Fall in the Midwest

[Dexter Morgan]

 Fall has officially arrived. Here in IL, we have allot of festivals, celebrating the change of the season. We've had our first frost,and all of the trees are turning the countryside, into beautiful shades of orange, yellow,red, and brown. Right now we have harvest going on, the farmers are in full force, getting the corn, and soybeans out of the fields. The pumpkin vines are turning, but new ones are setting on everyday. . Small towns for miles, and miles set up booths, and sell their wares. It has become a multiple county event. Some people start at the beginning of the route,and stop at every town, to the very end. Some towns have demonstrations of trades of the past. You can observe, woodworking, broommaking, candle dipping,and many more. You can watch Civil War reenactments, shootouts, and watch Indians doing dances, and carving arrowheads. You can even view the insides of authentic Indian Teepees. I can't even begin to cover all the food along the way. It is one of our biggest events in IL. People come from all over the U.S. to partake in the festivities. Do any of the readers here have similar events in the Fall, or is it just an Illinois tradition?

[Sandy Eggo]

Wow! That sounds awesome! I love autumn, it's my favorite season. I love fall festivals.

When I lived in WV we used to make a point to drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway once the leaves started to turn.



When we lived in Maryland, we'd go to the Apple Festival in Darlington, Maryland. They'd close down the entire town and party all day. There was music and vendors, lots of homemade apple products like pies and apple butter and this apple desert (the whole reason I went ) which had apples and melted caramel in a bowl w/fresh whipped cream on top. YUM! It was so much fun.



I can't believe I found a picture. Not a great one, but I never missed a year.

We're going to check this out this year:

A San Diego tradition "as American as apple pie" is the popular Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest, September 15-November 15.  Each year, thousands of visitors venture to this historic East County mining town, nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains, to sample fresh crisp apples, homemade apple pies and ciders.   Visitors can also enjoy acres of colorful fall foliage, charming bed and breakfast inns, art shows, quaint antique shops, and live entertainment.  www.julianca.com

[tallulahdahling]

As a kid, Oktoberfest always kicked off the fall season for me.  We had a very large German community when I was growing up.  Lots of dancing and food and of course, BEER!!  There were festivals going on for the whole month of October......mmmmmmmmm  nice memories!   

[Dexter Morgan]

Wow! That sounds awesome! I love autumn, it's my favorite season. I love fall festivals.

When I lived in WV we used to make a point to drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway once the leaves started to turn.



When we lived in Maryland, we'd go to the Apple Festival in Darlington, Maryland. They'd close down the entire town and party all day. There was music and vendors, lots of homemade apple products like pies and apple butter and this apple desert (the whole reason I went ) which had apples and melted caramel in a bowl w/fresh whipped cream on top. YUM! It was so much fun.



I can't believe I found a picture. Not a great one, but I never missed a year.

We're going to check this out this year:

I got ripped off this year, we had a late frost,and it got the apple tree, just as it was blooming. I think there may have been 15 apples on it. Then we had strong winds, and good bye apples. Now, I just hit'em with the mower,and shuck'em across the yard LOL!!! 

[Dexter Morgan]

As a kid, Oktoberfest always kicked off the fall season for me.  We had a very large German community when I was growing up.  Lots of dancing and food and of course, BEER!!  There were festivals going on for the whole month of October......mmmmmmmmm  nice memories!   

I bet that was awesome!!! Drunkards stumbling aimlessly through the streets, would be quite entertaining.   

[Dexter Morgan]

Tommorrow, hubby and me are going to an orchard,about an hour away from here. On Thursday my Mom, sister, and I are going to another orchard,close to where my Mom lives. I love fall festivities. The weekend after next is the Scenic Drive,I'm looking forward to that, but I hate the heavy traffic. It's one of the only times, we have heavy traffic, in our area LOL!!!! Our first destination will be Mt. Pisgah. I hope the Indians are there this year,they are very entertaining to watch. They actually travel in a Winnebago LOL!!!! 

[tallulahdahling]

Oh, how kewl!  hope you guys have fun --Mt. Pisgah--sounds familiar--wonder if I've been there   

[Dexter Morgan]

Oh, how kewl!  hope you guys have fun --Mt. Pisgah--sounds familiar--wonder if I've been there   

I didn't get to go. Hubby and I got into an arguement, and decided not to go. If we're mad at each other, we don't go anywhere. So, I'm here at my puter, and he's watching tv. It's awful early in our vacation,for this crap. Oh well, I'm still going to the orchard on Thursday,with my Mom and sister, so all is not lost LOL!!!  btw....... Mt. Pisgah is located outside of Ellisville IL. population 145 Very small town. 

[Dexter Morgan]

I didn't make it to the orchard on Thursday, my Mom wasn't well enough to go. So, I probably wont have time to go this year. Tuesday, I go back to work. I haven't done anything constructive during my vacation. Didn't even do any projects around the house like I planned. I've sat on my lazy butt,the entire time. 

[tallulahdahling]

Well, it's the weekend--make up with hubby and do something fun--then take your mom something pretty to make her feel better! 

[Dexter Morgan]

Well, it's the weekend--make up with hubby and do something fun--then take your mom something pretty to make her feel better! 

Mom was well enough to go with her helper, to the orchard yesterday. Last Monday she went with my aunt, and her grandchildren. She does this to me every year. She really is just a bitter hateful woman. She can't control me, like she does my sister. She has to have complete control over every situation. No big loss really. 

[tallulahdahling]

Forgive her Dex.  If you don't she will always have your power and you're way too strong a person for that!

Remember--once you give a person your power--you are hopelessly in their possession. 

Let go of your anger and you are free! 

[Dexter Morgan]

Forgive her Dex.  If you don't she will always have your power and you're way too strong a person for that!

Remember--once you give a person your power--you are hopelessly in their possession. 

Let go of your anger and you are free! 

If it wasn't for the fact that she purposely tries to hurt me, I would forgive her. She absolutely lives to inflict mental pain. She's been divorced from my Dad for 20 some years, and is still soo hateful and bitter towards him, it would shock you. They've been divorce longer than they were married. She pulls the same thing at Easter every year. Easter is hard for me, because the best friend I ever had was murdered on Easter. She knows this. Every Easter I plan a nice get together, and every year on Good Friday, I get a call, and for one reason /or/ another she cancels. Next year I'm not planning anything. I wonder if she'll pull that crap at Thanksgiving? It's been planned it will be at my house. We'll see how it goes.

[tallulahdahling]

Well, so be it.  More turkey for everyone else!  Sounds like she is just a 

Forgive and you're free!  It works!

[Dexter Morgan]

Well, so be it.  More turkey for everyone else!  Sounds like she is just a 

Forgive and you're free!  It works!

I'll forgive, but I wont forget.