New Street for the Trick-or-Treat

     Imagine a street on Halloween like a movie set.  Houses decorated with over the top fright.  Street lamps shining down upon ankle deep maple leaves.  Children squealing with delight.  Now...imagine it soooooo crowded that they need barricades and you hope you don't lose your kid by the end of the night.  Oh, and they give out little tiny rock hard candies because they will see kids by the thousands.  Thousands.  Not even lying.  The little neighborhood of charm and wonder turned into crazyfest over the last few years and became a bit much.
     Tonight, we headed to a new neighborhood.  I've been candy hunting with Jenne for almost as many years as I've been taking my children out...but this year we moved the location.  It was quaint and the people were quite friendly and in her very own neighborhood we actually could say hello to people that we knew.  Candy was better.  The occasional scary mask was a treat.  Other than dodging puddles and snow and rock salt...it was really fun. 
     Thanks to the little octopus for letting the two 50's kids join in the excitement!!!

Mom's Birthday...without Mom

     We had a snow day yesterday with thunder.  Very out of the ordinary.  Very.  It gave me a day of calm.  A day I needed.  Mom used to call them "burn out days".  She would sense that the pace was getting to me...the high grades, the sports, the drama of childhood.  Sometimes I needed a break.  Sometimes she did and needed the company.  Either way when it snows before Halloween and gives you a power outage and forces you to read magazines that you never get to...oh and there is thunder... it makes you wonder.  She can be pretty persuasive.  There is something sweet about a 5 year old and an 85 year old playing chess together by candlelight.  Peace was here last night at my house after a day of rest.  Her daughter needed a "burning the candle at both ends day" off from real life. 
     Today was her official birthday and the sun was shining brightly.  Our power was out only long enough to give us some down time and grab some extra blankets but not enough to be a nuisance.  We all sat around the table for breakfast with sunshine pouring in through the windows.  We went to church.  Got donuts.  It was nice.  Simple.  While children were occupied I spent some time in her room.  I dusted the dresser that still holds her trinkets and knick knacks.  I cleaned the mirror that holds the pictures of her dear grandchildren.  I talked to her as if she was right there because I knew she was....nagging me to move things back to the way she had them.  I even said out loud, "ok, ok".  We would've been smiling and giggling about the silly things we always found so funny.  I honored her space.  I moved things.  The little schedule that I would make for her was still tucked under the glass of her nightstand from a long time ago.  Things were trapped in time.  Ten months later I know that those things being there doesn't mean that she will be there but I sure as hell know she would be yelling to clean them up.  I cleaned and talked and smiled knowing she would feel so much better knowing I was doing what she couldn't for my father. 
     I then grabbed my daughter and headed to a place that caught my eye this morning.  As we headed over the bridge driving to town the sunlight blazed upon a patch of gingko leaves.  The wind and snow knocked the leaves off of the big tree to form a giant sea of yellow happiness.  Emily was in her glory surrounded by her favorite color.   Bits of snow mixed in with crayon shavings added a little bit of magic to the waterfall spot we would visit often.  We took pictures of the beauty of it all.   It's an odd feeling when autumn isn't quite finished and winter comes barging in....even if only for a short stay. 
     We stopped for gas.  It hit me.  If we can have thunder during snowstorms...maybe we can hit the powerball.  In we marched to buy two tickets.  One of them with all of the numbers that mattered to Sally.  We talked about what we would do and who we would help if when we win. 
     As for dinner, well...only one way to go.  The Willow Tree.  It was a bonus visit because of the Halloween decorations I have been promising for my little guy to see for years.  We ate together in her honor.  My mother and I had shared many a lunch there...together...just the girls.  I'm sure she is mad I didn't get the escargot but I fear not even a brave new girl can face the little snails.  Not yet, anyway.  I've learned to never say never. 
     This week has been rough.  It was always a favorite time of year.  Her birthday and our favorite holiday so close together.  She lived for the grandchildren in costumes and decorations.  She'd given out a bar or a thousand in her time.  But today was the celebration of her.  I lived a full day of cherished moments.  She was right there with me...free of pain.  I wouldn't dare be sad for a woman who made us all so happy.  When you live to honor the lost...when you carry on their wishes...when you refuse to waste another moment of life...it gets easier to let them go.  We hold onto them for us.  Now, I imagine she is always there watching...so I sure as hell better do it right!!!  I'm sure she was with me for the day so I needed to take her to do the things she would've liked. 
     There was an odd peace to a day I was so scared to see.  I guess it's not that odd...actually makes sense I suppose.   She was always there the biggest when I needed her the most and today was no exception.  Happy Birthday, my dear Mom...we all love you so.  Oh and by the way lady, don't think I don't know that you were the little whisper in the ear of 9 year old girl when she was requesting Halloween costumes!  50's theme it is!!!

Listen to my Cousin as a Guest on a Podcast

     My cousin, Christy, is one of my heroes.  She lived one life full of crunching numbers and corporate America and then dumped that one to follow her passion.  She is now a chef, traveler, blogger, beekeeper and gardener...you name it.  She tweets and status updates and blogs and fills my brain with delicious recipes and the tasty imagery to accompany the information.  Oh, and before the list of ingredients comes a darn good story to give you the inspiration to make the dish.   Christy loves Halloween and does it up right.  She was featured on a radio show and podcast, A Mom of Many Hats.  The show is about celebrating the lives of those who try to do it all.  No limitations...just the encouragement that is needed in the exhausting job of doing everything.  Christy was featured because of her many terrific ideas on how to celebrate Halloween.  She also makes things simple and therefore even more awesome....not that she couldn't compete on Top Chef....and I would love it if she did...but sometimes it's just about the basics that make things so great.   I only wish I lived closer to be a taster of many a recipe test!
     It was a strange and unseasonably cold day.  We went on to get many inches of snow while the autumn leaves were still falling.  I started my day snuggled in bed with a cup of coffee and a podcast that got me in the spirit and made me smile.  Thanks, Christy!  Happy Halloween!!!

If you are in need of a great new blog full of tasty recipes and even tastier stories be sure to check her out at: fudgeripple.blogspot.com

Popcorn Buddha

     I might love popcorn...a tad.  Ok, ok...it is my thing.  If there was one snack food that I run to it is popcorn.  There is something about the salt and the crunch.  While leaving the parking lot of my kids' school the sign grabbed my attention.  Today was the day.  60 flavors.  SIXTY.  They are broken down into themes like cheese, chocolate and fruit.  You get to sample them and they come in all size bags for any budget.  Tonight I grabbed 6 bags of 6 flavors (little $1.50 mini bags) and took them to the infamous Jalloween party.   These were the flavors:  Loaded Baked Potato, Mac-n-cheese, Movie Night Butter, Dill Pickle, Sour Cream and Chives and get this...the girl loaded up two flavors in one bag...hot wings with ranch.  How awesome is that?  All of the flavor of wing night with the calories of popcorn!  Win. Win.  Service was as terrific as the popcorn.  All sorts of cool packages if you want to make it a gift and they let you see where it is made fresh!  Needless to say, we WILL be stopping on in for some new flavors very, very soon!

Staff Meeting at MudWorks

     JoAnn has been working her ass off for years.  Team members have come and grown.  The business has moved...multiple times.  I started working there back in January.  The timing was perfect.  3 hours 2 days a week.  Which turned into 5 hours.  Which turned into 3 days.  Then 4.  The company is growing.  Catalogs are buying her pottery...and she still touches the clay for a ridiculous amount of time each and every day.  The store is up and stocked.  Classes are offered.  Special events draw in whole families to enjoy a moment together.  Girl Scout Troops, birthday parties, art shows...you name it.  It is a company based on good old fashioned hard work, creativity, service and passion. 
     Today we sat around a table complete with a box of donuts and had our first official staff meeting.  There is a ton going on and plenty to do so we needed to join up and figure things out.  It's a great batch of people.  I am glad to have a job in these tough times.  I am blessed to have a flexible one that allows me to be where I am needed.  I am lucky to be around some hysterical and kind and wonderful people.  JoAnn, Leigh Ann, John, Christa, MJ, and who could forget Flash...thank you.   The universe also needs a big fat thank you from me for this one...with or without the Boston Cream!

Kale Chips

     Yep, you read right.  I'll wait and see who makes fun...I know a few off the top of my head.  Farm fresh kale (washed and cut), olive oil and salt for 10 minutes in a 350° oven.  Delicious... but kale ranks at the top of my veggie list normally.  Say what you will but I got my veggies today!!!

Passed on Wings and Made a Salad

     Another crazy day.  It would've been a heckuva lot easier to grab some fatty wings and a beer or two.  I opted for housework, mom stuff, farm share pickups and lunch prep.  Now, somewhere in my 39 years I am sure I skipped an invite for wings and made some sort of salad....possibly during college.  BUT, I know I never put a darn fresh-from-the-farm daikon radish in it.  Tastes a little like spicy dirt I have to say but here's to hoping the dressing balances out the zing.