Fall is Arriving at the Moldenhauers!

I love the way our world looks and smells right now! The weather's fabulous, the landscape is beautiful, and there's that smell in the air! Here's some snaps of a few fall decorations I put up today on my front porch. I haven't had a chance to get out all my inside stuff yet, but I'm working on it! I bought these outside things at the new "DJ's Pumpkin Patch" that opened next to my shop - there's a kiddie corn maze, a pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkins, a bazillion kinds of gourds, Indian corn, crafts, broomstick corn stalks, etc., etc. It's open 12-6 Monday through Friday, and 8:30-4 on Saturday. Everything's very reasonably priced, so come on over and check things out!

Naperville pow wow

Sorry it's been so long since I've written - the older I get, the quicker time flies, but also I have a hard time thinking anyone's too interested in the day to day that's going on with me, but here we go. If you are so inclined and not too bored with my stories, I promise to do better about being faithful to blog, so you can travel around my little circle of the world with me.

Last Sunday a few of us travelled to Naperville to an intertribal pow wow. None of us had been to the Naperville one before, but the few we usually attend in our area were either rained or heated out or we couldn't go because of a prior engagement, such as a wedding! Anyway, we travelled up to Naperville with our handy dandy print out from mapquest, and pretty easily found the place - except for parking: we did circle a little bit on the parking. The day started out rather dismal, but soon the sun joined us, the drops of rain ceased and it was a beautiful afternoon. I kept looking for my sunglasses which I knew for positive I had brought in my purse just in case; they were to be found at home later in the evening on my bed where I had changed purses. Lots of fun vendors full of great products to look at, skillful dancing, and some fun contests, too. Of course, there were Indian tacos to eat (as well as other goodies but those are always my favorite). As our emcee explained, there was dancing and drumming to celebrate our Creator and all the beauty He has given us here on earth. Here's a couple pictures for you to see an example.

Exhibition of a grass dance.

Tracey and Marilea.

Exhibition of a grass dance.

Exhibition of a grass dance.

Man who grabbed our attention - he stared at Karen alot.

A wonderful fall Sunday!

Yesterday, as all know, was the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. The day started with a celebration of America in church, with a great message reminding us that Satan is a terrorist and Jesus is our rescuer - sorry I don't know why this picture is so small - I did steal it (borrowed, really) from facebook, so maybe that's the problem. Anyway, we sang our national anthem and God Bless America - a bagpipe player played Amazing Grace and we all remembered. And were thankful.

Then, after a delicious lunch at Ming's, upon arriving home, I received a phone call from Brittany, inviting me over to go to Apple Blossom Farm to get pumpkins with her and Barry and a couple of their friends. So off we went - not realizing Apple Blossom Farm isn't open this year. Soooooo, after a few erroneous turns, we arrived at Tanner's Orchard where we rode this "covered wagon" pulled by a tractor out to...

The pumpkin patch! Where we....

Saw beautiful pumpkins.

The weather was fabulous!

See those windmills in the background? You know how I love them!

First we were just going to get 3. Two for their house, one for mine.

The scenery was gorgeous.

But then we realized it was cheaper to get 4, so, hey - you never can have too many pumpkins around!

Then we got back on the wagon and headed up to the market where we got apple cider donuts, red raspberry pretzel dip, caramel apples, apple cider, peach preserves, and apples. Everything was deliciouso!

But before our day was complete, we put away our goodies, hooked up with Jake and headed over to Manito to watch Tanner play softball.

There's our little hero batting.

And scoring! Yay Tanner! He also made a fabulous backhanded catch!

What a fun day! One that memories are made of! Thanks for including me guys - it was a day to remember!

Happy Birthday, Judy!

This past week, my friend Judy Green (I always call her by both names - don't know why) had a birthday - she turned, well, probably can't tell that info. Anyway, whoever could get it in their schedule met at Moraine View State Park, Dawson Lake for breakfast today to celebrate. The weather was beautiful, the scenery was gorgeous, the food was great, and, as always, the fun and fellowship was fabulous. Here's a few snip snaps of what we did. Happy birthday, Judy!

First we ate breakfast - eggs, bacon, pancakes, potatoes - yum!

Especially the potatoes!

Then we drove around to look at the area and the park. Here's the windmills - I love them! They remind me of graceful women dancing.

Then we drove back to Marilea's campsite for dessert after breakfast - yes, sometimes we eat dessert with our breakfast. In this case, birthday cake!

Here's Judy with her birthday cake - oops! Before Marilea added the decorations.

Judy loved the bright green plates and polka dotted napkins.

Marilea lit the candles.

Here's the cake all decorated - chocolate cake with carmel icing.

Blow out those candles, Judy!

Here's a couple pictures at the lake - boat dock, restaurant, little marina.

Some paddleboats were out on the lake.

Nice sunshine! What a lovely day!

It's Coming!

Can you hear it? Can you see it? Can you feel it? Yep - fall is right around the corner and I'm so excited! As you already know, fall is my favorite time of the year. Oh, I know - the temperature is going to be 87 today and it's hot and sunny and still humid - blah, blah! Simple details - lol! But did you smell the world the other night outside? It smelled like fall. That beautiful full moon looked like fall! Tanner went back to work today, so that means it's school time for all the kiddos! And I got an e-mail advertisement for a store the other day that claimed it was only 132 days until Christmas! Holy cow! I know it's a very busy time of the year for everyone, but let's try not to miss the wonder of the beautiful world around us - it's absolutely miraculous the way the seasons change and the mother earth prepares for her winter snooze. Don't miss a minute of it! Tune in and enjoy every little detail around you! And may I be the first to wish you "Happy Fall"!

Pieces of wisdom

I completely finished reading my book and the supplemental information that was published with it and I would like to share a couple of "nuggets of wisdom" I gleaned from reading this final chapter.

"You are always governing your mental feast. During the day thousands of thoughts, suggestions, opinions, sights, and sounds reach your eyes and ears. You can reject them as unfit for mental consumption or entertain them as you choose." Wow. As I'm learning more and more what a huge part my brain plays in this adventure called life, and how much goes on "behind the scenes" so to speak or without my conscious realization, it is invigorating to embrace the truth that I have some control over what goes into my mind and subconscious. It's actually very freeing to realize I play a part in this and am not just a helpless "victim" of today's media blitz on tv, radio, video games, etc.

"The negative flood of thoughts came to him as often as fifty times in an hour; each time he refused to open the door of his mind to these gangsters, assassins, and thieves which he knew would only rob him of peace, wealth, success, and all good things." I found it very interesting that the author labeled negative thoughts as "criminals" basically - things that could steal from us the very things we wish for in this life - happiness, peace, love, success, etc.

It has been very enlightening and encouraging to read this book and try to see things from another perspective - I love to learn new things and to have my old thinking challenged. Sometimes I take in the new and discard the old - sometimes not, but either way, it is a good idea, in my opinion, to keep my mind open to viewing life and it's happening in new ways.

Before School Starts Adventure!

Eating popcorn and candy, waiting for The Smurfs in 3D to begin!

Eating a "late night dinner" at Steak 'n Shake after the movie!

Maria coloring her Steak 'n Shake hat!

Maria in her hat after it was all colored!

Every year I try to take whichever of my smallest nieces and nephews are going back to school on a "before school starts adventure". Last night, Terrance and Maria and I went on our adventure. We went to see The Smurfs in 3D movie - ate popcorn and candy and drank Sprite; then we went to Steak 'n Shake for what Terrance called a "late night dinner" where we ate, laughed, Maria tipped the waitress personally (and I mean she didn't just leave the money on the table!) and they colored. This is where the following conversation took place - Maria: "Aunt Debbie, why do restaurants have a bathroom for boys and a bathroom for girls? We only have one at home". Me: "Well, you know, you're in the bathroom with people you don't know". Maria: "Yeah" (obviously not satisfied with that answer). Me: "Well, maybe it's because boys stand up to potty and girls sit down". Maria: "WHAT"?????!!!!!! Me: "Maybe you should ask your mom". Sorry Vicky! Anyway, I enjoyed the Smurf movie and they seemed to, also. We pretty much had the theatre to ourselves except a mom and her little guy. We were going to go get ice cream at Pinky's but it was closed by the time we got back to Tremont, so we'll do that another night. It's unbelievable how fast they've grown. Thanks for going with this old woman, kids - I hope you have a great school year!