🔥 Bring on the Bonfire

It was a perfect night for a bonfire. Only a few wispy clouds dragged across

the moon, shadowing it, then freeing it. The heat of the day eased with 
sunset, and the air was balmy, freshened by a calm, steady breeze.

Temptation

____________________

Everyone loves a runny, half-melted marshmallow 

after it's been shoved on a stick and held over a 

burning campfire for 30 seconds.

Obviously the taste is great, but there's something

 even better about the primal act of cooking something 

by sticking it on the end of a bit of wood. 

Which begs the question, what other foods should 

we be shoving on the end of sticks and roasting over campfires?

Campfire food ideas to make Bonfire Night delicious

Fire Pit Ideas

____________________

Every one of the girls had contributed to the making of it, 

just as every one of them circled around the bonfire now, 

waiting for the fire to catch and blaze. An

army of hot dogs and marshmallows was laid out 

on a picnic table. Stacked like swords were dozens of 

cleaned and sharpened sticks. Nearby was the

garden hose with a tub full of water, for safety's sake.

Candy held up a long kitchen match, drawing out the drama 

as the girls began to cheer. 

"The first annual bonfire at Camp Liberty is about to begin.

Secure your hot dogs to your sticks, ladies, and prepare to roast."

Temptation

Quoting Nora

On Griffin's Day,

🦅 Happy Birthday Griffin 🦁

"Happy birthday, baby."

Blue Dahlia

_________________________

FALL INTO THE STORY of GRIFFIN ENTRANCE

🦁

Wild One First Birthday Party Theme

The Best Ideas for KIDS

🦅

Eagle mini cheese balls

Hallmark

_________________________

"A griffin."

"Good eye."

"Symbol of strength—and vigilance."

She turned her head, cocked it so that she could see his face. 

"You know the

oddest things, Jack. But yeah, that's why I chose it."

Captive Star

Sweet and savoury recipes for Apple Day

The minute she opened the kitchen door she smelled the

baking. Apples, cinnamon, brown sugar.

Heart of the Sea

______________________

By janine pohl (jacoon) - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2031916

To tempt you further, here's some creative 

takes on traditional apple recipes 

from some of Borough Market's 

most talented chefs and foodies.

TELEGRAPH

Can Love Last a Lifetime?

He remembered the

clever child, the coltish adolescent, 

the irresistible bloom of the young woman. 

The bloom had blossomed 

seductively. 

And he could feel the pull that had always

 been between them.

Honest Illusions

_________________

By Gardenermd - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76491765

From Infatuation to a Lifelong Symphony

Can romantic love last or, by its very nature, does it have a best before date?

Psychology Today

9 ways to use up leftover pumpkin

Her trio of pumpkins waited on a bed of 

newspapers on her kitchen table. She'd 

already used a portion

of the largest for Lulu's dessert. 

It only waited to be carved into the appropriate design.

She would make pumpkin bread, she thought, 

as she began on the second. 

And pie, cookies.

Dance Upon the Air

_______________________

By Давче - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64453146

There’s more to pumpkins than spooky Halloween decorations. 

Instead of wasting these wonderful winter vegetables, 

re-use them in these sweet or savoury recipes.

delicious. 

_______________________

"Want me to dump the guts for you?"

"Dump them? How would I make a pie?"

"With a can." His brow furrowed as he watched her slide chunks of pumpkin into a large bowl. "You

mean you actually use that stuff?"

"Of course. Where do you think they get the stuff in the cans?"

"I never thought about it. Pumpkin factory."

Dance Upon the Air

Creative Pumpkin Ideas for Halloween

“Ah, we’re decorating for Halloween tomorrow, if you want to

come over.”

“Are you kidding? I have major skills in this area.”

“Great, you can carve the pumpkin. The boys are 

old enough now to realize how lousy I

am at it. Come by later. I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.”

The Next Always

_______________________

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4595130

It’s that time of year again! Time to decide how to decorate your fall pumpkins. We’ve gathered 15 project ideas and tips that will make your pumpkin the best on the block!

Family Handyman 

_______________________

The hulls would serve as decorations on her front porch. 

Big, fat, scary pumpkins to entertain the neighbors and

children.

She was up to her elbows in pumpkin meat and seeds 

when Zack strolled in the door. "I get to do the

third one." He came up behind her, wrapping his 

arms tight, nuzzling her neck. "I'm a jack-o'-lantern

master."

"The things you learn about people."

Dance Upon the Air

Fall Soups

Abigail had a nice fire crackling. On the stove, a pot of pasta e fagioli

soup simmered. She’d baked a pretty little round of olive bread, put together a

mixed salad she intended to toss with raspberry vinaigrette.

All the work she’d earmarked for the day was complete. She’d spent ninety

minutes on weights and cardio, exercised Bert.

She was going to treat herself to dinner and a movie—maybe even a double

feature, with popcorn for the follow-up.

The Witness

_______________________

Hearty Pasta Fagioli

Here's an Italian favorite made easier by using prepared spaghetti sauce and canned broth for the flavorful base.

Taste of Home

It’s National Book Month — Give Your Reading Spot Some Love

He wanted nothing rigid or forbidding about
the room. Between the two tall windows he'd set a huge, festive, 
ornamental lemon tree in a brass pot. A gift from his parents. They
always knew what suited him best, he thought, smiling 
as he trailed a fingertip over a glossy leaf.
He'd already arranged the seating area. A long, take-a-nap sofa 
in cheerful blue, a pair of wide chairs, low tables that invited the
occupants to put up their feet and relax. Naomi had helped him
choose the lamps, he recalled—the charming die-cut tin shades, the
romantic globes—on one of their shopping forays.
The stately pewter candlesticks that graced the mantel were 
heirlooms, housewarming gifts from his grandparents. 
The bronze-colored
mums that stood in a Wedgwood vase between them 
had come out of his own garden.
There was a great deal of himself in the room, Ian realized. 
And pieces of those he loved.


~Ian~
@MacGregor Grooms 

__________________

Photo by Kustom Home Design - Browse sunroom ideas

Let these cozy nooks and light-washed corners inspire you to make your reading space special

HOUZZ

__________________

Her next choice was the library, which she

thought of as the main artery of the heart.

Morrigan's Cross

This Is What Playfulness Does To Your Relationship

"You can work eight, twelve hours a day," Parks continued. 

"You can enjoy your job, be terrific at what you do, 

but you still need to throw a Frisbee now and again."

"Frisbee?" This brought on a baffled laugh that pleased him. 

The hands on his shoulders relaxed. "What are you talking about?"

''Fun, Brooke. A sense of the ridiculous, laziness, riding Ferris wheels. 

All those things that make working worthwhile."

She had the uncomfortable feeling she was being expertly 

led away from the subject at hand.

 "What does riding a Ferris wheel have to do with you and me making love?"

Rules Of The Game

______________

Peter Drier [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

I’ll be the first to admit, well, maybe not the first, but I’m admitting it anyway: 

it’s not that easy to be playful.

Even when I know that playfulness and fun bring more harmony, 

delight, surprises and loving kindness in my relationship. 

Even science confirm that playfulness makes the relationship more strong.

Jolanda Herc

_____________

"Throw a few Frisbees with me, Brooke. Ride a

few waves. Let's see where it takes us."

Looking at him, she could feel her resistance melting. 

Before she could prevent it, her hand had lifted

from his shoulder to brush at the hair that fell over his forehead. 

"You make it sound so simple,"

she murmured.

"Not simple." He took her other hand and pressed his lips to the palm. 

"Even fun isn't always simple."

Rules Of The Game

How to find awe in everyday things

“Look, the sun’s coming up.”

Laura stirred and opened her eyes. Through the window she could see the

curve of the eastern sky. If she looked hard enough she could see the water of

the bay, like a mist in the distance. The sun seemed to vibrate as it rose. And the

echoes brought colors: pinks, mauves, golds. Softly at first, with the darker

night sky still dominating above, the colors spread, then deepened. Pinks

became reds, vibrant and glowing.

“Sometimes your paintings are like that,” she thought aloud. “Changing,

shifting angles, with the colors intensifying from the core to the edges.” She

nestled her head against his shoulder as they watched the new day dawn. “I

don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful sunrise.”

Gabriel's Angel

____________________

By Terry Lucas - Imported from 500px (archived version) by the 

Archive Team. (detail page), CC BY 3.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73670160

You don't have to scale Everest to reap the benefits of wonder.

The word "awesome" is ubiquitous these days – used to describe almost anything agreeable from a slice of Margherita pizza to that new sweater you just bought. But can these things really inspire a life-altering sense of wonderment and reverence?

Mother Nature Network

____________________

She stroked the baby's cheek and

thought—hoped—Carrie smiled a little.

Grace was tempted to sing her to sleep, 

but knew the nursing staff rolled their

eyes and snickered whenever she tried a lullaby. 

Still, the babies were rarely

critical of her admittedly poor singing voice, 

so she half sang, half murmured,

until Carrie's baby owl's eyes grew heavy.

Even when she slept, Grace continued to rock. 

It was self-serving now, she knew.

Anyone who had ever rocked a baby 

understood that it soothed the adult, as well

as the child.

Secret Star

New Haircuts to Get You Excited for Fall

She looked amazing. Every time he saw her was another kick in the gut. 

“You cut your hair.”

“Yeah.” She lifted her hand to the short cap 

with long, spiky bangs. “I had some time,

and it was driving me crazy. What do you think?”

“It looks good on you.” Everything did. 

It set off those smoky eyes that matched the

smoky voice.

The Perfect Hope

_____________________

OK, so the back-to-school blues may be no fun, but there’s no denying that there’s something so invigorating about the fall. The air turns crisp, the leaves change color, you bust out the cozy scarves, and pumpkin spice everything. And what better way to mark this fresh start than with a new fall haircut? Not only is it an easy way to change up your look, but it’s also a great opportunity to snip off dead ends and undo any summer-induced damage that’s taken a toll on your tresses.

Real Simple

_____________________

"I'm getting my hair cut."

"Going all the way to Jackson for a haircut?" Fist loyalty had him frowning. 

"We've got the Curry Comb right here in town."

The Curry Comb was a two-chair establishment that ran to buzz cuts and poodle perms. 

But Reece smiled a little as she passed him the sugar bowl.

Angels Fall

🥂 Happy

Birthday 🍸

"Happy birthday."
The sweetness of the gesture made up for being caught off guard, 
as she rarely was. 
Mia's smile bloomed —absolute delight. "Thank you. Cake?" 
She lifted a brow as she picked up a flute.
 "Mimosas, and presents."



Dance Upon The Air

_____________________

Never Celebrate Anything Again Without Birthday Cake Mimosas

Whether it's actually your birthday or you just want to
get drunk off of cake, sprinkles,  and rosé
— birthday cake mimosas are here for you.

Cosmopolitan

Georgia O’Keeffe

"Could be we've got a thief with what you could call an eclectic taste in art. 

Me, I like that Georgia O'Keeffe stuff. It's bright, looks like what it is. 

I appreciate your time."

Homeport 

_____________

By Georgia O'Keeffe - High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Public Domain, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55040866

Beautiful flowers or provocative anatomy?

A traveling exhibition is willing to talk about something else already.

Double Scoop

Lighthouses in all their windswept beauty and grandeur

The lighthouse was a wide sphere of white, solitary and strong

 against the elements. Perhaps it was worn and a bit weather-beaten

 in places, but it held a simple power that remained timeless and real. 

It seemed a good place to shelter from any storm.

All the Possibilities

_______________________

From California to New Zealand via England, the world's most Instagrammable lighthouses in all their windswept beauty and grandeur

•  Though they no longer need a keeper on-site, many lighthouses are still in use as navigational aids
•  Some have been turned into museums and even boutique hotels with hard-to-beat views
•  The USA is home to more lighthouses than any other country and here we present some of the most striking

DailyMail

_______________________

And the way the lighthouse stood there, solid,

indomitable. The whitewash was faded here and 

there, the concrete blocks pockmarked

with time and salt spray. That only added to

 the humanity of it. Man’s strike for safety

against the mercurial sea.

There would have been times the sea

 would have won, Gennie mused. 

Because man was fallible. 

There would have been times the 

lighthouse would have won. 

Because man was tenacious. 

Pitted together they spoke of harmony, 

perseverance, sweat, and strength.

One Man's Art

Art Can Improve Your Room Design

The pretty plants and
bland pastel paintings on matte-white walls didn't hide the fact
that law was the order here. The carpet was a muted gray, the
deeper-toned chairs in the waiting area were likely just the wrong
side of comfortable.
"We wouldn't want people to be at their ease now, would we?" she
thought bitterly.

The Pride of Jared MacKade

_________________

Artwork can bring together the elements of a room by 
being a focal point, 

a color inspiration, a harmonizer 
and more

Photo by Horchow - More living room photos

Artwork can often make or break a space. 

HOUZZ

_________________

 She stopped by a landscape, all rocky hills and trees gone violent with autumn.

"This one," she decided. "He needs this one where that horrible white-orchid still life is hanging."

"I'd have thought you'd go for the orchids." When Regan turned, her eyes narrowed blandly, Savannah smiled fully 
for the first time. "Yeah, I can see I'd have been wrong."
"Greens and mauves," Regan announced. "Deep greens. And those chairs in the outer office have got to go. 
I've got a couple of library chairs in mind. Deep-cushioned, high-backed. Leather.
And I figure hardwood with area rugs, instead of that gray sea of
wall-to-wall."
Yes, of course. Savannah could already see it. Regan MacKade was obviously a woman who knew what she wanted. 
"Look, I'm not a humble person, but can you actually see my paintings jibing
with your taste... or Jared's?"
"Yes. And I think, all things considered, that you and I will work together very well." Regan held out a hand, waited. 
"Well, are we going to give Jared a break and get him out of that tomb?"

The Pride of Jared MacKade