My Fabricated Fall



A humble slice of crocheted pumpkin pie

My family headed south (way south) from Northeastern Ohio when I was 5 years old. I hold dear my child's perspective of the autumnal changes you could soak in through all five senses.  This year's September Equinox (or first day of fall) takes place officially on September 22, 2010 at 11:09 pm EDT. On the equinox, the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west.

Scientific explainations aside, my heart longs for the seasonal display that begins its production far north of my current home. Cider stright from the orchard, flannel blankets, crunching leaves, frost covered pumpkins, and the most inspiring scents of spices and warmth. I have developed my own traditions to signal the subtle changes in our tropical atmosphere at this time of year.

Freshly planted yellow mums

Sure...we're still smack in the middle of hurricaine season, but I have pumpkin spice dreams clogging my brain! As soon as the local garden center has rows of vibrantly colored mums available, I plant a few in every available container I have on hand. I can't wait to see the sweet little pots spilling over in round waterfalls of yellow blooms.

The results of my 11 grade woodshop class

A quirky row of characters makes their yearly debut in September. My obsession with all things crafty began at a very young age. While in high school woodshop, I made three wooden figures specifically for Halloween. Little did I know they would still be around so many years later. The half pint will occasionally notice their placement on the TV armoire and proclaim "hat, hat, hat" as she stares up. I guess she really likes that pointy hat. 



Cloves, cinnamon, and fruit simmer away on the stove

The greatest addition to our "fabricated fall" theme is my homemade stovetop potpourri. It fills every nook and cranny with the lovely aroma of spicy fall goodness. I deeply inhale and drop the AC a few notches cooler to make my artifical autumn complete.

Easy Stovetop Potpourri

- 1-2 apples
- 1 orange
- 1 lemon
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tbsp whole cloves
- 2 bay leaves

Roughly chop all fruit into big chunks. Place all ingredients in saucepan. Fill with just enough water to barely cover ingredients. Place lid on top. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to simmer and tilt lid so steam and scents can escape. Keep on low heat throughout the day and add water as neccesary.

A Rich Inheritance

"Mothers are a special gift sent

from God above,

They bless us with their nurturing,

And fill us with their love.

They pick us up when we are down,

And when we're sad they know,

They're always there to lend a hand,

And guide us as we go.

And mothers are like special jewels

that can't be bought or sold...

A mother's love's more precious

than the rarest gem or gold.

Yes, mothers are a special gift sent

from God above,

And we'll be blessed forever with

their never ending love!"

-Faye Diane Kilday

A legacy began on the day you were born. Your life has been a series of carefully orchestrated events folded together to create an enduring example of a mother's love. You have granted your children a rich inheritnce of selflessness and compassion...

not to mention a little blue eyed beauty

who is blessed to call you "gamma"

Happy Birthday Mom

Wisdom in Blueberry Bushes

I have a secret.

Deep down inside of me lives a tiny little wanna be...and she's a talker. Fortunately, I am the only one that can hear her. Not to be confused with a lack of contentment or satisfaction in life, she simply has an active imagination. Once upon a time she flirted with the idea of growing her own blueberry bushes.

Now this is where I have to admit my miniscule knowledge of the ideal growing environment for blueberries. There's a reason Florida's known for oranges instead.

Several years back BBHP (before the birth of half-pint), I was pouring over the White Flower Farms catalogue. Each page promised a bountiful harvest of earth grown goodness in vibrant colors and textures. My head swirled with fleeting images of an idealized homestead farm, complete with split-log fences and gardens that would produce blue ribbon specimens. I could practically smell the intoxicating blend of sweet jasmine, fresh cut grass, and good clean earth.

As I read the description for the "lucious and sweet" blueberries, two particular facts jumped off the page.

1. It is not viable to start a blueberry seedling in a container
2. It will be at least three years before harvestable fruit is produced

I looked around our humble first apartment. Dingy carpets, unpainted walls, and a closet sized concrete patio. We were lucky to afford such luxury as a young married couple, both full time working college students. I thought to myself,

one day

down the road

I will live

in the same place

long enough

to be able

to care

and cultivate

a blueberry bush

I didn't expect to actully plant a blueberry bush here in the tropics, it was the principle of putting down roots that will last beyond the near future and having a life that allows me to enjoy simple pleasures...

like growing blueberries.

Today, we were at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center checking up on our little rescued friend. I watched the half-pint gleefully chant "turtal, turtal, turtal" as she trotted from tank to tank.

It was a Thursday. She and I were sharing another great day together. I have an amazing husband. I have a loving family. My life is so full, I can't ask for more than what I've been given.

That's when it hit me...

my blueberry bushes had been growing all along

and I didn't even realize it.

New Website

It's Official

Click here to check it out!

Safari Nights and Sea Turtles

Once again, the richness of life has kept me away from the tethering effects of a computer.

Swamp Lily peeks through the beach boardwalk

Another day, another reason to go to the beach, this is my therapy and I will share my theraputic process with you, reader of the blog.

We are regulars at our favorite beach, located within the protective perimeter of a state park. Untainted natural landscapes and very few humans...who wouldn't want to visit every chance they get?

For weeks we had been building up the excitment and splendor of snorkling the reef to our visting family. Then came Hurricaine Earl.

No flooding rains or uprooted trees. No power outages or smells of fuel from generators. No effects whatsoever, until to you head for the shoreline. As we traveled the boardwalk across the lagoon, our ears detected a low rumbling that grew into a deafening roar. 

Crossing the estuary

 The ocean had become a churning monster of hidden currents and crushing waves. The half pint stayed in the shade of her pink umbrella and covered herself with sand and shells while we tempted fate and tested the waters.

In the corner of my eye, I spotted a black circle rushing in with the waves.

It was a helpless baby green sea turtle! I plucked him (I decided it was a "he") up and placed him inside a green plastic snack bowl filled with water. It was rather remarkable how he fit so perfectly inside the child sized dish, it's almost as if the manufacturer knew it would be used for rescuing baby sea turtles from certain death.

His flipper was torn and he was barely moving, the turbulent surf had consumed every last ounce of energy. I carefully walked my wet little patient to the nearest park ranger (why everyone should go to the state park beaches!) who wisked him off to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Check the end of this post for a short video clip of our sea turtle rescue.

But the day was not over yet...

A flock of White Ibis decorated the trees

It's Friday night. With our bags packed and the stroller loaded in the car, we headed out for an evening of wild adventures at the zoo after dark. The rain stayed away and blessed our little expedition with balmy tempuratures. As I sat in the jungle dining room and watched the half pint dish out hearty helpings of kisses to her family, I reflected on the scene playing before me. Love is the greatest of these.

She padded out to the deck, tummy now blissfully satisified with grilled cheese goodness.  Blindly she passed right under a giant web delicately hanging above. Perched with her diminutive mate, the female is quite an impressive specimen.

The Golden Orb Weaver Spider can be found everywhere here

Mr. Honeybelles does not share my appreciation for any large arachnid. I'm guessing that many who read this will not share my appreciation either. I seem to notice a strong correlation between the amount of angst expressed by Mr. Honeybelles towards a creature and my utter fascination for any subject related to said creature...hmmm.

Highlights of the evening with the half pint include:

• Petting a baby alligator
• Petting a giant snake while saying "ssssssss"
• Talking to a peacock
• Riding the carosel
• Splashing in the fountains
• Watching Mr. Honeybelles get inadvertently soaked

[insert deep contented sigh here]

I guess I'll just watch this baby turtle video for the countless time and smile for another day packed full of childlike memories.