I'm in LOVE with the Fall harvest!

I used to only know how to make zucchini recipes.  I used to grow zucchini, and I've literally "zucchini-ized" every dish under the sun.

This fall, we've been out to this wonderful little farmer's market in Brighton twice.  I just LOVE the place!  I've bought butternut, spaghetti, and acorn squash this year (yes, and a few zucchini).  Last night, I cut open the acorn squash and tried this recipe.  We LOVED it.  (Watch out Martha)

Ingredients:
2 T spoon butter
1 Medium Acorn Squash
2 T brown sugar
Coarse grown salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 425°.

2. Halve the acorn squash crosswise. Scoop out seeds; discard. Slice a small piece off bottom of each squash half just enough to level.

3. Set squash halves, scooped sides down, on prepared sheet. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn squash; prick insides all over with a fork. Divide 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons light-brown sugar among halves; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Continue to bake until flesh is easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!

At the Patch

The garden is fading; its work is nearly done
Vegetables become sparse, except for the orange globes basking in the sun

It's been a good year for pumpkins, they've grown quite large and round
Deep orange or mixed with green, they lay scattered on the ground

Sometimes pumpkins make me think of pumpkin pie
Right now they are just beautiful... as the autumn days pass by

As I wander the field, images and designs jump into my head
Happy jack-o-lanterns, or goblins, with eyes of crimson red

Can’t be too tall, too round, or wobble just a little

He should be perfect, as I am very artful

As for my new friend, Jack

Well, his new home is here on our cul-de-sac

His belly will glow and burn boldly bright

to guide youngsters to our door this Sunday night.

Poem by yours truly.

Beautiful Fall!

What a beautiful fall we are having!  Getting to experience all four of mother nature's seasons is just one of the reasons I love living in Colorful Colorado!

We took advantage of the gorgeous fall weather to play some golf.  We walked 9 holes on Saturday (we played with our good friends, the Kisters) and another 9 on Sunday.  Saturday's score was pretty good for me (I guess it pays to take a break from the game).  Sunday's score is another story! 

Along with the good exercise benefits, the beautiful green golf course against the blue sky with the scattered golds, oranges, and browns was definitley a treat for the soul.

No, Bill doesn't shave on the weekends!

A Successful Retreat?

I've finally finished unpacking.  Everything is put away and in its place.  I can once again walk through my scrapbook room and enjoy my creative space.  Part I of the Paris album is complete.

Although this isn't my record for finished layouts at a scrapbook retreat (which stands at 54), I do think that this retreat was a success as I was able to finish 43 layouts for my Paris/50th Birthday album.

This is my new tradition.  I photograph all of my completed layouts for the weekend.  It makes me feel productive.  It makes me feel happy.

Getting Ready....I Need A Retreat!

Thought I would share this photo.  I found it to be quite comical.  I don't know if it's Bill's bad photography skills or the fact that I look really unorganized.  Truth is, I was quite organized.  I just needed a whole lot of room to get my power layouts ready for retreat.  I had already used every square inch of space and just had to move to the floor.  That's all.

Pink-Tober!

It's a good thing I look good in pink. I like pink.

I like it even more now that I am four years past my diagnosis.  I like that I am #4392 in a sea of 50,000+ racers and walkers for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Denver on a wonderfully crisp, beautiful fall morning with my very small family beside me. 

I can't tell you how emotional this day is for me.  The emotion sits just on the brink the entire way and threatens to bubble over several times during the walk.  It really gets to me as we arrive in the Survivor area.  I personally thank each of my "team mates" with my wavering voice.  This is personal.

Oh, yes. Pink is definitely my color!