brrrr!

It was/is a dud of a day. I went to bed just after 4am, tossed around with odd dreams, began my day eight hours later, leaving me with just a few hours of daylight on an already dark gray cloud filled day. Hopefully I won't be doing that again.

Overall, I did get a lot done today, but now I feel like I could really just go back to bed yet it is only just about 7pm. *yawn* There is so much more I need to do but my energy is drained at the moment. maybe I will perk up in a bit.
Tired and cold (despite coffee) is no fun. Now I just heard that come late tomorrow & into Thursday there is some rain-snow-wind storm expected? Oh and the high temps will be in the 20s, let me say that again.. TWENTIES on Thursday. Brrrrr!

Good thing I made chili to help me warm up! After making a squash lentil soup (e:theecarey,50427), I wanted to make a veggie laden soup-chili-stew. Something thick, healthy and hearty that would be awesome to grab a cup or bowl of anytime. Thanks to (e:heidi) who was awesome in posting a veggie chili recipe that I jumped on to make. (e:heidi,50428) Thanks!!!

Other than the V-8 vegetable juice (which I did buy for this), I had all of the ingredients ready to go (yay!).




Getting the veggies started:





I used two cups of texturized vegetable protein (TVP) I had on hand.
Not sure all where this can be found, but if interested in finding some, this was purchased about a year ago from the bulk section at the Lexington Coop. It stored very well in an air tight container.




I wanted to use wheat bulgar, which I have plenty of, but I have been wanting to use the TVP for some time now. How perfect I thought it would be for chili. Bulgar will go into my next creation- whatever it may be.

I used spices to taste (extra cumin and cayenne pepper), but otherwise (loosely) followed the recipe.

Yummy!

end result: colorful, flavorful and hearty.







added sharp cheddar cheese on top for a little bite. Very nice!

not ones that get anchored to the ground with stakes, but the kind that fall from the sky. (e:theecarey,50487)

For a few minutes at about 4pm a few white flakes floated down,

but they did not stick.
at all.

tried to capture them:

not the kind that fall from the sky, but ones that get anchored to the ground with stakes.




I've been working on putting up a few decorations.

sometimes I decorate, but often I don't.

My duplex neighbor has some lights along his front porch, so I decided to go out and buy something similar. I think I like his better (he has colorful little tree shapes) but mine "twinkle" and with the clear lights and snowflake shape, if I really wanted to, I could extend the use of them outside of "christmas".

I just put them out and need to see what they look like from the road and neighbors perspective. Do the lights really twinkle or are they more likely to induce a seizure. That is tomorrows objective.

More pictures to come, my camera batteries died which was just as well since running around my front yard at 11:30 pm in my pink bathrobe and using a camera is likely a social faux pas of some sort. haha

from Friday 12-4-09 (follow up to prior post, (e:theecarey,50461))

I've continued to enjoy the extended fall weather and daily sunshine. I like being outdoors any time of year, so this is a given. The following are pictures taken with my ancient cellphone, so images are vague.

wandering along the beach






The sun to my back, I am heading off into the woods along the lake.



Kicking my way through leaves on a trail in the woods. Soon enough it will be snow.


Bundled up in several layers, scarf, hat, hood and gloves, as long as I keep moving, 36 degrees feels toasty. Capturing a picture of myself on the trail ahead of me:


everything smelled so good. mmmmm.

On the trail, off the trail and along the black top walkways, these chestnut casings are everywhere. There is a gratifying crunch and pop sensation when walking over these.


One lonely little red berry-esque vegetation. I appreciate random color and texture composition. A clear picture was not possible using the phone. Idea is there, though.


Looking back at the trail behind me. The sun will set in that direction.



A teeny tiny narrow trail between thick bushes to the left and cliff down to the lake on the right.



I decided to sit my ass down and dangle my feet over. It was peaceful until my over active imagination took on the thought of some crazy woodman coming up behind me and shoving me off the ledge. Then I kept "hearing things".. (was that you, (e:tinypliny)??hmmm?? haha) so I got up and continued to wander around.




Getting out of the woods before dark, A little while later on the return trip




Pretty much back to where I started, instead of the beach, I point my phone/camera to the sky

I was sitting at my desk enjoying the feeling of the intense warmth of the sun beaming through the window next to me wishing it would last.

Makes 36 degree fall day bearable.

Naturally, one feline was already occupying the best sun spot. Move over furball.

A quick picture like that in (e:theecarey,50422)

Just snapping pictures of sunny days while I can. We'll have enough gray over the next few months that I might need to look back over these posts to remember what a sunny day looks like!



I'll head out for a walk shortly, hopefully the sun will still be shining.

A crappy phone pic or two will likely follow.

stay warm!