I love Fall!!

falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly.
 
 
~John Bailey, "Autumn," a haiku year, 2001

I think that Nathanial Hawthorne explained just how I feel about fall in this quote "I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air." With all the beautiful weather it really puts me in the mood to take photos for here are some from the past few days.

Swiss Festival

The Ohio Swiss Festival

Attending and participating in The Ohio Swiss festival has become a part of our family's traditions. It is a somewhat small event but our family loves it!  You can sample award-winning wine and cheese from local artisans. You can attend or be in the 2 parades,or listen to music ranging from polka to Americana  One of our favorite things at the festival is to watch the Steinstossen,The Throwing of the Stone.  During the Steinstossen, competitors attempt to throw a huge stone which weighs about 138 lbs as far as possible. There is a lighter stone for the ladies event, only 75 lbs.  There is also a 5K run, Yodeling Contest, Swiss Costume Contest, Queen Crowning and of course the Crowning of the Ohio Swiss Festival Grand Champion Cheese Maker.  This year Broad Run Cheesehouse was the grand champion, but my vote is  always for last years champion, Guggisberg Cheese Co. On a personal note, I think Guggisberg Swiss goes very well with a lager beer or a Zinfandel.

Here are some pictures of my son, who won Best Decorated Bike in the Kiddie Parade.

Here are a few of my youngest on his "bike".