I went to an apple orchard with my parents today. The trees were just laden with apples. Together we got 15 lbs. of Haralson apples (a pie-making favorite). We already made a batch of apple crisp. Yummy!

The weather was fabulous today–I would guess into the eighties. It doesn’t much feel like fall, but the trees are all changing, so it must be.

This September has been a mix of cool rainy days and gorgeous sunny ones. Last Sunday I got these shots while on a walk with Gayle:

My parents’ garden is still going strong. There’s still raspberries! And one lone clematis.

The twelve days leading up to Labor Day–it’s finally State Fair time. Hurrah!

One of the cool competitions is to see which dairy-promoting maiden gets crowned Princess Kay of the Milky Way. She and all her court get their likenesses sculpted in real butter! I’m not kidding…check it out:

And you can’t have a state fair, at least not in an agricultural state, without the livestock. Isn’t this new born lamb cute?

And see Link talk to the animals (he is a Nebraskan, after all), like a modern-day Dr. Dolittle:

My sister and Link were such good sports, and I had to go and make them look like turkeys!

I was back in St. Louis this past weekend and saw tons of people (really) though none of the pix came out well.

So I shall have to show you the Chihuly exhibit of blown glass now at the Missouri Botanical Garden:

And my sweet, former bunny Teddy, who actually came up to me, sniffed me, and sat under my chair!

The reason for the trip was for Liza’s wedding.

Congratulations, Liza and Enrique!

This past weekend I drove to Chicago for my friend Liza’s bridal shower and bachelorette party.

Had to of course stop for some cheese in Wisconsin:

If you’ve never been to Wisconsin, I suggest going–it’s a beautiful state. This was the view from one of the rest stops:

My family took me out to Red Lobster to celebrate my birthday, and then back to my parent’s house for cake and presents!

Yep, it’s my birthday. 32 to be exact.

I spent the evening at a class at the Textile Center called “Make a Handbag: Out of Duct Tape!” And let me tell you, that’s just what we did.

But no boring silver duct tape for us (unless that tickled your fancy). The instructor had tape in red, pink, aqua, blue, tan, burgundy, black, yellow, orange, green, and more.

So you want to learn how to make a handbag? Lucky for you, I took photographic notes. This is what you do:

Did you get all that?

My end result for the two-evening workshop:

One of my co-workers, Becka, gave me a handmade bunny pouch as a going away present on Friday. It is so sweet:

I’m going to miss the Textile Center, though I hope to volunteer there in the future.

Monday I start the internship at Speaking of Faith. Wish me luck!

My good friend Liza’s getting married next month to a great guy, Enrique. So of course I wish them the best. And in this case, “the best” is a tea towel embroidered with a vintage anthropomorphic vegetable motif. The corn, eggplant, radish, and celery (or is that bok choy?) are having a friendly game of tug of war:

My sister says the eggplant/corn team is sure to win, based on the eggplant’s girth. But I say watch out for the radish. She has a lot of pep!