Month: October 2025

Mani Monday

This week’s mani is inspired by the night sky, featuring Holo Taco’s magnetic “Twice in a Blue Moon” topped with “Shooting Star Taco.” I love how sparkly it is!

Sartorial Saturday–InVESTment

Last week I took a look at a gorgeous Miss Candyfloss trumpet skirt in a vibrant shade of pink; this week it’s time for a look at the matching vest!

The Terentia-Paz is a beautiful tailored piece that is pretty much identical in style to the vest I added to my wardrobe last year. It also pairs well with the same Brindy-Dora pants, not to mention the Tannia-Khalia bishop-sleeve blouse!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…Miss Candyfloss does peplums extremely well!

I accessorized with a hat with a statement bow, an Erstwilder brooch, and a stack of Splendette Duchess Bangles:

It’s a lovely, polished look!

I love how versatile Miss Candyfloss vests are…they go with so many different tops, skirts, and pants, and I even have plans to pair this one with a dress…stay tuned!

2025-26 School Year–Week Nine

This week in algebra, Chickadee put everything she’s learned about graphing equations together to write equations for lines that had already been graphed, and then graph parallel and perpendicular lines to go with it. She also did some word problems about roller coasters that used her knowledge of slope and graphing equations. In science, she learned about chemical bonds, and the difference between ionic and covalent bonds. She read about the Irish Potato Famine and the Boer War in history. We began Treasure Island. She practiced writing an instructional sequence in writing. This week’s recipe from the American Girl Sweet & Savory Treats Cookbook was “Frozen Yogurt Berry Bites” inspired by Kaya. They were quick and easy to make, and tasted delicious, but I can’t help but think they could have done better than “berries were a staple of the Nez Percé diet” for Kaya.

And today we went pumpkin picking…not in our own backyard like last year, because we didn’t grow anything this time around, but at our favorite local pumpkin patch. For the first time in several years, all five children were home and available, so they all come along, and since we couldn’t decide, we ended up with four pumpkins (and apple cider donuts, too!):

It looks like next week, it’s actually going to feel like fall, and I am very excited about that!

Oktoberfest 2025

Time to look back at all of the Oktoberfests we attended this year! I had a great time wearing my favorite Rare Dirndls various places and celebrating my heritage!

First Chickadee and I went to Grant’s Farm in mid-September. This was a first (or at least the first time in a long time) for us. We were there pretty early, so we didn’t get to see the entertainment, but we did share a pretzel and it was top-tier…super buttery and one of the best we had!

Next was Belleville Oktoberfest, which is always something of a disappointment to me…the pretzels weren’t even very good! But it was an excuse to wear a dirndl and walk down Main Street.

Third was my favorite local Oktoberfest in St. Charles, MO. The music and dancing were amazing and the pretzels were delicious! Plus, it seems like the most authentic one in our area (says the woman who has never been to Munich…).

We always celebrate Oktoberfest at home. I made our standard German feast of schnitzel and spaetzle and red cabbage, with Black Forest cherry torte for dessert (not to mention fondue with pretzels, pickles, and brats for lunch), and not to brag, but the pretzels at our establishment are pretty good, too!

For the second year, we went to Soulard’s Oktoberfest, and I have to say, I really love this (relatively) small event! The pretzels were only so-so, but the cheese sauce was excellent, and the brass band was one of our favorites!

I was worried we weren’t going to make it to Zootoberfest at the St. Louis Zoo, but we managed to get there on the final day. As always, the pretzels are the best in the region (and the beer cheese they serve with them is outstanding), and I got to hear a polka band, complete with accordion!

This was a really fun season of festing…I’ll leave you with Brasshaufen Brass Band (a group we enjoyed both in St. Charles and Soulard) doing one of my favorite Oktoberfest numbers. Prost!