Monday Morning Chit Chat - Autumn In The Air Edition

Happy Monday Morning to all of you. How was your weekend?

Saturday we got up early (around 5:00) to drive the 100 miles to my parents house. They wanted us there that early to go out to breakfast with them. That my mom even felt like like leaving the house for a meal was a huge improvement over her condition two weeks ago. We ended up visiting several hours and eating lunch with them, too, which was a combination of a dish I took and things I put together out of their fridge. My mom was able to stay out of bed for most of our visit (she took a short nap) and my dad was able to get out of the house for a while with Shane while Kat and I stayed with my mom.

After leaving my parents' house we stopped on our way home at our friends John's and Trish's. We just needed to drop something off there, but we ended up staying for five hours. There's is one of those homes where there is always something going on and always people visiting. We enjoyed a meal of chili and homemade guacamole dip with some of their family and other friends, then sat around a bonfire talking (they live in the country and can have bonfires) while all the kids either played outside until they could no longer see each other or went inside and watched a movie. It was a fun night.

We had our real first taste of fall this weekend, with lows in the 40s and afternoon highs only around 60° or so. It was cool enough in the house yesterday morning that we turned on our furnace. We heat primarily with EdenPURE heaters until the coldest part of winter, but we wanted to give the furnace a test run to make sure it is working properly. Of course, it emitted that odor of burnt dust in the vents. I have mixed emotions about that smell. It isn't exactly pleasant, but it DOES remind me of Fall, which is my favorite season. One of our cats, Siesta, HATES that smell. I think she thinks it's smoke. Shane and I were both up, but Kat was still asleep. Siesta sat at her doorway and meowed loudly until Kat was awake and out of bed. Then she (Siesta) was fine. Funny thing is, Siesta doesn't seem to like Kat any other time.

Yesterday afternoon I volunteered at our county's recycling drop-off station, which is in our town one weekend a month.  All I had to do was help folks unload their recyclables, make sure they didn't include any of the forbidden items, pet their dogs if they brought them, and sit in the van and read between "customers".  It's not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

I wrapped up the weekend by trying this recipe by Bobby Flay that was in Parade Magazine a few Sundays ago.  I meant to try it when I first bought all those peaches in late July or early August, but I didn't get it worked into my menu.  It works just as well with frozen peaches.  I really liked it, although I'm not usually a fan of fruit and meat in the same dish.

Today I have a quick thyroid checkup at the doctor, then I'm home again to try to get organized.  Last week, with our computer problems, I didn't get my epic to-do lists printed.  They are such a help and a habit for me that  I have to admit, I was completely lost without them.

One last thing.  Trish and John have invited us to a Halloween party.  Can you believe that this will only be my second Halloween party and will be Shane's first!?  Kat has decided on her costume I think, but Shane and I need some ideas.  We are willing to go as a themed couple, but we're OK with having unrelated costumes, too.  Let me know if you have any ideas.

My dad asked why Shane thinks he even needs a costume.  Shane told him it was because he was tired of being Prince Charming all the time.  They are both so full of crap.

Hope you all have a great week.  Let me know what you'll be doing?