It may be only 1 night, but it's 31 days of anticipation!

This week is buzzing with Halloween excitement. Costumes are almost ready, the candy bowl is full for our trick or treaters, and I'm busy in the kitchen with their favorite treats. I started last night with pumpkin bread and this morning I made homemade caramel for the apples. My family and choice friends will be expecting their delivery of caramel apples this afternoon. Tomorrow I will be making M's Brain Jello for her class. And on Friday morning I will be wrapping hotdog mummies for E's class. Poor S is just getting store-bought popcorn balls. For dinner we will be eating our Zombie (meatloaf) with ghost mashed potatoes and sausage critters. Later we are going to make Pumpkin Donuts for our neighborhood guests.mmmmm!

Pumpkin Patch

I can't get enough of our pumpkin patch in town. My bff was going to her sons fieldtrip this week and I felt so cheated that my son's kinder wasn't going so I just pulled him out of class this week to join up with them. Pumpkins come in so many great colors that I could stop taking their pictures. The weather was so Californian--about 80 degrees with full sunshine all around. We are all appreciating the last warm days outside as much as possible. Winter will creep upon us any day now.

Our Week Away From Home aka Our Week Of Spoiling

We're finally home after the remodel job and it feels great, but we sure had a great week with the Seyms. We enjoyed not only their gracious accomodations but great company complete with yummy meals. All of us (S, me, kids and 3 cats) shared a two bedroom suite for 7 nights. The kids loved it. It was like a party with all the sleeping bags in the loft. Our cats were shy at first and then they realized that the dog wasn't there. I actually think they enjoyed everyday there. They were at all over us and purring like kittens. Josafeen was a little p.o.'d at being put back in the carrier to go home. She was so mad she peed in the box. During the week the kids were able to go to bed and let us adults enjoy a little time downstairs. That was really nice. It was a challenge getting in the van by 7:20am to make it to school on time. I had to do some shuffling with the kids, the contractors, and visiting Jessie (at my parent's house) everyday. Sometimes I felt like I was in the car all day. The kids could not get over the jacuzzi tub. All we had to do was add a drop of bubble bath and turn on the jets. It created mountains of bubbles. They never wanted to get out. They won't forget our stay here and either will we.

Apple Pickin' Time

I love Fall!!! It definately is my favorite time of the year. I can't decide what I like better apples, pumpkins, colored leaves, or the cooler weather. We started the season by going on a fieldtrip to Gizditch Apple Farm with E's class. I love this fieldtrip! We got to pick apples, learn about Johnny Appleseed, see where they press the apples for juice all while inhaling the intoxicating aroma of pies baking in their kitchens. And while in my state of nirvana, who do I see to make this the most memorable trip???? Yes, it was Julie!! Of all the schools in the Bay Area, today was the precise day that Noble Elementary has chosen to visit the farm. I couldn't believe it. We squealed like little pigs when we saw each other. We told the girls and they got all excited too. It was sad to part, but it was our time to leave. I went to their country store to comfort myself with one of their famous pies. And it made it home.

My Special Friend Kathleen!

A Simple Thank-You, My Friend
by warmhrt
Into the dim lit, bare walls of my world,You entered,

bringing light and life to me,

The vivid colors, painted with a swirl of wit and charm,

of personality,With tender care, you added comfort, warmth,

And images that line the now bright walls.I look upon them fondly,

bringing forth a thankfulness that you walk in these halls with me;

our friendship has become a part of my world now;

it has its special place, within my being, life, and in my heart,

Your name hangs right beside your smiling face.

Rememb'ring just how drab these walls had been,

I have to thank you for the light, my friend.