilt monitors wear "white gloves" 

which protect the fabric from getting dirty 

when showing both sides of the quilt.

NO PICS ALLOWED! 
I didn't see that printed in the program 
until I had taken photos in the first house. 
Will share what I was able to capture... 

We started our tour with the 1938 Minimal Traditional style home ~ simple design = no shutters or porch on the exterior; the kitchen had scalloped molding (trimmed w/red paint) which resembled "Early American" design; also had a  red plaid cover on the kitchen's drop-down ironing board!! This home is in tremendous shape & has had only three owners since it was built!

Red & white kitchen ~ are you ready to listen to a soap opera & have a cup of tea?

This house featured a walk-in closet with a built-in vanity! love the glitzy mirror... 

WEEKWORD = JOY

 

Roses after RAIN! 

Sally at SOW & SEW selected the word of the week...

 "Savor the moment.

Search for a little JOY, and

you will find a grat deal of it

in unexpected places."

~ Allen Folstein 

I love to putter... primarily because the "simplest pleasures" slow me down so I can experience more JOY in life...

After work, I'm leaving for a long weekend visit with my mom. JPE is preparing for a class he'll be teaching (starting next Tuesday) ~ so he can't get away.

Tomorrow = Whittier Historical District Home Tour! peeking into Craftsman houses that have been lovingly restored, stamped with the owner's personality ~ what could be a better way to spend a Saturday with my mom, aunt, and sis-in-law... 

Sunday = reading the newspaper, looking at my mom's magazine (her subscriptions are different than mine), visit to a book store, dropping by my niece's house, and maybe a movie...

Mom doesn't have internet, so unless I get over to Panera's (free internet), you won't see me until Monday.

Check out the other WEEKWORD participants...  SALLY'S also listed the WEEKWORD host for next week.

While you are here... tell me what brings you JOY??

 

TICKLING???

AVILA BARN PUMPKINS

 "Tickle it with a hoe and it will laugh into a harvest."

~ English proverb

A quick detour off the freeway... to buy apples??!! 

OHHH... how I love Avila Barn in the fall! The barn entrance is lined with pumpkins that are so gigantic & heavy you could?? throw your back out! kids in sweatshirts raced through the piles of orange, blemished, oddly shaped pumpkins... I browsed the perimeter, watching kids move the stacked orange, orbs... seriously studying & considering the shape; but mainly the SIZE before making their pumpkin selection. I guess BIG = SCARY - maybe, more carving space??? 
 

A STAR GOURD...

Personally, I fancied the gourds! The colors are so fall-ish! Last year, the gourds I bought lasted until Valentine's Day. Just what ARE you supposed to do with gourds after FALL?

NO ROASTED CORN?

Would have loved a roasted ear of corn! JPE is in Sacramento for a meeting - so I'm left to fix my own dinner! if it sounds like I'm whining, I AM! boy, am I spoiled! But, corn on the cob would have taken care of my growling stomach! Unfortunately, the barn only sells roasted corn on the weekends.
 

MY CHOICE!!!

PURCHASE = seven Jon-a-licous apples, purple grapes and a couple of bananas! 
CHOICE for a pumpkin = the deep, forest green veined pumpkin!  
DINNER = yoghurt w/grapes & sliced banana & a sprinkle of slivered almonds. YUM!

LIST-MANIA...

Aimee over at ARTSYVILLE put out a request to post a LIST... 

When I started blogging last December, I started an list of blog ideas... so I'm sharing it now. I actually forgot about the list - having stuck this away in my "pile of stuff" to look over when I have TIME (ha! time is precious!!)... I have been in a cleaning mood,  and  almost tossed everything in the pile... OOPS! 

Gotta run for now! BUNCO tonight! I haven't seen all my girlfriends since this summer. Bunco was canceled in September! I was in London for the August date!... WOW!! I miss those girls...

To see the lists others posted, check Aimee's blog, 
ARTSYVILLE

Back later... 

TEMPTATION ?? !! (WEEKWORD)

MY TEMPTATION THIS WEEK??
as seen at SPLASH CAFE in SLO on Thursday
Red Velvet Cupcakes w/Pomegranate Seeds

GUESS WHAT MY TEMPTATION IS?

ZIG WRITERS!!

IN ADDITION TO THE COLOR CHOICE... 
I LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! 
THE TWO WRITING TIPS...

 

HINT! HINT! 

SLE, ACE & NB... 

CHRISTMAS PRESENT??

Mandy from

MANDYLAND 

posted a list of WEEKWORD participants. 

Stop by to see what 

"T-E-M-P-T-A-T-I-O-N-S" 

other bloggers are resisting!!

or maybe NOT??

JUST IN.... WEEKWORD = TEMPTATION

TEMPTATION = CUPCAKE IN THE PARK????

A first-timer, Mandy, & my work colleague & fellow blogger was tapped to post this week's word... she picked a "doozey".... oh my - this will be fun....

The WEEKWORD is "T-E-M-P-T-A-T-I-O-N"...

When I mentioned the word to JPE, he said, "Mandy's getting bold..."

I said, "Uhhh? Cookies.... are bold??"

I guess guys think of something else when they hear the word "T-E-M-P-T-A-T-I-O-N"...

Okay blogger friends - this word lends itself to a lot of creativity! 

Jump over to MANDYLAND & leave Mandy a note that you are interested in participating!

Ummmm... will I post my favorite cookie recipe? 

or another "T-E-M-P-T-A-T-I-O-N"....

Looking forward to checking your Friday post!

  

SUN-DAZE...

WOOSHHH.... MY SUNDAY FLEW BY!

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND? 

I SPENT ALL DAY SATURDAY CLEANING OUT THE SECOND STORAGE UNIT... 

• RENTED A TRUCK TO TAKE STUFF TO THE DUMP
• DROPPED THE OLD LOVE-SEAT (FUNNY TERM!??) AT THE LOCAL THRIFT STORE 
• MOVED A MATTRESS + BOOKCASE TO OUR OTHER STORAGE UNIT (YES! WE HAVE TWO - CHEAPER THAN A TWO CAR GARAGE) 
• TOOK A LEISURELY BATH TO WASH OFF THE MOVING GRIME & SWEAT! 

WHAT RELIEF TO HAVE MOST OF THAT PROJECT DONE! 

BUT, BOY ~ YOU SHOULD SEE MY BRUISES & LEG GASH... UGLY! (DARN THAT TRAILER HITCH ~ KEPT GETTING IN MY WAY).

GOTTA RUN (WELL, NOT LITERALLY)... OFF TO THE MOVIES TO SEE "THE TOWN" WITH STARRING BEN AFFLECK... GOT 4 OUT OF 4 TICKETS (LOCAL NEWSPAPER RATING)... WILL LET YOU KNOW MY RATING LATER.

WEEKWORD = SENSES...

This week's participants in WEEKWORD are:

SALLY - DIARIO

ELIZABETH - TO BE CHARMED 

 SALLY - SOW & SEW

ALLIE in LONDONLAND

ELIZABETH - TEXTILSPANIELN  

ADRIENNE - LA VIE QUOTIDIENNE

MANDY from MANDYLAND
 and
CAROLA 

ALSO, although she's taking a blogging break, 

I got a note from

ELVIE'S STUDIO

 (I love her blog-hope you'll check it out!!)

Don't forget to drop a comment on the participant's blog to let them know you've visited.

 

I selected the word "S-E-N-S-E-S"... this past summer, JPE & I vacationed in London... I've been often asked about my favorite adventure... which was the day spent at KEW GARDENS (tube station: District Line-Victoria Station).
After a bit of research (isn't that what's educators do?), I learned the following: 

Butterflies don't have ears. But, they HEAR sounds through their wings by sensing the change in sound vibrations.

A butterfly's feet have sense organs that can TASTE sugar, letting a butterfly know if something is good to eat. They are equipped with a long, coiled tube called a proboscis, which sucks up nectar and nourishes their bodies.

Butterflies have large, multifaceted eyes which allow them to SEE in all directions, without turning their heads. As with most insects, butterflies are very nearsighted and focus on large clumps of flowers. They do not see colors (such as red, green or yellow), but sense polarized light (indicating the direction the sun is shining) and ultraviolet light (which is found on many flowers) which guides them to their food sources. 

Butterflies have a well-developed sense of SMELL, but do not have a nose. Sense receptors in their antennae, feet and other parts of their bodies help them find food (generally nectar) and a mate (a female smells a male's pheromones).  UMMM... a female seeking a male???

Butterflies use their senses of taste, smell, hearing, tasting and touch to survive in the world. It is believed that butterflies may also possess senses that we have yet to determine, since their anatomy is different than a humans.

I wanted to TOUCH this butterfly - it's transparent, delicate wings were tinged with burnt orange and white... stunning! 

If you participated in WEEKWORD ~ THANK YOU!

If you'd like to participate next week, "flutter" over to  

MANDYLAND 

on Monday

to find out the "word" of the week....

"SENSES" = WEEKWORD

Rancho El Chorro Environmental Camp ~ pic taken 8/25/10

The WEEKWORD is S-E-N-S-E-S...

Over the weekend, the weather began changing... as the heat left, the birds sat in the trees chirping to each other; the leaves rustled in the breeze (yes, we did have a breeze); across the blue sky floated thick, billowy clouds that looked like whipped cream (ymmm)....

Well, you get my point ~ I'm certain everyone's
S-E-N-S-E-S are heightened we cruise into Fall & the holiday season...

Join me in playing WEEKWORD! No invitation necessary! Just leave me a note in the comment box below. I will add your name to the list of participants.

During the week, keep your S-E-N-S-E-S heightened for the creative inspiration that you'll share with others. Post your creative interpretation to your blog on Friday.

OK - let the FUN begin!

WEEKWORD = TEN!!!

WEEKWORD = T-E-N

 

Check out the "adorable post" at Domestic Scribbles...

I needed T-E-N extra hours this week... whew! How about you? did your week fly by? I admit - I didn't get enough sleep, "self-care" time, nor did I eat enough healthy foods!!!

BUT, yesterday, I checked email at work, before leaving on a field trip with JPE's students (hike, photo-time, & BBQ hotdogs on the beach in San Simeon). Then about 2:00, JPE & I headed to Henry Miller Library in Big Sur, to attend a wedding. Beautiful weather ~ sunny, slight breeze, with a comfortable coolness when the sun set.... 

here are T-E-N pictures to remind me of the first day of October (the bride & groom won't have any trouble remembering their wedding date ~ 10-1-10)...

San Simeon "Greeters"

Rusty wheel, kayaks & a lizard ~ San Simeon Beach

Henry Miller Library, Big Sur
 (wedding memories)
a garden sculpture;
bride+groom & a cake;
wheel of lights @ dark;
table decorations & a musician

I HEART the beach!
I HEART weddings! I HEART Big Sur!
(JPE & I were married in BIG SUR too!)

If you want to participate in WeekWord, just post a comment to this blog! I will post the word SUNDAY night, before I head to bed! See you then!!!

There were "10" bloggers this week!!! check out the links listed at Domestic Scribbles