Scavenger Hunt Sunday: hot thing

Abstract

Something about this burst of blooms seemed to beckon for an "abstract" label.

And I love the vibrancy of this macro, it'd like an abstract sun.
And this? Well, aside from loving the assortment of lawn spikes, the globe has a fantastically abstract swirl.

Round

Isn't he just the cutest? A super sized fire truck tire made for an excellent toy in the station. Climb inside and wait for a little push and... you're rollin' now.

Fire

There is nothing, nothing like a flame broiled burger. And my mama is the Burger Queen, for real.

Seeing Faces in Strange Places

Me. I'm making a personal note to try this again with a globe that doesn't have water splotches all over it.

Star

I thought I'd go literal first - it's "literally a star," as Chi would likely say. Does it seem a little early to be setting up Christmas decorations? The stores don't wait until mid Autumn anymore.

And here's my star just before testing for her Green Belt in TaeKwonDo. She did fabulous and will get the new rank on Friday. {Mommy's proud!}

Why I Love Autumn #3: Festival time!

Fresh!

Fresh air. Fresh fun. Fresh color.

I can't think of anything better than getting my kids outside where they can have organized-chaotic fun. Fairs and festivals seem to sprout up in October and November in abundance. Oktoberfest, pumpkin parties, fall festivals, harvest festivals, pow-wows - regardless of the name, these are the kinds of events we thoroughly enjoy.

Free cider? Check.
Free face painting?
Oh yeah.

Free apples?
Uh huh.
You won't yell at my kid for running around like a chicken-sans-head?
Bonus.
No weird looks at me when my kids scream and laugh thus creating an ear-shattering cacophony of splediferous proportions?
Totally awesome. (And I know you love how I snuck in those BIG words...)

Most recently, we ventured to the Fairfax Fall Festival - a glorified street fair with vendors selling their food, crafts, and talents. Old Town shuts down several streets for the event. Crisp white tents line up along the asphault clearing with little space between them. Each houses a treasure trove of creativity. Weaving in and out of these instant store fronts is a feast for the senses. Sweet and sensuous lotions and soaps. Vibrant scarves, purses, clothing. Decorative statues, wreathes, and ornaments for every season. Street performers, balloon artists, entertainers-all.

The Fire Department uses the day as an opportunity for outreach - offering demonstrations, safety brochures, and an opportunity to explore the Fire House and its vehicles.

We loved playing fire fighter - - shooting at a target with the ferocious stream of water from the fire hose.

And the power of that hose was incredible. I'd never want to accidently cross through that flow of H2O.

Ok... I confess that I didn't actually try the hose out... but I did try on the hat, was goosed, and got caught in this scrunched nose shot that I'm still debating about hiding forever because I don't like the way I look. I suppose that since I'm posting the photo, it'll serve as a record that
#1. Someone cared enough to shoot me at an event (and I didn't have to cajole him to)
#2. I do on rare occassion find myself completely and totally overcome with laughter.
#3. My friend is a sneaky, sneaky woman to pinch me and run off like a silly school girl. And I love that about her because it keeps us young.

Why I love autumn #2: hay there

Hay is for horses...
Except in the Fall, when great bales are stacked up high. Then, the hay becomes a maze that's perfect to run through or hide in.Add it to a flatbed or wagon, and you've got an instant ride just perfect for exploring haunted forests, harvest-ready fields, and scenic Autumn spaces.

And how about as a bed for those festive fall photos? Oh yeah. I'm picturing bright oranges, deep cranberries, and many hues of brown. Black accents? Maybe. Oh, I'm feeling ready to stage a photo shoot.

Hay there? Yep. And hay here, too.

Why I love autumn #1 : a corny situation

The temperatures are quickly dropping. Crisp, cool breezes take over as we rush to find jackets just in case there's more chill than we can handle. Replaced are the warm and humid days of summer.
And just as quickly, the stores changed from beach and vacation themed displays to Halloween and harvest. Some are even showing off Christmas trees!

But I love the months of Autumn. I love that there are celebrations paying homage to Native cultures and to the importance of maize. I love that my kids can enjoy hours of fun outside together relishing in the harvest splendor.

And really, whoever invented the corn kernel "sand" box is one of my new favorite inventors. I so despise sand and how it remains long after the play is over. And while we did carry home enough kernels for a nice bowl of popcorn, it was pretty easy to find and eliminate.