The gangs all here

J has a twin brother who is also an Air Force pilot. He flies a different plane and is stationed at another base and so we rarely get to see him. However, the timing all fell into place and J's brother and their parents were all able to come out and visit at the same time for about a week! It was a really nice visit. We had beautiful weather and the boys took full advantage of it for several days of golf. Since this was everyone's second visit we got to just do things we really wanted to and spent the rest of the time visiting, playing cards and relaxing. It was great!

J's Mom and I spent a day at the farmers market and also browsed an outdoor jewelry fair they were having downtown one day. Another day she bought yarn at the craft store and I ended up with a new scarf and hat set for the coming cold, rainy season. Awesome!

The pictures below are of out day in Napa. It's just starting to turn pretty fall colors there now. Because of our weather they harvested late so we even got some pictures of grapes on the vine.

Playing catch up

I warned you! Now that I've taken a mini break from our blog it's time to catch back up. I finally have the house pretty much spotless, so I feel like I can tackle other things, like the blog now. :) I just wont think about the third bathroom and office until... well maybe next week.

On J's last trip they stopped for a few days in Germany. They rented a car and drove to Heidelburg to see a castle. J found a Christmas shop in the market district there and brought me hope presents. The nutcracker is a handmade collectible. It's really awesome! I didn't want to put him away until Christmas so he's in the office by the computer. Once Thanksgiving is over he will get to move downstairs to a place of honor.

The little teddy bear I immediately named Frederick. He's cute and soft. I have such a sweet hubby :)

Flight Line Pictures

For the second year in a row we got to take pictures out on the flight line with J's plane. We had a perfect day for it. This year instead of his green flight suit he wore his tan one. It's the one he wears most often these days.

Here are a few of the pictures we got. Christmas card time! :)

Favorite Fall Movies

I've been searching the Internet high and low for a good list of the best movies to watch during the fall. I haven't had much luck. So I thought I'd make my own and see if anyone else has some good suggestions?

Grab your favorite cozy blanket and a steaming cup of tea or cocoa and enjoy my favorite fall movies:

This black and white 1947 movie is more love story than scary story. But once you hear the score start at the movie's opening you will understand why this is a fall movie must!

It's a classic combination, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. This 1998 movie is a remake of a black and white 1940's Christmas movie, The Shop Around the Corner (add that one to your Christmas movie list this year!) What could be more autumn than beautiful scenes of New York in the fall?

Hilarious! You'll be laughing out loud at this not so scary Halloween tale, another black and white movie made in 1944. There are grave yards, murders, and villains on the run. But trust me, you'll laugh yourself to death instead of scaring yourself to death. A must!

This 1966 cartoon is a classic. It will make you laugh and smile.

This movie begins in the summer and takes you through every season. But the autumn scenes are some of my favorite. The spooky music, the scary costumes, the sweet foods, it all sets a picturesque scene. Another not so scary fall classic. Made in 1945 it features one of my favorites, Judy Garland.

 

This one has nothing to do with Halloween. But it's all about going to school, which is of course a fall event! The cold weather, the old school buses, the pranks and troubles of the girls at school are definitely autumn material. This was made in 1966 and features another favorites actress of mine, Hayley Mills.

This is another back to school, or college this time, movie. This 2003 Julia Roberts film has a beautiful soundtrack and picture perfect New England fall and winter scenery. I also love the period, 1950s which means the costumes are fabulous and there is so much vintage to love!

I'm not much for truly scary movies, but I do have a bit of a weakness for Hitchcock. I watch this once a year around this time of year. But only on a bright sunny day when J is home! It was made in 1960.

Any of the Harry Potter movies are perfect for the fall, but the first two are my favorites. They introduced us to so many of the things in the books for the first time. I also love the musical scores. These did such a good job following the book and giving you a very child-like fantasy experience. The Halloween feast in the first movie is perfect for fall!

Decorating

While J has been gone I have been busy creating fall at home. Since there isn't much outward signs of the season, I made some at home! I've been burning those fall candles, digging out my harvest and Halloween decor, and still watching plenty of football.

Cupcakes

I have been wanting to try 7 minute frosting for a while. I found the prefect recipe to use it in! High Hat Cupcakes. The frosting was surprisingly easy to make, although the directions say to whip for 12-14 minutes, so I'm not sure why it's called 7 minute frosting...?

I think I under-shipped this first batch because I was impatient to try it. The other tip I have; chill! Chill your cupcakes pre-frosting and then again post-frosting and before you dip them in chocolate.

The end result was fabulous! Very thick, silky smooth and not too sweet frosting. I made these for our bible study group and everyone has already requested that I make them again when it's my turn for snack again.

Book review: The American Heiress

I forgot to include this book in my list of reviews the other day. Oops! My sister recommended it to me, and I have to say I was afraid I wouldn't like it at first. The beginning is a little slow and confusing. However, once you get going it gets pretty interesting. I read it quickly, and it's a big book. I really wanted to know what happened! I was sorry when it ended. I think she should write a sequel.

Happy reading.

Funk

I feel like I haven't been very good about blogging lately. It's not that we haven't been doing things, we've been busy! I've been volunteering lots of hours between the squadron, my key spouse duties, church, etc. I've also been babysitting. J has been working, flying trips and doing sims. We even took a trip out to Napa a few weekends ago. I guess the excitement of California and all that goes on here has finally started to fade into the drone of the boring every day... Or I'm just in a slump, or a funk, or a whatever...

Fair warning, October will probably be a pretty slow blog month. we've got people visiting from out of town the end of this week and then we will be busy until the last week. I will try my best to post, but I might just have to do a big catch up post closer to November.

I did make an awesome new dessert and I promise to post about that later this week!

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying the cool weather clouds and possibility of rain today. J is out on a mission, so it's quiet and lonely around here.

Book Reviews: September, The Wind in the Willows & The Mystery of the Blue Train

One of my all time favorite reads that I read every September. I was so sad when it ended ... again. Just read it!

This was a book club read. It would be an awesome read allowed book if you had young kiddos. It is fun, light, fast and easy. I loved this edition too because there are lots of fun things in the back!

I'm addicted to Agatha Christie. I've yet to find a book I don't like. I read this one in a single day. Really enjoyed it!

Fall?

Contrary to what the locals here will tell you, they do not have fall in California. The leaves turn around Christmas and it rains. That's not fall. It is almost October (how did that happen?!) and the average temperatures are still in the 90s.

We have had a few cooler, cloudy days though. Small autumn like gifts. One of those days was this weekend. It even "rained" on Sunday. A few sprinkles that made things damp for about 10 minutes. Exciting! So to help us pretend that it's actually fall I bought some new Yankee Candles, I've had the air conditioner turned up and we've been watching football as much as humanly possible.

This weekend I made the second batch of Swedish meatballs this fall.