Adults Don't Eat Veggies

This is an interesting article from The Tennessean (and USA Today) about some statistics of adults who don't eat enough veggies. Startling!

Article on Canning

Thank you, Wall Street Journal, for putting a spotlight on canning and preserving with this article from October 15th.

Indoor S'more Toasting

Chris and I house sit a lot. On one hand, this is an awesome, cushy job. We move in to huge house, cook in the fabulous kitchen with granite countertops, a gas range, stainless steel appliances, enjoy the big flat-screen TV with 100s (literally, several hundred) channels, play every gaming system known to man, log on to the wireless network, and run around with their two dogs. But don't be fooled, house sitting has it's unfortunate side, too. That is, you have to pack EVERYTHING you might need, even if your stay is only for a couple of days. That means not only your clothes, shoes, and toiletries galore—it also means dry food, cold food, milk, produce, sharp knives, and our dog and her many accessories (read: toys, food, food dish, treats and rawhides, leash, etc.). She has a ridiculous amount of accessories.After all of this, the car looks like one that is about to take a cross-country expedition for a whole month. And after packing and unpacking it all, we look like ruffians. At least they have comfortable chairs to fall into!

The highlight of the weekend was roasting marshmallows over an open fire pit - yum! Last night I recreated the magic in the comfort of our own living room (no joke). I spread out a huge towel with all the fixin's and lit 4 tea-lights! The outdoorsy smell was missing, but without a backyard, we had to improvise. At least we didn't smell like smoke afterward!

I can't say that Lucy enjoyed the indoor version as much as the real thing, but after a weekend with two other dogs in the house, she was exhausted! She slept through the afternoon and evening, and then all through the night!

Things I Love About Fall

Autumn is my favorite season, and in celebration of the arrival of cool, crisp days, I am gracing you with a list of things that bring me smiles on days like today.

Hot Chocolate

Candles

Fuzzy Sweatpants

Slippers

Leaves crunching under my feet

Cool air through open windows

Cider and grog

Snuggling

Falling leaves

The smell of cold air

Thanksgiving - My favorite holiday!

Pumpkins

iphone

I have iphone envy. I have done research to see how much money it will really cost me to purchase my very own hi-tech mobile tool that looks just like everyone else's. I find myself coming up with a variety of useful reasons to have an iphone, including: directions, weather, random wikipedia needs that come up throughout the day, and the all-purpose level app. (Let it be known that I have not hung a picture in 5 months. But when I do, I want to be prepared.) I want to be able to obsessively check facebook and twitter. I want to take pictures of stupid things and share them online.

I want an iphone.

And yes, I have tried the 12-step program, but it's useless - I am sucked into the void, and cannot come out again without my prize.

So, if you're feeling generous, you know what to do. ;)

One Lost

Today: 1 Becca: 0

I GIVE UP! YOU WIN! No, seriously. Today has been insane. Working on endless projects at work that are made increasingly more and more complicated for no apparent reason just makes me crazy! My patience is wearing dangerously thin, and I may just go off the edge!

So to help ground my wild self today, here are things that I should remember to be thankful for:

Less rain than yesterday

Fun co-workers

Getting treated to lunch - thanks!

Getting to sub for NPO rehearsal

Earning a little extra cash

Chocolate

Fall Musings

I do not always notice fall's sublte entrance onto the stage as much as I notice spring's. In spring, one day is warmer but looks just like every day in winter, and the next, trees are overwhelmed by young buds of leaves and flowers. The entire landscape changes in a heartbeat, and it is so beautiful. Autumn to me has always been more subtle, and I don't think I have ever give it much thought until this year.

I went on a short evening hike last week, and when my friend and I were not quite to the end of the trail, it was almost dark outside. It was only 8:00pm. Today I notice how cool and beautiful it is outside at 7:00pm. It is cool enough to take Lucy (our Miniature Schnauzer and self-proclaimed 3rd member of the family) out and let her off the leash for a run around the park. I can already feel the atmosphere making a gentle shift toward the fall, and I'm excited for it to be here.

Fall is my favorite time of year, as it hosts all of my family's birthdays (including my own), my favorite holiday of the year: Thanksgiving, my favorite vegetable: pumpkin, and a sprinkling of fallen leaves. Normally I dread the shortening days and oncoming cold weather, but this year I am relishing the change and anxious to make new memories.