And Just Like That

 

I've spent way too much time in the past few weeks trying to figure out why I couldn't message or email photos from my phone to my computer.  I like to think I'm pretty good at figuring these things out, but nothing worked.  Yesterday I needed to update Adobe for something unrelated and today, just like that, protos arrive with no problem.  Really, I just tried it on a whim, didn't think it would work.

And so, I hope you're still with me.  

Nora's appendicitis has not returned, although she is anxious that it might.  Aaron broke his arm when he tripped running down the street.  Aaron also had Covid, so he's had a time of it.  He's missing playing basketball and his percussion options in the band are limited.

Sarah and Winnie's little brown dog, Milo, is no longer with us.  He was doing fairly well, until suddenly, he wasn't.  They miss him tremendously, he was such a little handsome lover.  Now they have just one little brown dog, P-Nut, and she is a senior dog with health issues of her own.  Older than Milo was.

I've been cooking, at least more.  I'm not a fan of small appliances, but I got a new bread machine.  I remembered how often I used the one I had years ago, until I loved it to death.  The old one was big and clunky and this one is much more sleek.  The bread is just as good.  It's oatmeal bread in the picture.

Is anyone watching the storm expected next week?

Cool Weather

 

As days go, yesterday just . . . wasn't.  I think it was turning on the heat in the morning and remembering the winter feel.  And I didn't want that reminder.  I appreciated the warmth, don't get me wrong.

I did get out this embroidery project, untouched since last winter, and made some progress.  I think I'll set up a craft table in my cozy bedroom, with a good lamp and a few tools, for hand sewing projects.

And maybe recycle in a change in curtains and bedding.

 

Lighted Pumpkin

 

Time to pick up the Halloween candy.  I'm always hopeful for some Trick or Treaters.

I'm very aware of the shorter days in the evenings.  Mornings are different, I enjoy getting up in the dark and watching the sky lighten.  But evenings - I always want more light.

I ordered some new window candles and I'll set them out soon, probably when the time changes on November 7 but maybe before.

There was a pair of black slacks waiting in a pile to go to Goodwill.  I always liked them but felt a little self conscious wearing them because they were a little too short.  And so . . . now they are capris and I am happy.

My books recently, I don't know.  I'm returning three today that I started reading and just didn't want to put the time into finishing them.  Good books are a treasure but mediocre books just aren't.

Little Red Tomatoes, Little Brown Dog

 

The cherry tomatoes in my garden are winding down.  If the weather holds, there will be a few more.

My little brown grand dog Milo in North Carolina has a volunteer tomato plant by the front steps.  He has become accustomed to looking for a ripe tomato on his way into the house.  Here he is, looking at the last tomato.  And it isn't even ripe.

I wish I could just give him mine.  I told his people they will need to purchase some.  A little dog needs his tomatoes.  

Frozen Squash and Sweet Potatoes

 

If you haven't tried the frozen sweet potatoes or butternut squash, here is your bit of encouragement.  Especially with the squash, cutting it up always seems a little daunting to me and it's so nice to have that part done.

And look up a nice recipe for squash sausage soup, it's so good.  I won't share mine because I might just lose you at Field Roast veggie sausage but there are some good recipes out there.  And I felt virtuous digging out the blender and actually using it.

Last night Aaron and some friends celebrated his birthday by visiting Kings Island Halloween Haunt, then having a sleep over.  I don't know whether they got to ride a single ride, it was super crowded, but hopefully they got into one or two of the haunted houses.

His birthday was actually a month ago, but life is busy.  And so, fourteen.  In eighth grade, he got a late start with school because of his September birthday.

Catch up with Nora:  her appendicitis is resolving, the antibiotic treatment is finished..

It Really Is Saturday

 

Some sweet small napkins with soft fabric left from a curtain project.  The serger three-thread narrow overlock is my favorite finish for this kind of thing.

This morning I got an email from a friend asking if I was going to church in person today or watching on facebook.  There was more than a moment of panic.  I'm the worship leader this Sunday and I was still in pajamas. I had to print out the materials (not a small deal with my old cantankerous printer), not to mention practicing a few times.  And the drive/parking takes at least 25 minutes.  

I must have checked my phone and fitbit ten times to reassure myself that yes, it really is Saturday.

But somehow the gift of all that is that this day stretches out so nicely and whatever I do seems like a bonus.  Like these napkins.  And putting together half the blocks on a baby quilt.  Making a grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast - don't judge me.  

Green Pumpkin

 

Two weeks ago, when we got this pumpkin at The Twisted Apple, an organic orchard near Hendersonville, NC, it was a glossy green.  Gorgeous.

Now it has turned orange in selected places.  Fascinating.  Still gorgeous.  Will it soon be all orange?

I trimmed back one of the ornamental grasses today, so if you come up my sidewalk you won't trip.  You're welcome.

But, there is a hole in the concrete under my porch.  And a small chipmunk poked his head out while I was working.  As you may know, I don't do small creatures well in enclosed spaces.  I am imagining it getting into my basement, running around, going up the steps . . . I don't even want to go there.  I have to deal with this.  And it's one of those things that I don't even know where to call.