I have time off from work. It is not quite as relaxing as this since I am getting ready for the holidays, but I'm trying! I went to Taste of Scandinavia at church today. It was good. Lots and lots of sugar though. I tried to offset it with the Swedish meatballs and Potato sausage. I'm off to see if I can figure out my current knitting project.
Welcome to our Halloween!
A little decor.
We can't forget the jack-o-lanterns! ~Happy Halloween~
I don't have too many pictures from last weekend. The girls all had at least four days off from school. We did a little shopping together and then they did some things with their friends. The middle daughter dressed up some rice krispie bars with Halloween sprinkles. They are so much better when they are made in a slightly smaller pan so that they are thick. Yum!
There was some hanging out time when the two youngest made Emmy queen for a day. You can see how excited she was.
On Sunday we went to the art museum with a friend who was gracious enough to take this picture. The exhibit from the Louvre was really interesting. In addition to some well-known masterpieces there were some works of art that were attributed to the wrong artist for years before a correction was made. There were also some pieces on display that were thought to be originals for many years until it was discovered that they were actually forgeries. Here are a few pieces:
The Card Sharp and the Ace of Diamonds by Georges da la Tour.
The Astronomer by Vermeer which looks like a photograph. Amazing! This painting was stolen by the Nazis during WWII and barely escaped being blown up in the mine where it was hiden. It was a favorite of Hitler. 
Sometimes school is not just books and paper in a building. Sometimes it is these extras. The green-haired gal above is dressed as her interpretation of a Who from Dr. Seuss for the kickoff of a read-a-thon at school. I'm sorry that the brightly striped toe socks don't show in this picture.
On the weekend, an extra might be a fun run like this one for students and family. Thank heavens it quit raining!
At other times school may include extra credit for going to the history center to learn about the greatest generation. Here is the soda fountain display.
Please excuse the title of this post. Between my middle daughter talking about the Wizard of Oz as a political allegory and one of the pictures below, this is what came to mind. First, however, is a picture of what I think is an unusual sunflower. At least I haven't seen one like it. Three blooms on one stem.
Last weekend we went to a nearby orchard and picked Haralson apples. It was a beautiful day! Some of us like to climb up right next to the apples.
Sorry honey, but someone had to take the picture! The wagon belongs to the orchard. We never had one at home so it is all part of the experience.
Then we looked at the scarecrow contest entries. Here are a few favorites.
Of course the above entry was particulary funny this year. I wonder if we'll remember Cash for Clunkers 20 years from now?
Here is a well done traditional display.
And I'll leave you with this thought. 
The girls and I saw this last Friday. It was cute and it was nice to see the nerdy underdogs become heroes. I felt full after watching all that food and when it was done it was time for dinner!
I just finished this book and I highly recommend it! The main character is a single woman in her 30's who ends up temporarily being the owner of a small town newspaper in Louisiana. I enjoyed getting to know her and the rest of the folks in Green. The newest resident helps the town as much as it helps her. I'm going to see if the sequel has been published yet.
It's the time of year when we usually start buying this. Sticky, but oh so good! 
On Labor Day, we were all a little creative. The youngest and I finished work on the tote bag we started many months ago. She did the sewing and pinning and I did the cutting and ironing. It came out nicely.
This definitely was the summer of nail polish--many colors, multicolored nails and nails with designs.
There was reading all summer. Some of it was for school. This was the night before the first day. Just making sure it was all under control!
All set!
The start of a brand new school year.
An 85th birthday was also celebrated with my father-in-law. I only hope I am doing this well at 85!
We had an extra guest spend the night at the hotel with us. The girls and their cousin had fun swimming on Saturday morning. In the afternoon we played mini-golf and some of us did this.
Followed by this, which got people a little wet.
And then, to get really wet, you did this! It was great weather and a fun weekend to end the summer.
