31 October 2011

Kitteh cat.

When I moved into the basement, I simultaneously inherited Gracie. Although, if I could re-name her, I'd go with something more exotic to match her look. She was my grandmother's cat and I have adopted her.

I'm convinced that she has short term memory loss, because she rarely remembers who I am and it's been atleast 3 months since I moved back home. Once she finally warms up to the idea of having a roommate, she loves: forehead kisses, sleeping on my keyboard, watching me do crafts, and making funny faces when she yawns. If I leave the room for more than 5 minutes, I turn back into a stranger. Repeat cycle. She's funny.

23 October 2011

BalloonFest.

Balloon Gazing.


After catching an inconvenient cold this weekend, I wasn't keen on leaving my bed - much less my house; but how can you turn down witnessing the launch of 50 brilliantly colored hot air balloons?! Well, you just can't.

The majority of the crowd swarmed the field, but we chose to scramble up the hill and get a bird's eye view. It was one of the most magical events that I've ever seen. Why hasn't this festival been at the top of my Fall Bucket List in years past? It will be now. Next time, I need to remember to bring a blanket so we can lay on the grass and balloon gaze. That, and 10 bucks in cash to purchase a giant order of ribbon fries.

18 October 2011

Marshmallows.


Marshmallows are cute and sweet, and therefore - one of my favorite treats. I've discussed my love for them many a time, including here and here.

I'll take them in any form. Roasted over a fire pit until they are flaming and burnt. Sandwiched between two grahams and a chocolate bar. On a fondue stick, dipped in warm milk chocolate. Melted into Rice Crispie Treats. Shaped like a sugar-coated chick. You name it.

I had never thought about making them myself until recently. You have to admit, everything is better homemade. I followed this recipe from Smitten Kitchen. She is coming out with a cook book next year, and I cannot wait! The process was time consuming, but very easy and worth the wait. The end products (All 96 of them...yeah) look like little fluffy clouds. I can't wait to sip some hot chocolate tonight and every night until they are gone.

16 October 2011

Parkway.


We had to take a rain check on our original plans to go skeet shooting this weekend. That should be interesting, when it happens - and it will. 

Instead, we decided to drive up the mountain for peak leaves weekend. Unfortunately, it snowed two weeks ago (say whaaa?), so half of them had already fallen to the ground.

Early July was the last time that I laid eyes on the parkway, so it was about time we reunited. The four of us had a delayed start on Saturday, but made it up to Boone just in time to smell the smokey scent coming from Woodlands Bbq, and crave a late lunch. We opted to get our bbq trays to-go and picnic on the parkway. Definitely the right choice. The weather was perfect, and the sky was clear enough to spot the Charlotte skyline, 105 miles in the distance! Most of the stores were closed by the time we made it into town, but we happily sipped our hot beverages and walked around campus until it was time to drive back home.

One afternoon was just a tease, I'm ready to go back! I belong in the mountains.

12 October 2011

Changes.

Now this is what I like to see.


Can I just note: the best time of year (in my opinion) is simultaneously the worst time of year to be allergic to cinnamon. I can't enjoy a pumpkin spiced anything, and I will not sugar coat my feelings about this. I'm a little bitter. Not that I have anything against the dark chocolate godivas or chocolate chip cookie icecream sandwiches that I've been enjoying, but still, I'd love to sip a chai tea AND be able to breathe at the same time. That isn't asking of too much, is it?

I still love all aspects of the Fall season. I'm finally heading back up to Boone this weekend with Bud, Cait and Michael and my heart is smiling, just thinking about it. I've started planning a parkway picnic in my head. 

05 October 2011

Fall in Love.

*Photos from my past two years at Appalachian

I'm considerably jealous that Fall is much more "in season" two hours up the road in Boone, than it is in Charlotte.

I miss the way the sunlight bounces off the side of a mountain and lights up it's changing leaves to resemble a sea of fruity pebbles.

I miss apple season in the mountains - Pink Ladies, Jonagolds, and Cameos, oh my!

I miss my little college campus, nestled between rolling hills.

I miss the Tomato Shack down highway 105.

I miss the Linn Cove Viaduct.

I miss the fall inspired pastries at Stick Boy.

I miss the Boone Antique Mall.

I miss Woodlands bbq and corn nuggets.

I miss the distinct, smokey autumn air.

I miss baking parties with my roommates.

I miss the Happy Appys that sing on the street corner and walk around barefoot, no matter the weather.

And I will forever miss the blessing of being able to drive 15 minutes to the parkway, sit on top of the jeep, and witness the most breathtaking sunsets you'll ever see. Fall sunsets are my favorite.



I just might move back so I don't have to miss those things.
But then, I would just miss all of my blessings at home.
Having a home away from home is enough.

02 October 2011

Amazing Maize Maze.


It's not fall unless you spend a Saturday afternoon lost inside a corn maze. I still remember the first time I experienced such a thing. I went to a birthday party and my team came in first place! I won a beanie baby.

Last year, Bud and I went to a fall festival on his side of town and attempted to brave their corn maze. Come to find, it was 3 feet tall and mostly dead. I.e. - easy to cheat because you could see (or jump?) right over the walls. Yesterday, we tried again at the Amazing Maize Maze. This time, it took us a full two hours to collect every puzzle piece and find our way out. After walking in circles for 100 miles, we were victorious! And proud.

Also, I broke out the boots and a scarf. Words cannot describe how excited I was.