Happy Herbst. Before you go all babelfish google yahoo online translator on me, I will tell you that Herbst is the German word for Autumn. And it's so very very autumny here. Right now I'm watching leaves just blow right off the trees in the yard of our building. We went to a Strong Bonds lunch today, and on the way home, Sir drove a different route and we passed a tree (maple-ish looking) that had the brightest red leaves I have ever seen in my life. I mean RED. Most of the other trees are riotous shades of orange and yellow - the mountain outside my window is gorgeous, and I only hope there are enough evergreens to keep it from becoming completely bare this winter or it's going to look awfully depressing. For right now, though, as my new friend S said yesterday, the leaves are definitely the "flowers of Fall." Crunchy and gorgeous, and I think even bigger than most leaves at home. New England has some competition here, and even though Sir and I miss nearly everything about the States, we totally have to admit there is great beauty around us.
Thanks to all who have offered wonderiffic suggestions for my home decorating ish-shoes. I am pleased to report that at the Big PX in the Sky at Ramstein the other day, a totally-suitable buffet for the dining room jumped right out at me with its big "on sale" sign, and though it will never claim to be an heirloom, it will work very well in the portable nest that is our life for the next several years. Photos to come. I'm finally going to get to unpack the china.
Also, I adore http://www.amazon.com/. I have shopped for hours from the economical comfort of the long-suffering slightly lumpy IKEA denim sofa that is my perch. Packages are on their way - such exciting delights as a genuine $35 faux-cherry end table, an egg slicer, sweat pants for Sir, more books (which of course I need like apples need worms) and the ever-so-essential Graniteware turkey roaster. FYI, there are certain items that my adored Amazon.com will not ship to APO (Army Post Office) addresses. I would like to ask Mr. Amazon why he feels that it is hazardous to send me a small stainless steel gravy ladle and a set of 10 black curtain rings with clips. He has no objection to sending me a glass cake plate with dome lid and seasons 3 and 5 of NCIS. Am I going to commit some sort of crime with my gravy ladle? DO NOT answer that, those who have eaten my cooking. This is where the phrase "rhetorical question" fits.
In other news, I am searching for the VERY nifty random integer generator I have seen others use to draw the names for their giveaway winners. Thanks to all who entered - I will update this post with results as soon as I figure it out.
<iframe src="http://www.random.org/widgets/integers/iframe.php?title=True+Random+Number+Generator&buttontxt=Generate&width=160&height=200&border=on&bgcolor=%23FFFFFF&txtcolor=%23777777&altbgcolor=%23CCCCFF&alttxtcolor=%23000000&defaultmin=&defaultmax=&fixed=off" frameborder="0" width="160" height="200" scrolling="no" longdesc="http://www.random.org/integers/">
The numbers generated by this widget come from RANDOM.ORG's true random number generator.
</iframe>
Well, my cute little box with the random integer drawing came out an epic fail. It did, however, generate me a number on its own site, which was........drum roll, please - 7! Lucky number seven is my olddddd friend (and I mean that in only the nicest way because we go way back to 7th grade) JULIE. Jules, please email me at Pearls14434@aol.com with your mailing address to claim your prize!! Thanks to all who entered - I will be having more giveaways as we get closer to the holidays.
Hi Wendy...it's nice to 'see' you again! Looks like you've had a lot going on since last we spoke!
ReplyDeleteI'd love for you to join in the Wed Hodgepodge...here's how it works...I post the questions on Tuesdays. You copy the questions into a post on your own blog and answer them. The code for the Hodgepodge button is on my sidebar (under the button) and you should copy the code and add it to your post as well. The button will direct people to my blog where they'll find the link to all the people playing along.
On Wednesday you post your answers on your blog. After you've posted on your blog on Wednesday, head over to my blog and at the end of my post that day you'll find McLinky. It will say...You're next...and you click on that and boxes will pop up. You add your name and blog address. People who play along will then see your name in a list at the bottom of my post and they'll come visit and leave you nice comments : )
Email me if you have questions or this isn't clear. If you have trouble with the button just link to my blog as you normally do so anyone who wants to play along or read everyone's answers is able to find them.
I'll look forward to reading your answers tomorrow! I put McLinky up sometime after midnite EST.
How do you like Germany? I'm going to visit a friend in Munich is a couple of weeks. Are you doing any of the markets? I've spent a lot of time in Germany and love it!