Santa at the Farm

A few years back, you may remember that I attended a holiday shopping/ vendor event at the beautiful Highland Meadows Farm, right across the PA line in Enon Valley. Well, this year they held the event again, setting up the vendors in the horse stalls. It is such a cute idea and I just love visiting this property! 

I even got to put my Christmas wish list in to Santa early!

Sweater from Joules, lined puffer vest by Kori America, jeans by JCrew, boots by Ralph Lauren

Rescue Mission Rebuilt

 As in many other communities, the Rescue Mission has been a staple in the community for years helping the poor have a hot meal and the homeless a bed in to sleep in. Here in the Youngstown area, the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley was in dire need of a new facility to help in their mission they have been providing since 1893. The old building while looking historically grand was even losing bricks from the structure! 

Above is a photo of the old facility, pulled from their Facebook page. Ground broke on construction of a new facility in fall of 2019 and finally opened this past week. I was able to attend the ribbon cutting and dedication on Friday as well as get a tour of the new facility. There was a wonderful turn out of community support at the event. 

Throughout the entire facility, the art work showed inspirational and Christian quotations. 

The facility was divided into two sides, a men's side and a side for women and families. On the men's side there was still the large capacity bunk rooms and while this still looks to be lacking in privacy, it is important to remember that the old facility housed 60 men in one room. 

There is also a missionary program that patrons can enroll in that would allow for more semi-private quarters as well. 

Throughout the men's side as well were sitting areas and the new luncheon area was absolutely amazing compared to the old facility. 

The women's side looked very similar in housing except for the rooms that allowed for families to remain together and a playroom for young children. 

Two more features this new facility boasts that are definitely going to help many in the community get back on their feet are the addition of a computer lab and an after-hours area. Previously, if someone came after hours in need, they would still be on the streets regardless of the weather until the facility opened again in the morning. Now there is a waiting facility area to help those in need come in out of the elements while they wait until morning. 

While the new facility was absolutely beautiful and much needed in so many ways, my favorite part of the new facility though was the placement of the Bible in the floor of various areas open to specific scriptures. 

Should you wish to donate or volunteer, contact the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley.

Romeo & Juliet- A Night at the Opera

 Every year the Opera Western Reserve performs in November and to me for the last 5 or 6 years, since I began attending, this has signified a glamorous kick off to the holiday season. Due to COVID, this event was cancelled, well ok.... moved to virtual for the past 2 years. Once I saw the ads this year announcing a return to in person performance, I bought my tickets immediately. While the event was still not back to what it had been in previous years, it felt good to get all dolled up and actually have somewhere to go. There is nothing like a night of culture and the arts in a glamorous dress to make you feel as if things "might" finally go back to normal...

What kicks off the holiday season for you? What events did you used to attend annually that had recently been cancelled? Comment below.... 

Pumpkin Smashing

What a beautiful fall day to have my Godson with me! But what keeps a 7-year-old boy busy without WiFi now adays?  Apparently smashing pumpkins is the answer. 

I was lucky enough to find a posting for just such an event at a local farm I had not visited before in Columbiana called Detwiler Farm. I couldn't believe I had never known of this gem before. They host a variety of other events on the property throughout the year as well. It was the posting for "Pumpkin Smashing" that caught my eye this weekend though.... 

The event is much like it sounds... you venture along the path after buying a ticket to catch the same hay ride that would've only weeks ago had taken you to choose the perfect pumpkin for fall display to now choose the perfect pumpkin to smash to smithereens! There was definitely no shortage of pumpkins left in the fields to choose from either!

Now as ridiculous as this whole event must sound, I have to admit it was a business model genius! Leftover pumpkins would simply rot in the fields and instead of losing all that revenue, these farmers decided to charge to let people come and break them up to use for fertilizer and wildlife feed with sledge hammers and baseball bats. There were no shortage of local folks willing to pay for this privilege either. Vinnie had a blast and I even found the stress relief benefit of the process by taking a few whacks myself.

On the way back, the hayride drops you off right by a pen of goats ready to be fed. It seems lately I am just drawn to being able to find where goats are even if I did not know in advance but I am sure you already know that quite a few quarters were spent here getting feed as well! 

All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend a beautiful fall Saturday afternoon. What crazy events have you found in your community this year for late fall? Comment below....

Spooky Wine Tasting

Again, this year, as years past, I planned the Ladies Mt Carmel Society Italian Women's Club annual Halloween party, in conjunction with my mom and my aunt. Being more pressed for time this year, we decided to keep it simpler than some years in the past had been and simply planned a Spooky Wine Tasting theme. 

The first step was to create a buffet area that would go with the theme. The main table was covered in black party table clothes then strewn with some creepy clothe and fall grapevine swags. From there displays were added that incorporated some elements of wine and skeletons, to get that spooky effect. Grape crates were used to create height and battery candles added to the lighting. The food buffet was placed among these vignettes. 

Of course, being a wine tasking, we had to have wine! Labels were found on Pintrest, printed out and taped around the bottles to cover the current labels just to add some more creepiness to the event. A cart was set up near the bar area with a skeleton sommelier to help in deciding which wine to imbibe in.

At the tables, cheese plates were used as centerpieces along with a rubber rat who may want a nibble.

I also created a wine tasting cheat sheet for each guest to use during the actual tasting portion later in the night. I have added a copy of that sheet as well below, should you be inclined to have your own tasting. 

What cute Halloween party ideas have you used? Comment below...

 

Our Lady Mt Carmel Display

So this fall my Mom and I were given the honor of redoing the display for the Our Lady of Mt Carmel statue that is used for the parade mass that kicks off the annual festival. No one had redone this window in years and you can see it needed some TLC. 

The walls were a drab beige color and the floor was indoor outdoor carpet that had a fake grass appearance. Some attempt was made at decorating by placing pieces of tulle at the front of the window but this was certainly not a well decorated place of honor to display the Virgin Mary.

We decided to go to with a feminine look with pink florals and billowy blue satins. We covered the walls and floor with blue satin to give the appearance of the Madonna floating in a heavenly sky. Behind the statue we placed an arbor draped with blue and white chiffon fabrics and a garland of ivy with pink roses. 

We reused the pedestal that was already in the window and added a tall urn on the opposite side to balance the heights as well. More garlands of pink roses and ivy were placed around the base of the statue. I know there is a glare with the glass in the photos but certainly it is definitely an improvement in the display. The new window display is more reverent and heavenly display for the holy statue. What do you think? Comment below...

Sunflower Picking

Nothing signals the change from summer to fall like the appearance of sunflowers, mums, and pumpkins. Yes, I know it is still August but I am always thinking about fall...

This year I visited Maize Valley winery for the first time in Hartville, OH. I was impressed with their grounds and the venue areas of the facility right from the start but you know my heart was stolen when I saw the goats wondering free on the property as well. 

The sunflower festival hosted a few vendors in one area as well as their shop and restaurant being open. I was here for the sunflower picking though and quickly made my way to the hayride that would deliver me into the golden fields. 

A little bit of fall on its way its now cheerily in my kitchen on the island!

What symbolizes fall on the horizon for you? Comment below.