What's top of my mind: This is the beginning of my favorite time of year. I love Fall and Winter and all of the holidays that they bring. Last year our holidays were minimal because of TBG's health issues. This year, we're going to celebrate like we've always done. TBG is very artistic, and he always does our pumpkin for Halloween. My task is always a special Halloween treat. We both found our inspiration for this year, and I'm super excited. Below are the photos of our inspiration, and I'll post our creations next month when we do them so you can let us know how we did. Yes, even if their an epic failure, I'll show you.
Where I've been: We went to fund raiser around noon today at our local Elk's so we enjoyed their famous fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, salad and roll. When it comes to this meal, they are the best in town. Other than work all week, I didn't venture out anywhere. Work was enough.
Where I'm going: I plan on running to the craft store to pick up a few things. The farmer's market is on my list, because the season is coming to a close so I want to enjoy fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini while we can. I'll be working Tuesday thru Friday and I'm preparing myself because it is going to be brutal.
What I'm watching: We finished Master Chef Generations. It was fun watching and I was happy with the one that won the final cook. I've had Gilmore Girls on while working in the kitchen. I can't even tell you how many times I've seen the entire series, and I still enjoy it.
What I'm reading: This week I plan to start The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams by Karen Hawkins. I've read the entire series and loved each book so I'm excited to start this one.
What I'm listening to: A lot of BS from a company that was hired by Corporate to make everything wonderful.
What I'm eating:
BLT and zucchini 'fries'
My sooth your soul chicken and bean soup with cornbread. I really do think this soup is magical. You just feel so good after eating it.
BIG salad X 2
Chicken with peppers and onions and spicy rice with a roll up and green sauce.
Beef cheeseburger with a special sauce and pickled onions with zucchini 'fries'
Since we had a big lunch, we're having left over soup for dinner. It will hit the spot.
I did bake TBG a sweet potato pie this morning, and it filled the kitchen with scent of fall. 😍
Who needs a good slap: Anyone that believes one size fits all. It doesn't. What works for some will not work for others. If things are working well, with wonderful outcomes, don't try to 'fix' a problem that doesn't exist by creating more problems than you can imagine.
What is making me smile: SO many things. TBG is feeling back to normal and doing so well. Binx, continues to grow into such a smart, loveable, crazy cat. I have people in my life that I love and appreciate more than I can ever say. And even though the world feels like it is crumbling all around us sometimes, we're doing well. I have many reasons to smile and for that I am very thankful.
I hope everyone is doing well and is able to see the reasons in your life to smile.
Have a wonderful Sunday and a fabulous week!!
Hi Lori~ Well, the pumpkin is amazing, I can't wait to see TBG's version! And I really love that black cat cake. Reminds me of Binx. I read a book very similar to that book. I'm going to check this one out, I know I would love it! My husband used to be a member of our local Elk's lodge, way back in the day. The fried chicken sounds delicious. I would also love your chicken and bean soup recipe, it also sounds delicious! It sounds like you have so much to be grateful for . . . Life is good! Have a great week. Hugs, Barb
ReplyDeleteHi Barb. We thought the pumpkin was too cute. It's something different. The Dove Pond series is awesome and you really don't need to read them in order to enjoy. Our Elks is locally famous for their fried chicken. It draws a lot of people to many of the events they hold. I was shocked when I got a phone call yesterday evening to tell me I won the 50/50 drawing. I don't win things often. I hope you have a wonderful week. xoxo
DeleteI can't wait to see how your projects turn out. That pumpkin looks like a fun one. I did see that cake on FB and thought about trying it myself. So cute.
ReplyDeleteAll your dinners sound delicious. It made me hungry just reading it.
We're excited since we didn't get to do much last year for the holidays. You should make the cake too! It's just so cute. I hope you have a great week.
DeleteThe biggest reason to smile is the fact that Donald Trump survived another assassination attempt. Looks like this one was a paid hit man, especially looking at his Ukraine connections. This will no doubt increase Trump's support, and hasten his path back to the White House.
ReplyDeleteI was happy to see they were able to stop the shooter before he was able to hurt anyone.
DeleteCute decoration and cake - I usually do fall decor - not much into Halloween anymore, but it is cute.
ReplyDeleteYour meals sound wonderful. I did a BLT Sunday.
Yes please - things may seem asunder with the world, but there are still many blessings!
Have a good week.
We thought they were simple and cute ideas. A BLT is a wonderful summer treat isn't it? Yes, there is always something to be thankful for.
DeleteThat is a really cool ‘jack-o’-lantern’ and good luck with the cat cake. It reminds me of my birthday cake days with our kids. I had a paperback cake book that they chose a cake from every year. Some turned out better than others 🤣
ReplyDeleteSo glad TBG is back to normal! I’m making a new recipe today. Coq au vin meatballs over mashed potatoes with our homegrown green beans on the side.
We both loved the pumpkin. He has done a lot of very artistic pumpkins and this one is simple but so cute. I love these old recipes that show you how to cut two round cakes to make different things. There is a bunny one that we used to always make at Easter. Oh your new recipe sounds delicious!!
DeleteI can't wait to see how the pumpkin and the Binx cake turns out next month. I'm also thrilled that TBG is feeling back to normal after everything both of you went through. Please enjoy this upcoming holiday to its fullest!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting excited by the holiday season, and we do have a lot to be thankful for and celebrate.
DeleteHappy to hear you have so much to smile about. I saw the cat on one of my socials just the other day. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Hena! I thought it was cute too. I hope I can do it justice. :-)
DeleteThat pumpkin is so clever! Can't wait to see how your creations turn out! I I'm so glad TBG is doing so well. love your reasons for smiling. Makes me think that no matter how terrible things are in the country and world, we always can find reasons to smile!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it cute? I think he'll be able to come close. I already picked up the skeletons. Thank you. He is doing well and I am so thankful. I get overwhelmed by things going on all around the world and I have to step back and realize I can't do much about it. I choose to focus on myself, my family, friends and my community where I do have more say so. I hope you're healing well.
DeleteI have never seen the cat, and I can't stand the taste of black food coloring, but will make it and use "black" cocoa (which is not really black but is very dark) instead.
ReplyDeleteI used to make "art" jack o lanterns, then I got old and lazy and bought a ceramic one. I do still decorate the outside for the trick or treaters , just without a real pumpkin.
I don't want to use black food coloring. I'm doing like you said and going with a very dark cocoa powder for the icing. It may not be truly black but at least it will taste good. We still do one or two pumpkins every year. Well I should say he does. He's artistic and enjoys it so we'll do it until he doesn't.
DeleteOh I get the "if it ain't broke don't fix it"! When I worked in HR we all had our specialities and it worked so well and efficiently. Then we got a "wise boy" (as my dad used to call them) dumped on us and we were no longer specialists (mine were medical insurance and pensions) but we all had to learn everyone else's jobs too, so of course quality of service went right down. Now six years later they've gone back to each person having their individual speciality. Makes me wonder how much money "wise boy" wasted trying to improve everything!
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating that must have been. Someone thought it would be a good idea to throw a LOT of money to an outside company to make all of the hospitals in our system use the same workflow. Our hospital is 134 beds, pts on three floors and they are making our doctors use the work flow of other hospitals with 600 beds, multiple floors and residence. What works at a large facility is not going to work at a smaller one. And what's really hilarious is that we tried it 5 years ago and it was a nightmare.
DeleteOh how I adore a BLT. Alas I so seldom get one that is good. One trick is to always salt the tomato
ReplyDeleteA BLT made with local tomatoes is pure bliss.
DeleteI love the good slap. You're a hoot. Also the little skeletons are so stinkin' cute in that pumpkin.
ReplyDeleteAren't they cute? I found a package of them so we're set.
DeleteOooh that chicken with rice looks so good, Lori! I almost laughed out loud at your comment about the group hired by corporate to "make everything wonderful" ... yeah right, hahahaha! Now pull the other one. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny. It's frustrating that this corporation continues to spend a LOT of money on bringing in these companies to evaluate and make changes that do not work.
DeleteI love the pumpkin and the toothpicks? are so clever. I like fall, but I'm not a winter person despite all the holidays. I will be looking forward to see how your projects come out. Fall decorating is fun! Because we leave end of October I'm only got one huge mum for the front porch and one big pumpkin...
ReplyDeleteI thought the pumpkin and the cake were both cute. They're different than what we normally do. I hope they both come out. I bought two huge mum's for the front porch and the deer continue to eat the flowers as soon as they open. We've never had that happen before and it is frustrating.
DeleteCheers to fall! A most beautiful season. Lots of good things happening in your kitchen. Thanks for he inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you, dear Lori? Hope all is well. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm back. We've been checking things off the list and making memories. You know I'm getting ready to hibernate for the winter. lol Thanks for checking. I'm off to visit you. xoxo
DeleteLoved this post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of the seasons, I think mainly of the weather. Why I don't immediately think of the holidays they contain is beyond me. I should think that way, because it really bumps fall and early winter much higher on my list. I love that pumpkin prison - that's awesome. And I also love the clever way you've cut up that cake in a no-waste fashion.
ReplyDeleteI honestly enjoy all four seasons but Fall and Winter is my favorite because of all of the holidays and because I missed these seasons SO much when we lived in Florida. When we moved back to Illinois I vowed to fully embrace all of the seasons and all they had to offer.
DeleteHi Lori. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes sounds amazing. I can't wait for Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving is a favorite in our house too. Thank you for stopping by.
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