Falling into Autumn

As the seasons change and the weather becomes colder, I look forward to one of my favorite seasons. For some reason, maybe as a result of my mother, I love fall and all it has to offer. I enjoy everything pumpkin and think about one night a few years back when Joe, his sister Lori and I went on a search for pumpkin ice cream. Lori was the drive behind this adventure - she loves pumpkin too.

Fall is the perfect time of year for carving pumpkins, enjoying hayrides, sipping apple cider and sleeping with the windows open on those cool nights. But, before we know it, Autumn will be long gone and Winter will jump in forcefully with its snowstorms, heavy rains and cold winds. So, enjoy it while you can because as the first day of October comes, so does the beginning of the holiday season. As Halloween, one of my favorite holidays, approaches, I can't wait to start planning our annual costume party complete with a haunted house, a smokey cauldron (thanks to dry ice!) and lots of festive, themed treats. I already started buying new additions for our Halloween decorations - I just couldn't help myself.

To help you fall into a festive mood, here are a couple of photos of my niece, Olivia, and nephew, Joseph's, pumpkin carvings from last year. I can't wait to do it again in the next couple of weeks.

I had to include some fall foliage shots too because the trees are so colorful and pretty as the seasons change and the leaves fall.

    

Happy Birthday To You

Turning Eight is GREAT

Dinner at his #1 restaurant - Iron Moto - was the first of many celebrations for my godson. I was even picked to sit next to him at his special dinner.

And, after enjoying cookie cake with his classmates on his actual birthday, we sang to him for the second time with a Phillies' cupcake. It seems fitting for the fledgling baseball player who watched his favorite home team clinch the division just  the night before.

Go Phillies and Happy Birthday Joseph!

A Glimpse of Maine

NATURE'S BEAUTY

Even though I haven't completed my San Fran posts yet (almost, I promise), I couldn't help but post some photos of the long weekend we enjoyed up in Maine a few weeks back!

The views were WONDERFUL! I'm not sure my little snippets in time posted below do Maine, its quaint towns, and overall beauty justice.

Driving for at least 30 minutes down a two lane road that seemed to become more and more desolate, we never thought we were going to reach the end...of land! Until we did, and we were so glad we made the trip. Pemaquid Lighthouse...it's on the Maine quarter...we headed down at the perfect time to catch the sun casting it's shadows on the buildings right at the start of sunset.  The land to the right of the lighthouse jutted out in so many jagged edges around the point...such a great sight.

Portland Head Light...from the water...stay tuned for more up-close and personal land shots.

Portland Sunset Lighthouse Cruise...I took a lot of pictures, but couldn't help it. I loved capturing the GREAT sunset! So relaxing.

Bath Time

On a small Cape May adventure a few weeks ago, Joe and I visited some of the shops along the Washington Street Mall. As one of the most quaint and historic shore towns, I love visiting the tip of New Jersey every so often. Walking around the cobblestone streets and the beach path are completely relaxing. Hitting sunset beach was surely a highlight even though it has LOTS of pebbles!
But, this post is not going to be about what we did there, but about something I bought. I think it's good PR!  
After grabbing some lunch at the Ugly Mug, 426 Washington St., we stopped in, to Joe's chagrin, Bath Time, just down the street. (We stopped in a bunch of other shops along the way too)!
I purchased a specialty blend Cologne, which to my surprise, they blended right in front of me - something I didn't expect. The associate dropped acai and sugar oils into the container's non-fragranced liquid. Although you could choose any you like, Acai Sugar was one of the two featured scents displayed on the counter and soon become my favorite.  
As a lover and aficionado of all things smelling good, I want to recommend both Bath Time and this specific Cape May blend. Enjoy!  

And, even though I gave it as a gift and don't have a picture available, I also love the variety of 'regular 'ole' duckies Bath Time carries for babies and children. Whether it's Santa, a pumpkin or just a 'Really Large Duck,' there's some season or design for everyone. I personally loved the baseball duck (so much so, I bought it as a gift for the newest little one in our family!) and the pumpkin was too cute as well! It is fall after all.

Until next time...

Camden, ME...not NJ

Camden, ME was a recommendation from many when we asked where we should go that wasn't too far from Portland. The one hour and 45 minute drive northeast through small towns led us into the beautiful quaint town that has attracted many over the years. Summer or early fall highlights include schooner rides -  something in which we were very interested. Joe even mentioned this was one thing he really wanted to do. We had the opportunity to experience Olad - a two-masted schooner - that sails on the Penobscot Bay with a perfect view of the Camden Hills. The 1927 yacht spans 57" with over 1500 square feet of canvas. And, although the bay is known for its marine wildlife, I think maybe it was a little too cold for these visitors. 

This waterfall was very scenic, yet it was at the edge of the water and a parking lot...literally there were cars in front of us, but it looked so nice.

The streets of Camden

 Welcome to Camden, Maine

 Camden Opera House

 Camden Deli, 37 Main Street. 

The lunch spot offers some of Camden's best water views. 

Schooner Olad

The highlight of our Camden trip.

Camden Hills

Casting the sails.

Captain and owner Aaron Lincoln told the group stories of how he acquired the boat and why he does what he does - because he loves it of course!

Yes, it was windy and my hair looks crazy!

 Ah...Camden, until next time...we LOVE you!