Alright, I could only stay away for so long.
We’ve got our first pumpkin recipe today!
Super simple. Super quick. Super delicious.
In fact, these bars were one of my first forays into a) baking with pumpkin b) baking for others and c) baking at all.
Game Day Dip (& football)
Yesterday wasn’t a great day.
For the Packers, at least. For me it was great! I slept in (until 7 – hoohah!), helped Seth work on the house, and took a very long bubble bath.
Before the bath and the painting and the drinking rosé cider while painting, I went to the grocery store. I love this store – it’s on the edge of town, family owned, and truly, one of the best shopping experiences I’ve ever had. I love it so much that even when it’s game day Sunday and the entrance is a sea of green and gold, there are no available carts, and the bakery runs out of wheat bread to make subs with, I still go. I brave the crowds and stand in line and buy my favorite kettle chips (which were on sale, score).
Apple Cider Mimosas
Cheers to the weekend!
Cheers to a year until we say “I do.”
Cheers to having a morning ceremony and a brunch reception and a make-your-own mimosa bar.
Thursday Thing
- It’s decorative gourd season. Again!
- I picked up a copy of The Woman in Cabin 10 and really looking forward to starting it! I need to read more. And I need to stop saying that.
- The other day I watched the series finale of Will & Grace and Hulu took that as an excuse to start right in on the series premiere of The Golden Girls. I don’t know if I should be impressed or upset at the insight they have into my tastes in television.
- Also, when I say “watched” I really mean I had it on in the background while I puttered around doing work. I feel the need to make that clear as most every Thursday Things involves me talking about tv.
- So…might as well continue with that and say that on a whim I started The Sinner last night after a bath and ho.lee.buckets. So good! Jessica Biel has never been better – truly. And her husband looks like Bobo John Snow.
- Maybe I’d have more time to read if I didn’t dive into shows like that? And lose 2.5 hours of my life? Hmm…food for thought.
- Since The Greatest Love Story Ever Told just came out on Tuesday and Punch Up the Jam has been on hiatus for a month, I kind of stalled out on things to listen to earlier this week and fiiiiinally ventured back into MFM. I listened to two minisodes and am happy to say that I haven’t had any nightmares. Yet! Dunno that I’m brave enough to keep listening to more though, for the sake of my sanity and Seth’s too (Lord knows my incessant string of texts at 2am can’t be any more entertaining for him to get than they are for me to send).
- There’s already peppermint bark flavored treats on grocery stores shelves and I’m so here for it! I picked up some Blue Bunny ice cream thingies and they’re to die for!
- VINDICATION! Although, it’s so chilly in my house at the moment that the butter sitting out on my counter isn’t actually any more spreadable than straight from the fridge. Love this time of year!
Homemade Apple Cider (& a change of plans)
Happy first day of October!!!
I feel like it’s finally fall! For reals. Because it’s cool and it’s cloudy.
Unfortunately, it was also very wet and rainy, so Seth and I weren’t able to go to a local apple orchard like we’d planned. I was so looking forward to walking Edgar through the pumpkin patch and splitting an apple cider doughnut with Seth (plus, all the Instagram photos ops? Hello! Live for them!).
Beer Mustard (& polka)
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I’ve got to say it.
Disneyland is not the happiest place on Earth.
Oh, no. Not even close
The happiest place on Earth is any bar, brewery, or beer hall where there is live polka. Where revelers are clad in lederhosen, hoisting their glasses in the air – shouts of “Prost!” all around.
Because, here’s the thing – it’s impossible to be unhappy when polka is playing.
Just ask the woman I saw at work last night. She came in with the sourest look on her face – all pinched and pouting, looking annoyingly aggravated. But then. Then! Tuba Dan started to play.
The rhythmic “bump, bump, bump,” of his song circled the room. It came up through the floor, vibrating the old wooden boards. It moved into toes, knees, and legs, impossibly infectious. Customers swayed on their barstools, following the rhythm, singing the lyrics they’d known for years. These songs are well-known, well-loved; a staple at every church picnic, Oktoberfest, and wedding reception from here to Waupaca.
I watched this woman – this angry woman – watched her shift from one foot to the other, her eyes scanning the menu. I watched her face soften, her head move back and forth. I watched her lips spread into a smile, her shoulders bounce up and down. She ordered her beer, sat down and enjoyed the end of the song.
“…Roll out the barrel, for the gang’s all here!”
