Don't Make Me Go Back to Work

I have four days off this week and I could totally get used to staying home full time. Yesterday I met my husband at the bowling alley. The high school has a bowling for gym and they bus the kids to the local bowling alley.

After visiting with my favorite bus driver (sorry, sister - you are my favorite too), I stopped in a little resale shop. Plenty of barely used "diet" books always seem to be available. I actually considered the 400 calorie fix, just for the recipes. The concept is that you eat 400 calories for each meal. It would be handy to have that already figured and some of the recipes looked quite tasty. However, I was too cheap to spend $10 on a used book.

I never tried the South Beach diet, but I think like many diets it worked for quite a few people - until they stopped doing it.

Being off work also allowed me to to watch my niece cheer at the first basketball game of the season. On days I am working it would be quite a rush for me to get there in time to just see the end of the game.

The height of pumpkin season is officially over. Today on our walk, Millie and I saw a bunch of pumpkins waiting for the trash man.

  
 Then there was this poor pumpkin.

My husband would like to remind everyone that pumpkin pie season NEVER ends. My advice to all you married ladies. If your husband loves something his mom makes (more than yours)....don't be offended, just let her make it for him. It is a win/win - he's happy, she's happy and you don't have to make it :)

These bags full of ornamental grass made me chuckle.

Last night I had my first MRI in about 3 years. I was a little anxious. Not because of the MRI itself - those I find rather soothing. I like the cozy tube and like listening to all the different noises and their patterns. The MRI tech was surprised when I told her I would rather listen to the machine than the radio station through a headset. Seriously, what if I was trapped in there and the most annoying terrible songs came on the radio...no thanks.

Back to the anxiety...I don't remember how much I weighed last time and with my recent gain I was convinced it would make me feel cramped in the tube. I was also worried about having that much "quiet" time to think about things I'd rather not. The space was not an issue. The mental part was a bit tougher, but any time my thoughts would start to wander I would very purposefully start counting the different tones of the scan - 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 knocks....1-2-3 beeps. Sometimes the noises were too fast for me to keep up with counting. My strategy worked and it was overall a good experience.

I meet with my neurologist tomorrow. We are just looking for additional MS activity/lesions since my last scan. We are hoping for the neurologist to confirm my brain is "unimpressive" - a good thing.

My husband is off today and we have planned to catch an early showing of the new James Bond movie, Spectre.  It is a 10:20 a.m. showing - not sure I have ever seen a movie that early.

Then later today we are celebrating my awesome nephew's 17th birthday. I don't even know what to say about that...he was just born yesterday. He has always been Maximum Cuteness :)

Happy Wednesday to you all.  I am linking up today with Winter for Weigh In Wednesday.

Apple Time

Last weekend my mother-in-law picked up a bushel of Jonathon apples for us. I gave my sister and niece each a bag of them. I am still working on ideas for them that don't involve pie crust. There will be pie, but not a bushel of pie. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Incidentally, I am a tad disappointed the apples came in a box and not a bushel basket.

I decided to try an apple chutney. I used this recipe from Ina Garten. My only criticism is that it is a bit too vinegary. The recipe calls for a "good" cider vinegar. Perhaps mine wasn't "good'. I just used the apple cider vinegar I had on hand. My sister is planning to smoke some pork for my nephew's birthday tomorrow. I would like to taste the chutney with the pork. 

After peeling and chopping the apples for this recipe my hands were too sore to peel/slice apples for pie, so I guess that is a good way to limit eating too much pie.

Everything into the one pot and boil away with an occasional stir. "How easy is that?" -Ina Garten

Recipe made about three cups of chutney.

It is that time of year. The garden is finished. I took these pictures a few days ago. I wish my Swiss Chard didn't taste so much like dirt :( At least it was pretty.

This was definitely the year of the pepper. No matter what I did my jalapenos would not stop. We ate them, froze them, gave them away....and still the plants were covered.

I am now recruiting for volunteers to come clean up my garden for the winter.

Enjoyed another day off walk this morning. I could get used to this. Is anyone thinking Christmas?? This shrub appears to be being groomed for such a festive occasion.

 Love when the early sun is coming over the trees and illuminates just a small spot.

 I don't remember this plant from previous walks, but it caught my attention this morning.

Remember the t.p.ed tree from yesterday. I think they are waiting for rain to help them out with these high strands.

 Loving the new pavement on the stretch of road that has been horrible for years.

Waiting for my pokey dogs to their business, I couldn't resist a little art work on the windshield frost. This is more or less what Zommie would look like with a crew cut. I might of skimped on her beak :)

I know, after that, what else can I say?

Chilly Mornings and Birthday Surprise

I feel like I have been relying to much on marching in front of the tv this past week. So this morning, it made me especially happy to get out and walk. It was 32 degrees and everything was frosty - including poor Boba Fett.

It has been awhile since my husband and I have been out together. After taking the girls cross country team to the state meet he has become remotivated to get running again. Of course, I loved having me out with me.

Every time I tell myself I am not posting any more fall color pics...I see another tree that must be photographed...and shared. Can you find the tiny V of geese?  Maybe the are starting to head south.

I spotted the deer shadow long before I found the statue - camouflaged by sun and hoses. I think it is hunting season.

Who wouldn't want this tree in their yard???

Mr. Flamingo I think you need to start making some winter plans....

This heating and cooling company's trailer was pretty intense. Can you imagine driving behind it?  I think I would be a little intimidated.

This eagle was painted on the side.

I would probably be a little annoyed if this were my yard. Later in the day I drove over to my sister's house and I saw a high school age looking kid out there picking up t.p.

Morning sun is the absolute best.

Birthday week has officially come to an end. I think the highlight for my husband was the completion of the command center.  Last Christmas my FIL built us a desk and the computer/craft room officially became my husband's Command Center. This summer it got a paint job.

Truth is this picture only tells half the story.  The other side of the room is a huge built in cabinet/shelving unit. It has been filled with my stuff since before my husband and I got together. The cabinet top has been the worlds' biggest clutter catcher. This weekend while my husband was on his trip, my niece helped me transform it. I couldn't have done it without her.

I apologize in advance for the picture quality. The room is so small with only a window and a lamp for light. My husband would like to put in recessed lighting.

He was absolutely thrilled with his surprise.  Yes, you do spy a few things of mine still. I will move them to my craft room when I get some shelving installed...hopefully for Christmas :)

I am off work for a few days so this morning I got a daylight walk in the neighborhood with my friend. Millie.

I see a fish on caught on a line...anyone else see it?

 That looks like way too much work for me...

 Millie prefers the rake it into the street method. She was obsessed with EVERY pile of leaves.

Finally, I am happy to announce my BMI is now perfect :)  It is amazing what being 15 feet tall will do for a person. Now I just have to figure out what to do about finding pants that fit and fitting my brain in my teeny tiny head.

Happy Monday!  Hope you all have a great week!

5 on Friday and My Birthday Guy

Before I get started on my five I have to wish the happiest of birthdays to be loving husband. This picture is actually 5 years old (from our engagement session). I chose to share it this morning because it reminds me how happy I am to be walking through this life with him.

Although I wish him the happiest of birthdays today, it isn't quite the perfect day. For the first time we are separated on one of our birthdays. He is took the cross country team to state and is gone for two days including his birthday. So far that thumb in the picture below is all I have seen of him...though we have talked several times already this morning. Even though we aren't together I couldn't have him go birthday cakeless. I wrapped this box and put it in his suitcase to be opened this morning. I loved hearing him laugh :)  When he gets back we will have to extend birthday week a little more since we didn't get to do everything we planned - new James Bond movie (including popcorn) and of course, presents.

So on to the five...another random group of things that have been occupying my day-to-day.

Linking up with A. Liz Adventures for 5 on Friday.

1.  People Making Things

My niece is busy sewing baby things for a couple of upcoming little ones. I love that she is learning to sew too. My sister just treated them to a new sewing machine. She has been sewing on an old clunker for years and she definitely appreciates the new one :) 

I know I have mentioned that my in-laws make and sell birdhouses. When we were at the farm the other night they were busy getting some ready for a sale. It was fun to see my FIL hard at work in his amazing workshop. I am inspired by their system. My FIL does all the woodwork and my MIL does the painting. The painting is done before they are assembled. All the decorative pieces are then kept in the main house and lined up on the workbench to be assembled. Notice the dormer peak perched on the end of the roof waiting for attachment. In this picture, my FIL was using the contraption in his hand to square up and attach the porches. Years of practice :)

2. Creative Differences

Our friends had a baby this week. They planned to decorate their nursery with "Wookie the Chew" by James Hance. This particular collection is a compilation of Star Wars and Winnie the Pooh. You can check out this collection and so much more - a nerd's delight!!  James Hance's website.

I, on the other hand, have a completely different interpretation on combining Winnie the Pooh and Star Wars. I made this blanket for their little guy. I hope they appreciate my attempt to stick with their theme :)

3. Fading Fall Colors

The trees are still colorful, but the peak has passed and the leaves are starting to come down - especially with all the rain we have had this week. These two trees are right outside my work. Every fall I love watching them turn to this brilliant red. What I also love about them they turn later than the rest and prolong the fall color just a bit longer.  And yes there is a house behind them...and not a small house.

Not much is left hanging on the trees behind my house. We have had a couple foggy mornings which adds a whole other level of fall beauty.

4. Hunting Cars

We are officially looking for a car. There is not much I like less than car shopping, but it must be done. Our current plan is to buy something used...modest, but decent. Then in a few months to a year, possibly buy something much newer. We have some other irons in the fire right now, so I am trying to avoid adding a car payment. I saw this one on the way home yesterday. I am pretty sure my husband would give it a thumbs down - color and body style.

5. Making Beds

I am struggling in this area...and here is why...

So there you have it 5 on Friday in my world. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend :)