SCENT-LY or SENSE-LY FALL

I wonder if the color orange, or the spice of Cinnamon and the tastes of fall are prevalent in other areas of the world. You might say they would be if they grew pumpkins or have changing leaves and cooler weather.  If you are reading this from a country outside of the US other than Canada, please share your experience with Autumn scents, smells and sights. 

Here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, not far from the Canadian border, mid-October, we are thankful for every day that the sun is out and there is no sign of the next season. (In case you don't know, its winter, but we don't want to say it out loud!)  Though wind is blowing the leaves off the trees, and the rain is often and more than we'd like, and in 2020, the snow has fallen way too early, its a perfect time to savor hot and scented beverages that not only warm you physically, but comfort your soul.

I found this healthy version of a hot drink, and since I have all the ingredients for Cinnamon Apple Tea Latte, I'll be sipping on this today. (Anything that says Cinnamon or Latte is speaking my language!)

Next time I make this, to keep it simple, and for more apple flavor, I would use apple juice instead of the apples/process.   

If latte is not to your liking how about this hot cranberry orange duo? Check out this recipe for a crock pot tea here, or how about this! Pumpkin hot chocolate!

Tell me about your Scent-ly Fall drink - what do you enjoy drinking in this time of year?   Are you a coffee drinker - do you enjoy pumpkin flavored cream?  Do you have a favorite after dinner drink that is Scent-ly Fall?   I'm waiting to hear. Feel free to share your recipes or send us to where we can find it.

Now on to Senses - Sense-ly Fall is beyond the taste and smell.  I'm thinking of those who celebrate and enjoy with their sight and the colors that speak to Fall.  Carole loves to celebrate Fall with antique collectibles.  (Read the post HALLOWEEN TREASURES) After discovering her love of antique pumpkins and Halloween items, I decided to check out her antique shop.  She is one of many vendors at this marketplace who display colorful and expressive items that draw you right in.

Now if like me, orange is not a particular favorite color of yours, with Carole's eye for items and display, you could love Halloween more than ever before - because who doesn't like a pumpkin of natural twigs, or one of black and white checks or green satin? 

I know I'm rambling here, but I just want you all to see the variety of decorations, a lot or a little, colorful or subtle that could brighten any corner table or small shelf in your home. And right now, let's do what we can to create a little bit of happiness or joy to help us get through some unpredictable times.

I'm so glad you shared your antique Halloween collectibles, Carole.  They have brought the joy of memories of years past, and ideas for little corners. Visit Carole's antique booths at Lowensteins's Antique Market Place.   Or if you're not shopping in person (with your mask on, Halloween or not), take time for yourself and enjoy a nice hot seasonal drink, take a walk or creative time.  You deserve it!  

Thanks for stopping by.  Support your local little shops and small town businesses.  

Till we meet again, be blessed!  SB

  

SIGN LANGUAGE

There's a lot of signs around these days - have you noticed?  I bet your mind jumped right to the kind of signs that are stuck in the ground, in the yards or along the roadways, the political candidates' signs. Am I right?   "Sign Language" popped into my mind.   Sign Language. 

Click on this link to find information about the meaning of Sign Language. 

Most of us have seen someone "signing" from time to time. A common sign is "I Love You" which is composed of the letter signs of I, L, Y: And, most of us have seen other signs which aren't so pleasant. I'm not going to post that here. If you've never taken time to think about the many ways, the many signs of human communication, I hope you'll take a few moments to read my thoughts about it.

In a college level communications class I learned that only 7% of communication is with words.  That leaves 93% as non-verbal. And of the 93%, some 50 plus % is non-verbal.  What is non-verbal communication you may ask?   In the class, we were very surprised to learn the low percentage of communication by words.  We did an experiment which you can try yourself.

A.M. What expressions do you have on your face as you first wake up?  or as your alarm goes off?  What are your mannerisms - do you jump out of bed and drop to do 25 push ups?  Do you roll over and pull your pillow over your head?  Do you throw your pillow across the room?   If you are alone, your facial expressions in the morning and throughout the day and evening will not affect others, so non-verbal communication, though it exists, is kind of one sided here.

Its really difficult right now, to think of the reaction of the first person you encounter in a public place because in 2020 we are all wearing masks (or should be) and now we can only see reactions by people's eyes, or their overall body language.

The experiment was a day long event, when you tracked the interactions you had with others which were ways to communicate without verbal or audible sounds.   You get the picture don't you?  

The signs we've been seeing - poked in the ground to promote a candidate - are many.  How about looking at your daily activities and make a note of the signs you see and what they mean.  Then maybe you'll have more insight when you use the phrase, "lack of communication" because so much of how we interact with others is not verbal.

Do you tell the daily weather by a certain sign in the morning? What sign is that?

Do you suspect a weather change by your own health? What would that sign be?

Are there changes in mother nature that predict a change of the seasons?  Tell us about that.

Is your baby hungry?  How do you know that?

Its a sign!  I can tell!   Share your stories or comments about "SIGNS and SIGN Language.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Till we meet again, be blessed!  SB