OCTOBER IS CRUNCH TIME

We know it it time to get all the plants in, the boats, docks and lifts out and raking of the yard begins. All the lawn furniture needs to be stored and porches packed up. The kids have started to layer their clothing for early morning bus stop temps and we are dealing with the realization of moving to a 42 ft boat with a 65 pound puppy.

Well again, it was time to start moving all of the tropical plants and other plants worth saving into the green house/atrium.

Is there a green house in here somewhere?

Ok, we were getting the hint - the temps were falling and we had two snow falls just days apart on the 10th and 12th - a little scary because the boats, docks and lifts were not in yet. Luckily the snow melted and we had a chance to get the rest of our prep for leaving done.

Our neighbors, Mike & Anna suggested taking the new pups, Izzy & Kelly and seasoned veteran yellow lab Jordan out for a day of hunting to see how they would do. We were impressed with Izzy's first hunt - at least she didn't head for the car when the guns went off. Anna made an incredible pheasant dinner for all of us that evening.

Izzy, Rick and their 1st bird.

Rick flew down to check on Broulee in Columbus, Ms Oct. 19-23rd and to do a little engine room maintenance. Izzy and Deb kept the home fires burning and his two loyal friends awaited his return (and one of them is not the stuffed toy).

Carving of the pumpkin is a very serious event at our house. The kids both had different ideas on what the face should be. Georgia wanted a round mouth and square eyes. Cooper wanted a one toothed grin and triangle eyes. So the master carvers went to work and...

Tah - Dah, Pops managed to do a collaberation of Georgia and Coopers ideas and everybody was happy.

All the neighborhood kids have fun at halloween - they gather at one of the kids houses for a pre-party before heading out en masse for trick or treating - it's a little intimidating when you open up your door and there is 25 kids screaming at you. Cooper was a mighty fine Elvis this year and Georgia was a groovy Hippie Chick. Gail weren't you a Hippie Chick one year - oh, wait that wasn't a costume.

Carmen Miranda

Cup of Java, Stick of Butter, Ninja Girl
alot of fun stuff.