Is it fall yet?

Today's trip to the farmers' market led to an important discovery ... CIDER. I was so excited, I only hesitated for a half second before I bought the full gallon. For me. All by myself. Also got a half-dozen ears of corn, because it's so sweet and delicious that you can snack on it without even cooking it. Yum.

Also got zucchini, because I'm intrigued by this recipe. Also a green pepper, as well as peaches and yellow nectarines. Anyone know what the difference is between yellow and white nectarines, other than color?

The sun never sets ... On a day in airports.

Last week I took a trip to visit my dad in Florida, and Johan came too! Here was my first experience at the State College airport ... Resisted the urge to turn around and throw up some Nixon fingers.

I flew from State College to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Charlotte, and finally Charlotte to Tallahassee (at least Johan and I had the same flight for that part of the trip). I had to grab a picture of the 'Aquarius' water bottles, but not without explaining to the flight attendant that it was because of the song 'Age of Aquarius.'

As luck would have it, those Sky Mall magazines are FULL of entertaining gems. This was one of my favorites ... An armadillo beer holder. That's right, beer cozies are a thing of the past my friends.

I think my all-time favorite, however, was the one shown below. It took me a minute to figure out what it was, but once I realized I was all but laughing myself into tears. It's an irreverent twist on your average garden gnome - it's a pretend zombie trying to claw his way out of your yard. Brilliant, just brilliant.

I committed one of the ultimate Penn State student sins ... I went to a Florida State game before I went to a Penn State game. Not my fault, Dad got tickets to the game, because he decided it was essential that Johan learn what AMERICAN football is. FSU seemed like a good place to start. Here's Chief Osceola, on his horse near the entrance to the stadium ...

And here is a winning shot of me before the game started for proof, since anyone who knows me even a little bit would demand photo evidence. The crowd was packed by the time the game started, in case you wondered. This was the season-opening, ego-boosting, freshmen-initiating first game, after all.

Here's a video clip of the beginning of the game. FSU is famous for it's opening rituals, and there's certainly no doubt into my mind as to why. The video cuts out right before Chief Osceola rides his horse down the middle of the field and spikes his flaming spear into centerfield, but you get the idea. I love seeing the marching bands, their half-time routines were all Beach Boys hits!

Here's my dad's baby, Charlie's brother, Barney. Barney and I had never met before, and he seemed thoroughly unimpressed by my lack of catch-playing interest. When I got a bit feverish and slept through the whole afternoon he was happy to cuddle though, so that worked out well.

Here's a picture of me with my dad :) Obviously no family resemblance there ... Riiiiiiight.

And here's a picture Johan and I took in the airport! He forbid me to put up any of the others from the game, where he had a baseball hat and aviators ... I might point out that this was when we got to the airport around 5am. For flights that ended up getting bumped later or changed entirely ... Awesome.

This is in the Tallahassee airport, FYI. I thought it was funny for two reasons:

1) Tipp Hill in Syracuse

2) Obviously built to serve the massive Irish population of north-central Florida.

Coming back was a beast, because I got bumped off my flight and onto one through Atlanta (I HATE flying through Atlanta) and then took a 45 minute extended tour of the runways of Atlanta, before we finally took off (late) for Philadelphia. Apparently I followed the massive, flood-inducing storm up the entire east coast, because the weather was miserable and the turbulence was still worse. In Philadelphia we got delayed to State College, and when our pack-of-gum plane finally took off, we were flying through the storm ... Worst turbulence I think I've ever experienced ... And then the airport had no cabs. UGH. Made it home though, and was very happy to sleep :)

Sunrise ... Sunset ...

This morning I got up early to finish reading chapters, in a book I borrowed from my professor, so I could return it on time. Haven't seen the sun rise in awhile ...

This afternoon I was sorting through random things I've found in boxes and drawers and the like, when I came upon this bag. That says 'Charades' if you can't quite read it. Leftovers from the Hillside days, when Brittany and I instigated homemade charades. Wait. Not even, that's all the way back to sophomore year in Cayuga in the 5J suite. Confirmation, anyone?! At any rate, their reappearance certainly made me smile.

Class in a bit, and then off to Florida tomorrow with Johan to see my dad! Can't wait :)

Absolutely Divine

Yesterday I went out to run some quick errands (and to try to break up the marathon reading sessions a bit). I had mail! Julien sent me an activity to work on and mail back :) ... Oh, and my internet bill.

When I went to CVS, I saw these. On sale, to boot. Naturally, I bought them, because anything that might taste like those LU Petits Ecoliers is well worth testing.

Verdict? The cookie is not as crisp and delicious as the real deal, but the chocolate is, and I'm willing to make allowances. Besides, they have castles on them. Yum.

Making Whoopie.

OK, except I bought them. Addendum to previous post: These things are AMAZING. Really moist cake, with real, homemade whipped creamy deliciousness inside.

I ate the pumpkin one at lunch ... And then half the chocolate one after going out. Oops. Finished the other half today ... Already lusting after more. Probably good that I can't get them.

What is this, Where's Waldo?

Are all college towns obligated to have a Rat? I haven't yet discovered if this one matches the sketchy factor of its Binghamton derivation. And yes, I know it's a German word or something, I remember seeing one in Köln, but still.

Is that a cucumber or ...

So I went to the Farmer's Market (just down the street from me, how convenient) for the third time today ...

The prices are always infinitely better, and a lot of them don't spray with chemicals, which can't hurt any!

For about $11, I got ...

Two ears of corn, "seconds" of peaches and white nectarines, cherry/sun tomatoes, a yellow squash, a zucchini, an eggplant, the two biggest cucumbers you've ever laid eyes upon ... And two things called "whoopies." Apparently they're like cake with cream filling (a guy said they're amazing and a local thing, so I figured I'd give it a try). One is chocolate and one is pumpkin, and they also make a chocolate one with peanut butter cream filling. That's for if they're as good as they look.

The cucumbers are seriously mammoth. I asked, and apparently they thrive with heat and lots of moisture ... Which descripes the weather this year quite aptly. After a few days that made me thing autumn was coming, today is hot and humid again. I wonder if I can freeze them? That or I need to get creative with my recipes to use them up.

I recently experimented with ratatouille, and it was quite good (if I do say so myself). I also tried out a sauté of eggplants with onions, over which you bake (or in my case, place a fried) egg. Delicious. Googling recipes has broadened my horizons.

The market is on Tuesdays and Fridays, but a lot of the best places only come on Friday. There are lots of desserts and breads and jams and honey to be tested ... Apparently this runs through to November, which makes me a very happy camper. I like the idea of buying produce from real people and not a grocery store (plus that way I can ask questions). There are lots of Amish farmers that sell here, and they are all very helpful when you're curious. Makes it more fun.