the unperfected perfectionist

It is already "hump day" today...or if you would rather put it into plain and ordinary terms, the midway point in the week.  So, here I am, feeling horrible that I didn't post anything yesterday.  It was a stormy and yucky, blah day here, as it was for many of you as well. I had intended on either making applesauce or apple crisp but, since I sat watching severe weather reports on T.V. for what seemed like hours...it didn't happen and the apples are still staring at me as I am typing this. Today, Emma has "early release" (she gets out of school one hour early...strange but, this happens every Wednesday and I love it!) so, we will be putting our apples to use as we spend some time together in the kitchen. She really wants to make caramel apples, which may indeed be another option.  Regardless, in the very near future, I will be making all of the above.  These pictures sum up the "blahs" from here in Cincy yesterday.... The sun is shining here a...

As promised, I am here to report my findings from yesterday.  I found a place that was a slight improvement from Saturday's letdown of the lack of fresh apples and doughnuts.  This fruit farm had that fabulous bakery smell that brings back so many memories of my favorite apple orchard back home.  I have learned that sometimes you just can't substitute a good thing.  Yes, this establishment had the things we had come searching for... just "different".  I don't always adjust to "different", very easily. Yes, the doughnuts were pretty darn close to the ones that I grew up enjoying each and every fall.  And, as I have not yet tried the apples, I am sure they are juicy and fresh and will produce some fine applesauce and tasty apple pie but, as I am typing this today, I am missing home greatly. Memories of places and people back home creep into my thoughts and my emotions take over. I am just being honest.  I rather b...

Good Sunday afternoon!  I hope everyone was able to enjoy the weekend.  We were able to enjoy some fabulous weather here in Ohio.  I will try to make this short and sweet.  Here is a series of photos to show what became of our pumpkins that we found at the less than exciting farm yesterday.  More to come later about where we went today and what we found!   The finished product  Well, here is what became of our pumpkins last night.  I have just one question for you all...does anyone just carve the old fashioned, free handed pumpkins anymore?  I kinda miss those myself.  Does that make me old fashioned?! 

Today, we decided to head out to a farm to get pumpkins. It kind of went like this...we came, we saw, we went.  I will just tell you that we are used to fabulous Michigan apple orchards that offer horse drawn hayrides, pumpkins, apples and wonderful bakery fresh doughnuts, pies and so on.  Here in Ohio, either we picked a less than exciting farm, or it is just different than what I have grown used to visiting every fall.  Another odd thing was going out to get pumpkins and wearing flip flops because it was 75 degrees!  I can't complain about that one bit!  Well, we were able to see a few animals, grab a few pumpkins and some cider and snap a few photos.  As far as the bakery fresh doughnuts or many varieties of apples to choose from...no such luck.  Here is what I have got to share with you... An unexpected surprise...cows cows... you wouldn't believe this...cows! The chicken coop The results of what became of our p...

First Day...not quite a smile Yesterday afternoon was our conference with Emma's teacher and I could not possibly be more proud!  I had no doubt in my mind what I would hear from her teacher when I sat across the table from her.  She is doing wonderful and on and on...music to my ears. This school year brought many new changes upon us.  First and foremost, moving to a new city, in a different state, far from anything we have ever known.  To me, this was a HUGE change to face.  This move also meant a new school for Emma.  I will admit 100% that I was terrified at the thought and even more worried about her having to begin a new school where there was not one familiar face awaiting as she set foot inside on that very first day.  To make me even more apprehensive, was the fact that she had to start this new school the following day after we moved to Cincinnati.  One more thing to add...her first day in school was actually the third week fo...

I can't believe it is Thursday already!  I am going to continue writing about things that I am thankful for each Thursday.  Last Thursday, I was thankful for the beautiful sunshine and it is shining bright as can be once again.  I love it!  Today, I am thankful for the ability to run.  I know, it may sound silly to some of you, but, I absolutely love to run.  This was not always the case.  In fact, it was only within the last 4 years that I have grown to love it more and more.  Running allows me to not only get some great exercise, but also allows me to kind of tune out the whole world for a few miles.  I am able to listen to my music, do lots of thinking, relieve some stress and anxiety that I may be carrying.  Running is like therapy for me.  Even on days that my body is sore or tired, a good run always leaves me feeling better.  Since I have moved to Cincinnati, my running routine has been knocked down the priority list ...

Good Wednesday Morning! Does anyone else celebrate "1/2 birthdays"?  Or am I the only one who makes sure that these days are never missed?  I started celebrating these halfway point milestones when my daughter, Emma, was little.  So, yesterday brought upon us her 7 1/2 years birthday.  I simply do not know where the time went!  My baby girl is now a little (not so much, at 4 feet tall) social second grader.  I absolutely love watching her flourish and grow with each passing day. I grow more and more proud of her every single day.  I will admit that part of me feels her slipping away at the same time.  As exciting as it is to see her become this sweet, caring & go-getting individual, I miss the days where she was home with me and able to be my partner, in a sense, in my daily routine.  She has been in school all day since the first grade and I have yet to fully adjust.  I have always enjoyed the special bond that we have nurt...