Gorgeous Gourds (not what you're thinking)

When we were at the Arboretum two weeks ago for my birthday, we hurried through a  part of the botanical garden which I am certain totally merits a return trip (honestly, it was growing dark, but candidly, we were rushing to get home to watch the first Presidential debate. Because, let's face it, I'm not missing that). Anyway, 

I have NEVER seen more pumpkins in one place in my life!

Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater's House

I failed to capture a photo of  Sleeping Beauty's carriage, but borrowed this one from the Arboretum's website:

Check out those topiary horses!

A pumpkin tree!

All I can say is pumpkin shortage? What pumpkin shortage?

It's Fall, Right?

Fall has a way of sneaking up on me, especially since living in Texas.  After all, who in their right mind would describe days where the temperature brushes 90 degrees "fall"?  Where I'm from, that's not even Indian Summer.  Most annoying is that no one here seems to know what to wear; the calendar says October but the number on the thermometer screams June (at least in most parts of the country).  At church on Sunday, I observed folks in shorts and sandals and others brazenly wearing boots and sweaters.  Oh, the disparity!

Perhaps all this head-scratching is why it's taken until today for me to even think about my autumnal and Halloween decorations.  Last year, I posted about how many fun and interesting fall and All Hallows Eve decorations these Dallasites seem to possess.  I'm even tempted to post a few more this year.  Believe me, there's a lot to take in.

I noticed last week, that one of my favorites is back:

Since I'm more inclined to focus on the scarecrows, mums (though for the record, not really a fan) and pumpkins rather than the bats, skeletons and witches, this is a favorite spot in my kitchen 

Isn't that little ceramic scarecrow candle topper adorable?
And I love when my kitchen smells like pumpkin spice.

After Halloween last year, I did stumble upon this cute, yet somewhat spooky, picture  frame on sale at Target.  I couldn't resist.  

I used a few of these photos and I'm thinking this may be a new favorite. 

My friends tell me I should be perusing Pinterest, but I'm more interested in the fall decorating that I can see in person and that help define where we live. I'm keeping my eyes open for more clever and creative decorations. If I stumble on some, I'll share, even if it requires that the air conditioning be on while I do it!   

Birthday Doings

Wednesday was my birthday and this is how I celebrated.   

Blue Icicle Tower

 My husband surprised me with tickets to the Dallas Arboretum's Chihuly Exhibition. Even these clumsy iPhone photos  make the sculptures look  good. 

Yellow Icicle Tower (about 20 feet tall!)

Niijima Floats  (photo above & below) 

Dallas Star

Mirrored Hornets

Persian Pond

Sun

Red Reeds (the sun was starting to set and the lights coming on)

Carnival Boat (love the reflection off the water)

Garden Glass

Mexican Hat and Horn Tower (at night).

Spectacular!

National Coffee Day

I've already confessed my love of doughnuts, so it might not come as a surprise to learn I'm also a coffee lover (as is my husband, which is one thing I love about him).  Not that we need a day to celebrate, but today is National Coffee Day so I'm off to Krispy Kreme to get my free 12 oz. cup.  

State Fair

The State Fair by artist Dahlia Woods

The Texas State Fair, the largest state fair in the United States, opens today.  Over the next 24 days, almost 3 million people will pass through the entrance of Fair Park, to experience the midway, eat a [Fletcher's] "corny" dog (delicious I  might add and I was skeptical), see the auto show (the only state fair with that feature) and ride the largest ferris wheel in North America.  

Presiding over it all is Big Tex, the sixty-year-old, 52 foot tall symbol of the fair.  His hinged jaw moves and announcements about the fair seemingly come from him (reminders to not miss the auto show, for example).  It's like Gulliver's Travels meets some sort of weird ventriloquist act.  In my opinion, it's a little bit (okay, maybe a lot) creepy, but people seem to love it (him).   

Last year, our family made our first ever trek to the State Fair (on what was no doubt the hottest Saturday, on record, in any October, ever, in Texas). We're going to try to take our cue from the weather man this year and attempt a visit on a cooler day.  Believe it or not, many local schools and some businesses give their students/employees a day off (my husband's company gives every employee 1/2 day off and two free tickets) during the fair so that everyone can attend. This year my son's school says October 8th is Fair Day.

One hundred and twenty six years of Texas tradition - the Texas State Fair is not to be missed.  

Postscript: On the morning of October 19th, just two days after our family made a Wednesday evening pilgrimage to the Fair, Big Tex burned to the ground as the result of an electrical fire. Despite the comments above, I assure you, I had nothing to do with it.  Tex's demise prompted much sadness as well as the funny refrain "Tex is toast."  Fair organizers are promising to rebuild the Fair's iconic symbol.

Trouble

About 8 weeks old.  You can see how we were deceived by that sweet face.

"Trouble.  That's what her name should be," said my sister.  And it would be appropriate too, except her name is Brownie (and no, your eyes aren't deceiving you, she's not brown). Today is her birthday and she is 5.  Which means she'll, no doubt, do some of this

Asleep on the ottoman.

and probably a little of this

Resting on the sofa.

and she'll definitely do this

Yes.  Asleep, on the back of the sofa, front paws outstretched.  

B.F.'s Birthday

Today is my dad's birthday.  He's 78!  

Born at home in Star, NC, sometimes called "Twinkle Town" (at least by the members of our family), the doctor wrote "Billy", rather than my grandparents' intended "William", on his birth certificate.  He's been known as Billy since, though almost always signs his name B.F. (Franklin).  

In a Popeye suit with a Popeye doll!  

My dad moved with his parents and older sister to Newport News, Virginia when he was 5.  Raised by hardworking parents in tough times, he was athletic (football and baseball) 

That's him, number 16, front row, right.  

and industrious (paper route stories abound) and well-liked (voted Best-All-Around in high school).  He married my mom (a classmate a few year younger) just a couple years out of high school and served in the Army in the late 50's stationed in Germany.  When he returned, he resumed a job working for the local telephone company (did me proud when he put his install skills to use connecting all the girls' phones on my hall my second year in college).  

Father of the bride. 

He helped raise 4 kids and worked long and hard (overtime when and where it was offered).  And, he's smart, I might add. He made his way to and up the corporate ladder and is a true American success story, though I doubt he ever thinks of himself that way.  I'm proud of him and what he's accomplished. 

With his mom in 1997.  He was the "apple of her eye" but his temperment is more
like his own dad's, who was referred to, interestingly enough, as H.F. 

My kids call him "Pop"

I wrote a post back in February about my dad, but didn't want his day to pass without acknowledging the loving and sentimental husband, father and grandfather he is today.  Happy Birthday, Dad!