1. Hurricane Gustav, thanks for ruining our travel plans for a fun long weekend in New Orleans. This is as close as Dean and I got to the Saints game on Sunday - sitting in front of the television watching it, thanks to our purchase of the "NFL Sunday Ticket" package earlier in the day. We did wear our jerseys, snack on Superdome-like food, and cheer, which was fun. And the Saints won. Undefeated in the season!
2. I've begun to unpack some of my scrapbook and sewing supplies, so when Dean requested I pick up some gummie bears for a co-worker of his who has been helping him out lately, I did up this jar. Just a simple, 2 minute little craft, but it was nice to get my hands on some of my old stuff that's been in storage for a year.
3. I used a coupon at Michael's to get a frame for my "keep calm and carry on" poster. Perhaps I should have sprung for professional framing, which would have surely corrected the wrinkles and creases caused by the big old dent in the poster tube that occurred somewhere between the UK and here. Or, as sweet Katy pointed out, I could look at the creases and be reminded to be calm. I know it's not a perfect fit, but I'm trying to be frugal here, with the jar budget system still in effect.
4. Last night, Dean was heading upstairs to continue to install drywall and asked if I would come up. I was busy resigning myself to a long evening of being a drywall assistant, when Dean said, "No, I don't need your help. I just want someone to keep me company so I'm not bored". So I filled the tub with nice hot water, added bubbles, took a lovely bath, and chatted with my buddy. He was working in our bedroom, the next room over. Here he is, busy putting up sheets in the newly built closets.
5. I also did a bit of reading in the tub. Though I don't watch Oprah on television, her magazine seems to be one that inexplicably jumps into my buggy in the checkout line at the grocery store. "Too busy to live?" she asks. Why yes, Oprah, I am - how did you know? And is there advice inside for how to turn it around?
(Magazine sitting on the newly tiled bathroom floor, dirty as it is right now)
6. Here's a little peek at one corner of our kitchen. We've just finished tiling and grouting the counter with black granite tile and the back splash with tumbled marble mosaic tile. I'm in the process of facing the salvage yard purchased cabinets with veneer and finishing the doors. All in all, we've done this kitchen quite inexpensively. The beautiful limelight hydrangeas are compliments of my mom and her garden. They begin a lovely bright green and fade to ivory as the blooms mature.
7. I did my biggest wedding cake yet last week. It's my policy to not decorate any cake I haven't baked myself, but after a request from a sweet bride that I couldn't refuse, I broke my own rule and decorated her grandma's fruitcakes. Let's say it was a nightmare and I now remember why I don't do it, but the cake did turn out nicely, I think. I don't know what Bran puts in her fruitcakes, but boy, was the finished product heavy. I could barely lift it.
(I should point out this was not my design, but one the bride picked a picture of).
8. Fall is in the air - it's getting chilly and we've been talking about (eekkk) turning on the heat. When I brought Abby out to play yesterday evening, I was cold. Where did the summer go? And, more importantly, why didn't we attend to the stuff needed outside the house before now?
9. One thing I do look forward to as fall approaches is the changing of the leaves. I love the rich, gorgeous golds, reds and browns that the cooler weather brings. Here's one of my nan's maple trees in October of last year.
10. Another thing I look forward to as fall comes - the food. I do like that fruits, veggies, salads and lighter fare of the summer, but there's just something about the heartier offerings of autumn. Last night, we had homemade roasted asparagus and carrot bisque and grilled apple, spinach and brie sandwiches. I love when the house is filled with the spicy cinnamon, apple, pumpkin and maples scents, which hit you as you walk in a warm home from the cool weather outside. So cozy!
