weekday wanderings: pumpkin pictures

So I missed last week's weekday wandering again...I do apologize. October is just such a weird month - so very busy! I am so happy today is the last day!

A lot of these pictures aren't from this year, but I have so many pumpkin pictures, I couldn't help but have to do a post about them :) I love pumpkins, have you figured that out yet? *wink*

I only picked 8 pictures as not to overwhelm you ;) I take a lot of pumpkin pictures...I think it's probably a disease. I would love to tell you happy halloween - but I don't celebrate it, so happy last day of october!

vintage buttons

 

Last weekend my mom got up early and went to this big garage sale she had heard was going to be happening. I had all those junior high girls over here so I didn't get to go, but she brought me back a lovely surprise! See for yourself!

 

aren't they sooooo cool?! I am in love. I sorted them all out and am already dreaming about the dresses and blouses and all that that I'm gonna put them on...sigh <3 love it.

honestly

honestly
it is Q U I T E
amazing how
ONE SIMPLE COMPLIMENT
can change
MY ENTIRE
OUTLOOK
on the day
i mean,
HONESTLY.

inspirational blogger award

Well today is simply lovely! I have been given a cute little award from Melissa over at Contemporary Dancing for being an inspirational blogger! who knew!

So, here is the way it works. I am going to post 7 random facts about myself, a bit about my favorite hobby, and then list 10 of my top most inspirational bloggers. Ready? GO!

1.) I love to deep sea fish. I get so much joy from it! My dad and I have made it kinda "our" thing. It's the greatest! Last year I spent 8 days on a boat fishing for tuna (yellowfin, yellowtail, albacore && bluefin) 200 miles offshore and over 500 miles south of San Diego. Fun fun!

2.) I am terrible at math. I really am. It's terrible.

3.) I prefer thrift stores to retail stores. I also don't see what's so great about JCP or Kohls..I mean really?

4.) I have an obsession with Nancy Drew computer games by HeRInteractive. I have met some of my best friends on the message boards for the games. However I haven't played a game since January, nor have I been on the boards for more than 5 minutes in at least a year.

5.) I own a faux "engagement" ring from Forever21. Why? Cause I have a one year old sister and people frequently mistake me as her mother. So I figure it's better to look like I'm married and a momma than just another unwed mother...it's amazing how many people actually take me more seriously with it on too. I mean really.

6.) I love the word "fantastic". It's simply fantastic. I think it's even greater a word than great. Because I love that word too.

7.) I have a problem with bath and body works' lipglosses. I own at least 7 or 8. My friends always know where to go for lipgloss. It's kind of pathetic.

My favorite hobby is definitely music and under that sewing! My favorite food would have to be steak or sushi - I know, two different things. ;) haha and my favorite color? Pink...I know. don't judge. That or turquoise, or mossy green! <3 And vintage yellow..pretty much any muted-vintagey-color :)

so BAM! There we have it! Hope you enjoyed that little thing :) here are my top ten inspirational bloggers:

Lauren at Busy Bee Lauren - I simply adore her blog and her. She is too sweet and so very real.

Mandy over at Miss Indie - So inspiring!! Love her blog so very much! :)

CaLea from [im]perfect - I just think she is the greatest. and completely adorable!

Rach on So, hi. - what a fantastic girl! Teenager, down to earth, loves fashion..she's fabulous!

Kirsten over at Kinder Words - she has twin boys and is just too cute!!! <3

Lauren from The Perfect Pear - isn't she just adorable? I love her DIYs :)

Kate from Kismet & Kate - confession? I followed her on Twitter forever, and read her blog forever, and have loved her forever. that is all <3

Elsie over at A Beautiful Mess - I simply die every time I read her blog. It is so very amazing.

Katie from Skunkboy Designs - I love her outfits and her style! and she's a redhead too ;) hehehehe :)

Katie at Lovely Lady - she's a dear friend of mine and quite lovely indeed :)

Now that is all :) I hope you enjoy those blogs - I adore all of them so much!

Here is the blog button for your blog! <3 have a lovely day, darlings!

Grab the award!

<a border="0" <SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN></SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>href</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>=http://blog.<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN></SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>contemporarydancing</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>.co.<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN></SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>uk</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>/ target="_blank"><<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN></SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>img</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> <SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN></SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>src</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>="http://i1131.<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN></SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>photobucket</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>.com/albums/m544/<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN></SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>sincerelykylee</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>/<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN></SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>InspirationalBloggerAward</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>.<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN></SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>jpg</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>"/></a>

writer.

Today I was thinking. 

I used to think I didn't fall into the category of a "writer", because I don't write books. I was wrong.

I am a writer. Not the first kind listed though. Not the second one either. And I might fall into the third one listed. However, my form of writing is the fourth.  




"A composer of musical works"
1. 
   

I am a writer. I am a composer. I am an author.

I write my novels in works that take 3-6 minutes to tell. I tell people stories with my music; of how one woman was lied to by the man she loved, and how she's over it, and ready to move on to someone not like him. or of how sometime I wonder what the world would look like without sun..and maybe sometimes it's the story of a girl who spent her september in agony because her fiance was killed in action in WWII.

Yes, you see. 

I am a writer, indeed. 

sunday best

 love this. so very me! dramatic, simple, and a little bit rough around the edges.

I don't even know what's going through my head...haha

 tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it.

 yes, I know. I'm short.

 so, I wanted to just do a quickie post on my outfit today. even though the photos are kind of lame..haha. My sister knows how to use a camera she just doesn't know how to really USE a camera...haha. Anyway. I am in love with this lip color from AVON...man. It's awesome. So perfect!!!  

Top: Old Navy

Jeans: American Eagle

Necklaces: Bass (for the colorful one) & a little shop in New Mexico when I was 8..

Bangles: Fossil - gift

Belt & Buckle: thrifted

And yes, I did wear this to church today. What can I say, we're a mountain town...it's kind of the norm.

xo, ruthanne

six girls in junior high - oh my!

So do you remember that time you were in 6th grade? Or 7th? And do you remember exactly how you acted? Ha, yeah, I do. I was the only girl in my youth group of about 12 kids. The boys were all mean, mostly. And since I didn't want to sit around and be lonely while they all played games, namely flag football, I would join in.

Well, I got pretty good at this game, or so I was told. But here's the thing. I am NOT an athletic person. I am quite fit, and enjoy exercising, but I am not that girl who plays every sport a girl can nor do I enjoy playing sports competitively. Cause I hate losing. But that's another story. Anyway. 

Jesse, my youth pastor, eventually figured out he could "hand off" the ball to me, and I could run for it with little to no damage done to my person nor to our score. So that became his thing. he'd give me this look and I'd run for it. and so the name RuthRan was born. 

Clever, isn't it? Well, it's stuck with me all these years. I'm still RuthRan to most of the leaders at youth group, even though I myself am now a leader...funny stuff. Anyway, all in all, eventually the guys figured out that I am pretty darned tough. They also learned that I am really good at wiggling out of their grasp, and that it's nearly impossible to pull my flags. Yeah..so now they really have no problem tackling me (quite literally) so they can get my flags. Sounds gory, I know. It really isn't. I always get 'em back by running after their sorry guts and pulling their flags time after time after time. MUAHAHAHA!. But like I said, I'm still the "infamous" RuthRan, and I still kick butt when I play, and I still almost die every time. Figures.

Well. That's a glimpse into my junior high years. The point? I'm having six junior high girls over to my house tonight. 

gulp.

Yeah, six...junior high aged girls...screaming and talking about boys.

What have I gotten myself into!?!?!!

I really don't know. I'm gonna just go with this though: we all get served what we dished. Right? right. 

wait...

hahaha.

Anyway. Pray for me? hahaha, I'm kidding..I'll be fine. But it should be interesting...I'll letcha know how it goes? kay? kay.

Also, what are some of your most memorable experiences from junior high? worst embarrassments? Let me know, I'd love to hear! :)

yummy hot artichoke dip

I am on a recipe kick these days! MAN! Remember that picture of artichoke toast that I posted in last weekday wanderings? Well, I wanted to share the recipe with you, cause it was so yummy and delicious!

Recipe slightly adapted from Paula Dean

Three Cheese Hot Artichoke Dip

• 1 (8 ounces) block cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 (14 ounces) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped - to your preference. I like bigger chunks, but you may be different.
• 1/8 cup chives (or 2 green onions, chopped)
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan (I use a blend of different kinds - we like our cheese in this house!)
• 1 1/8 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce 
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand held electric mixer until smooth. Then beat in the mayonnaise until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and stir together until combined. Transfer the dip to a pie plate or shallow gratin dish. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the dip is bubbling. Serve hot with crackers, tortilla chips, crostini or veggies.

There ya go! Like I said, I got this recipe from Paula Dean on FoodNetwork.com, and adapted it to what I/my dad likes. It's sooooo yummy && delicious! I personally like to put it on sourdough toast - so so so so SO yummy! (note: that is obviously my fav word today...yummy! hahaha)

xo, 

Ruthanne

pumpkin monkey bread ♥

So I made that yummy pumpkin monkey bread I posted about a while ago...let me tell you this. It's delicious! :) so yummy, and not overly sweet - SCORE!

Anyway. I started taking pictures then got distracted cause I had to let it rise twice, and I got bored and forgot about my pictures. Typical. And then it was devoured so quickly I didn't have time to even get a picture of the finished product! Rats! Oh well, though. Here are just a few pics of the process before my "distraction-syndrome" kicked in ;) hehehe.

welp, that's all I have for you! But, I definitely recommend making the bread - it's fabulous and a great kids snack! :) 

xo, 

Ruthanne

apple hill: part one

Oh, lovely autumn days! This weekend we went to Apple Hill - a place we've been going since I was 2 and I can't imagine my fall being complete without it. It is a place about two hours away from me, where you can pick apples, and participate in the wonderful joys of fall! The drive is one of the best parts though. I'll post pictures of that later, I just wanted to get these pretties up :) 

Unfortunately, the crowds were worse than we had anticipated, so it wasn't quite the same as it used to be, but it was still a beautiful day. Normally we get to pick our own apples - this year it was funky, however. Anyway, hope you enjoy these pictures :)

xo,

Ruthanne

honestly.

honestly
I R E A L L Y wish
society
wasn't so S C R E W E D up
AS TO
encourage me
to be
D I F F E R E N T
then mock me when I AM
HONESTLY.

I've decided I want to do this as a bi-weekly series: called honestly. Nothing but the truth.

weekday wanderings: no such thing.

a rainy day doing school in the home theater.

 hot cocoa and rainy days.

silly weather.

 yummy chips and veggies.

out-fit for fall.

 rain.

artichoke toast.

pretty colors. 

these are in no order whatsoever. I missed last weeks weekday wanderings post cause I was lazy...bummer. anyway. where I live, there is no such thing as "four seasons." I couldn't tell you of one time that we actually had fall start when it should. or winter come when it does for the rest of the world. or have it not be snowing on Easter. there is no such thing as four seasons here. last week it snowed four inches. this week it rained. and today and yesterday have been gorgeous and warm and sunny. what's the deal with that? I don't know. It's just how it's always been here. And honestly? I love it.

sorry for the missed post last week...I was so busy! I'll have lots of pretty picture for you tomorrow though, I'm going to pick apples with my family ♥

happy autumn!