Pumpkin Patch & Pumpkin Painting

Me, AJ, Anna, Belle, & Kara Perry Farms -2010 

It is such a delight and blessing to be able to spend quality time with my nephew Anthony and my niece Belle. They are both growing up so fast and I just love to capture all the moments that I can with them at this age. A couple weekends ago we went to the pumpkin patch and picked out some great pumpkins. The kids had so much fun looking at all the different sizes, shapes, and even the smashed ones. Well, actually I think that spent most of the time looking for the smashed ones. Their little faces were glowing with excitement. I truly cherish these times because I know that it is only a matter of time before they are going to hit the 'i'm too old for that' years. Being an Aunt or as they say Tati (ta-tee) has made me realize that the heart of a child is so pure and innocent. Spending time loving on them and investing in their development, and growth is something that  I will always hold near and dear to my heart. 

insistent on getting pictures with the smashed pumpkins

AJ the scarecrow & Belle the pumpkin

Got a great wagon for the pumpkins

After much consideration of what kind of project we should do I decided instead of doing the traditional pumpkin carving we would do pumpkin painting. Carving can be fun, if your idea of fun is digging into a pumpkin scooping the guts (super gross!!), and then tediously etching a face into the front. I have never really been into pumpkin carving. And in being 100% honest it is probably because I have never really been good at it. But, after trying the pumpkin painting it will be a must every year. Not only was is less time consuming but the mess was pretty easy to contain and to pick up. Also, depending on the age the work can really only be done by the adults or kiddos that are old enough to work with sharp objects safely. This is not to slight anyone that has the tradition or love of pumpkin carving...But for those of you that want to try something different of be creative with color I definitely recommended pumpkin painting. 

Supplies needed: 


Pumpkins 
10 pack of Crayola Washable Paint 
3 piece Absorbent paint brush 
mini or regular muffin pan 
2-3 garbage bags 
 scotch tape 


I picked up the paint and brushes at Michaels for under $10, the washable paint is highly recommended easy to clean off kids. Absorbent paint brushes are a must for young kiddos, the paint stayed on the brush and it was easy to switch colors without them mixing. I used the muffin tin to keep the colors separate. Using the household garbage bags I cut them open and then scotch taped them to the table to less mess and easy overall clean up. 


*overall cost will vary depending on pumpkins selections and what you have at home 

Belle & I - first year of pumpkin painting

A special "boy" colors  pumpkin for AJ 

Fall how I have missed you...

I love all seasons of the year and I am so happy that Fall is here and upon us now. I uses to have a favorite season (summer because of my bday) but now I have realized that I just love them all but for different reasons. Although this last week has had record temperature in the 90's you would not think that Fall is here. But it is and has been for a few weeks according to the calendar. I have enjoyed this Indian summer but its time for the real Fall to begin. What I mean by 'real' is the feeling of the Fall season and all the treat that it offers. October is already half way through Halloween is just around the corner and Thanksgiving is on its way. This time of year is very special to me and I wanted to take some time today to reflect on what I love about this time of year. 

Family & Friends - spending time with family and friends is really important to me. This season gives you a little of both within two months. Halloween is always fun time to get together with friends and have a party as well as seeing the adorable little ones in their costumes. I have never been a fan of what Halloween actually is about but the fall festivities/festivals and costume parties are a blast. Then comes Thanksgiving! Not only is there excellent food, but it is a time to spend with family and reflect and give thanks for all of the blessing that you have. I think that you should give thanks on a daily basis; however this is a wonderful time to fellowship in the company of family and friends relax, watch the parade, or some football. 

Atmosphere - The smell of rain is something that always refreshes me. I was not a fan of El Nino when it rained every day and night but I do enjoy the rain. It also a great time to bust out the warm blankets and cuddle which is another one of my fav things to do. As well as the beginning of candle time! Of course you can light candles year round but I love the smell of the fall spices and jack-o-lantern on the porch just makes me smile. 

Lattes - I love my pumpkin spice lattes!! and they are only around this time of year. This mornings latte is really what inspired me to write this blog. All lattes in my opinion are delish! But, the pumpkin spice has a special place in my heart because it reminds me of eating pumpkin pie with my Dad. We both love pumpkin pie and every fall we don't just save it for Thanksgiving (LOL). And this year now that I've started baking pies from scratch I am going make my first homemade pumpkin pie for him! 

Leaves - The colors that the leaves turn during fall is truly an amazing sight. The bright orange, yellow, and red is a sight that I love to see. Nature has always been a love of mine, and the transition that trees undergo during fall is something of gorgeous proportions. When I was little my mom use to let me collect the leaves and then press them in between book to preserve them. One year I tried to scotch tape the leave instead of laminating...let's just say to my utter disappointment my collection was ruined. Now, I am not a fan over raking the leaves but I do like to make a big mess and run through the piles and roll in them. It sound childish and it is...Its something that can let the little kid inside of you out again. 

Walk it out

Mission Peak reflecting off Quarry Lake 

With the rainy season approaching I have a small twinge of sadness. I do enjoy the rain, but I will miss my morning walks around Quarry Lakes here in Fremont. There is nothing like getting out in the morning air to start the day! I wanted to share some of the beautiful pictures that I took a few weeks back. Taking a morning walk not only allows me to refresh my mind and spirit but it gives me a chance to hang with my Mom. Seeing the sun come up over the Mission Peak is just a daily reminder that a new day is upon me.

Bright morning sun

To clarify  I don't wake up everyday whistling a tune as I skip out the door, and that is another reason why I walk. To get it ALL out, pounding down the trail one step at at time can be a real stress reliever. Stress is something that I think we all deal with on a daily basis. I could walk around my neighborhood to get it out but hey when you want to let there it all go there is nothing like belting it out over the open trail (not too loud don't want send out distress signals)

Mission Peak in the distance

 Many a mornings I think I have scared a the fishermen out there with my voice from across the lake. We have even befriended a few people out there and  there. This one jogger named Jim that always says, "Wow, Mom you're a great listener". (and yes, she is a great listener). Walking has definitely improved my quality of life and it is always great to get some daily exercise in, so when the fall/winter months roll in I will be hitting the gym in lieu of Quarry Lakes. But I'm really going to miss the view!

Legacy of Love

Forever in my heart

My Grandma was an amazing woman in more ways than I could ever put into words. Recently, she has been coming to mind often. I even have had this reoccurring dream that she is sitting right there talking to me about current issues. This is not one of those 'creepy' visits from the beyond kind of dream but definitely very life like. I know that she has gone home to a much better place to be with God, her husband, and other loved ones that we have lost but I still have that selfish pull that says, "I want you here with me!". She passed away around the time that I was 16 years old, so I did get to spend all of my young childhood, and adolescent years with her and for that I do feel truly blessed. However, I still miss her the older I get. When I got engaged to Eddie, I was over joyed and excited ready to plan the wedding and start the guest list however I knew that not only would it be one person short but that it would be short of any grandparents. With all the joy surrounding my planning I just couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to have my grandma meet Eddie (not for approval) but because I know she would of loved him! My wedding has come and gone (April 09) and I know that all the wishing and wanting in the world will never allow me another conversation, hug, or simple I love you.

A few years before she passed, she got together with my Aunt Mille to create a recording on a cassette tape and labeled "A Legacy of Love". I have always cherished this recording of her voice because I have many pictures of her but to be able to hear her voice is such a special treasure. Shortly after Eddie and I were married I played the tape for him, and someday I will play it for my kids. There are things that I will never forget that are not on the tape like: how she had the softest hands, the nicest nails, the smell of her compact, cracklin' oat bran, blueberry pancakes, how Janelle and I told her when she snores she sounds like "Darth Vader", Skip-Bo, her automatic card shuffler, hot water in Tutu mug, or her pink Extra gum packs. To be honest after this small list I have tears rolling down my cheeks. I just miss her so much!

Today I thought about what she would think about how the times have changed. She had beautiful penmanship and now a days most just send and email, or how I changed my profile picture on Facebook to her and me would she be on Facebook for me to tag her in the photo? (her daughters are on FB!). This is a woman who saw this county take shape through the depression, wars, and politics. So I don't know that she would be so impressed by technology or think it silly? To end on a happy note, I am proud to be her granddaughter and to still have the memories of her legacy is enough for me.

Homemade Happiness

Domesticating myself has not been an easy or all the time enjoyable task. When Eddie and I first got married there was no switch that turned on and put me on auto pilot towards building and maintaining the home life that I had always envisioned for us. Through many burnt dinners, re-arranging of furniture, yard work, and reorganization of closets and cabinets I finally feel like I have worked my way up to homemaker status level 1. The reason I say that I am on level 1 is because I know that I have a long way to go still, and many lessons still to be learned. It is interesting to see that the art of being a homemaker has undergone much scrutiny and changes  in the last 30 years. Many women that choose to go back/have to work instead of staying at home, or are able to stay home but aren't Martha Stewart or Betty Cooker wannabes are scrutinized and it become a loose loose situation. Of course this also goes hand in to hand with society changes, women working full-time, and even making more money then the men that the art of being a homemaker has gotten somewhat lost in translation. However, no matter what your situation may be I  still feel that it is the woman's place to provide a home for her husband and family.It is not a matter of being a "Super Woman" and doing it all but women need to take more credit for how we are designed. 

I'll share the story that my Mom shared with me I call it the "Compartment Story". Here is how it goes: When a man goes to do a task or take care of something he opens the compartment drawer to that specific item and works through it, then before moving on to the next task he must close the that compartment. This is a sufficient way to do things nothing wrong with finishing a task before you start another. However, with women we often have anywhere from 3,4,5, even 10 compartments drawers open at any given time. We can juggle laundry, work, groceries shopping, meetings, bills, etc, etc.....This visualization shed so much light on my own life. This is not to say that men are incapable of multi-tasking but to show that we are just wired differently. The reason why I share this story is because it depicts much of my daily life. This is no slight to my wonderful hubby but I have often wondered if my expectation overboard or what!? Here I am done working an 8 hour shift, stopped by the store on the way home, got two pots on the stove, something in the oven, while cleaning as I go; and there he is opening one compartment at a time! To be completely honest is was rather frustrating until my Mom shared this story. Its not that Eddie can't do what I do he just does it at his own manly pace. 

 The art of being a homemaker is not about "knowing your place", making meals, or waiting on your family and and foot it is about; it about the home-life and quality of life that is made. I also want to convey that being a homemaker is not everyones cup of tea or lifestyle personally it is just that I am not willing to let go my childhood dream of being an excellent homemaker for my family. Even in my current situation I am working full time, and going to school  growing up I have been able to draw some wonderful homemaking tips from my Grandma, Mom, Aunts, and others. And I want to continue to strive to make a home from my family the "old school" way and someday pass a legacy on to my girls. Being a homemaker is not only about making meals and waiting on your family and and foot it is about; it about the home-life and quality of life that is made. Recently, my wonderful co-worker opened her home to me to give me a lesson on pie making. I had such a great time, making something from scratch (with her instruction). It takes more than walls and a roof to create a home, and there is no shame in wanting to provide your family with the comforts of homemade happiness in the 21st century. 

Back to school

I don't have any children of my own that are back in school it's me that is back to school. This is going to be my second semester at Ohlone and I am totally excited! Unlike most kids that I graduated with I decided to make my own way which has now turned into the "hard way". I know that people of all walks of life go back to college for additional training, changing their career , or just for fun. But the route that I have taken I would not really recommend for others to take on. Between working full-time and going to 3 hour lectures at night it makes time management a must. Age is not really the issue at Ohlone or any other college for that matter, I know that I am not alone in going back to school at my age or stage of life. Yet it doesn't make it easier. School has allowed me at this age to rediscover my interest and talents if you would have asked my 10 years ago I had no clue what truly interested me. In growing my mind and knowledge base I found my niche of what I really want to do (Urban Planning and Development) and hope to transfer next fall or spring into SF State. By letting go of my self doubt I surprised myself with a 4.0 GPA last semester and I will be really working hard towards keeping that up this semester.  I am keeping my eye on the prize so to speak and thinking of how great it will be to hang a Bachelors degree on my wall and also for the first time participate in an actual graduation ceremony (woo-hoo!!)  8 years ago I didn't really imagine myself ever completing school; working in the the real estate field I thought I'd found my career, but  quickly I realized it was not going to be long lasting or what I really wanted to do. My advice I would tell anyone is live life like it matters and not just a daily grind, choose to love what you do and you can really make an impact.

Veintiocho - 28 - Achtentwintig - Twenty Eight

No matter what language, writing it out in English, or numerically seeing my age it's all the same! I am officially 28 years old. I am definitely not in any type of late twenties crisis, or depressed about becoming twenty eight it is that I just can't wrap my head around how OLD it sounds to younger folks! For instance, when I was younger (16 to about 23) someone who was 28 was like a dinosaur. Hey, I know it sounds mean but in all honesty that is what I thought: "once you hit over 23 yrs old in age you're really really old". The more and more I say "i'm 28", it still always sounds old, even though I know it's not old to most out there it still seems old to me!

Looking back at the last 5 years since turning twenty three there has been so much change and growth happening in my life. So much wisdom has been gained and that is one of the best things that comes with age and age alone. To be book smart is not the same as being wise or full of wisdom and each year is full of new beginnings and challenges to face and that is something that will never change. Life will not stop even if I order it to just as twenty eight still sound old and I guess that will have to be OK! "My name is Shannon and I am 28 years old" (even thought I know I can still pass for 24!)

 I am the type of person that likes to have little saying that put a 'bad' situation into a good light. Here are some of my new sayings: 

• "Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional"  
• "You are only as old as you feel" (gotta be careful with this one! on certain days you could be older than you actually are!) 
• "Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
• "Thirty is the new twenty"
• "There is no old age. There is, as there always was, just you."
• "Old age is always 15 years older than I am now"
• "Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been."