Autumn Leaf Of The Day #32

 

“Wild is the music
of autumnal winds
Amongst the faded woods.” 

~William Wordsworth 

 

Today is Family Day, and Half Moon Bay, and possibly San Francisco, awaits! It's an adventure, one that I love dearly, and so I am along for the ride. 

 

What Is Autumn?

Duck Pond

Golden Gate Park

San Francisco, California

Nikon  

"What is autumn?

 Here is a very simple definition: Autumn is a queen,

 Queen Of Beauty beauty"

~Mehmet Murat ildan

I photographed that leaf last October, in Golden Gate Park, but decided to wait until now to post it because I knew as we inched along, toward the last few days of Autumn, I'd have some difficulty in getting new photography done. December is always a challenge for me, because of the sudden onslaught of cold weather. Its quite rainy now as well, which is nice, but my body hasn't isn't used to the changes yet. It's okay, I will get there, in the mean time I still have plenty of leaves left to photograph. Fortunately, they aren't underwater! It was a completely different situation the day I took that photo above. It was hot, and didn't have a single cloud in its azure blue sky. The whole day was as perfect an autumn day as it gets! It tasted like Apple juice and pumpkin pie. It had too many smiles in it to count! It was Family Day, so it was about love and happiness! It makes me feel warm thinking about the fun Alan and I had! It's going to be a crazy year coming up, but I know that what will get me through is looking forward to next October, and beautiful autumn!

 #79 Leaf Of The Day

December 10th 2019

Nevada City, California

Nikon

~Mood: Happy
~Me  :) 

Autumn, Alan, October, Pumpkins, Sunflowers, Roses, And Pizza

"This is October for me: Withdrawing into my own world, blocking out everything except the beauty of the season, my reflections and my relationship with God, I find that this is enough to sustain me through the long, cold, winter... and beyond... ."

~Peggy Toney Horton

Somewhere In Heave My Mother Is Smiling

Half Moon Bay, California, is beautiful every single day of every year, but it is especially beautiful in October of any year! The town's claim to fame is being the, "World's Pumpkin Capitol!" Which I have to admit there may be one or two other towns in the world who also claim that title, or at least "Pumpkin Capitol Of The World." It doesn't matter to me, I love the town so much, that I simply call it Heaven on the San Mateo peninsula! 

But I have to admit, I love coming down the steep hill, of Highway 92, turning a slight corner, and suddenly seeing, on my left, pumpkin patches as far as the eye can see! There are also a few patches that have roses, and sunflowers! My favorite stop in Pastorino's Pumpkin Patch!

Beautiful pumpkins, a petting zoo, sunflowers, a gift shop, and a bake shop, definitely puts a person in, not only an autumn euphoria, but in the mood for the upcoming holidays of, Halloween, and Thanksgiving! It's an enchanting autumn world, and Alan and I have been enjoying our Half Moon Bay visits, since we first visited Pastorino's, while we were on our honeymoon! I still remember the date, October 23rd, 1990!  

We had such a good time that day, that we named the day, Family Day, so that if we started a family, and wanted to spend our anniversary alone, which is October 13th, we could give the kids a special day for all of us, just ten days later! We chose that, because 49ner's quarterback, Joe Montana, and his family, were visiting Pastorino's that day in 1990 also! It was the first time, that year, they had a chance, to take a day off to be together for choosing their pumpkin! They seemed to be having so much fun together, that it sparked the idea for Alan and I to create the tradition!

As it turned out we never had children. We just didn't, but it didn't stop us from celebrating that special day anyway! We still have a ball, visiting Pastorino's! After we choose our pumpkin, we always head up the coast highway, to San Francisco, and enjoy the best of the city, and after that, it's onto Marin County, for dinner at Gaspare's Italian restaurant! A pizza, and two orders of their heavenly Cannoli! Life is good! Love is good! Autumn makes it all magical! 

We had to celebrate our Family Day, a bit later than usual this year, because I was a little under the weather on October 23rd, but it was okay, October 25th was a glorious day! Warm. Beautiful. And best of all, it was a completely happy, fun filled day! No stress. No politics. Just Alan and I! I only wish our kitties could have come with us. They are our children, and I just know it would have been fun having them choose the official pumpkins of Halloween 2018! Believe me, as silly as that sounds, my Dylan has very definite ideas about pumpkins! Each year we bring several home, and he always chooses one he likes to chew on the most! LOL! 

Alan and I have the life we wanted!

And our life is good!

#39 Leaf Of The Day

October 29th 2018

Photographed October 25th, 2018

Cull Canyon

 

~Mood: Happy

~Me

 

Chasing Autumn

 "It takes a strong man to be with a

 woman full of fire and stars and all of October."

~Melody Lee

Every October, Alan takes me from one autumn tree, to the next, and never laughs as I point at each one and spout the same words, "hey look... a tree!" He loves autumn as much as I do, which is why he proposed to me on a warm, October day, in 1989. As we sat at the restaurant, looking through dates on the calendar, we had thought an engagement of a year would be perfect, as it takes a long time to plan a wedding! We both wanted October 31st, Halloween, as our wedding day, because it's our favorite holiday, but, alas, it was going to be on a weekday, a Wednesday, I believe, so we went with our second choice, October 13th! Perfect! Especially since 13 happens our favorite number!

Some folks might not trust the 13th of any month for a wedding, but I know it was a lucky day for us! It was warm, and the sun was shining so lovely, and all was right with the world! 27 years later, we are more in love now, than we were all those years ago, and that love continues to grow, even as I sigh from autumn tree, to autumn tree, and behave like I have never seen leaves of crimson and cinnamon, and all the other shades that make this autumn sing for joy, and love!Its ridiculous how happy this season makes me, and it's ridiculous how much I'm loved! And it's ridiculous how much I love Alan and autumn, and, well, the leaves!

#24 Leaf Of The Day

October 24th, 2017

Cull Canyon

 Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Family Day 2017

"If you move faster than the music, it will look strange; if you move slower than the music, it will look strange! Be like autumn leaves which follow exactly to the rhythm of the wind!"

~Mehmet Murat ildan

I am only posting a Leaf Of The Day today, because we are going on our official Family Day outing! Family Day has been a family tradition since we got married on October 13th, 1990. As newlyweds, we had planned to have a child or two, and so we decided because young children might not understand a wedding anniversary is mostly for mom and dad, we created a special day, October 23rd, made it our own Family Day that the whole family would enjoy!

We were inspired to create that day, because as Alan and I were honeymooning in Half Moon Bay, when we happened to meet Joe Montana and his wife Jennifer at Pastorino's Pumpkin patch. They were there with their children, enjoying their family day, and they were having such a good time choosing pumpkins and enjoying a hay ride and pumpkin pie, that it was more than just a little heart warming! And a new holiday was born, Family Day!

Well, we were never lucky enough to have human children, but we did have little fur babies that fill our hearts! Our cat, Elvis, was my baby, but he was Alan's best friend! When he passed away, and we were so lonely for the sound of little bells running through the house, along came Hendrix and Dylan... and a few years later... Joey! Joey was a surprise! We had our little family, and then one day Alan found Joey, who had been abandoned on the San Mateo bridge. He was cold, underweight, and injured by some crows who were trying to fly off with him!

He was so scared and so tiny, that we couldn't help but fall in love with him! That happens sometimes to couples who have human children too. You think you have a full family, and then one day you find out there is one more ready to join your family and be loved. But it's really quite the same... love is love. And while our family is a little unconventional, its ours, and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

The cats don't come with us, of course, but when we get home there are new treats and a new catnip mouse for each, and they get to have bites of baked yams, which all three boys enjoy, and is fine for cats in proper amounts, and lots of snuggles! Sometimes balloons and a game of laser mouse makes for a fun time. But earlier in the day, it's just Alan and I, in Half Moon Bay, reminiscing about our honeymoon, and the long road that lead us to this Family Day... October 23rd, 2017! 

Mood: Happy

~Me

Delicious Autumn... My Very Soul Is Wedded To It!

"Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love... that makes life and nature harmonise. The birds are consulting about their migrations, the trees are putting on the hectic or the pallid hues of decay, and begin to strew the ground, that one's very footsteps may not disturb the repose of earth and air, while they give us a scent that is a perfect anodyne to the restless spirit. Delicious autumn! My very sould is wedded to it, and if I were a bor I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

~George Eliot

Letter To Miss Eliot

October 1st, 1841

Yesterday was Family Day. A special day Alan and I chose, while we were on our honeymoon, that we thought would be a good day for us to celebrate autumn with the children we might be blessed with one day. We were married on October 13th, and while we vacationing and dreaming about the family we would start, we figured that little ones might like to also have a special day in October that would be set aside to celebrate us as a family. We chose October 23rd. That is also the day that we choose our official pumpkins for the season. Half Moon Bay is our traditional destination for all things gourd, and to relax and just share our love. Well, we were never blessed with children, so we opted to adopt 3 little fuzzy kitties, but since kitties don't really like long car rides to pumpkin patches, we leave them at home, and spend the day together, just he and I. Oh don't worry, we always bring them each cat a pumpkin of their very own, and you'll see their's soon. But Family Day is still about the family we became. Alan and I are happy with how things turned out. We have the love, and the family we were meant to have, and life is really good. We are a mommy, daddy and three fuzzy little boys.

Because of how the past 6 months have gone, I really needed Family Day this year more than most years! My mind and focus has been scattered in 30 different directions. My heart has been broken. My patience tested. But my values have been confirmed in my heart and mind. I am happy about that, and I am ready to move forward, but the sadness taps on my consciousness daily. Still, there are days like Family Day, when the autumn air, and the colors... all the autumn colors... and smells make me smile and lift my spirits so much that all the sadness floats away. Sometimes so fast I don't even know I am in the middle of a giggle until I am doubled over with joy! The sounds, the sights, the sheer romance of autumn heals me. It always has. I hope it always will. And when you add in the love of Alan and my fuzzy little boys, I know it will all be okay. It will all work out. I just have let it.

I just have to remember to trust in love

 and autumn

 and I will be okay.

Sights From Family Day

October 23rd 2015

Different Kinds Of Pumpkins And Delicious Organically Grown Vegetables And Flowers From Half Moon Bay, Ca!

Leaf Of The Day

October 24th 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Family Day 2013 (Postponed)

"Happiness is only real when shared."

~Jon Krakauer, Into The Wild

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you might know that October 23rd is celebrated in our house as Family Day! It's a made up holiday that Alan and I have been celebrating since our honeymoon in 1990. It came about by way of a chance encounter with a Bay Area sports hero at the time, Joe Montana. You see, Alan and I decided to visit the home of all things pumpkin, in the Bay Area, Half Moon Bay. It was there, at Pastorino's Pumpkin Patch, that we met Joe Montana and his family, as they enjoyed a "family day" out among the pumpkins! Alan and I decided on that day, that October 23rd would from then on be referred to as our Family Day. Well, we never had children, but we did keep the tradition. Family Day... our own holiday. A day to walk among pumpkins, and remember family we love.

This year Family Day is being postponed, you see, because we both have colds! I blame the evil elf of vacations! But, I am afraid, it might actually have been the twilight cruise on the bay we took last week. Cripes. I would rather blame that naughty elf, than that awesome cruise. Either way... we are both sick. So, we will postpone the fun until another day, sometime between now and November 7th!. It will come around, and it will be fun! And who knows, maybe that day will be brighter, or spookier, or stormy, or perhaps we will have a chance encounter with a new celebrity! No Kardashians though! I draw the line at Kardashians. We'll see. Sometimes with us Plan B works out better than Plan A ever could!

Always Keep Your Mind Open To The Possibilities!

Mood: Kachoo

~Me :)

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 166~ Ghosts After A Storm

"Ghosts have a way of misleading you; they can make your thoughts as heavy as branches after a storm."

~Rebecca Maizel, Infinite Days

 

Yesterday was our made up holiday of Family Day. Alan and I came up with the idea of a special holiday while on our honeymoon back in 1990. On October 23rd of that year, he and I decided to venture over to Half Moon Bay to pick out some pumpkins for Halloween. Half Moon Bay is pretty much pumpkin central for the Bay Area. Anyway, while we walked around the pumpkin patch we took lots of photos. LOTS OF PHOTOS. I pretty much wanted to remember every bit of our first pumpkin hunting expedition as a married couple. At one point, Alan and I decided to see who could get the best photo of the day, so we went in opposite directions with the intent of meeting back together in 20 minutes.

As I searched around the pumpkin patch, I spotted a rather nice looking young man picking out small pumpkins with his young son. I thought it would make a sweet photo, so as the man began toward me with two pumpkins under his arms, and his son by his side carrying pumpkins in the exact same manner, I decided to take a photo of the two fellas. As they came closer to me, the father filled the frame of his camera... and he didn't look at all happy with me! Yikes! Had I made them feel uncomfortable? Well, within a couple seconds I figured out what had upset the man. You see, he wasn't just any man visiting a pumpkin patch with his child, no, it was Joe Montana and he was not happy with my taking his photo! Suddenly I got a lesson what it looks like when a pissed off pro quarterback looks like coming at you.

He and his family wanted to spend a quiet day as a family. I didn't realize it was him until he was coming toward me. I took a couple photos, and then put the camera away. It was almost time to meet Alan, so I walked away quickly. As Alan and I sat at the picnic table, enjoying a slice of pie, he and I traded stories about what he had found. Needless to say, I had the best story! LOL. A short time later, the Montanas sat down a row behind us, and we could hear them talking about how nice it had been to have a nice long family day together. And that was it. Family Day was born. Alan and I also reasoned that since our wedding day was just 10 days earlier, it would be good to have a special day to spend with our future children, so they wouldn't feel left out from anniversary days, or getaways.

We never had children. It just wasn't in the cards. But Family Day is still something we look forward to.

:)

Since that time of meeting Joe Montana, Alan and I have had spontaneous encounters with celebrities every year around our anniversary vacation. We have met... Joe Montana, Helen Hunt, Elvira, Regis Philbin, Kathy Lee Gifford, Howard Stern, Harry Hamlin, Jessie Jackson, the Duchess of York Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson, and a few others. It's always fun to contemplate who we might come across. It's a tradition. Well, it's our tradition. It wouldn't be autumn... or our anniversary vacation without it. It's just fun! :)

So, this post is only a small part of what all we did and saw. I lots to share over the next few weeks.

Yesterday, I saw ghosts. Or orbs. Or ghostly orbs... again. Hmmmm. Someone is following me. I think. Spooky. Especially since I have only been having trouble with orbs the last few weeks.


Stay Tuned!

~Me

Today's Link...

JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/10/apadf6-164.html

Scenes From Family Day, 2009

From For Ellipsis

"Sometimes our hearts get tangled and our souls a little off kilter. Friends and family can set us right and help guide us back to the light."

-Sera Christaan

Family Day 2009...

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you probably already know about the holiday Alan and I made up... Family Day! For those of you who are relatively new to my little corner of the Internet, let me explain. Alan and I got married on October 13th, 1990. While on our honeymoon, we began to imagine what future Octobers might be like, especially if we had children. We decided that since we would more then likely be spending our anniversaries alone, we would come up with a special day between October 13th and October 31st to celebrate being a family, and thus, Family Day was born! Alas, we never had children, but we do have fur-babies, so that still counts... right?

Scenes from Family Day 2009...

From For Ellipsis

From

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

As always, we spent the day in Half Moon Bay, California, and then took a ride along the coast to Santa Cruz, where we had lunch. We picked out pumpkins, we stopped at our favorite Organic Vegetable stand, The Farmer's Daughter, and bought some Brussels Sprouts, and Heirloom tomatoes, and had a very happy day together. I even bought a new teddy bear at Pastorino's Pumpkin Patch. I wait all year to buy a bear, this year it was a little white bear, and it was a steal at only $3.00! But even if I hadn't found the little bear, I spent the day holding Alan's hand, as we walked in the autumn sun. It was a good day!



-Carly

Scenes From Family Day

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion."

-Henry David Thoreau

We had a super time yesterday! The weather along the coast was just magnificent. A cool ocean breeze and, of course, a warm autumn sun, made for a day of perfection! Ordinarily we celebrate Family Day on October 23rd, but in recent years, because of scheduling conflicts, we have been celebrating on the first available day after the 23rd. Hopefully next year we will be able to celebrate it on the actual day. Anyway, the day of the week doesn't matter as much as the day itself. Days on a calendar are just that... days on a calendar. :) We are taking this weekend off from gallivanting about the countryside, to stay at home and get things ready for the adoption of a new family member! We haven't got all the details worked out, but hopefully soon, there will be the pitter-patter of little cat paws on the linoleum again soon! I'll keep you posted!

Here are some sights from Family Day 2008! Enjoy!



-Carly

I'm Back... Kinda

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter."

-Carol Bishop Hipps

I am back from Nevada. It was a wonderful getaway for Alan and I. We took pictures, and played a bit in the casino, and just enjoyed each other's company. Two days is about the right sized trip for us I think. I was ready to get back to my own little world when it was time to leave, sleeping in my own bed last night was wonderful too. Ok, so the big getaway is over, but Alan is still on vacation for another 2 weeks, so I will be in and out of town. I will keep you posted.

Today we are off to Half Moon Bay, to enjoy our Family Day, which is our very own made up holiday, then we are going down HWY1 south toward Santa Cruz. Could some roller coasters be in my future? You bet! I loves me a good roller coaster! You just never know with me... do you? Stay tuned to watch the adventure of, Carly and Alan's Vacation 2008, unfold!

-Carly
"Autumn Sky"
Reno, Nevada
October 22, 2008
Afternoon

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment # 192: When Do The Holidays Start?

"Nothing says holidays, like a cheese log."

-Ellen DeGeneres

Weekend Assignment #192: When do you personally start celebrating the holiday season? Do you get into it at midnight of the Friday after Thanksgiving? Do you wait? Is Thanksgiving annoyingly in the way? Share your thoughts!

Extra Credit: Do you dream of a White Christmas (or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or a Winter Solstice, etc), just like the ones you used to know?

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

In our house, the "holiday season" begins on the first day of autumn. Our fruit and vegetable gardens are usually at their best in autumn, and we have a lot about this time of year to celebrate. We have our wedding anniversary on October 13th, and then our official Family Day on October 23rd, followed by Halloween. In the time between Halloween, and Thanksgiving, we are making all kinds of plans for how we will celebrate Thanksgiving, complete with trying out new recipes with the garden veggies.

Really, as I sit here typing this, it has seemed like a blink between Halloween and Thanksgiving. :) I can't believe another one of our favorite made-up holidays, "Black Friday" has already come and gone! LOL. But I know it has, because later this weekend, we have plans to put up our Christmas tree, then go and enjoy the Holiday Fantasy in the Woods, in Tilden Park. LOL. It may seem kind of silly, the fact that we make up holidays, but we are happy with each other, and we enjoy this time of year so much, it may not work for everyone, but it works for us.

-OndineMonet
"The Season"
Pastorino's Pumpkin Patch
Half Moon Bay, California
October 21st, 2007
Afternoon

Off To Nevada

"Who is more foolish, the child who is afraid of the dark, or the man who is afraid of the light?"

-Maurice Freehill

Day 5 of the 13 Diabetic Days Of Halloween.

Well, Alan and I had a lovely Family Day. It was sunny, and warm, and when we looked out over the Pacific Ocean, we could see forever. :) As you can see, we stopped in at one of our favorite haunts, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which sits half way between, Half Moon Bay, and Santa Cruz, California. Earlier in the day, we hopped between 6 different pumpkin patches and farms. We purchased 9 pumpkins for cooking, and one good sized Jack 'O Lantern. It was a fun day, but a very busy one. It's going to be a very busy week coming up as well, and I am getting tired just thinking about it, but it will be a good kind of busy.

Tomorrow, we will be off to Reno, Nevada. We go there each year to kick back, and enjoy the fabulous Sierras, and the nightlife and casino's of Reno. This will be my first vacation as a newly diagnosed diabetic, and to be honest, I am a little nervous about balancing cutting loose and having fun, while keeping up with my diabetic needs. The nutritional values of restaurant foods isn't always available, and I like to keep close watch of how and what I eat. I think it will be ok, I have educated myself well on my nutritional needs, but still, I seem to be ultra aware of my new condition. Does that make sense?

The other concern I have is about Elvis. This is his first time, since he was diagnosed with diabetes, that I will be away from him. He won't be alone, he is staying with "Dr. B." He adores the "Dr. B" and the nurses at the clinic, and they are fond of him as well, so I know he won't get lonely, but as for me, well, I am a wreck! LOL. How can I possibly get any sleep, without my kitty sleeping at my feet? How can I wake up, and enjoy my day, without being touched by paw pads and kisses? He is my sunshine, and my best little friend. He is my Elvis. :)

You don't know what being ignored is, until you have been ignored by a cat. LOL. I am sure when we pick Elvis up on Friday, he will be in full ignore mode. Sigh. We drop him off later today, and I am already feeling separation anxiety. LOL. I know, I know, he will be fine, so why do I feel like I am abandoning him? Will he understand I will be coming back for him? Will he fall in love with the nurses and bond with them? Will he get so mad at me that he never pats my face again? Yikes! I know, I know... I am just being silly. He will always love me. After all, we have been together for over ten years now, but just in case, I think he and I will have some serious Elvis and mommy time when I get home. LOL. :)

Ok, I am officially on holiday. I will be back on Friday, October 26th, with lots of photos, and updates about how I spent days, 5, 6, and 7 of my "13 Diabetic Days Of Halloween." The adventure continues, so stay tuned.

-OndineMonet
"Pigeon Point Lighthouse"
Pescadero, California
October 21, 2007
Afternoon

Family Day 2007 (Observed)

"Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold."

-Judith Olney

Day 3 of the 13 Diabetic Days Of Halloween :)

It's Family Day! Well, for our family it's Family Day. LOL. Actually, the date we traditionally celebrate Family Day is usually, October, 23rd, but like last year, Alan and I will be in Nevada, so we are celebrating our made up holiday on the Sunday before. Complicated? Yes. But is it still fun? YES, MOST DEFINITELY! We will stick to all our traditions of the day, the same steps we took 17 years ago, when we made up the holiday. Of course back then we were newlyweds, and we thought we would have children one day to share it with. Alas, that was not to be, but we kept the day for ourselves. A no pressure day to just celebrate that we are not just a married couple, we are a family. :)

We will start the day in Half Moon Bay, where will choose the official pumpkins for the year. The cooking pumpkins, the carving pumpkins, and the pumpkins for my garden, but most importantly the protections pumpkins that will sit at our front door, our back door, and the one for my desk. I love walking around the pumpkin farms, looking over the little orange souls until I find just the right one. It's magic. This year, we are taking a long ride along the coast, to enjoy the sun, and the amazing beauty of HWY1. The camera will be getting quite a workout. :)

I am looking forward to picking out just the right pumpkins for cooking. I made my very first sugar-free pumpkin pie yesterday, and it came out wonderful. I simply followed the directions on the Libby's canned pumpkin label, and substituted Splenda for the sugar. I wanted to try an easy diabetic recipe to start, but now I am ready to try making a pie from scratch. I love to cook, so this year I will probably be sharing my hits and misses here on my blog. I have two new recipes to share this coming week, although it will more than likely be late in the week, after I return from Nevada. Stay Tuned!

Sugar-free Pumpkin Pie... It does a diabetic body good! :)

-OndineMonet
"Family Day"
October, 21 2007
Half Moon Bay, California