Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

A new roof. It isn't a very exciting way to spend lots of money, but there is a sense of security derived from taking care of Casa Wags. 

Mike working from home. He's available to deal with contractors.

Progress in turning the 4th bedroom into a proper office for him. We got rid of the bed and are working on getting him a bigger, more functional desk.

And speaking of work...Ted got into the thick of international tax consulting this week and he was pretty jazzed about it. He came after a day of collaborating with his team so eager to tell us all about it. It reminded me of when he would come home from a golf match and tell us about every single shot.

Cheese orphans. They are perfect for happy hour charcuterie. And happy hour with my fristers.

Day drinking with my peeps. Last Saturday we took a drive to Elkhart Lake for lunch on the beautiful day and then we made a few stops on the way home. Small town Wisconsinites are the best.

 

Country roads.

Mornings on the porch at the Tree House. It's such a zen way to start the day. Ina is also a good companion.

Our fall trip to NYC is booked. We're going in November instead of October so I'm hopeful that we'll get crisp fall weather.

Scoring made in Brooklyn bagels at a local market. There is nothing like a NY bagel.

I made my first stock of the season and then turned it into Chicken Noddle Soup to share with my neighbors as a thank you. Loafs of banana and pheasant bread because soup without bread is unheard of and overripe fruit must be repurposed.

I froze a container to take to Lils later this month.

She's all stocked up because Grandma and Grandpa came to town to take her to lunch and bring her groceries.

They are seeking the sun and extra cuddly when the temps change.

 

 Cat in lap weather. Cute cat at that.

 

Game day pics from the girls. This weekend they're in Chicago.

A quiet weekend ahead staying close to home.

October 9th

I'm very much enjoying the month of October. It's no revelation because it is my favorite of months and fall is my best loved season. It feels more like summer during the day, but a chill sets in once the sun goes down noticeably earlier with each passing day. I embrace it because November and December are also in my top three. Tonight the sweetest crescent moon is hanging in the sky.

Ted has a standing Wednesday night tennis match under the lights for as long as the mild temps last. Mike and I are watching the news and feeling extra grateful for our weather. Prayers for all those in Milton's path and Helene's wake. Hazel is happy that the roofers have left for the day and finally has come up from the basement. 

The doorbell rang at 7:30 this morning. I was fast asleep and dreaming that I was at my mom's. She was having a party. I went to answer the door for her. Mike stirred and I realized someone was at the door irl. Minutes later, they were on the roof. They as in a crew of ten. That's when Hazel disappeared. I put in some ear plugs and put two pillows on my head. I wanted to get back to that dream because it was a really good and happy one. My dreams have been vivid and gripping. I have been grooving on my sleep.

The old roof was torn off and the new one just about on when I got home. A hard working crew is a serious force. The new gutters will be up before the end of the week. We are all about getting shit done right now. Yesterday it was landscaping in the back where we had three ailing pine trees removed this spring. The list is long, but we'll keep ticking away at it when we have the energy and the funds.

We've got a really good rhythm going here at Casa Wags...a healthy, happy balance and there is nothing  better than feeling that parity.

All this taking care of business is a reaction to these unpredictable times. We can control our own little lives and our little ecosystem while storms and wars rage around us. I know it's just a tad more evolved version of putting my head in the sand. It's creating the only calm I can while the chaos reigns in the wide world around us. Life is a whirling dervish right now, but only when I get caught up in it. I'm doing my best to keep my sanity and sanctity.

October is...

My best loved 31 days of the year...the liminal, soultender space between often harsh seasons...transitory...a denouement...the beginning of the end...the fourth quarter...my muse, my moon, my model...everything hygge and homey...one pot meals and all day football watching...soups, stews and stoups that take care of the forgotten dregs in the crisper and warm us to the core...the roll-out of new shows and scary movies that I love to watch with Lils, the other horror lover in the house...time to notice things like showy trees and luminescent skies and squirrels squirreling away for what is to come...mantras like be.here.now and later after my nap or hike or cup of coffee...cozy afghans on every couch and chair...flannel pjs, sheets and shackets...preppy loafers and wool clogs, but Birks and flip flops too...it's moody music, broody mornings, cocktails by candlelight, dinner in the dark...it's pumpkins on the porch and pumpkin seeds roasting away in the oven...apples plucked fresh from the trees and squash so new it will last until spring...it's my mom's pumpkin bread and her pumpkin bars because food is love and food is memories and I love remembering her...it's my annual reading of Piggie Pie a favorite from when they were young and visiting the photo archives for the years of costumes...it's a month of no major holidays or birthdays to distract or steal the show...it's 29 years with the love of my life in this life that I so love.