Ketchup? Yeah, I should probably just say catch-up, but ketchup is more fun. Isn't ketchup a weird word?

My sister had her baby! James Michael arrived Tuesday evening weighing 5lbs 15oz. He had some breathing issues and was in the NICU (still is actually) but he's doing GREAT now and is off of oxygen and may get to go home in a couple of days! I'm going to see him in about three weeks and am super duper excited! He is C-U-T-E. And I rarely say that about newborns.

It is REALLY starting to feel like fall here. We've had extremely chilly mornings for a couple of weeks now, and our high temp today is supposed to be 70! I love it. John usually takes our middle-schoolers to school each morning but today I volunteered to drive them so that I could swing by Starbucks. There's just something about forty-five degree mornings that screams pumpkin spice latte! It was delicious.

Despite downing copious amounts of Emergen-C, I finally succumbed to the cold that has been pestering me. Yuck. I'm hoping it's short-lived. I went to bed at 8:45pm last night and I never do that. I have some time at home this morning and was actually excited about getting caught up on some stuff around here but it's hard to get motivated to do anything when you feel terrible. Blech. I'm hoping to squeeze in a nap later. Or sooner. Sooner sounds much better than later.

I am so happy to report that I've been walking and hiking for a few weeks now and am finally pain-free! I do have a little bit of pain if I forget to stretch really well after working out, which is huge motivation to not forget! I am sooooooooooo grateful to be on this side of my injury.

Outside my window... It is cloudy, cool, and a gentle rain is falling. {Ahhhh. Happiness}

I am thinking... about my sister. She is having a c-section later this afternoon and will get to meet her sweet little baby boy! We are so thrilled for her! I'll share more when I have some info!

I am thankful for... John, Will, Sarah, and Abbey. I love those guys so much.

From the kitchen... I have a roast in the crockpot and it smells soooooooo good. John peeled some potatoes for me a little while ago {I'm allergic to something in the peeling and will have a full-blown asthma attack if I peel a potato--weird} and I'm going to make mashed potatoes, gravy, and roasted brussel sprouts to go with the roast. Yummmmmmm.

I am wearing... shorts and a t-shirt. And flip-flops.

I am creating... a new two-week menu plan and fun theme for Bunco. I'm thinking football!

I am going... to pick kids up from school in a little while. And drop some stuff by Goodwill. I've been de-cluttering and it feels great!

I am reading... The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

I am hoping... that I'm not getting a cold. I have a scratchy sore throat and a very runny nose. Ugh.

I am hearing... rain falling and my husband working in the other room. {I love it when he works from home!}

One of my favorite things... is when everyone arrives home from their school day!

A few plans for the rest of the week: A couple of hikes with friends, a meeting, a Camp Rock 2 pajama/pizza party, and a double date {concert} with some friends we love!

-----From The Simple Woman's Daybook-----

Thanks so much for all the answers you chimed in with yesterday! Elizabeth thanks you as well, and we're both thrilled to have some new recipes and a cookbook or two to try. As for the teenage social scheduling thing, you guys had some good thoughts there too. The biggest thing I struggle with is not knowing the parents of the kids who invite my kids. I think it's just plain weird to have zero communication with them and then entrust my child to them for an afternoon or evening. My kids usually end up disappointed. Parenting is a tough job sometimes.

Today is super busy for me. I'll be going pretty much non-stop from the time school starts until bedtime (just keep swimming, just keep swimming) but I just wanted to pop in before things get crazy and let you know how much I appreciated your answers to the questions from yesterday. Merci beaucoup! Have a wonderful day!!!

I'm soliciting answers/advice to these three questions today:

Remember that tiered serving platter idea I shared last week?

Things I'm loving of late...

Basil plants sprouting up. I finally got tired of buying fresh basil and bought some seeds so I could grow my own. I use lots of fresh basil when I cook. Love it.


Emeril's Kicked-Up Tuna Melts. Oh my. We love these. The recipe is from Everyday Food magazine and I've never made a single recipe from that magazine that wasn't wonderful.

I love this quote from Annie Proulx:
"I read omnivorously, I always have, my entire life. I would rather be dead than not read. So, there's always time for that. I read while I eat, and our whole family did. We all had very bad manners at the table. All of our books are stained with spaghetti sauce, and that sort of thing."
I love even more that my husband sent that quote to me with a note that said: This reminds me of our family.

I love the rhythm that our weekends have developed over the last year--they feel almost sacred to us.

Our dairy delivery service. After taking a break for a year or so, we started it back up again this summer. It seems so quaint to open our front door and retrieve milk and eggs and bread and lots of other things from our dairy box. The only thing I don't love is that the eggs come in styrofoam cartons. I haven't found any place that recycles styrofoam.

I love that it's almost football season. Specifically I love that it's almost SEC football season. Twelve more days, and yes, I'm counting. I've been excited about college football since all the pre-season SEC chatter started in July! I love that the Hogs are ranked #17 right now. And love that I get to go to a Razorback game this year! Go Hogs Go!!!

I also love that my sister's due date is almost here. We can't wait to meet her little guy! She's due in less than two weeks.

Trader Joe's Joe. It's my very favorite. Thanks to my friends, Julie and Lane, I have enough to last me for awhile!

Mondays. I really have grown to love the fresh start to my week! Hope your Monday is a really great one.

Things have been sorta quiet on the blog this week. Sometimes I get tired of listening to myself.