The Mister Needs A Job

Me (calling home at lunch): "Whatcha doin?"

The Mister: "Funny you should ask! I was throwing apples at the squirrel."

Me: "I'll call back later."

I did receive an explanation for the bizarre behavior but his afternoon activities did leave me shaking my head and wondering what else he was doing when I'm not around.

Go-To Meal

Now that fall is here I can start making my favorite cool weather recipes. The Mister and I love the butternut squash recipe I found a few years ago in Real Simple magazine. The beauty of this recipe is that it's cheap, makes a lot of soup so you don't have to cook for a few days after you make it, and it's elegant enough to serve to company.

I'm not a big squash fan, but this recipe is one of my all-time favorites. Recipe found here.

Forgotten Valley

The Mister and I went for a hike to Forgotten Valley this summer. We'd never been to Golden Gate Canyon Park but now it's one of our favorites. Close (less than an hour from the house) but still far enough to feel like we're away.

Pictures from Summer

We went to Oregon for four days this summer. It had been three years since I'd been home, and I was literally aching to get on the plane. The Mister and I had a great time and made a solemn vow to go home every year, no matter the cost or the schedule. It's important for my mental health.

The lavender farm was amazing. The drone of the bees was unreal. That's Mt. Hood in the background.

We did the "Fruit Loop" through Hood River and stopped at the Mt. Hood Winery. Yummy, yummy!

We stoppped at Multnomah Falls.

I had to visit the Duck store. Because I love my Ducks and it's hard to be a Duck fan in Colorado. BTW, I am very bitter that the CU Buffs are going to be polluting my Pac-10. Like, so bitter I'm still having a conniption fit about it. I'll get over it but it will definitely take some time.

More pictures later...

Colorado Symphony Orchestra

I love classical music but I don't know much about it. My folks always had Bach or Beethoven playing in the background when we were growing up, but there wasn't much in the way of education about classical music. I am married to a classically trained guitar player, but he is really only interested in guitar music. After much discussion and a few successful forays to CSO concerts last fall, we decided to become season ticket holders this year because we could create a package with concerts across the musical spectrum--jazz, pops, holiday, etc. Our first concert is this Friday night and I am so thrilled because it means we have seven date nights this academic year, planned and paid for, and that's something I've been looking forward to all summer.

Recommended Reading

I bought The Power of One on impulse and was completely captivated by the second page. The descriptions of life in Africa and the clever story-telling made it a book that I couldn't put down. What was intriguing was the end...it comes rather abruptly. I won't spoil it, but be forewarned.