balloon lift

i attended my very first balloon lift, and i have to tell you,
i was as excited as the little girl behind me who kept saying,
"look, mommy, look.  mommy, mommy, look!!!  mommy, mommy...."
i actually got tears in my eyes as the balloons began to lift.

it had been questionable whether they would even go up.
the skies were pewter, the winds seemed to be going in the
direction of the bridge that was out...which meant the chase cars
would not be able to follow.

the pilots kept checking the weather by sending up a helium balloon,
birthday party size, and watching how long it took to rise,
and which direction it went. there was a group meeting, and i saw only half a dozen thumbs up.
but then something changed.

they all started getting out the baskets,

and rolling out the balloons.

excitement mounted as the air start fans began to pump air into the balloons,
one by one they expanded and began to lift.

there is something very special about the rainbow of colors,
the bursts of gasses, and the sight of the flames as the balloons
fill and launch.

"look mommy, look!!!  there it goes!
there goes another one!"

we all clapped as each beautiful balloon rose off the grass.
soon the sky was filled with 15 or more colorful balloons.

and then the sun came out.
it was magic!

yankee peddler

an old friend of mine called and wanted to get together.  she suggested that we go to a fair that has been around for almost 40 years, though it had been 25 years or so since we had been.

Step back in time 200 years and visit pioneer America with master artists and crafters setting up rustic shops along streams and amid lovely wooded dales, with foods and snacks cooked over open fires, and with non-stop entertainment across the 75-acre grounds. Keep up to the hour and follow events with the Town Criers. Visit with the militia and mountain men, or learn crafts with hands-on instruction. Visit with the master crafters and artists while they demonstrate the way they transform nature into something unique for you and yours. 
 
it actually seemed a lot smaller and less crowded than we remembered, but the day was beautiful and we managed to find some treasures. lots of mountain men, animal hides, and MEAT.
enjoy the wild, wild, Midwest!!!!

pumpkin season....already

though it doesn't seem possible,
pumpkin season is upon us in NE ohio.

a drive through the countryside
(really a scouting adventure)
produced interesting morning shoots.

a great barn!  and rolling hills.
later, at the farm stand,

labor day picnic

it is traditional to have a family gathering during labor day weekend.  this year we met at a campground at Berlin Lake.  i have discovered that "camping" can be quite luxurious.  new campers have every amenity that one needs to live without experiencing the agonies of real camping.  there were some tents, but in general, the campground was filled with campers.

the weather turned very cool this weekend, after a long hot summer.  fall is in the air.

taste of hudson

every year, a yuppie community in the heart of the western reserve, holds a festival, "Taste of Hudson", during the labor day weekend.
there are tents set up representing local restaurants, where you could buy samples of their wares.  sliders, sushi, and exotic wraps, wine tasting in the adult-only section.  
children are entertained by balloons and games, the arts community passes out programs for the upcoming season's performances, and stages are set up for music of every kind.
children practice their culinary skills, 
but i was most interested in the parade of coach shoes, gucci accessories, dolce & gabana bags, brighton sunglasses, and fabulous designer clothing.  that is the TRUE taste of Hudson.

at the county fair

in 4-H country, the county fair is a highly anticipated event.
school sessions are halted so that the teens who have worked
so hard all year, can show off their skills and efforts.
the big weekend is labor day.

adults young and old have prepared baked goods, needlework,
arts and crafts, entered into different categories,
in hopes of winning a coveted blue ribbon.

vegetables which exceeded length or weights, are measured
and displayed.  farm equipment, tractor pulls, demolition derbies are all part of the fun

but i think that it is the food that brings the crowds to the fair.
french fries, corn dogs, sausage and peppers, turkey legs and chocolate covered bacon!!
this is some of the Mahoning County fair, better known by the locals
as the Canfield Fair.

blue ribbon winner: art piece rooster

automatic milking

where's the beef?cotton candy clouds

kangaroo ride

1277.5 pounds....largest squash4H beauty
donut burgers and chocolate covered bacon

covered bridges

autumn color and
covered bridges in NE Ohio

these are some lovely images of covered bridges
near where i grew up

there are 17 covered bridges in the western reserve....these are a few

my grandmother's house

in 50 years, my grandmother's (now my mother's) house has not changed.

how wonderful to have something so stable to go home to.