C Jr.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
~ Irish blessing

Checking experiences off the list

Sounders game!

I didn't realize everyone stands for the entire 90 minute game.  Oi!

Jayme and I got our Sounders scarves.  They're kind of a  big deal.

Halfway through the drizzle changed to rain.  Good thing I was standing. 

The real things haven't changed.  It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.
~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

I owe it all to aquaman

For my superhero themed potluck at work tomorrow...

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  Here's the recipe.  

Avocado chocolate chip cookies.  Don't let the picture fool you....they are really very green.

The pumpkin cookies are wonderful...soft, fluffy, delicious.  To be honest I stuffed my self so full of those, I couldn't eat an avocado cookie to tell if its even good or not....

A big thanks to my brother who was able to help me with the theme of this week's potluck!

Please hold on to your hope.  It is in such limited supply around the world these days.  Hold onto it and be proud that you are one of the ones that does.
~ Tyler Knott Gregson

Do-over

When buying a brussel sprout stalk is the highlight of your day, perhaps life should provide a do-over.

But what was normal in the evening by the morning seems insane.
~ Bright Eyes

Problem?

Either I need purple shoes to complete the rainbow or I have a shoe problem.

Yes, #whitepeopleproblems

Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.  
~ Leonardo da Vinci

This week and last

I'm back to training at work, which translates to a high amount of stress.  Also, no free time while I'm there.  This training case has been particularly difficult because its not only a skill training, but an attitude training as well.  I've been getting tension headaches every day.  Add that to my regular amount of work stress and duties and the past two weeks have been pretty overwhelming.

I got a compliment from someone though, who said my shift is the most enjoyable one to be on, and he accredited me for that.  I would like to think its the people I have on my shift and the fact that they're amenable to any suggestions I have to make work more bearable...

The most amazing cake my coworker made for firefighter theme potluck day.  The flames were made of melted red-hots and butterscotch candies.  

Another coworker did these fondant decorated cupcakes for our police officer themed potluck.  So amazing.

I, of course, made butternut squash pancakes among all the papers.  They were actually a big hit.

And a long story, but I convinced the girl in mint green to participate in skirt day.  She hasn't worn a skirt since high school.  I hate wearing skirts but have been wearing them to work every once in awhile for something different to do.  

I conducted an extra day of drills for everybody, which was yesterday.  That was my most recent primary extra stress.  Now that is over I feel I can go back to regular stress.

So when I wasn't working, or working overtime these past two weeks, it was actually pretty quiet.  I stuck to a schedule of gym classes, and a day of fall fun with some friends.

The weather has been either rainy or super cold (no clouds = cold, clouds = warm and rainy).  I mowed my yard for what is hopefully the last time this year.

I now have blown insulation in my ceiling (and hopefully my walls?  I forgot to double check that with my landlord).

Planning on going to a Sounders game this week, and have a Halloween party at my place next week.  Now that my primary stress is gone, I think I can deal.  And have some more fall fun!

i shall imagine life
is not worth dying,if
(and when)roses complain
their beauties are in vain

but though mankind persuades
itself that every weed's
a rose,roses(you feel
certain)will only smile
~ e.e. cummings

This guy

You are more sinful than you could dare imagine and you are more loved and accepted than you could ever dare hope.
~ Tim Keller

Cooking

I had a busy day today, cooking up a storm, and cleaning up the same cooking pots, pans, bowls, etc several times in a row.

My loot:  chocolate zucchini bread, chocolate zucchini cupcakes, potato cakes (inspired by my meal last night...I'm still perfecting my recipe), zucchini fritters, and this...the holy grail of pancakes....

Butternut Squash Pancakes.  

The highlight of my entire day of cooking.

Butternut squash pancake with a little butter and some of my peach-apple butter on top.  Yeah, I went there.  

This week the theme for my work potluck is "cops".  I think I will make butternut squash pancakes because "its a crime they're so good!".  Will it work?  Who knows.

The trouble is, you think you have time.
~ Buddha

What makes a perfect fall day?

Having some peach-apple butter for breakfast.  (Yes, I made it!)

Spending the day with friends...

Figuring out the best corn maze ever....

We eventually came up with a semi-complicated system of arrows and Xs in the dirt....

And one time we actually ran into a couple kids who were willing to take our picture...

It only took us an hour and 20 minutes.  It was an exceptional maze.

And we went on a short hayride.  Yes, I made my hat.  Today.

Add in some apple cider, apple donuts, dinner in a chintzy kinda restaurant, and you have the makings of one fine fall day.

The best things in life are the unexpected because there were no expectations.
~ Eli Khamarov

Roots in the storm

This week has drained my mental capacity.  Luckily, that hasn't affected my physical capacity.  

It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop.
~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

And other days...

Did you ever have one of those days that ends and you think "Crap, I have to do it all over again tomorrow."?

It has been said, "Time heals all wounds."  I do not agree.  The wounds remain.  In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens.  But it is never gone.
~ Rose Kennedy

Some days its just all about exercise and food and a silly mutt

Ahhh...Saturday morning at the gym.  

The view turning into my neighborhood.  I will never get tired of it.

Marinating CSA carrots.

He enjoys the backyard.  Its as simple as that.

Grill food!  Chicken, carrots, and corn on the cob.

My dinner.  Who knew grilled carrots were so good?

There are a bunch of things I'd like to do with my life, but right now I'm happy to put one foot in front of the other and button my jeans without having a roll of fat hang over the waistband.
~ Stephanie Plum

Before & After...and a Cooking Fail...

Before:  kohlrabi from my CSA.  I had to pinterest (used as a verb here) what to do with it.  

After:  Kohlrabi chips.  It IS true that everything tastes better with olive oil and salt.  Should have bought more!

Before:  a sad head of cabbage from my CSA.  I bought it last week so it was looking a little wilted.

After:  stir-fried cabbage.  Four ingredients, amazingly good.  Where has cabbage been all my life?

I do have to say that cooked cabbage and kohlrabi smell surprisingly the same.  And that it smells just like my grandma's kitchen used to.

Ahh yes...and a cooking fail.  Apparently the bread didn't cook the whole way or perhaps me shaking it upside down was a no-no.  This was made for a coworker (to thank her for all the zucchini).  I guess I'll just have to eat it myself and make another loaf for her tomorrow!

I hate the way you talk to me,
and the way you cut your hair.
I hate the way you drive my car.
I hate it when you stare.
I hate your big dumb combat boots,
and the way you read my mind.
I hate you so much it makes me sick;
it even makes me rhyme.
I hate it,
I hate the way you're always right.
I hate it when you lie.
I hate it when you make me laugh,
even worse when you make me cry.
I hate it when you're not around,
and the fact that you didn't call.
But mostly I hate the way I don't even hate you.
Not even close,
not even a little bit,
not even at all.
~ Cat Stratford, 10 Things I Hate About You

What a simple life some days

My friend has been keeping me supplied from her garden since mine didn't work out...the latest: 4 huge zucchini that filled my sink. 

I have so much zucchini I've been automatically just freezing it instead of trying to eat it.  

 

A scene from the farmers market today.  The guy on the right is who I buy fruit from.  Straight ahead is where I buy ice cream.  

There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
~ Nelson Mandela

A day in the life I suppose...

I surprised people at work by wearing a skirt and fabulous boots.  The first time I've worn these boots in two years.   

Mainly an inside joke, but this was waiting for me when I got to work this morning.  A message from a friend.

People feel the need to give me large zucchini they don't know what to do with.  Random.  

I don't think that picture properly conveys how big this zucchini is.  I mean seriously, this thing is huge.  Compare it to the dollar.  

Sunset in the parking lot as I left the gym after an especially hard workout.  A good ending to a long day.  

She said she usually cried at least once each day not because she was sad, but because the world was so beautiful & life was so short.

~ Brian Andreas