November

Considering the fact that I haven't posted on this blog since the middle of October, I realize this may very well be the only post I write in November. So, I feel like it should be super meaningful and utterly profound.

However, that is rarely the case with me lately. I can think of nothing profound and nothing meaningful. Oh, yes, I heard a great sermon, I've had some fantastic discussions, I've listened to some amazing podcasts lately. But, when I stop... and breathe... and actually THINK. It's usually about the following things... don't judge me.

1. The last time I got my hair colored, I couldn't even tell. I'm wondering how bold a 41 year old can go without looking foolish....
2. To get to sleep at night, I often make up "dreams" in my mind. Sometimes it's how I would spend a million dollars in the lottery.... lately, I've been taking trips to France and then riding the train around to all the beautiful places in Europe that I've always wanted to see...
3. I have a friend who has a recipe for a bread bowl dip.... it's a really delicious creamy cheesy yummyness... that I have been wondering who I can invite over for an excuse to make this warm comforting goodness... and when.
4. What is that pain in my left foot? How long has it been there? Why don't I notice these things sooner?
5. What should I use to cover my climbing rose bush? I don't know whatever possessed me to buy such a finicky plant that takes so much maintenance.
6. I really need to start planning my Thanksgiving dinner. I already bought an 18 pound turkey. I wonder if I should make a few desserts to test before the big day arrives.

it's over

This week, as the temperatures plummeted to freezing, I realized it's over (the growing season). The night before our first frost I ventured to the garden to attempt to get anything and everything I possibly could (not much).

I did manage to salvage about two dozen tomatoes, not ripe yet. So, I put them in the window and let them ripen off the vine.

Today, I decided I'd better do something with them and it is going to be tomato juice! My mom visited last week from sunny Arizona and brought her tomato juice recipe for me, so that's what I'm doing.

Unfortunately, 20 tomatoes doesn't get me a lot of juice. So, instead of canning it, I decided I'd just make chili or goulash for supper tonight. Seems like a lot of work... but I refuse to let anything from my garden go to waste.

This was a good year for some things: spinach, swiss chard, potatoes, lettuce - cool season crops did so well.

Bad year for: tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins - it was just too cold.

Next week it is supposed to warm up, and I'm going to clean out the garden... get every last bit of gunk out of there, maybe burn... and get it ready to plant some garlic next month. Garlic is planted in November around here...

Happy Fall!

fortunes

Fortune cookies from two weeks ago:

Tina's: Traveling to the south will bring you unexpected happiness.

Shawn's: Modify your thinking to handle new situations.

This week, I started a new job and I drive 25 minutes (yes you guessed it south) each morning. My man is having a difficult time with this new schedule... maybe he just needs to modify his thinking. ;)

Autumn

Chrysanthemama is having a fun contest and I hope I win! I love Starbucks coffee... you should check it out on her site here.

I commented about how much I love fall on her site.... so I thought I'd say a bit more.

I love fall.

Love it.

Love Love Love it.

I love the sights of fall: one of the things I am most excited about this year is my awesome pumpkins from our garden. We have about a dozen of them all over the place.. and they are so. cute.

I also love fall food: I can't wait for my first opportunity to settle in for a cool evening with hot soup and some hard crusted bread, followed up by a pan of pumpkin bars oozing with cream cheese frosting and hot coffee with vanilla caramel creamer. mmm mmm good.

And the smell... the cool crisp breeze and fresh air in fall. I love it.

Looking forward to a couple months of my favorite season of all.

all day drive

Shawn and I took the day off today from everything and went for a drive. The seasons are changing and the midwest landscape is starting to show it.

It was a beautiful day. A great time with a great guy.

Random Dozen Meme

Linda, over at 2nd Cup of Coffee, made up a meme. Good job Linda! Here are my answers:

1. Which is worse: a long, boring meeting or standing in a return/exchange line after Christmas?

I have to go with the line. A long boring meeting can always be made fun, especially if the long, boring meeting allows you to "take notes" on your laptop. ;)

2. Except for maybe Rosie O'Donnell or Ann Coulter, nobody likes confrontation, yet we all have to deal with it. When you feel cornered and defensive, do you "bite back" or become passive aggressive?

It depends on who is doing the confronting. Some people I will "bite back". Others, I will become passive agressive. I deal with friction from various sources differently. However, on all matters of things I love (like coffee, sunflower seeds, my kids,... I will most likely rip you to shreds in defensiveness).

3. Do you know anything about your genealogical background? (What country, culture, ties to prominent historical figures, or other stuff.)

yes. What? It's a direct yes/no question.

4. What is the quickest way a person can endear him/herself to you?

Bring me starbucks randomly.

5. Cake, pie, cookies, or ice cream? (Note there is no "all of the above" option. You must choose one. Feel free to elaborate on flavor or memories tied to this dessert.) If you'd like, you can share a recipe, but you certainly don't have to.

Can I just say yes? Okay... so, if I HAVE to choose, I'm usually going to go for the cake. Especially chocolate.

6. Females: Do you regularly change your handbag to coordinate with your outfit?

sometimes. more likely, I buy a bag that goes with lots of things. I have a lot of black ones. Right now, my current one is purple - and it's so cute!

7. Are you task-oriented or relationship-oriented?

Task. No contest here. Sorry, I love you all. But, I have a list and I usually am more devoted to my list.

8. IHOP, Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel?

Cracker Barrel. Never heard of Bob Evans... and only been to IHOP twice.

9. Have you ever left a movie in progress in a theater? Why?

Black Hawk Down. I had to leave to go to the bathroom and call my kids. It was so stressful. I did go back. That was a long time ago. Now, I don't go until I've read the reviews and talked to someone about whether it was good or not. I just don't want to waste my money on garbage.

10. What is one area of life in which you would like to develop more discipline or organization?

my closet. my laundry room. garage. sigh.

11. Was middle school fun or painful?

Fun. We moved a lot when I was a kid and middle school was when we started to settle down.

12. What is your favorite Fall beverage?

coffee. same as spring, summer, and winter.

Thanks linda! Good job on the meme! If anyone wants to join in, go for it!

Endurance

"Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory"