I came across this beautiful video the other day on YouTube. It's a gorgeous display of fall scenery shot in PA's Laurel Highlands. It really captures the beauty of the season.
Hope you like it.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Sweet Potato Casserole
This is a favorite of mine for Thanksgiving! This recipe is super easy to prepare, and it's delicious! It is so sweet it could almost double as a dessert!
Enjoy!
1 (16 oz.) can sweet potatoes
1 (16 oz.) can sweet potatoes
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon1 egg, beaten
4 tbsp. melted butter
1 pkg. marshmallows
Butter baking dish. Place 1/2 of mixture in dish. Dot with marshmallows, then add remaining mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, dot top with marshmallows and replace in oven about 10 minutes or until brown.
You can also crush pecans and sprinkle on top when finished to give a crunchy, nutty flavor. Delicious!
Peace
The old earth is changing;
The seasons turn round.
The autumn leaves flutter
Their way to the ground.
My own world is changing;
The seasons conspire
To grant me the peace
Of a rest by the fire
~Melissa Pinol~
This is such a lovely poem, and it really sums up how fall makes me feel. Fall is peace. It's a time to reflect and renew before another year comes to a close and a new one begins. To me, fall is about change. And it always forces me to look at myself and all the changes that I have made or am going through. It's not about the death of something - it's renewal. We can constantly renew ourselves. Just like fall brings a change, spring comes by quickly with new life. We can do the same.
The seasons turn round.
The autumn leaves flutter
Their way to the ground.
My own world is changing;
The seasons conspire
To grant me the peace
Of a rest by the fire
~Melissa Pinol~
This is such a lovely poem, and it really sums up how fall makes me feel. Fall is peace. It's a time to reflect and renew before another year comes to a close and a new one begins. To me, fall is about change. And it always forces me to look at myself and all the changes that I have made or am going through. It's not about the death of something - it's renewal. We can constantly renew ourselves. Just like fall brings a change, spring comes by quickly with new life. We can do the same.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
F stands for fall and fashion
Ugg boots, chunky sweaters, tights, beautiful scarves... all the more reason to love fall! Fall and fashion just go hand in hand. I am a self-declared 'shopaholic.' I have a serious addiction to clothes. It's bad. And this time of year does the worst damage.
And apparently television has caught on to this fall fashion craze. Am I the only one to notice that a lot of the TV shows this fall are about fashion in some way? I for one love it. We are definitely paying more and more attention to what the shows' characters are wearing, thus making new trends stick even harder. I'm sure you've heard of the little show 'Sex and the City.' Carrie made Manolo Blahnik's a household name. And just take a look at reality shows. We have 'America's Next Top Model,' 'Project Runway,' 'What Not to Wear,' 'How to Look Good Naked' and there are even three shows based on stylists alone!
My DVR has definitely been running this fall. I won't discriminate on these different network shows either. I would try and watch them all if I had the time.
I also had the pleasure of getting a sneek-peek of the new Nordstrom store at Ross Park for my WPXI internship. Oh, it was fall fashion bliss! They had the biggest selection and new designs of Ugg boots I have ever seen! Even new black metallic Ugg Boots! They are definitely going on my Christmas wishlist...
Oh I love fall!
And apparently television has caught on to this fall fashion craze. Am I the only one to notice that a lot of the TV shows this fall are about fashion in some way? I for one love it. We are definitely paying more and more attention to what the shows' characters are wearing, thus making new trends stick even harder. I'm sure you've heard of the little show 'Sex and the City.' Carrie made Manolo Blahnik's a household name. And just take a look at reality shows. We have 'America's Next Top Model,' 'Project Runway,' 'What Not to Wear,' 'How to Look Good Naked' and there are even three shows based on stylists alone!
My DVR has definitely been running this fall. I won't discriminate on these different network shows either. I would try and watch them all if I had the time.
I also had the pleasure of getting a sneek-peek of the new Nordstrom store at Ross Park for my WPXI internship. Oh, it was fall fashion bliss! They had the biggest selection and new designs of Ugg boots I have ever seen! Even new black metallic Ugg Boots! They are definitely going on my Christmas wishlist...
Oh I love fall!
Please don't go!
I'm just not ready to let fall go yet! I don't want to!
I just heard on the television that snow is coming... ugh.
Which reminded me that I seriously need to get snow tires - as my tires have been bald since last winter apparently. Wouldn't you think that my mechanic would tell me that when he inspected my car? I suppose I ask too much of him.
I also walked outside yesterday morning and saw my neat-freak neighbor raking up all his leaves in his yard while he said to me, "Boy, is this a pain. Hopefully this is the last time I have to do this, huh Jenny?"
Um, no? I love leaves. Leave them alone. They look so beautiful, and they are like fall decorations everywhere you go! The trees are almost bare now, so I want to enjoy those beautiful firey, orange colors while I still can.
I should of said, "Yes, I'm sure it will be the last time you have to rake them. I suppose you would prefer to shovel snow then?"
I just heard on the television that snow is coming... ugh.
Which reminded me that I seriously need to get snow tires - as my tires have been bald since last winter apparently. Wouldn't you think that my mechanic would tell me that when he inspected my car? I suppose I ask too much of him.
I also walked outside yesterday morning and saw my neat-freak neighbor raking up all his leaves in his yard while he said to me, "Boy, is this a pain. Hopefully this is the last time I have to do this, huh Jenny?"
Um, no? I love leaves. Leave them alone. They look so beautiful, and they are like fall decorations everywhere you go! The trees are almost bare now, so I want to enjoy those beautiful firey, orange colors while I still can.
I should of said, "Yes, I'm sure it will be the last time you have to rake them. I suppose you would prefer to shovel snow then?"
Too soon for Christmas?
I just have to wonder...
I believe it was the week after Halloween that the Starbuck's cups turned red. That is always a sign for me that Christmas is around the corner. Isn't it crazy though that we couldn't even get past Halloween this year without everything turning red and green and sparkly? When it should have been black and orange and bloody?
We live in such a society that is so consumed with what is next, that we can't even take the time to enjoy the present (no pun intended.)
The Starbucks cups are now red, Wish 99.7 is playing continuous Christmas music, and preparations for the Christmas tree in PPG place has started weeks ago. Does everyone just bypass Thanksgiving? Why can't all the Christmas hustle and bustle start after Thanksgiving? It is, after all, a beautiful holiday that has so much meaning.
I can't help but think this is all consumer-related. Retail stores know what they're doing. Heck, it even works on me. You're in the mall and hear these beautiful songs and see the happy couple in banners giving each other presents - it absolutely DOES make me want to buy.
Christmas is such a wonderful, generous time. And it is so great to physically show your loved ones how much you and love and appreciate them, so I am not bashing gifts at all... but can't we just enjoy the rest of this beautiful season before it turns frigid and the traffic becomes a nightmare? Somehow that just takes away from the real meaning of the season. It's not about running around like a psycho to different stores and being grouchy to everyone you meet if you can't find the right gift. It's about being generous to the people you love, and enjoying quality time with them. After all, having these amazing people in your life all year long is the gift that keeps on giving.
I believe it was the week after Halloween that the Starbuck's cups turned red. That is always a sign for me that Christmas is around the corner. Isn't it crazy though that we couldn't even get past Halloween this year without everything turning red and green and sparkly? When it should have been black and orange and bloody?
We live in such a society that is so consumed with what is next, that we can't even take the time to enjoy the present (no pun intended.)
The Starbucks cups are now red, Wish 99.7 is playing continuous Christmas music, and preparations for the Christmas tree in PPG place has started weeks ago. Does everyone just bypass Thanksgiving? Why can't all the Christmas hustle and bustle start after Thanksgiving? It is, after all, a beautiful holiday that has so much meaning.
I can't help but think this is all consumer-related. Retail stores know what they're doing. Heck, it even works on me. You're in the mall and hear these beautiful songs and see the happy couple in banners giving each other presents - it absolutely DOES make me want to buy.
Christmas is such a wonderful, generous time. And it is so great to physically show your loved ones how much you and love and appreciate them, so I am not bashing gifts at all... but can't we just enjoy the rest of this beautiful season before it turns frigid and the traffic becomes a nightmare? Somehow that just takes away from the real meaning of the season. It's not about running around like a psycho to different stores and being grouchy to everyone you meet if you can't find the right gift. It's about being generous to the people you love, and enjoying quality time with them. After all, having these amazing people in your life all year long is the gift that keeps on giving.
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