Sunny Saturday

Today was the most perfect fall day...sunny, crisp, and beautiful.  After attending a morning meeting at the library, I drove to Newburgh to visit The Village Knitter.  Last week I peeked into their darkened display windows and spotted some chunky yarn I thought I needed.  Chunky yarn is not what I purchased though...I fell in love with the braided Madelinetosh Parchment Merino and had to have it.  I also needed some really small needles for it...size 2.  I started knitting as soon as I got home--I'm fond of wearing scarves indoors and out all winter long, so that's what I'm making.

It's been a busy weekend (I was also off yesterday)...I painted two walls in my living room, rearranged furniture, and worked on a few items for my long-bare Etsy shop. 

Delicious

While perusing Pinterest a month or so ago, I came across this pin from The High Heeled Hostess...a redo of Starbucks' Spiced Apple.  It tastes like the very best apple pie in a beverage!  After the Ghost Walk Saturday evening, we stopped at the local Starbucks...pretty rare, as we usually frequent the local coffee houses rather than the big chain.  While in line for a coffee (I had the almost sinful Salted Caramel Mocha), I remembered this apple drink I wanted to try at home.  I purchased a bottle of the Starbucks Dolce Sugar-free Cinnamon syrup from the barista...she asked if I had a pump for the bottle, and included one in my bag when I said I didn't have one.  Anyway...after sitting in their comfy leather chairs and chatting for a while, one of the employees came around with a tray of sample drinks...it was the Spiced Apple!  Delicious--and now I had the original to compare to my soon-to-be whipped up "home edition."  I stopped at the grocery on the way home to purchase apple juice, fat-free RediWhip, and fat-free caramel.  Decided I needed all fat-free products since I blew it on the Salted Caramel Mocha (!!).  Early Sunday afternoon I put the High Heeled Hostess version together:

8 oz. apple juice (warmed in the microwave)

2 pumps of Dolce Cinnamon Syrup

Whipped Cream

Drizzle of Caramel

Totally delicious, not too bad in the calorie/fat/sugar category, and way less expensive than the Starbucks brew.  This is going to be my official beverage for fall...and maybe winter!  Go visit the High Heeled Hostess for other amazing recipes.

P.S.  I thought cinnamon syrup would taste like liquid Red Hots...and I was so wrong!  The Dolce version tastes buttery and rich (and zero calories).  Definitely worth a trip to Starbucks.



Historic Newburgh Ghost Walk

After work, I'm meeting a few friends in historic downtown Newburgh...we're going to go on a Ghost Walk.  Newburgh has been doing these tours for quite a while...there are two different tours;  the State Street Tour, and the Water Street Tour.  It's been quite a while since I've done the Water St. Tour,  but I lived on that street for several years  when we first moved to Indiana.

                               Plum + Water = Plumwater Cottage!

                                          

 I miss Newburgh...most of my friends live there, and I really enjoy the {generally}quiet little community on the river.

This should be big fun!

It's a chilly morning here...a killing frost is expected early tomorrow morning.  Lots to do to get ready for winter!  One of my priorities early this morning was to snip some hydrangea.  The colors are so pretty;  they are not the beautiful dark blues and lavenders of summer, but rich burgundies and greens to complement autumn.

I've been a hermit the past few months...staying inside, working on a few projects (I should say plans for projects), and feeling a bit isolated.  It was getting to the point where I could almost not see out of my left eye and the right one was following at a slower pace.  In 2007 I had cataract surgery on both eyes and in recent months they started clouding up.  Monday morning I had a YAG Capsulotomy on both eyes.  I can SEE again!  They computer type is crisp black instead of faded grey, and all is now well in my little world.  The downside---I see dirt, dust, and cobwebs everywhere! 

Lots to do today;  cleaning is definitely at the top of the list, followed by a little sewing on Megan's Halloween attire...she's going to be Rainbow Fish.  Lots of scales to sew!

New interests include art journaling; we're having a wonderful class at my library branch facilitated by Lynda Heines (edited to add the link to her blogpost about this class) Everyone is having a great time!