For weeks the temperatures have been in the 40's overnight with highs in the 70's which is pretty typical for this area. Today I woke up to this:
The 10 outlook is about the same. And so it begins.
How's the weather in your area? I hope you have a wonderful Saturday!!
What's top of my mind: Fall cleaning. The last couple of weeks I've gone through every closet, drawer, cabinet, pantry, etc. Two large boxes of 'stuff' have been taken to Good Will and I'll be starting another box today. I give it another week or two and this year's Fall cleaning will be done just in time for snuggling up for the winter.
Where I've been: I went to have my hair cut on Thursday. I had him take a good four inches off, so I'm set for a while. I picked up a few groceries on Friday and met with a friend for lunch on Saturday.
Where I'm going: Tuesday I'm taking Binx to the vet to be neutered. He is finally starting to slow down a little bit and even take a nap during the day. This little guy just has SO much energy. The last two weeks have seen a huge improvement on the biting so that is wonderful. He wasn't biting out of aggression or over stimulation but wanting constant attention. I learned to just walk away and not give him any attention or eye contact for about 10 minutes and it seems to have worked. We're planning on a Saturday Road trip also which I'm looking forward to.
What I'm watching: I noticed a lot of Christmas movies are already on but I refuse to indulge until the day after Thanksgiving. I did watch Home for the Holidays which is an old favorite of mine that shows how Thanksgiving is for one family. Hilarious.
What I'm listening to: Friday night into midday Saturday was cool, rainy and WINDY. The wind seemed to be roaring yesterday. Today it's nice and calm outside and I can hear the birds chirping away.
What I'm reading: I finished From Scratch and really enjoyed the book. It gave me all the feels. I started the Netflix series last night and the book is SO much better which is almost always the case. I'm starting a new to me online book club and the book this month is Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies so I will be starting that after it arrives Monday. I'm looking forward to it.
What I'm eating:
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Who needs a good slap: The local sheriff's race has been pretty ugly. I give a slap to the current good old boy in office. He needs to go. He came to our house last weekend, and I didn't open the door. I figured it was nicer than opening it and telling him I would never vote for him.
What I'm planning: Lists and lists for the holidays and planning out a couple of road trips. Our favorite restaurant has a new menu after spending time in Italy and we have to get there soon. It looks delicious.
What's making me smile: The big guy has a student that makes all kinds of T-shirts, cups, etc. She has now added painting on shoes. He told me about them and asked what I would put on mine. I said a big bright cupcake. Well, he ordered them and surprised me with them, and they are SO cute. It makes me smile to see the younger generation being creative and a smile to the big guy for surprising me.
That's all I have this week. I have a couple of recipes to try out and share here next week. How are things with you? Stay safe everyone!!
What's top of my mind: I can't believe it is the end of October. I'm reminding myself to live in the moment because it all goes by too quickly and I don't want to miss a thing.
Where I've been: Monday thru Thursday I worked, and it was brutal. I'm so glad I had scheduled a three-day weekend because I really needed it. Friday, we went to Garden of the Gods and spent the day walking and eating a delicious lunch. It was gorgeous even though the trees do not have as much color as usual because of severe drought in the area. Saturday, we went shopping in our favorite town about 45 minutes west of us and went to Drakes for lunch so I could cure my club craving. Both days were wonderful spending time together enjoying the Fall weather.
Where I'm going: I have a hair appointment this week and other than work no solid plans yet.
What I'm watching: This week I watched Bettle Juice again and Cruella for the first time which was pretty good. I also found a new Netflix series Easy Bake Battle and watched a few episodes that I really enjoyed. It is home cooks competing in different challenges.
What I'm reading: I gave up on The Ten Thousand Doors of January. It kept skipping around and I just found it frustrating. I started From Scratch by Tembi Locke and am loving it. It's brought me to happy and sad tears a few times. I can't wait to watch the Netflix series.
What I'm listening to: We listened to a lot of 80's music on our road trips this weekend. Nothing like a blast from the past.
What I'm eating:
Big Salad
Who needs a good slap: Fresh Market Thyme which used to be my favorite grocery store has changed to ALL self-checkout and I didn't realize it until we had completed our shopping. I am all for the self-checkout for those that want to use it but to have that as the only option is not cool to me. I had a ton of fresh fruit and veggies which all has to be looked up individually. A worker came up and I asked her when they went to ALL self-checkout, and she said a couple of weeks ago. I told her that this could not be customer friendly and that I would not be coming back. Her reply was a very snippy, condescending SORRRRREEE. I looked at her and said no you're not and you can put everything that doesn't have a barcode up because I'm not doing this. Now I know why the store was not as crowded as it usually is on a Saturday morning. We won't be going back, and I give that wench 5 slaps.
What I'm planning: I made a huge dent in my Fall cleaning last weekend and will be continuing with that. Exciting, I know.
What's making me smile: The weather has been wonderful and that always makes me smile.
I hope everyone is doing well and has a wonderful Sunday. Happy Halloween to all that celebrate!!
Today I'm reposting about an appetizer that I love more and more each time I eat it. I originally posted about them in 2020 when I first tried them. I was a bit skeptical at first on whether I'd enjoy them or not because honestly, the combo sounds a bit odd. I've made them many times since and I just love them. So if you're looking for a new appetizer or light snack option this is a good one.
What's top of my mind: Time gets away from most of us. It's already the last week of October so I'm really focusing on each day and appreciating every moment. My motto has always been "Run the day or the day will run you." This is the left corner of our backyard showing all of its fall glory. Today I need to get a photo of our burning bushes that are at their peak.
Where I'm going: Hopefully my new glasses will be ready this week so I can pick them up. Friday I'm taking the day off so we can go for a hike through Garden of the Gods and see even more Fall beauty. Saturday we're going out of town to do some shopping, have lunch at Drakes to cure my club craving and pick up our meat order.
What I'm watching: We watched this week's Great British Baking Show.
What I'm reading: I finished The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches which I really enjoyed. I'm about halfway through The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow and am also enjoying it. This passage really caught my attention: "If we address stories as archaeological sites, and dust through their layers with meticulous care, we find at some level there is always a doorway. A dividing point between here and there, us and them, mundane and magical. It is at the moments when the doors open, when things flow between the worlds, that stories happen." I also bought From Scratch, and it should be here tomorrow. I want to read it before I watch the Netflix series that just came out.
What I'm listening to: Right now, I have the patio door open, and I can hear the leaves rustling around from the wind. It is a comforting sound.
What I'm eating:
What I'm planning: November has a good number of appointments and commitments so I have to keep an eye on my schedule.
What's making me smile: Michael, the dear, from Spo-Reflections | To live is to battle with trolls in the vaults of heart and brain. To write; this is to sit in judgment over one's Self. Henrik Ibsen (wordpress.com) and I have been exchanging Good Morning memes for a couple of years now. This month we've shared Fall/Halloween inspired messages all month. Yesterday I scrolled through the month looking at them again and it brought a smile to my face. Thank you Spo!!
Well that's it for today. I hope you all have a lovely Sunday and a magical week ahead. Any smiles you want to share? I believe we all need to smile as much as possible.
I can't believe we're already halfway through October. I feel like I was just getting ready for Fall a minute ago.
What's top of my mind: Getting ready for winter. Yesterday we cleared everything out of the garden. I washed all of the pots and got them put in the shed. We cleaned up the front porch and the back patio along with the garage. It actually only took about two hours for the two of us to get it all done so I'm not sure why I've dreaded it but I'm happy it is done before it gets colder this week. The fall foliage is really starting to pop. I think the peak will be in a week or two. It's just gorgeous.
Where I've been: Other than working all week, I had a dentist appointment on Monday. I have to go back in November to fix a filling that is apparently loose. Saturday, we went to the Amish Cafe for a donut and hot chocolate before running to the store for a few things.
Where I'm going: Hopefully my new glasses will be ready this week and I can pick them up. Wednesday is our monthly date night and we're going to try out a new Mexican place. I'm hoping it is as good as the one that it replaced. Other than that, and work, we have no plans yet.
What I'm watching: I don't think I've ever mentioned this before but the big guy and I watch/play Jeopardy every afternoon. We've done this for years. It's a nice 30-minute break in the day for us to use our brains a little and compete against each other. lol
What I'm reading: I picked up a couple of books from the library last weekend. The one I'm reading now is The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. I haven't read any of her books, but I am really enjoying this one and plan to check out some of her other books.
What I'm listening to: I listened to a few videos by Jackson Galaxy. Binx is a biter and we have got to get this under control before he gets any bigger. For some reason he only bites me. We've never had a biter and I really don't know what to do or what I'm doing wrong. His appointment to get neutered is in November and I am really hoping that is also going to help calm him down. It's frustrating because other than this, he is a perfect cat.
What I'm eating:
What I'm planning: I'm planning on finishing my book and relaxing today along with digging through my recipe/cookbooks for a new to me soup recipe. Tuesday and Wednesday are both supposed to be pretty chili so that will be a good time for a pot of soup.
What's making me smile: Years ago I had a small tree and all the decorations for each holiday/season that I used to have out. I don't remember what made me stop but while trying to decide it I just wanted to get rid of it all or not I decided to do the Fall/Halloween decorations. I'm really liking having it out again. It just gives a nod to the season and makes me smile.
I hope everyone stays safe and has a wonderful week!
My love of soup, stew and chili is a relatively new thing. Growing up I honestly do not remember eating much of the three at all except for an occasional vegetable soup or beef stew and then the next 20 years I spent in SW Florida I really saw no need for any of it except for the occasional pot of chili and the glorious Brunswick Stew that I was introduced to there.
Four or five years ago something changed in me because now when the coolness of Fall rolls in I start thinking about big pots of deliciousness. One of my self challenges this fall is to cook a pot of soul warming comfort once a week and I will be sharing the recipes. To know what recipes I've already posted on this blog I went through and was a little surprised I've only shared four.
https://culinaryadventureswithlori.blogspot.com/2021/01/cold-dark-nights-call-for-soup.html
https://culinaryadventureswithlori.blogspot.com/2020/10/baked-potato-soup.html
https://culinaryadventureswithlori.blogspot.com/2019/12/thanksgiving-leftovers.html
https://culinaryadventureswithlori.blogspot.com/2019/10/changing-seasons.html
Are you a fan of the three? What is your favorite?
Stay safe everyone.
Happy Sunday!
What's top of my mind: The weather. It's been absolutely perfect here. We haven't had the air or the heat on for weeks. Cold nights with warmish days keep the house at a comfortable temperature. It was 29 degrees when I woke up this morning, but it was 67 in the house so not bad at all. I do often wonder why we had a fireplace in Florida but didn't get a house with one here though.
Where I've been: This week I had an eye appointment on Thursday. I hadn't been in probably 4 years, so I'm not surprised I needed new glasses. I picked a pair that I think are really cute and added the no glare option so I'm really looking forward to getting them. Friday, I stopped at the Farmers Market for possibly the last time this year and bought fresh veggies for the week.
Where I'm going: Today I am going to run by the library to return books and pick up a couple new ones to read. Monday I have a dentist appointment for my 6-month cleaning. Saturday we plan to go to the Pumpkin Patch if the weather cooperates and it doesn't rain. So far, that is all that is planned.
What I'm watching: British Bake Off, Practical Magic, and I watched season two of Indian Matchmaking. Thank you, Judee, (realfoodblogger.com) for mentioning this series, I really enjoyed watching it.
What I'm reading: I finished The Oysterville Sewing Circle. That is the fourth book of Susan Wiggs that I've read and I really enjoyed them all.
What I'm listening to: The big guy and Binx are still sleeping so it is very quiet here right now.
What I'm planning: I started my Fall cleaning list this week. So far, cleaning the oven has been completed. I also want to plan a day trip or two for us to take before Christmas.
What's making me smile: Every day I wake up brings a smile.
I hope everyone has a good day.
My Kitchen Witch that is probably 25 years old. I love bringing her out every year.
We have a chance for frost this weekend, so I stopped by the farmers market yesterday for maybe one last time. Can you believe all this local produce was only 14.00?
I hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday and that you all find something that makes you smile today.
What's top of my mind: This week my mind was focused on my friends in Florida. We've heard from most of them and they are physically well which is a relief. September 29th is the day that I lost my Dad 30 years ago and also it would have been Jet's 17th birthday so of course I thought of them a lot this week.
Where I've been: Other than work and a trip to the grocery store, we didn't go anywhere which is exactly what I needed.
Where I'm going: Nothing is planned for the coming week. I want to go to the Pumpkin Patch to enjoy a nice fall day but I think I want to wait until the 16th when they'll also have carriage rides which would be nice.
What I'm watching: We watched Hocus Pocus and the new Hocus Pocus 2. I won't spoil anything for those that plan to watch, but we really enjoyed it.
What I'm listening to: I do yoga and meditation almost daily but since it was a bit of a stressful week I found myself meditating even longer just listening to the silence and my breathing. It really does help calm my mind.
