Hello, Sunday.

Hello, November!

Sorry I’ve been MIA lately. I was in Chicago last weekend to play with some friends, and came back to busy life and busy work and, in a nod to my many years of insanity in Chicago, have been double booking what seems like every free weekend the last few weeks.

FOMO?  I’m ready for some JOMO as we get into cozy season.

However, with the times a-changing last night and it getting darker earlier, I can already feel the creative juices flowing as we roll towards the holidays.

Yes, holidays. I said it. 

Anyway, here’s what November’s got in store:

wishing: for peace.

hoping: for a new era come November 5.

thinking: of years gone by.

praying: for friends going through tough times. for crawley and his upcoming dentals- worst day of the year.

planning: a trip? nothing really, but ideas for 2025 are starting to creep in, as they do.

dreaming: of upcoming cozy days and nights.

wearing:  friendship bracelets.

eating: all the fall things.

watching:  coco. hocus pocus. the seasonal classics. mj, the musical.

reading: waypoints by sam heughan and taste by stanley tucci.  not sure i got into the autobiographies this month but both were so funny and engaging.

listening: sidebar, to go along with my suits binge last summer.

loving: the colors of fall.

That’s it! Have a great week!

The weather has finally taken a turn towards fall, and I’m running straight at it with the cozy food. Let’s start with this slow cooker short rib ragu.

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Hello, Monday.

I apologise for the radio silence this week. I was out in Santa Fe for work and between the conference and then the barrage of work and life that hit hard when I got back late, late Wednesday evening.   It was all work and no play until Saturday, when I took two, 2-hour long naps and spent it, screen-free on the couch with Crawley. It was the rest and recharge that I needed and now I’m feeling good as we head into the new week (and the new month!). 

And I can’t wait to tell you about my adventures out west, so stay tuned for that.

As for the webs, I found some things to pique my interest. Here goes:

Have you heard of the Waffle House index? It’s soo southern, but it is jokingly a way to measure the seriousness of an impending hurricane.  As for me, a survivor or Hurricane Andrew (’92) and a refugee from Hurricane Katrina (’05) I’m still going to trust NOAA and the National Hurricane Center, thanks.

We arent’ the only ones that are affected by hurricanes. Poor birds!

Speaking of, if you can help, here are some ways you can help give to those in distress. I was a firsthand recipient of American Red Cross funds after Katrina, so I can say that every little bit helps.

Dear Maggie. Thank you.

The #1 thing that D is excited about for whenever we get to Japan is cute food. Seems it’s a trend that it catching on here on the westside.

My Costc0-obsessed group of friends will appreciate this one – how to read a Costco price tag. 

For my Chicago peeps- how Malort became a right of passage. Gross. 

Murphy Brown, and her relevance today.

Not quite hitting fall temps where you are? This apple cider iced tea is a great transition sip!

Also, these easy baked apples really elevate breakfast/snack/dessert.

HA. Welcome to autumn. Have you got your gourds yet?

Have a great week!