Thursday, October 30, 2008

My favorite word

My brain has been under attack for the last 3 weeks. It is currently being held hostage by the word "pernicious". I am completely obsessed with the word and am experiencing supreme frustration trying to find ways to incorporate into conversation. Any suggestions for its casual use would be greatly appreciated. Then, perhaps, I could get it out of my system and stifle its constant tickling at the edges of my consciousness. (Have I mentioned I have issues?)

Also, if any of you happen to know how to correct this formatting issue I am having, I would be eternally grateful. I can't get it to stop centering all my posts and shoving my sidebar to the bottom. Thanks.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Thank you, Noggin.

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This song has been stuck in my head for 2 weeks, and I'm sure it will continue to be until after Halloween. Now, it is my gift to you. Enjoy.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

October Eye Candy

Every fall I am overwhelmed with the desire once again feel the crisp autumn air, see the trees blazing with red and orange leaves, and taste fresh apple cider while waiting to take the hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick our own pumpkins. I love fall in Indiana. The problem is I am not in Indiana. I am in southwest Florida where the air is balmy and heavy and all our apples are imported from Washington and Michigan. Where I laugh heartily at the selection of parka-like Halloween costumes at Target which are good for nothing down here but inducing heat stroke. The other day I found myself getting downright cranky about Florida's flat refusal to recognize that there has, in fact, been a change in season. Then I stopped by my grandma's house and was somewhat consoled by this:



I may not get my favorite version of fall weather down here, but I have to confess that Florida fall does have its charms. Like this:





Be forewarned that despite all this flowering loveliness, I will still complain bitterly about not being able to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal because it is too daggone hot and that it never feels like Christmas here. I'm just keeping it honest; I do it every year. On those days, remind me to look back at these photos:


Sometimes these extreme close-ups of orchids seem like a violation of the flower's privacy.






What is fall like where you live? Do you like it or dislike it? What is your favorite season and why? I am burning with curiosity, please share.

Monday, October 13, 2008

My Enchanted Life

Today I have some major cleaning to do. But am I discouraged or reluctant to delve right in? No! Why? Well, because I have a happy working song to hum, of course! Don't tell me you don't have one. You don't, really? No wonder your house is such a mess! In the interest of posterity I will share mine with you. Please note that this is actual footage of me on cleaning day.


So now that you know my secret, I have a few questions for you. What is your absolute least favorite cleaning chore? Do you follow a cleaning schedule? Any cleaning tools or supplies you can't live without that the rest of us should know about?

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

If You're Missing the Grill

I got to thinking after my last post that perhaps I should include a recipe for those of us still experiencing less than cool, crisp autumn weather and those of you who miss summery grilled food. Thus, I submit for your consideration kefta and zucchini kebobs via smittenkitchen. These were beyond delicious. Everyone in my family moaned in delight and declared them fabulous in every respect. Even if you are a little nervous about ethnic food and the idea of dipping meat into minted yogurt, don't be afraid. After all, the worst that could happen is you don't like it. Don't worry, just try one bite and if you don't like it, you don't have to eat it. (Works on my kids.) You don't even need a grill. I did mine in the grill pan because it was raining. They are very simple to make.
Here are the kefta

Here's the zucchini. Now, put them together and....

ummmmm....

Baked Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cheese

Now that fall is upon us, it is time to trot out all the homey, comforting recipes that have sat forlorn and untouched throughout the summer months. Of course, it is still in the high 80s and humid here in Florida, but I choose to ignore that. It's October, doggone it, I want some baked pasta! And so will you after this post. Seriously, make it. You will totally thank me for it. I will begin by enticing you with photographs of its cheesy, mouthwatering goodness.

Looks good, huh? Huh? Huh? (If we were not separated by cyberspace I would be nudging you with my elbow here. I suppose it is a good thing we are separated by cyberspace because that would probably be annoying.) Now contemplate the sausage. I used sweet Italian turkey sausage because the kids don't like spicy.
Now--stop salivating all over your keyboard!--click here for the recipe and go make you some dinner.

Growing Up


So, my baby lost her first tooth. My baby lost her first tooth. My baby. Ordinarily, I am not one to become weepy and nostalgic over things like this. I readily confess that I don't remember at what exact age they all walked, crawled, or talked, but for some reason I can't explain, this tooth loss affected me. Why? I was excited when the twins lost their first tooth. Is it all wrapped up in the whole kindergarten madness I'm going through? It is just so unlike me, it confounds me. Anyone else out there experiencing this sort of thing? What was it for you?

Friday, October 3, 2008

Politics

The constant onslaught of political mumblings, sound bites, and other such nonsense to which we are subjected every election and are currently enduring, brought to mind Brian Regan's comments on politicians. I hope you enjoy. I highly recommend listening to more of his comedy on YouTube.