Rambling thoughts...

My favorite season is most defintaely Fall. We have been feeling spurts of it here in Wisconsin and it gets me excited. It's funny but I always feel as though Fall is a time for new beginnings. Perhaps it is all of my many years in school where the "new year" started in August or September. For me, the change in the leaves represents an opportunity to "start fresh" or "re-evaluate". I reflect on my New Year's resolutions and I am disheartened to know that the top ones have been abandoned as the stresses of the last couple of months have begun to preoccupy my mind. It's time to clear it out and begin anew. I ask myself if these things are still  important...yes seems to be the consistant response. I will try again.

Football season is here. I was in PA last year and missed the opportunity to see how this would directly impact my life. And boy does it. The plasma is on perma-games, screaming and yelling now constantly resonate from the living room, and I have been able to get so much more done since instead of postponing the dishes for my fav tv show...I now rarely have an excuse. My sweet John selected Austin Collie for his fantasy football league just for me. He knows I am a big fan of his even if I don't really know what what a wide receiver even does. I am sure like baseball, my football education will begin soon...

Over the last couple of weeks we have enjoyed some great parts of Wisconsin. I decided I love the rural parts. John and I planned a canoe trip with his family and I was so glad that most everyone was able to make it. It was beautiful! I have been waiting to go canoeing with John since before we got married and I am so grateful we were able to make it this summer. It really made me appreciate Wisconsin a lot more and to get to know John's family better.

John and I decided to go northeast for a little "getaway". John made us reservations at an Inn located in Green Bay. It was kind of cool to see Lambeau Field in person since every Packer game of the season is sure to be broadcasted in our home. Even though we were right there at the home of the Packers he graciously turned down my offer to go visit some of the "sites". (Phew!) We spent the day swimming, relaxing, visiting a large candy shop, and eating at a steakhouse where you pick out your raw piece of meat and stand around large grills and cook it yourself. Bliss.

The next day we drove to the "country" and visited some farmer's markets. I had so much fun learning about Wisconsin's "local produce". My favorite part of the day though was visiting an apple orchard to do some apple picking. The owner was fabulous. He talked to us about his orchard and drying fruit. He grew all sorts of produce and I have to say that I found myself envying this life of picking, drying, canning produce and going to "work" in jeans and a T-shirt. He gave me me a bag of dried pears for the road in one hand and a large bag of fresh pears in the other. He was fabulous and I have a hunch we will be visiting him again for cherry season.

I am so thankful to wrap up the summer with these experiences. The opportunity to be outside and away from the city was well needed.