What's Up Wednesday, September 2024 Edition

Welcome to autumn! September shepherds in my favorite season of the year and I am very much looking forward to the days growing more mellow and colorful. I do, however, feel like September has flown by; time needs to slow down, just a titch.

I tend to read back over past What's Up Wednesday posts, and the ones in the fall are often my favorites; thank you to Sheaffer and Shay for hosting the party.

What I'm Eating

Hugh and I celebrated our 31st anniversary earlier this month; we had dinner at one of Hooterville's nicer restaurants, where I often order the Tuscan stuffed chicken breast. It's a favorite.

Later in the month, Mom and I attended a play at the community theater, but, before that, we dined at another of Hooterville's finer establishments, where I broke completely out of my usual rut (chicken marsala) and ordered the filet stroganoff. It was really tasty and something I might order there again.

What I'm Reminiscing About

I haven't had an actual vacation since 2021, y'all. That was the year that we rented the most amazing house on Oahu for the Man-Cub's college graduation. Last week, I got an email from the VRBO host for that property, letting me know that they are booking for 2025 and it got me reminiscing about that trip in a big way.

What I'm Loving

Fall means three things: falling leaves, the end of fundraising season (praise hands!), and Halloween! It will probably come as no surprise that I have already decorated my house and that Hugh and I are already cooking up a plan for our annual skeleton display. I also recently added this mug to my collection and I'm not mad about it.

Of course, before the season changes completely, I should mention how much I have loved the zinnias in my front flower bed. This particular variety has been stunning this year, and I plan to harvest as many seeds from the flowerheads as possible, to recreate this look again next year.

What I've Been Up To

Mom has had several appointments in Neighboring City; we are hoping that the end result will be a procedure that will relieve a lot of the pain that she has had in her back and one of her legs.

Hugh, Kristi, and I spent Labor Day in the mountains, riding four-wheelers and communing with nature. I communed with it face-first, when I took a tumble down the hillside. I am graceful like that.

Kristi and I tried our hand at making homemade pasta, using flour that I milled, myself. It was a fun project and we learned a lot, namely; you should combine regular flour with whole wheat flour when making pasta, since using whole wheat alone tends to make a less pliable noodle.

What I'm Working On

Since finishing the wedding Converse for Shanti and the Man-Cub, I have embroidered a number of other items, including the baseball cap I wear when golfing...

... and these jeans.

I also worked with my staff on hosting the best darn Barn Dance, ever. My family helped out again this year and the evening was a tremendous success. So very glad that it is over for another year, though.

And, this past weekend, The Great Garden Experiment of 2024 came to an end when I ripped the spent flowers from the raised beds and prepared them for vegetables again next spring. It will be interesting to see how many volunteer sunflowers spring up next year, because the birds weren't able to get to all the seeds, I'm sure.

When I dug up the dahlia tubers, I was shocked to see all the new growth. I don't know anything about storing tubers for the winter, but I think I'm about to learn.

What I'm Dreading

Hugh and I will be saying goodbye to this sweet boy very soon.

I'm a wreck about it, even though I know it is the right thing to do for him.

What I'm Excited About

We are still waiting for the pictures from the wedding. I get that the photographer is busy and that she had a lot of other weddings this summer, but surely, she has to be done editing soon. I'm excited to see the complete gallery and to get some of the pictures printed for framing.

I'm also really excited to try some new recipes that use goat cheese, specifically the goat cheese that I recently purchased at the farmer's market in Hooterville; the cheese is made locally and the owner/cheesemaker gave me lots of ideas for how to use it. I purchased both the fig balsamic and  roasted garlic rosemary varieties, so I have options.

What I'm Reading

Since spooky season is upon us, it seemed like a good time to start a series about witches. There are something like thirteen books in this series and I'm pretty sure I can make it through them all before Halloween, assuming they continue to hold my interest. I just started Book 3, so I am optimistic.

What I'm Watching

Mom and I went to see a production of All My Sons at the community theater. It was really well done, but more than a little sad and depressing.

And, speaking of depressing; I also watched the Netflix series on the Menendez brothers, and...whew. There was a lot to unpack there. 

                                          

What I'm Listening To

 I'm not currently listening to anything. Since Halloween is right around the corner, I'm looking for recommendations on paranormal podcasts, though.

What I'm Wearing

Still rocking the cute shoes and will continue to do so for as long as the weather permits.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

Two of my favorite fall events are happening on the same day: Pickin' at the Pea and the Annual Apple Fest and Apple Pie Contest. Mom is entering the contest again this year and is determined to finish better than third place. Hugh, the Cub, Shanti, Kristi, Mom, and I are all excited about Pickin', for differing reasons; the guys are mostly stoked about the Mennonite coffee and donuts, while we girls are looking forward to hunting treasures.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

Halloween! I mean, duh!

Favorite Purchase This Month

I am having a moment with vintage corning ware; this coffee percolator is the coolest thing, ever. Coffee perked on the stovetop is the best coffee, in my opinion, and, while these percolators were recalled and discontinued back in the 70's, I'm willing to risk using it. At least once.