Let the Renovations Commence

DSC_0009
Please ignore the scraggly house plant that is slowly dying since we moved it outside while Neal deconstructs the dining room.  These poorly installed doors and windows have been one of the banes of life in our little yellow ranch in the woods.  By this time next week (knock wood, fingers crossed), the set on the left will be replaced with pretty new windows and a half wall.  We can't decide on a door for the set on the right, so that may have to wait until next year.

DSC_0004
Here's the view from inside.  Neal started pulling down sheetrock to see what horrors lay beneath.  The previous owners did a lot of rigging things in ways that don't make a guy who used to work construction happy.  The good news is that the header is a 2 x 10, which is code or code plus (Neal told me this.  I don't instinctively know it.), which means that we will be just fine, structurally, when we enter phase 4 of The Big Renovation of the Little Yellow Ranch in the Woods.  We're in Phase 2 now.  Phase 3, slated for next summer, is the addition of a mudroom and porch to the kitchen entryway.  Phase 4 is a second floor.  

Here's hoping I have some very different pictures for you in a week!  Hope you're having a fantastic Saturday, too!

 

Pumpkin Moon

Pumpkins
Darkness is creeping in earlier and earlier, have you noticed?  This evening we took a drive to a nearby farm stand that also sells their delicious ice cream.  I had heard rumors of pumpkin ice cream.  Unfortunately, everyone within driving distance must have heard those rumors; no pumpkin ice cream to be had.  Instead I indulged in ginger and peach.  Maybe a little hot fudge got involved.  

As Neal and I savored what is certainly one of the last ice cream outings of the year, we heard another couple exclaiming over the "pumpkin moon".  While the Harvest Moon occurred yesterday, in conjunction with the Autumnal Equinox, making it a Super Harvest Moon, it was still pretty showy tonight, all orange and beautiful, peeking out from behind clouds.  

My camera phone couldn't capture the moon, but the pumpkins obliged.

Farmer’s Market Ride

DSC_0012
It's no secret.  I love my Kona Africa bike.  Three speeds, pedal brakes, built in basket.  

Summer may be over, but today was warm and just perfect for taking Africa for a ride along the bike trail to the local farmer's market with Rae.  Along the way we ran into sweet Spring and her husband who were out walking, and once there, we bumped into Sarah and her most-adorable-ever kids. Reminded me of the social aspect of small city living that I love and miss. 

I came out with a boule from La Petite France and a stunning bouquet of flowers.  It made me pretty darn happy to pedal home with them in my basket!

Artichoke Pizza: a Recipe

Artichoke pizza
Last night Sara came over for dinner and some knitting.  After spending the day cleaning out my closet, sorting clothes into "give away" "look at again in January to see if I want" and "pack until next summer" piles, as well as cleaning out the yarn shelf in my craft closet, I only had it in me to make a quick meal. Artichoke pizza sounded like it fit the bill:

Ingredients:

Pizza dough (I used store bought, but it's easy enough to make from scratch if you're not already short on time)

Sauce (I used leftover fresh sauce from Monday's dinner)

Ricotta cheese (I prefer the non-fat, but use what you like)

Can of quartered artichokes in water (if you use fresh, you're my hero)

Capers

Lemon (zest & cut in half)

Garlic (2-4 cloves)

Olive oil

Directions:

Let dough rise.  In the meantime, drizzle olive oil in saute pan on medium heat.  Chop garlic and saute. Rinse and rough chop artichokes and add to pan.  Stir occasionally.  They taste good if they get just a little crisp.  Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the pan, continue stirring.  Add zest near end of cooking.

When dough is ready, spread on your pan/stone of choice.  Add layer of sauce, then dollops of ricotta cheese.  Spread artichoke mixture over.  Add a few spoonfuls of capers.  

Bake in hot (450 degrees) oven until ready (I look at the dough to tell.  Usually about 10 minutes).  Remove from oven and squeeze juice from other half of lemon over.

Enjoy!

 I enjoyed serving this to Sara and Neal.  The sauce I use is Sara's recipe, and the artichokes come from a recipe Neal makes.  Really I should call it the Sara & Neal pizza.  Or something.

Let me know what you think if you try it! 

Romance

Brides are eternal.  Every bride who steps forward to her groom represents all brides who have ever done the same.  At least, that is my theory why most of us smile at the sight of a lovely woman dressed to face her new life.

DSC_0020

Yesterday Neal and I took a bike tour around Central Park.  While the guide provided information about architecture, I could not take my eyes off this couple, stealing a moment alone among the crush of people enjoying the pretty weather.  His tender gestures as he fussed with her hair, their kisses as they hid away behind the wall touched me.  Their romance was one of the high points of a wonderful day in my favorite city. 

DSC_0024

 

Challenge

DSC_0008
I thought I'd take a self-portrait every day during Project 333 to keep me honest about not wearing anything that's not on my list.  Nothing like a little public accounting!  After a long day of classes and meetings, I took advantage of the lovely late-summer light to learn how to use the remote control for my camera.  Tilly was quite intrigued, milling about me as I posed.

I made an attempt at Project 365 over a year ago, but it didn't take.  Maybe 333 will inspire me to get to 365.

Keeping it random, I started using 750 Words at the beginning of the month.  If you're familiar with The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, you'll know the concept of morning pages: write three pages, long hand, every day, right after waking up.  They make a great brain dump, and over the years I've used them to work out plot problems as well as marital problems.  They changed my life the first time I did them for a long period of time. Even if (or maybe even more so if) you don't see yourself as a writer, they are a useful tool.  During the school year, I'm just not willing to wake up any earlier to get them in first thing.  With 750 Words, I type my words (not exactly what Cameron would support, but still…) at all different times of day.  Not the same as morning pages, but there is value.  I'm working out plot problems even now!

The creator of 750 Words has launched a new website that intrigues me: Health Month.  The premise is that you use it to set goals for the month that will help you to be healthier.  The goals can relate to mental health, spiritual health, physical health.  Whatever you want.  You get placed into a bracket, track your progress for the month, and see what happens!  I'm adding this to my challenges in October.  

What have you been doing to challenge yourself lately?  I hope it's fun and rewarding, whatever it is!

Let's Get Started

babysitting certification