Folk Music, Fall and Fun

I love October! It's the best part of the autumn season (plus it's my birthday month!). The leaves are really showing their colors, the air is crisp, fresh and exhilarating, wood smoke wafts through the air and it's more fun to be in the kitchen testing recipes and baking. What is your favorite month?

I had a chance to speak with the Grammy Award winning musician George Winston today. He is performing at the Schauer Center in Hartford tomorrow, Saturday, October 2nd at 2pm. What a great guest! I love his style of music. He's been creating music for over 40 years and got started on organ music because he heard "The Doors" and was hooked. Since then, he's played "stride" piano music but I think he's most well known for his "folk piano" solos. George said that his goal is to play everything that his three most admired artists have done.

(The Doors, Professor Longhair and Vince Guaraldi-and he's well on his way to doing just that).

His latest album features the works of Vince Guaraldi. If you grew up in the 60's and 70's you may not recognize that name, but you would instantly know Vince's music as he did all the instrumentals for the "Peanuts Gang" T.V. shows. George's latest solo piano release "LOVE WILL COME" is available now. You might want to pick up a copy. You will be enchanted!

Today's Quote: Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can!"

Labor Day and Laundry

Labor Day marks the end of summer (well almost!) and although we should have some warm days left it's time to think about getting out the sweaters, sweatshirts and warmer clothing. It's also time to get those heavier comforters back on the bed. In fact, I got my down comforter out of storage, aired it on the line on Saturday and snuggled all comfy, cozy that night.





Fall is my favorite time of year. The colors on the trees, the crisp, acrid smell of burning leaves and wood burning in the fireplace; of soups, stews, homemade applesauce with cinnamon; pumpking bars and all those wonderful fall foods. The weather is sunny and mild during the day, and cooler in the evenings. Ahhhhhh great things to look forward to!

Last week I shared some tips on how to dry laundry faster. I love to hang sheets on the line and try to do so for as long as I can. If you want to save money try using a clothesline but if you don't have room or don't have a clothesline try these

• Put heavy clothes and towels through a second spin cycle on a top-loading washer or a "drain & spin" cycle on a front loader.
• When one load is done in the dryer, add the next load ASAP-a hot dryer is more efficient than a cold one
• Add a dry towel to a wet load; it will absorb the dampness and help get items toastier, faster!
• Add 1/2 c. vinegar to your load of towels or demin if you're going to hang on the line. They will dry nice and soft!