Mom wants to be a writer: By Stacey L. Bolin: FALL MEANS FOOD, FAIRS, FAMILY & FRIGHT! R U READY??

ONE MORE DAY UNTIL AUTUMN! YIPPIE!!!

Good Friday Morning to everyone in blogger land near and far. I hope today’s blog finds you all excited for the arrival of autumn, which is indeed one of the most favorite times of the year for me. I love the crispness in the air, the colors of the leaves as they peak and their sounds as they take flight across a cool autumn breeze. For me, the autumn season means, sleeping with a fan in the window under layers of handmade quilts snuggled up tight next to the one you love. Being invited by your kids to go to their Homecoming parade and then enjoy the sights and sounds of a High School Homecoming football game – win or lose you just feel the fun and happiness in the air. I love the feeling of wearing a fleece over sized sweatshirt and comfy jeans while driving down a country road with your family, on your way to pick apples, with the sunroof and windows open as your listing to a song that reminds you of great times during the fall season. For me one song that instantly comes to mind is a song by Pat Benatar. It is called - One love. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOgxVWC4a18&feature=related

But let us not forget that autumn also harbors the heavenly aroma of delicious foods at the fairs. I have two fairs that are my favorite and very symbolic to me and I guess my reason for that is because the memories all include my family, one when I was a young child and the other as a parent with my own children. My very favorite - the Sandwich Fair in Sandwich NH. This event is something that I think everyone should experience once in their life time. I grew up in Laconia, New Hampshire, and I remember always getting so excited for the big day my family would venture off to the Sandwich Fair. I still remember how striking the colors of the trees were and the sharp cool sting in the air that was setting the tone for a winter blanket of snow white. I remember the strange feeling of my stomach lying to me that it was hungry because of the combine scent of the various foods being made by a multitude of vendors. I think my absolute favorite stand was the Spiced Cider and homemade pumpkin drizzle donuts that really accompanied the fall weather beautifully. I marveled at the huge crowds of people that never resulted in long lines. Who knows maybe I just planned it right when going on the rides or getting those must have french fries covered in ketchup. For some reason at the Sandwich Fair, everyone just seems to mingle and move well, or maybe I was just having way to much fun to notice or let it get to me. This Fair is also the place where I made my first step into the world without my family, when my mother allowed me to finally go outside of the city limits with my high school friend in his car, who was taking others from school as well. THANKS DAN, for the memories of a fun trip in your Mercury Montego. I'll never forget the sense of freedom that I felt that day.

Check out the pictures below and I also provided a link if you ever wanted to plan a trip to NH in October. You won't be disappointed.

Sandwich Fair, Sandwich New Hampshire

Walking up to the Midway.
The Cider and Donut guy was usually on the right
if your look at this picture but back behind where this
picture was taken.

Horse Pulls - Sandwich Fair, Sandwich NH.
You can kinda see part of the White Mountains
in the back ground.

http://www.thesandwichfair.com/html/general_information.html

My second favorite fair is the Anne Arundel County Fair. This is a fair that my entire family has been coming to and getting involved with for over ten years.

http://www.aacountyfair.org/

Now I have got to say, the three boys in my home really enjoyed themselves this year, and yes when I say three boys, I am including my husband. This year my two sons actually got to work their dream jobs with companies who have been vendors at the fair for many years. As for my husband he finally had a dream come true, but let’s start with my sons first. My older son was hired by a company that is operated all by young ladies, what teenage boy would turn this opportunity down? These ladies call their business "Cowgirl Up" pony rides/parties. They manage the business while their parents are very strong supporters of what they are doing. It's a great thing they've created. Check out their link. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cowgirl-Up-Pony-Parties/123017821107203.

My younger son was hired this year to work for "Fast Action Motorsports Entertainment" which is a contained R/C car race track. Go to their website to learn more. www.fameracing.com Now there is something very special about this company. Both of my boys have won the championships over the course of 8 years, with the exception of last year. Below is a picture of some of the trophies my younger son has won, and I don't dare go into my oldest sons bedroom - have you seen the pending nightmare that lurks in an 18 year old boys room? All I can say is Halloween is just around the corner; I'll save that story for the horror story segment of my blog. *Wink*

This isn't even half of the trophies that my boys have
won from "Fame Racing"
and they had fun collecting them.

My husband, younger son, and myself with one of the reps
of the company and the car that I sponsored
in2011 to promote my book.
#56 was my husbands football number in High School
and the yellow and black resembles the "Bee" in me.

OK, I'm getting off track, ha-ha no pun intended, so where was I, oh yes, with the exception of winning last year, which was a pivotal moment for my younger son as this was when he learned that sometimes holding a title isn't everything and sometimes when we lose - WE WIN! This year, his dream came true and he was indeed the big winner when he found himself working alongside of some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. My younger son is so into R/C Cars that it is almost scary how well he can put these things together and make them go as fast as they do.

I also did something unlike me, and decided that it was time to get over my fear of touching people, and so I ventured out and assisted the "Tiffany's Moon bounce/Face painting" company as a face painter. (I can't find a link on line for her at this moment, but I know her very well and I'll get one) I went from mild to wild all depending on the person and what they were wanting on their face, cheek or arms. I even had a lady that was so impressed with the sleeve look on her arm, that she asked me if I would be willing to body paint at an adult Halloween party...SPOOOOOOKY!!!! Ha-Ha Yes, I'll admit, I was very curious, but gracefully declined. My husband will be bummin about this decision - I'm sure. Smile. I excelled in all the designs in a book that the owner had with her. I just decided to take the designs and add even more life to them. This book is what I used; my favorite was the rainbow glitter style design. People believed they were wearing masks and that it was not painted. Made me feel great, but the lines were crazy endless once they figured out where I was located. I also painted this horse on my arm just before the fair opened so people could see that I could paint in a simplest way so that it didn't burn their money out of their wallet.

I painted this upside down on my arm.
People really believed it was a Tattoo
and was in disbelief when I told them
it was face paint. Did they want me to
paint something on their face.
*Smile*
They Did.

I gave them every bit of their monies worth and then some. Nobody went away unhappy, and this includes my husband. He too had a dream come true and in came in the form of being flat, green, and was the size of money...Ok it was money. Because I also decided to dabble a bit in the money making part of the fair this year, what money I brought in from face painting, meant money for all the delicious food the fair had to offer. I felt kind of like a sugar mama' and I loved it. For once we didn't have to kill our budget or take out a loan, just to enjoy the fair.

So when I get that first taste of autumn, fun with family and my favorite two fairs are the very first memories that tickle my senses and lets me know that it's time for more wonderful memories to be created and that I am thankful that the hot, humid, and hazy days in Maryland are finally behind us. I don't have to worry about my husband working in the blazing sun and my kids want to get out of the house. Needless to say - when fall hits this Bolin home - Everyone is happy!!! What's the old saying...A family that plays together - Stays together. Below I have added some additional highlights of our times at the Anne Arundel County Fair Hope you all have a wonderful "First day of Autumn Weekend!" Oh, one last thing for those anticipating things that go bump in the night, if you're not afraid....I dare you to click on the video below.