Beautiful Days!

     I absolutely love the Autumn colors! With all of the rain we had this year, the color has been outstanding! One of the great things about Kansas City also - all of the green space. It has really come alive this season, and enjoy spending my days finding any excuse to run errands and see the fall color! Though having a hard time getting to the yard work that needs to be done at my place, as I really love the color all over the ground! LOL This weekend will be beautiful and a great time to get it done - but for now, I just appreciate all the beautiful leaves scattering on the ground. Definitely going to be a chore to get them all cleaned up, mulched, and put down around the hosta garden! I always leave a few bags on the side of the yard to mold up and add as a Spring soil amendment.

Looks like yesterdays winds took down most of the dogwood leaves out back!

Such beautiful colors! 

     It has been a pretty quiet week around here, goodies baked and given as seasonal gifts to friends. More baking is on the calendar for this week. Somehow mixed up my days for the VW gathering, so will make a fresh batch of everything again this week - at least it all turned out well and was able to share the previous run with very appreciative friends. 

     The engine block is still be worked on, so nothing new on that front. So much work has been done, I really need to find some ideas for giving back for this, even with a cash reimbursement! So incredible the work that has already been done! Perhaps massage is a good trade? Talking with a few of my guy friends to see what they would appreciate in such a circumstance, all came back with the same intriguing answer, but will keep this family friendly (at least for now!). LOL 

     Loved the hat pattern so much, I have made a couple more - the first out of alpaca, which I have decided is just too fuzzy for a great guy gift (though would be extremely warm!), and one more I am making again out of the Malabrigo Arroyo. Absolutely adore this yarn line! I really need to keep away from the yarn store...though it was mentioned that they would have another shipment in at the end of the month! Time to start saving those pennies!! 

Royal blue alpaca sock yarn (just too fuzzy)

One more in Malabrigo Regatta Blue. Adore this - will be perfect!

      So cold outside today, I am thinking it will be a good day for a hot cup of tea, catching up on a bit of HAVEN, and finishing up this new blue hat. I would love to get to the recipient within the next couple of days! Brrr...only 20 or so more weeks until Spring! Can't wait to get back to the kind of weather that allows me to drop that convertible top and enjoy the sunshine!

     

What A Wild Ride This Is!

     Spent most of the week with Clarabelle (she really refused to change her pound name - so Clarabelle it is...), she is recovering from her spay surgery (Sun), and has been doing everything possible to show she is not happy about something. Sigh. Beginning the training has at least helped to pear down the destructive behavior.

This really is my bone...

Unfortunately, she works quickly. This is what the place looked like after a quick bathroom break for me!

Yep, a dirt trail all through the kitchen and dining space. The rubber tree isn't faring well either. Sigh.

     Just have to remember plenty of patience. She is growing and will grow out of it soon. Thank the gods!

     Also made some time today to get back to organizing and getting things accomplished. I spent the morning oven canning some extras I had. Keeps them wonderfully fresh, never have issues with bugs or mice, and can hold for up to 20 years or more! Granted I usually get around to it much quicker than that! Love the look of the jars all stacked throughout the pantry too! Today, I was able to process 35 jars - a mix of oats, dry beans, instant pancake mix, instant spiced oatmeal - set up for single servings, white rice, and all purpose flour. Absolutely adore my new oven, as this was all processed in one go! Woot! Little tight, but worked beautifully! 

This is what 35 jars in a 6 cu foot oven looks like! 

     I always purchase my flour in 25 pound bags, as they cost under $10, while a 5 pound bag ranges $3-$5! Save a ton of money (even cheaper if you have a Costco or Sams' account), and find that I use it pretty quick. Usually pick one up every month or two depending on how much baking I am working on. Also, I like to keep baking mixes and batches of instant pancake mix to keep in the pantry.

     Next week I have plans to make up biscuit dough - enough for four or five dozen - and freeze them after cutting out, for quick dinner compliments. I love hearty soups in the Autumn and Winter, and usually make them a couple of times a week. Great too if company comes, as just pop out of the freezer and onto a baking sheet, then into the oven! As company here is often unannounced, I also make sure to keep a few frozen loaves of artisan bread handy too! Just a few minutes in the oven for a home made masterpiece!

     Thursday will bring the crafting of a pumpkin cheesecake - a cheesecake social is scheduled with friends on Friday, and Friday afternoon I will be working on coffee cakes, scones and biscotti for an event with the VW group on Saturday morning. I know the guys always appreciate that not only can I work on engines, I can whip up one hell of a coffee cake too! 

      For more information on oven canning, check out The Prepper Project - Long Term Oven Canning for Dry Goods. Although I have no plans for preparing for a zombie apocalypse, it is a great site with some great information and I do like having food storage available for emergencies. Not to mention the instant oatmeal is often great to pack along for camping trips!