We All Love the Fall!

COW POOP
We continue to enjoy the simple pleasures of fall in our neck of the woods.  Pumpkins are on display everywhere, leaves crunch under our feet, apples of  every variety are on sale at the cider mills and apple stands, and the smell of smoke is in the air.
There is so much to do this time of year. Nancy and I hope to visit Aunt Theresa before the bad weather comes. 
           Please be sure to leave a comment now and then!!

Nancy and Barry checked out SPRAGUES maple syrup farm recently.  It's about a 90 minute drive from my house, out in the country.  They raise free-range turkeys and serve up turkey dinners in their restaurant.  There is also a gift shop for those who love to browse. 
Lew and I are going to Sprague's for Thanksgiving dinner (along with Nancy, Barry and Lacey).   A country club it is not, but I have my hopes it will have its own country charm.  I'll keep you posted.

Although the syrup making is done for the year you can still see the operation's headquarters.

Barry enjoys checking it out.

Nancy and her bewitching friend.

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Deep in the heart of Texas, Reagan and Bennett have both found the perfect pumpkin.  Timmy & Kerry's grandchildren are cuties!

Dad, Tim Jr., and mom, Amanda, wait for the wagon that will take the family on a hay ride.
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Nice shot of a busy squirrel, by Nancy.

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"Tinkerbell" and "Carlie" taking an afternoon nap---"Carlie" prefers being on the floor and in the warm sun as opposed to the cushy sofa.

Working on a craft for the sisters' annual Christmas cookie exchange.  Top secret!
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Belgian Dubbel.   All I know is that is the name of Pi Man's latest and greatest home brew. 

He made his first beer after the holidays last year and has not looked back!

Every day is BBQ day when you live in Louisiana.  The brewski will go just fine with this spread.





The pie bakers in the family send me pictures---how about a sample now and then?!

Nancy---traditional apple.

 Mary Ann---apple crumb pie.

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Beyond the call of duty to help the animals.
Some dogs were in need of shelter and Barry stepped up as usual. 

He builds the house.

He delivers the house.

A little boy thinks it would make a great hideout for him!

Barry is going to make two more for this family (not quite as big as this one).
The doggies will be snug when the cold winds blow this winter.

What a guy!

That's all for now!

Good Times

COW POOP

Sister, aka Aunt Catherine, is currently taking her yearly vaca at Tommy & Judy's.  I know you will enjoy the photos---thx Tommy!

The days hum along as we try to make the most of the autumn season. 

Lazy Days and Good Times in Arkansas.

Food and Friendship

On Friday evening, 10/14, Judy's cousin, and some friends that Tommy & Judy met through her, came for dinner at their home.  They (cousin and friends) play in a Celtic band, all over the state.  Since they had met Sister before and knew she played the fiddle, they brought their instruments with them and had a jam session---fiddles, flute, guitar, and a drum-type instrument (not sure the name of it).  The band also plays the dulcimer, but not shown here.  Tommy said it was wonderful!

Judy enjoys the concert.

Pictures below taken 10/15:

Yes, she looks like an angel, but don't mess with
"super sister"----because---

---she plays to WIN!!!!  Have mercy!

Seriously, the pic of Sister on the porch is a keeper!
Thanks for sharing, T & J!

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Back up north . . .

Carol and Jimmy took vacation time the week of October 10th---they love the peak color season in the fall.  Here they are out and about enjoying a local park and nature preserve.

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Mary Ann recently visited her granddaughter, Jacqueline, at
St. Bonaventure University.  Of course, she had to come home with a school sweatshirt which keeps her warm at the camp (along with some wine).

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Barry took some well-deserved vacation in early October. 

Lunch at Bully Hill Winery is a must at this time of year.

The grounds are decorated with many huge pumpkins in all kinds of shapes and sizes.  The hills above Keuka Lake are just beginning to turn in this shot.

Of course, Nancy always has to clown around when the opportunity presents itself!!!

The winery grounds have every amenity you could possibly want!


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Now for something a bit more appealing:

The bakers in the family, Mary Ann in this instance, are at it with the new apples.  This looks like a magazine pic!
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Blast from the PAST!

Steve, with Jeff, hugging Donald Duck at Disney World, about 34 years ago.

October 2011:  Steve's son, Andrew, hugging Pluto at
Disney World.
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Taken a couple of months ago, Timmy & Kerry's grandchildren, Reagan and Bennett, have a birthday party for a stuffed friend---too cute!

That's all folks!

Enjoying October

COW POOP

The weather is gorgeous here in western NYS.  Pumpkins for sale everywhere and people out enjoying this last stretch of warm, sunny weather.  Thank you for the pictures and updates.

 Chris Runs His First Marathon

On Sunday, October 2, Chris Coleman ran in The WINEGLASS MARATHON, which began in Bath and ended in Corning---26.2 miles.  Carol, Jimmy, Rebecca and Chris stayed with Nancy and Barry the day before the race.  Nancy fed Chris plenty of carbs with heaping portions of spaghetti and meatballs.  Carol brought some home-baked goodies:  apple pie and pumpkin bread.

Carol enjoys adding the special touches to her baking---leaf cut-outs, which she even colored!

Chow Time

A tale of two pots:  one contemporary with a vintage look;  the other no handle on the lid and well over 40 years old.

Both get the job done.  

Relaxing the day before the race.

Very early Sunday A.M. Chris and Rebecca left for the race.  The weather was rather nasty, so Nancy said "give us a call when it's over and we'll meet you there for dinner."  Rebecca is so supportive braving the elements to cheer on her hubby!

Chris finished with a time of 4:09:59 and overall 803/1447 runners.  His goal was to finish under 4 hours but he started having hamstring muscle spasms around mile 21.  Congratulations on a race well run!

Celebrating at the Olive Garden before heading back home.

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Harvest Time

On October 1st Lew and I took Andrew to a living history farm nearby for threshing weekend.  Pumpkins were available for the kids to decorate with all kinds of vegetables.  Andrew was taking it very seriously.

The old-time thresher used steam and when it released the steam it was LOUD---hurt my ears!  Andrew was not inclined to get up close to it but, of course, Lew had to check it out.

We enjoyed lunch----all homemade at the farm---then returned home.  The pumpkin made it in one piece!

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Construction Underway!

Timmy has been busy getting their driveway area expanded to accommodate the camper.

The fence needed to be taken down temporarily and a gate installed.

Project almost complete.

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All I can say is that Patty makes us all look lazy.  She makes salsa, zuchini relish, bread & butter pickles, pickled beets, canned tomatoes and every type of jam you can think of!!!!!  Nancy was wondering why she had not heard from her in a while, and now we know why!

WHEW!

Not done yet . . .

Patty gives some of this away as gifts and sells jam and salsa.  Now it's time to relax a bit!

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A fine-dining restaurant in Hammondsport closed for the season so Christi, Jim, son Connor, Lacey (as well as some of Jim's family) dined there on the last day.

left:  Connor, Christi.  right front:  Lacey,  right back:  Jim 

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ALLEN COUSINS 

A couple of weeks ago Nancy and Patty attended another cousins get together.  It's a time to re-connect with relatives---enjoying coffee, snacks and conversation.  This will likely be the last one  until next spring.

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Must be "Geisha,"  Timmy and Kerry's cat, decided she needed to lose some pounds.  The "sweat" method was her choice---burrowing in an empty bottled-water container, underneath the plastic. I'm sure their cat, "Chip," could care less about being chubby:)

Barry planted a lot of corn in the garden, so he helps out with it in the kitchen.

By the way, BARRY is cleaning everyone's clock in Fantasy Football so far!!
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Bennett, Timmy & Kerry's grandson, gets his first hair cut.

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That's it for now.  Keep the news and photos coming!!!

PS:  Check out Jeff's blog on traveling in Germany (the link is on my blog list---right side of page---Schnitzelbahn).  Also, Lacey's blog:  Lake Life.