PUMP-ed Up Again

Found another way to enjoy Pumpkin as a yummy autumn treat!! Look what I found (yes, Wal-Mart has everything):

And look at the label (lower right) -- it's a FAT FREE food! Everybody wins.

And this is how I made it FAT again. Here is how to make Crispy Pumpkin Spice Treats:

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in large microwaveable bowl. Add the Pumpkin Spice Mallows and stir to coat them with the melted butter. Then melt the marshmallow mix, stirring every 30 seconds so it doesn't burn.

Mix melted marshmallows with 5 cups of crisp rice cereal. Place in 9x13 pan that is buttered (or I use parchment paper so I'm not adding butter).

Place candy corn on top -- 'cause that makes even more festive and yummy!

Makes 2 dozen Crispy Pumpkin Spice Treats. Decorate how you want. I might even try rolling them in balls and sticking the candy corn on top so it looks more like a pumpkin.

When I have time. Right now I'm just waiting for these to set so I can have one. (Don't worry, I know they are good. Somebody already taste-tested!)

Enjoy!

Forward, March!

While I have enjoyed the Warrens Cranberry Festival in the past as a shopper of arts and crafts -- and consumer of state-fair type food, I have never attended the Sunday parade. Until this year.

Carter and the Assumption High School Marching Band were billed as Unit #76 in a parade that I later concluded probably had another 76 after that. It was a long one.

I dropped Carter off at school after church so he could ride the band bus. I came home and changed and headed down to Warrens, figuring I could always shop a little before the parade started at noon. Well, I did look around a bit but didn't buy anything until I realized I'd be standing for the whole event so I better get some nourishment. This served two purposes -- energy and I would not be so inclined to steal candy from small children.

What could satisfy that hunger? Well, I hear Snickers satisfies. So how about a deep-fried Snickers? Oh wow. I was going to take a picture of it, but honestly it just disappeared too fast. I have no idea where it went!

On to the parade...

Our friend Bob, a Zor Funster shriner clown, came past me at about 12:30 p.m. and said he was #25 so I knew there'd be a wait for the AHS band. Some time after 1 p.m. (an hour into the parade and a dozen marching bands later), they came down the road to perform for the thousands of people lining the streets in this tiny little berry town.

Here's Carter third in line. I was facing the sun so did not have any clue if I was in focus or who I was shooting.

Luckily, he got real close right before they resumed playing.

They not only played and marched but they did have some movement, too! Lots of zig-zagging and stuff while still moving forward. I was impressed. It also was probably a sneak peek at what they'll be doing for homecoming halftime this Saturday. Maybe.

Even though the kids were probably sweating in the sun, I still think their uniforms are classy. They show off our Royal blue pride, that's for sure!

After the parade, I came home, watched the Vikings actually win a game, then took a walk. Since it is the start of homecoming week, I took Carter to the school tonight for a Dodgeball tourney between the high school grades. That took more than two hours. Was it worth the wait in the car after I was done grocery shopping? Not really. Sophomores finished last. Ha.

They better find some other ways to earn spirit points this week. Somehow, I have a feeling we're going to be pretty busy trying.

Forward.... March!

Distance Running

Today the distance of Carter's cross country meet still involved the same 5K run. Our car (and the bus), however, had to go quite the distance. We (as in Assumption High School) were invited to participate in the Oshkosh meet. This was quite the first-class operation. Very well run. AND our boys ran very well!

Some highlights:

This was only the fourth year of this memorial event. We got a special invite to participate.

Every team got a group photo taken. Here are our guys with their typical "we mean business" game faces on. Just once, crack a smile, boys!

How often do we see bagpipers signaling the start of a race? Never. Pretty darn cool!

Our boys take the pre-race prayer ritual and pep talk seriously. Honored to see.

Pre-race encouragement for one another.

Ever wonder what CC teams from 32 schools looks like? Quite the sight when they are all headed your way!

Carter just ahead of teammate Nick at the one-mile mark. He had such a great pace at that point, I was concerned he was going to burn out / get too tired too quickly.

Nice to see him passing people close to the 2-mile mark.

Looking good -- and in shape -- Carter. He approved of this photo for the blog since it shows a few sculpted muscles. (Don't you dare tell him I wrote that!)

Mile 3 with the finish line in his sights. Go Carter!

And he did. He got another PR today, shaving off 17 seconds from his previous best finish. So amazed and so proud. The whole team has been on this major improvement mission this year. Good to know they are dedicated to going the distance!

So is our car... as long we can stop at iHop on the way to "carb up" on pumpkin pancakes. M-m-m, good. Cross country is such a treat!

Friday Night Lights

The Austin Three is spending their Friday night individually in the light.

Hubby's Friday Night Lights are on the football field. He caught a ride with some friends to Gilman -- I'd guess two hours away -- where the Assumption Royals are valiantly trying to keep it close. I don't think there'll be enough time left on the clock for a W, though.

Carter's Friday Night Lights are in the kitchen. At his job, that is. He's washing dishes at the Ridges tonight. Last weekend, he worked both Friday and Saturday evenings. This weekend, it's just tonight. Hopefully he'll be done soon since he's got a cross country meet clear over in Oshkosh in the morning.

My Friday Nights Lights were courtesy of the computer monitor mostly. Our main computer was pretty much virus infected and sluggish so we had to get it in as soon as we had another operating computer (Jim's laptop) in the house. The good news is that it is running better and the CD drive works once again. The bad news is that all of my programs have to be reinstalled. And no, I do not have the software for most of them. Grr.

So after a few hours of groaning and cursing, I was saved by another light.

This time, the neighbor's campfire. So I trotted over there to visit and relax a bit. Nothing like letting your worries and stresses go up in smoke.

I guess Friends + Fire = Good Therapy.

But we already knew that, didn't we?

For future reference, that is definitely my preference for Friday Night Lights!

Pea Soup Surprise

I've been in a fog during my lonesome morning commute this week. And I mean literally.

I was lucky that on Tuesday and Wednesday the sun was burning off the fog en route. I was naughty and took a picture of that with my camera phone while I was driving yesterday. Not a good example to set.

Today, however, I had both hands on the wheel at all times. The fog was of the fabled pea soup variety and visibility was a quarter of a mile or less. It was cloudy so no sun. Not so fun. And not so pretty. There were still idiots driving without headlights on. I made sure mine were even on bright when I needed other cars to see me.

I guess not everyone did.

Going through the four-lane in Plover, which had better lighting since it was in town, a dude in a pickup truck next to me on my right was kind enough to signal left, but not kind enough to wait until I got out of the way. Thanks to my cat-like reflexes, I was able to apply foot to brake and hand to horn before he sideswiped me.

I swear it took 5 years off my life. So by my creative math, that means I am back to being 40 again. Whoo-hoo!

That's a nice surprise. By the time the fog changes to snow in a few months, I'll be carded just to purchase my coffee.

Bayfield Beauty

All of us sisters have a fondness for Bayfield. We've been there multiple times individually and sometimes in partial groups of us. We all love the water and the gorgeous scenery it presents.

Finally downloaded some of my weekend photos so here is some of Bayfield's beauty at a glance (in no particular order!)....

Bayfield is typically known for its Apple Fest. We opted not to go that weekend since it would be too crazy busy, would be hard to find lodging and we couldn't have strolled around at such a relaxed pace.

Bayfield hillside as seen from the ferry on our way to Madeline Island.

Love sail boats. Watching them, anyway.

So pretty with the view of the islands behind.

Our log cabin lodging for the weekend.

Hello, Dragonfly!

You are ugly and beautiful at the same time!

Cloudy night for the harvest moon was kind of neat, actually.

Harvest moon on the water. Love it!

Looks like a fairytale mushroom and someone should be living in it!

Rayna, the photographer, goes out on some rocks for a closer angle.

I, on the other hand, went out on a limb! It was not sturdy and probably not smart!

Three brave or not-so-smart sisters on a big rock.

Now I guess they can say they are brave since they all came back dry -- and in one piece!

Water's wear and tear creating a hole in the rock.

Cloudy and rainy sunrise.

Was still beautiful, though.

God knows what He is doing.

Lake Superior shoreline walk at Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island.

Someone was leaving a secret message I couldn't decode.

Driftwood one -- with odd land angle in the background.

Driftwood two -- a closer look.

The path to paradise.

Twin Raylene and I chilling out on the lakeshore.

Sun on the water .... so bright...

And so beautiful!

Can't wait to go back!

Fall Flavors

I received the following message from my friends at King Cone today: Fall flavors are in!

Would you like to know what they are? How's this for tempting your taste buds....

Pumpkin Pie: It's a pie, it's a pumpkin, nope its both!! Pumpkin flavored ice cream with a pie crust crumbled throughout!!

Carrot Cake: Ice cream that's good for your vision, a carrot cake flavored ice cream with a cream cheese swirl and actual carrot cake sprinkled in.

I figured I better make a few detours on the way home from work this week. Frankly, since I am in the driver's seat (literally), I can do that without anyone's permission but my own. And although it seems like I'm telling tales here, it isn't always that easy to do.

After going for a run at lunch, I decided a KC stop would be counter-productive. Besides, I had ice cream 4 days in a row. I probably should take a breather.

Tomorrow, though, is a different story.

My pedometer is off hiatus and on my hip again. So far today, I have banked more than 11,400 steps. That means I'll have a head start for hump day and can justify the delicious detour after work. Makes sense, right?

Good thing I like other fall "flavors" that won't weigh me down... Football, hoodies, campfires, cross country (of course) and colored leaves!

This was one of the 5 leaves with color I saw up north this past weekend. Glad the "flavor" has returned on the menu around here.