Today I realized...

Today I realized that small kitchen appliances, like the food they prepare, have seasons.  Summer is the season of the food processor- making pesto, salsa and salads.  Now, we are entering the season of the immersion blender.  V got me one of these as a holiday gift quite a few years ago.  Honestly, when I opened the package I was thinking- what on earth am I going to do with this...  But I have grown to love it.  This is the season of creamy, hearty soups, blended to perfection with the hand blender.  Mmmm...  Yesterday's lunch was a wonderful blend of sweet potato, broccoli, celery, onion and garlic in a chicken stock base.  All blended together to a creamy goodness.  Fall and winter is my season for thick soups.  Soon we will enter the season of the stand mixer- concocting holiday goodies.  Winter is also my traditional season where I rely more heavily on the crock pot.  So, even appliances have their seasons.
My back was feeling a bit better today.  Still not 100% but better enough that I could do several loads of laundry and get a sewing station set up in the basement.  My apron was cut out and I got a start on sewing it.

 Please, if I ever decide to make another apron- remind me of what a pain in the Bu** this pattern is!

It involves LOTS of bias tape edging,  It looks good but it's a bit tedious.  The pattern actually called for making your own bias edging.  Um, no thanks, even though I have the little tool to fold it.
You can see by the kitty paws below that Spaz helped hold the pieces in place:

 You can always count on cats to help with sewing- especially with the flimsy pattern pieces!!
Even though I had an eye appointment this afternoon. I still had time when I got home for some cooking.  Lasagna for dinner:

 And some bread...

 I tried a new recipe for a whole wheat Italian loaf.  It would have been much better if I hadn't forgotten to put the salt in the recipe.  I was mixing it up as the children were arriving home from school and got distracted.  Oops...  Still, it has promise.  A bit more dense than I think of for Italian bread but that's the whole wheat.
V was also busy today.  He got the last big pier poured for the deck extension.  Isn't he cute with his little cement truck??

 He mixes it up one bag at a time in the shop so he can use his big drill with a special mixing tool attachment and hauls it in the wagon to the house so he doesn't have to carry it so far.  He's saving his back as well.  And, yes, he's wearing a mask to avoid breathing concrete dust.  Too much nastiness in there.
He's making good progress on the back:

 Both retaining walls are now in place and the piers on either side are poured.  If you look at the deck on the south (right) side of the house- the extension will be at the same height wrapping around this end of the house right over the back door. We've got a big pile of dirt that will be used to backfill behind the new wall to even out the slope under the deck.  Because the space between the new walls is wider than the existing sidewalk, V poured an extension last night:

So this will be a little back patio under the deck on the West side of the house.  We spend a lot of time outside in the summer so this will be additional living space.  There is a tree on the northwest corner that will provide shade in summer.  We're doing the retaining wall and concrete footer work this fall and will tackle the deck build next spring or early summer.  It's our last major project except for window replacement (but the windows will be done piecemeal over the next few years).  I'm still waiting for a room to be completely finished but, hey, it's coming along.  And I'm getting used to living in a construction zone!!
I hope you all had a productive start to your week as well.

Not much.

Things are quiet around here- but can you believe that this is my 900th post!  You poor souls have been reading me babbling 900 times. I am so amazed!  When I started this I never thought anyone would ever be interested in my ho hum life.  Thanks to all of you for coming along for the journey!!
I've been frustrated this weekend.  My back has continued to act up and I spent a lot of time doing absolutely nothing.  Grrr...  and I had so much on my list for this weekend.  I felt like such a waste this afternoon.  I went along with V to the home improvement store to pick up some more concrete to finish the second support pier for the deck extension as well as a bit of sidewalk/patio outside the back door.  I couldn't lift anything- not that he would have let me even try.  Of course, J17 was quick to point out that this is my body telling me to SLOW DOWN.  Ok, Ok, I get it- can we move on now!
I didn't even get laundry done this weekend.  I had I14 carry the hamper downstairs for me and I sorted slowly and painfully.  But, when I tried to pick up the first load to put it in the washer- I got stuck- halfway up from a squatting position I couldn't move.  Not cool.  I can tell by the definite knot in my muscle that it's a muscular problem- not structural, thank goodness.  I'm feeling much more mobile today but have still been taking it easy.  I didn't even get bread baked for K11 (well, I made beer bread but that doesn't really count).
I do have the official word that I do not have to report for jury duty tomorrow.  Good.  Maybe I can get some laundry done in the morning.  I've got an eye appointment at 1:30 so there goes the afternoon.  At least it was too windy this weekend to put the roof panels on the chicken run or I'd be doubly frustrated- although I'm getting worried that it will be snowing before we get the roof on.
Had word from Mom that my uncle passed away this morning. He was my father's last living sibling.  That really hits home.  I'll have to give them a call tomorrow.  Mom sent the message to my work email address and I didn't check that until late today and then didn't want to bother them.  She also indicated that two other family members are having health issues.  When it rains it pours.
Plans for tomorrow include cutting out my apron, doing a few loads of laundry and an eye appointment.  If they don't dilate my eyes I may bake bread in the afternoon.  We'll see how my back is doing.

Swords don't need reloading....

Be afraid, be very afraid!!

 J17 and V took possession this morning of their very own katanas.

 I guess now we're ready for the zombie apocalypse.

 Practicing on pumpkins.

Reduced to chicken sized bits.
I just wish the focus had been better on this last one:

She is quite pleased with herself!

tidbits

A few bits of information that I have gleaned today:
* As of the 5 pm preliminary info on jury duty- I don't have to report on Monday-  Woo Hoo!  I've got too much on my to-do list for the weekend.
* The first of the Winter markets starts tomorrow afternoon.  This is the first year-round farmer's market in town.  How exciting!! The markets will be the first and third Saturdays of the month through April.  The holiday market- with many, many more vendors is next weekend!!
* I've managed to do something to my back and have been having back spasms all evening- to the point where I feel slightly nauseous because my low back hurts so much.  I see some tiger balm and hopefully a massage from my honey in my future.
* The weather should be good for finally putting the roof panels on the chicken run tomorrow- or for working on the second retaining wall by the back door- or for doing the final clean out of the garden- none of which will be fun with a bum back.
* K11 is asking if I can bake bread this weekend-  Woot!  A victory of sorts- wanting homemade bread.
* I figured out how to get my apron pattern out of the two pieces of coordinating fabric I've got- not exactly easy but do-able.

Tomorrow is another day.  I need to get some sleep and try to relax my back.  I can't even figure out what I did- that's the most frustrating part- I didn't do anything!!

Some things...

Some things you don't think about when you live your dream.  I heard some news today that made me sad.
Acoustic Farms, local makers of fabulous cheeses- and arguably the best cheese curds in the world- has gone out of business- a victim of their own success.  (you can listen to the interview on Iowa Public Radio HERE).  The dream of being micro cheese producers was so successful that they didn't have time for life anymore so they stopped.  How sad.  No more creamy, Jersey cheese curds with fresh tomatoes and basil in the summer...  sigh......

Curiosity

I tend to be a pretty curious person.  I like finding out new things, checking facts and learning.

Yesterday, Mama Pea was blogging about having pie for breakfast.  I made a comment that it's more healthy for you than fast food.  So, I was curious.  Is that true?  So I did a little checking.  Here's what I found:

A sausage/egg muffin from a fast food restaurant

450 calories (252 from fat- 50% of your recommended allowance of saturated fats!)

930 mg of sodium (39% DV)

280 mg cholesterol (87% DV)

Apple pie (homemade) 1/8 of  9 inch pie

410 calories (19 gm fat- 24% DV)

327 mg sodium

0 cholesterol

Custard pie (sorry, they only had commercially made ones) 1/6 of an 8 inch pie

220 calories (12 gm fat- 12% DV)

252  mg sodium

35 mg cholesterol

So, you have it here- eating pie for breakfast is better for you than a fast food breakfast!  And you could even adjust your recipe to make it even better.  I sometimes make a whole wheat crust to add some extra fiber.  

Other things that have sparked my questioning mind today?  Why do the chickens stand around in a cold rain when they've got a warm, dry coop?  Why do some people think they don't need to use turn signals?

What should I take to a work potluck tomorrow?  Will I have to report for jury duty on Monday?  Will we get snow tonight?  Are the chickens just having an off couple of days or are they slowing down due to the dark days we are entering? (I only got four eggs yesterday, three today)

What have you questioned today??

Ah, November

Where has the year gone?  How can it be November already?  It seems the year is flying by.  But, November it is.  The Dark Days of the year are upon us.  Time to settle in for the long haul of the winter.  Of course, today it was 73 degrees outside and absolutely gorgeous- not at all how I think of November.  I even took a little walk outside.

I collected some Autumn leaves to take to work with me tomorrow.  I have an activity that I do with my patients every year:  Lessons from Leaves.  Try it sometime.
Collect some Autumn leaves (you can also do this in the Spring or Summer with flowers)
Toss them all on the table and examine them.  Really look.
Are they beautiful?
Are they all the same?
Are they perfect?
Do their imperfections in any way detract from their beauty?

Now work to apply the lessons of the leaves to yourself...
We are all bruised, battered and chewed by life.  We are all different.  But it is the imperfections of our lives and our differences that make life interesting. Live would be boring without imperfection and variety.
Revel in the seasons and in who you are.