More Fall Fun 2006

This morning is chilly here in Ohio! I have been wide awake bright-eyed and bushy tailed for a while now with more cups of coffee under my belt then should be legal. ;-) I have spent a good portion of my morning in The Parlor trying to be quiet, trying to entertain myself, and trying to let hubby sleep in a bit. We had such a fun day yesterday that it is taking some restraint not to just drag him out of bed for the next adventure.

Yesterday we had one of those stolen days that shine through life like the most radiant stars in the universe. We took our Santa Fe on a mini road trip to the Amish area in Northern Ohio. Up and down the hills our car flew deep into the blustery cold weather. The skies were perfectly clear and blue, our hearts warm from the glittery sunshine, and our bellies full from the homemade Banana Bread oatmeal we had for breakfast. :-)

The fiery fall leaves were a sight to behold and there colors so fabulous, you could just feel the warmth of their glow. Driving through a canopy of yellow leaves, I felt as if we were suspended in a golden moment. I silently mourned the colorful leaves as they fell to the ground and fluttered around us, each one taking a bit of this past summer right along with it.

He and I shopped our favorite markets and dodged the crowds as best as we could. I bought a funky eclectic hand painted Halloween sign, several herbs, a few candles, some Fall Cookie cutters, an assortment of sprinkles, and some other bulk items. My find of the day was in Walnut Creek Cheese. I love McCann's Irish Steel cut oatmeal, but hate to fork off $7.00 for a small can. Imagine my delight when I found it in bulk at Walnut Creek. I bought enough to refill that can all winter (apx. 5 times) for $3.88!!!! Some other things found their way into my cart as well, including King Arther Flour, also just a fraction of the cost when bought as a "bulk" item.

We also took some time to explore some antique stores. Imagine our surprise to find one filled with ephemera from our childhood. We had a blast playing with our old long forgotten toys and book. Strawberry short Cake, Golden Books, Fisher Price People, and Weebles being among my favorite. We walked out of that shop feeling as light hearted as if we were walking on air till we realized that we are old enough for snippets of our childhoods to be antiques. But, we won't think too much about that...

Dinner was at Der Dutchman... a first for us. The food was so simple and basic nothing to really get to excited about until it hit your tongue and the un-processed, no hormone, no pesticide, no bad things flavors exploded on your taste buns like a million man march. Who knew that those purple pickled eggs could taste so yummy and that Amish Peanut butter has no fat. OK, just kidding about the last part, but it could be true in a perfect world.

We drove home in the dark, the stars like beacons in the sky, and our day yet another warm memory to carry us through the winter...

Hmmm.... He just wandered downstairs... I wonder what we could get into today.... :-)