Celebrating the colors of Fall & Game Day

I have been wanting to stop and photograph this tree for a week now but never seemed to remember until I drove past and was almost home.  Today, in the rain, I remembered to stop.  I also took a handful of leaves to dry and press.  I like to use them in my art journals but more importantly, I tuck a few in an envelope and send them to my son who is stationed now in Berlin.  When he was in Afghanistan I sent a large envie full of them because he missed seeing the change in fall colors (he missed seeing any color other than sand). 

Have you ever stumbled upon something unexpectedly that flashes you back to your childhood?  At the Farmer’s Market I came across this:

Was this in your medicine cabinet growing up?  Mom used to rub it on our chest when we had a one of those too-stuffed-up-to-breathe colds.  She made us put a T shirt on over it because it was so greasy it would go through our PJ's then stain the sheets.  The smell was always comforting and it worked because we always seemed to fall asleep. Now of course we use Vicks Vapor-rub. 

Today is the annual college football “Backyard Brawl”,  Michigan's  U of M vs. MSU.  I am a U of M fan so of course I sported my maize & blue attire today.  It is fun to be out shopping on this day as perfect strangers, who wouldn't normally give you the time of day, will comment to you about your choice in teams or about who will win the game.  While I was picking up game day snacks I discovered this beautiful arrangement.

Go Blue!

This is the BEST game day snack on the planet: Sugar n’ Spice Chex mix. Yummy!

My The Random 5 Friday Meme:

1.  The chilly, drizzling rain is taking it's toll.  I can feel my inner self wanting to hibernate.

2.  I am dealing with the need to let go of all my classroom teaching stuff,  It's hard because there is so much emotional attachment there.

3.  I am learning to not shut down and do nothing when I get overwhelmed.  This is a work in progress.

4.  I need to focus more on creating in my art journals and less on creating things to swap, even though it's more fun to create for others.

5.  By taking more photographs, I am learning to enjoy the colors of fall more and letting go of my dread of the upcoming winter.

Are you watching any football today or are you a NFL fan?  Do you have a traditional snack you serve on game day or pizza or snack of choice?  By the way, GO BLUE!

Favorite game day pic!

Linking with Kim Klassen over at Friday Finds and a Rural Journal with Random 5 Friday.