Football, fall leaves, and a favorite pumpkin dessert

The fall colors are beautiful this time of October and I've spent time outside AND inside enjoying all the trappings that come along this time of year: football, pumpkin, leaves, and scented candles. JSM has also spent time outside playing golf (getting in his last rounds before the weather gets rainy) and even more time inside watching football 5 nights a week and cheering on his beloved Red Sox as they enter into this year's World Series. Truthfully, I'm more excited about the announcement that Pearl Jam songs will open and close every commercial break during the games, but I can also pretend to be a good fan when necessary. It's not that I don't like baseball, I enjoy ALL live sports games but I just don't know very much about baseball, or football, or golf, or hockey for that matter and JSM actually plays that game! I blame it on the fact that I grew up in a house full of sisters in the 1980's. Funny thing is my dad had season tickets to the Tampa Bay Bucs and my sister and I would love to go with him to the games when my mom didn't want to. I still can't figure out why we went or, more importantly, why I didn't learn more about the game. I turned into the girl who attended Florida State in the 1990's (when the Noles were really good, much like now, I hear....) and only went to four (4!) games my entire college career. Maybe I should sit down and pay attention some time and not abandon ship in favor of a stack of magazines and Spotify. I might actually LEARN something that would allow me to spend even more quality time with JSM. I'll think about it, but alas, I cannot change who I am....

Proof that, in fact, I do like to attend live sporting events and I can be a Red Sox fan - when required ;) July 2013

It's finally public knowlege to every passing car.... I went to school at FSU! Sadly, this is the extent of my college football participation so please don't tell any of my sorority sisters. (And I hope nobody asks me about them Noles...) My sister AC, who lives in Tallahassee, sent me this license tag holder in exchange for 3 jars of Wild Friends nut butter. Honestly, I think the peanut butter cost more than the tag holder, but now my license tag won't get bent every time I go through the car wash - hooray!! And AC has honey pretzel peanut butter, chocolate coconut (which is delish!), and a jar of cinnamon raisin all direct from Portland, OR. YUM!

While JSM has been enjoying his sports I've tried to keep busy with various projects during my short-term yet annual status as "sports widow". To be clear, he deserves every moment he spends relaxing so I have to find something that relaxes me (tough, I know.) Here are a few things I've been doing in my spare time:

Enjoying the crisp weather and warm colors outside.......

Mums on the front porch. Hopefully, you can't see the spider web from here. They are everywhere this time of year! How appropriate.

I've said this before, but I LOVE a Japanese Maple. It's magnificent to be able to watch the seasons change through their leaves.

Around the neighborhood...

"Nature's first green is gold....." one of the best first lines ever from Robert Frost.

Planning our trip to South Africa....

I found this July issue of Wine Spectator for sale in October....how serendipitous! We leave next month and have lots on the agenda although in no particular order: Robben Island, a safari, a braai, The Test Kitchen at The Old Biscuit Mill (fingers crossed), an old friend, plenty of wine, splendid views, sun, Table Mountain, an outdoor shower, and Dave Matthews! 

Arranging the last of our flower garden....

Look at these mid-October beauties! JSM is a wonderful gardener and I'm grateful I get to enjoy these dahlias.

Reading.....

My new position as Battle Ground Community Library means I have 17 great staff to get to know, an entire library to manage, lots of things to learn, and many books to read since I'll be leading a monthly book discussion group. This is the November choice. Also on my list for this month: As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner and something fun on my Nook. 

Making pumpkin parfaits....

It's no secret that I love pumpkin (and by way of marriage, so does JSM!) For years I've raved about the pumpkin stuffed shells I made from the October 2011 pages of Country Living. You can find the recipe here. This year, I am in love with this dessert: 

Pumpkin Parfaits

You'll need these items and 1/3 c. of sugar

For the pumpkin cheesecake layer beat together 1 c. pumpkin puree, 8 oz. low fat cream cheese (softened), 1/2 t. vanilla extract, 1 t. pumpkin pie spice, and 1/3 c. sugar. Fold in 1 c. cool whip (whatever it is, it tastes good!) To assemble the parfaits: layer 1 T. vanilla Greek yogurt, 1 T. granola, 1 T. pumpkin cheesecake mixture. Repeat until there are 8 layers. Top with 1 T. whipped topping and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.

The sports season seems long, but the year is short. So, I have a few other things I'd like to accomplish before the end of the year: practice my knitting (I'm wishing myself luck with that one), Appalachian clogging lessons, and a visit with KS in her new place in Seattle. We'll see what I can fit in. In the meantime, I'll be cheering on the Red Sox, Patriots, and Seminoles in between songs (and from the kitchen) while JSM keeps me up to date on the score!

XOXO