October Update Part 2

On Columbus Day Greg and I went to the Topsfield Fair. We haven’t missed one yet since we’ve been here. This year was #30.

The great pumpkin weigh-off is an annual event. This big boy was the winner. They make up for in weight what they lack in beauty.

This was the first year there was a tiger show. They always have a petting zoo.

The above vegetable took first place and I’m sure it looked great at the time. We went the last day of the fair after there had been a warm stretch. Local scouting troops always decorate pumpkins. Looks like the candy corn quills couldn’t take the warm weather.

I think seeing the quilts got us both inspired for our Keepsake trip the next day.

What’s the fair without tractors?

One of the nice perks about going the last day is the sand sculpture is complete.

You had to know there would be some horse pictures although we didn’t see any shows this time. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police come every other year.

The flower barn is a peaceful oasis from the chaos of the fair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The high point that we enjoyed was the demolition derby at the end of the day. It heralded an end of another fair.

2011 Demolition Derby 

(click on the link above to watch the first heat. Can’t beat that simple fair fun.)

On the way out we took this final sand castle shot at night.

October Update Part 1

I always have good intentions to blog but every day life keeps getting in the way. Very inconvenient Anyway, Greg took some vacation time off around Columbus Day. We went to the Topsfield Fair on the 10th. I’ll blog about that hopefully sooner rather than later. He also took off the 11th. It was a beautiful fall day so we decided to take a pilgrimage to Meredith, NH, home of my most favorite quilt shop, Keepsake Quilting. I can’t believe its been 10 years since we were there last. The fall colors have been slow to come out this year but we did see some along the way. Logging is huge up north. Anybody watch, American Logger on the History Channel, it takes place in Maine.

Meredith is slightly under 2 hours from us. It sits nestled on Lake Winnipesauke. I’m sure the lake is bustling during the summer but for us it was very peaceful with the summer folks long gone.

 

There was a wonderful view of the mountains off in the distance. Both Greg and I took notice of how fresh the air was there. No city smells in this part of the country.

We parked in the municipal lot right by the lake and took in the beautiful scenery.

This is a local hotel. The flowers decorating it were so beautiful especially against the bright blue sky.

 

 

 

 

Finally we made it to our destination. Keepsake Quilting has expanded since we were there last. I was so sensory overloaded it didn’t even occur to me to take pictures. I bought lots of material for projects that will probably take me forever but both Greg and I had a good time. He picked out some nice material for his own quilt. Maybe someday I’ll be able to post completed photos.

On the way home we stopped at one of our favorite restaurants and had a great turkey dinner. This day felt a little bit like what retirement might feel like. I think I could get used to that.

Respect, Responsibility and Commitment

Spartans 2012 promo  click to see video

I wanted to share with you the YouTube promo for the Spartans 2012 season. The scenes are of rehearsals from this past summer. It takes about 5.5 minutes. About 3 minutes in is a good shot of Derek pounding the gong. I really enjoyed it. I hope you will too.

I forgot to show the picture of the necklace all the kids were given when they were dropped off for the start of tour. I hope I get the meaning of the beads correct. The red show the start and finish of the season, black start and completion of tour participation and the white show that Derek has aged out of future participation. He never takes it off.

Fall is in the Air

Last Saturday was the annual Apple Festival in town. This has been happening on the 3rd Saturday in September for as long as we can remember and happily I didn’t have to work. Basically main street is closed to vehicles and craft booths, games, etc. line both sides of the street. The temperatures this past week have become very fall-like. We are currently playing our ‘how long can we go before we put the heat on game’, but I digress. We thought we saw signs of the economy this year because there seemed to be less booths as years gone by. I imagine being a crafter is a tough way to make a living these days.

I’ve always had a secret fantasy of creating a photo book of barns across America. The one on the right is still under construction. These barns are neighbors to one another so it made it easy. It’s a start…

 

 

When we saw this pretty little lady we couldn’t help but think of Jenny. I thought she might enjoy seeing perhaps a Massachusetts cousin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greg is showing off a birthday present he got the day before Hurricane Irene struck. One can never be too prepared. I think he and Mark were a little disappointed that they never got to use her. I’m sure there will be another time.

She’s Gone, Oops, She’s Back Again

Tuesday, August 23 Greg and I took Emily back to school. (MCLA out in North Adams). She’s an RA (resident assistant) this year and the RA’s went back two weeks early to train.

I really missed the minivan for this trip. Emily sure has a lot of stuff. She had been packing and organizing for weeks. Hmmm, wonder who she gets that from. She was very excited to get back to school and do something different, not to mention this is a paid position.

This was posted on her door. There is a resident director that lives there full time. Em is responsible for suits on 2 floors. One of the perks of the job is a private room. Actually it’s a regular room with 2 closets, 2 desks and 2 beds- all to herself.

She quickly set about rearranging everything. We don’t have  final photos. I’m waiting for her to send some with it all moved in.

This is the view from her window and below is the tower she lives in from the side. Her room looks out over the front on the 4th floor.T

 

It was such a beautiful day we took some photos along the way.

Oh and the she’s back part… On Saturday she called to say she had to come home, they were evacuating the school due to Hurricane Irene, that meant all the RA’s and the sports kids had to leave. Luckily she was able to catch a ride with another RA. Greg picked her up on Saturday because I was working. She was an hour away instead of 3. She is either going back today or tomorrow, still waiting on a decision because some of the roads they travel are closed.