Simple Pleasures: Sliding

Is there anything more fun than sliding?  Or if you're not into that, then maybe you enjoy watching a child slide, because of the sheer joy that exists on their face.  

We had a day like that recently, a small fall festival in my hometown, and I met up with, J, my sister, and my mom there.  J had an excellent time playing in the bounce house and slide, and I had a great time snapping a few pictures and watching him have a blast.  

Pinecone bird feeders

In November, J and I made pine cone bird feeders.  I just happened to find the project listed at an online kids' site, and J's mommy had told me he had been wanting to do this same thing since he saw Agent Oso do it on his show.

First step was to collect the pine cones.  We had a pine tree that fell along the edge of the woods a couple months ago, so there were plenty of pine cones to be found.

J decided 5 was enough.  I think he was tired of his hands being pricked through his gloves. 

The next step is to smear peanut butter all over the pine cone,

which takes a lot of concentration of course.  lol

Next you roll the pine cones in birdseed.

You might get messy, but that is half the fun!!

Then you tie some twine around the end. He was SO PROUD of what he made.  This was the most excited I saw him get over a project. 

Then we tied them around tree branches and near the bird feeder.  On the way back in he said "This was so much fun!! " We checked the next day and it appeared the birds had been nibbling.

It's not fall without a leaf pile

One October night at bedtime, J and I were discussing what our favorite season was.  We both agreed fall was our favorite.  He said he couldn't wait for fall.  I clued him in that fall had been around for oh....about a month already.  lol We talked about our favorite things to do in fall, and his was jump in a pile of leaves.  So naturally, I had to oblige!  I mean really, what is easier to do than that?

There's that look of concentration.

He decided he wanted to rake up a pile for me, so that I could jump in. 

Fall brings.......

beautiful, color-changing scenery...

...and downed limbs.

Which leads to

...new toys!

Of course a chainsaw isn't really a toy, but it can be a fun new thing to try out! Mr. GV and I have both used chainsaws before. Personally I enjoy chainsaws and other power tools quite a bit, although I don't get much of a chance to use them.

Arts Festival

In September my mom and I attended an arts festival in our town. Like most other festivals in our town, it was held around the court square. We have a beautiful, historic court square in our town, and I just love it when we spend time there on a beautiful day such as we had at the arts festival.




There were artists, displaying and selling their pictures, and working on their next pieces as well.

There was a booth featuring the ladies from the local quilting club, and their beautiful work.

I have to admit, the Judy Garland as Dorothy material? A little out of place to me. Maybe that's a tornado pattern, or something like that? lol

There was a lot more to see/smell/hear that day---many more booths displaying artisans' crafts, local organizations raising funds through food sales, and bands. This was my second year attending, and I hope next year to go back again.