The "In" Guide: Fall Decor

I know what you've been thinking. "I wish Abbie would tell us what's 'in' these days". Well, your wish is granted. First up: Fall Decor.

And if I may be so bold:

Pears are the new Apples

This season, it's all about the pear. Say goodbye to your fall fruit bowl filled with apples, and hello to beautiful pears. Pears come in a variety of colors, look great paired (get it?) with pumpkins, and offer plenty of recipes to suit your fall food needs. An example: Pear Walnut Salad.


Enjoy decorating in style!


* photos from BH&G, Pottery Barn, and my house

8 Simple Rules

There's a new Sheriff in town,
and her name is Sophie.

Her rules are simple.




1. The coffee table must be cleared off at all times.






2. Any newspaper found on said coffee table must be hand shredded immediately.





3. All books must be opened and read.








4. Due to an unseasonably high stink time, all diapers must be changed at least 5 times daily.






5. Bags and wallets will be searched several times a day, without prior notice.






6. Dressers and closets are also subject to search.






7. Door should not be left open. Or closed. They should always be the opposite of what they currently are.






8. All parents must be in a position to be easily climbed on/over at the Sheriff's convenience.






If you follow these rules, you won't have any trouble with her. If you don't, you're taking your destiny into your own hands.

A Video . . .

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Pay It Forward

This is a Pay it Forward Gift Exchange.

(my hand-stitched gift from Natalie)

I am participating because I received a beautiful handmade gift from Natalie, with the promise that if I accept it, I will pay it forward with my own handmade gift to 3 other people. Here are the rules:

You must be one of the first 3 people
to comment requesting to join the exchange.
The only thing you have to do in return
is pay it forward by making the same promise
to 3 people on your blog.
(So, you must have a blog to participate.)

I have yet to decide what I'm going to make, so it'll be a surprise. Good luck and happy giving!

Journal Jar #19: Learning to Drive

Describe Your First Driving Experience

When I was 15, my cousin Robin lived about a half a mile from my house. We enjoyed each other's company, but didn't have vehicular privileges to get to one another's houses. This often led to us "meeting half way", meaning we would each walk toward the other person until we met, then we would walk together back to one house.

One sunny afternoon, after conversing with said Robin on the phone, and agreeing to one of the aforementioned "meet half way" rendezvouses, I convinced my dad to let me drive his suburban for my half of the commute.

This did not pose a problem to my father, seeing as my half involved tiny residential streets with little or no traffic at all times. I got in the drivers seat, and while my dad was buckling up on the passenger's side, I followed all of the safety precautions learned in my Drivers Ed course. I adjusted my seat and mirrors, fastened my seatbelt, and checked my blind spots.

Then we were off. I pulled out of the driveway with ease. My dad must have been beaming inside, since his daughter - at the fragile age of 15 - was a driving pro. I headed down my street to the end, where I was forced to take a right. I used my blinker. We hit the end of the next street. Blinker again, and looking both ways, I headed left. As we proceeded down this street, we could see Robin fulfilling her part of the agreement, but on foot. Oh, I could see the envy in her eyes from 300 feet away.

"Is that Abbie in that hot '84 burb?" she was thinking, "She looks SOOOO mature. And popular."

We drove up to Robin, and she got into the back seat. Well, actually the middle seat, since it was a suburban. I'm sure she started gushing about how cool I looked and whatnot, but I don't remember the details.

I pulled a swift 3-point-turn and headed back home. Again, my dad was overwhelmed with pride. As we neared my house, as luck would have it, my mom and all of my siblings were in the driveway. They ALL got to see me driving WITH PASSENGERS. I approached the driveway, turned the wheel, and prepared to glide effortlessly into my parking spot. Everything looked good.

Everything except for the look of horror on my little brother's face.

I glided the suburban effortlessly into our other car. The wheel wells of each car skidded into each other, causing the worst car-crash noise I'd ever heard in real life. My dad may or may not have sworn at that point.

I froze. He told me to put the car in park. I did. I got out, and without even surveying the damage or looking back at Robin, ran into the house crying.


It turns out that the damage wasn't that bad - hardly noticeable. The cars just exchanged some paint. Needless to say, it took some time before I headed to the drivers seat again. And who knows when my dad will ever trust my driving.



What about you? Any awesome driving experiences?

Hide and Seek

I only left the room for a second.

When I came back, she was no where to be found.

I think back. As I left, I saw her heading toward the bathroom.

I look there first - but it was empty.

I turn the corner into the family room. At this point, I am in the fork in the road of my house. Do I proceed forward into the kitchen? Do I take a left and search the bedrooms? Right in to the den? Should I turn around and look in the office?

I become worried. This search could take a while with no direction.

I call out her name. (Calling out her name is usually followed by the sound of crawling knees scuffling across the tile).

"Sophie"

Nothing.

"SOPHIE"

Still nothing. Heart starts to beat faster.

I now have to make a decision at this fork.

But wait. I DID see her traveling in the direction of the bathroom. Could I have missed her in there?

I decide to open the shower curtain.

And that's when I see it.

THE MISCHIEVOUS GRIN

(dun dun dun)

Friday Fun

Friday was a day full of activities. We started the day early with a trip to the zoo. Sophie and I have never been to this zoo, so it was a great trip. We met up with Macey & Kiley for a morning of zebras, rhinos, & elephants.



While I didn't get any pictures with actual animals in them, we WERE really at a zoo. Sophie didn't really grasp the whole zoo concept, but she did like the giraffes and ostriches.

Then that evening, we went to the park for the beginning-of-the-year law school party. Luckily, Nana was in town, so we had a nanny to watch the little one while we mingled.












One of Sophie's new favorite games is peek-a-boo. Actually, it just seems like she doesn't like other people to wear her blankets on their heads.



p.s. Cathy: