Weekend Coffee Share....Come Sit with Me

It's another week of Weekend Coffee Share. I always love everyone's posts. Are you like me and try to visit everyone? It doesn't always happen but I try. I have loved getting to know different bloggers and I figure if they take the time to write a post, I'll find the time to visit, even if it's a week later.

If we were having coffee we'd probably talk about.....

The weather: It has cooled down a bit, and the rain has moved in. Not heavy, but enough to wet the ground and cool the air, though it has been muggy once the middle of the day hits. It is definitely feeling like fall. This weekend is supposed to be dry and warm. The fall weather in the PNW brings out the stink bugs and the box elder beetles...they are both disgusting and I hate them! It seems we have more stink bugs this time. We regularly have a company come out and spray. It doesn't deter them, but they will land on the house and then die, and then our sidewalks look like an insect graveyard...perfect for Halloween. 

What we're thinking about: I have a few family members and friends in Florida, not to mention people I follow on social media so I've been thinking about how they are all faring. Many have lost power. The storm seems to be moving up the coast so family in North and South Carolina are being affected as well.  

What we're thankful for: If I'm honest, I'm thankful I live in an area that isn't slammed with catastrophic weather events. I can't recall the last time we had an earthquake that I felt.We have some significant storms but nothing that even comes close to the devastation that hurricanes cause. I'm also thankful for so many people who jump in and help those in need, when the needs arise, from first responders, to linemen, to neighbors and strangers. I'm also thankful that our vacation is just around the corner!! I'm ready for it. Though this is the longest trip my husband and I have been on together. We normally just take small long weekend trips and the bigger vacations are with family. 

What we're reading or wanting to read: I just finished our book club book. It was really good. It did leave me hanging, but that's okay. I hope to finish the one non-fiction book I'm just about done with and then I'll move on. I have a few audio books that I hope to listen to when we are on our trip. I take my coffee black by Tyler Merritt, and I'll be there but I'll be wearing sweatpants by Amy Weatherly. 

Of course I've been reading so many great blog posts. Two weeks ago the Tuesday 4 questions were all about the New England States. So many bloggers had been to them that I took some notes since we're heading there next Saturday, the 8th. I was thinking I need to. highlight some of the posts that I particularly enjoyed each week. Maybe next time I post. 

Around the house: Not much of anything, trying to make sure things are cleaned up and ready for us to be gone. Our youngest daughter and everyone else will be home. We always make sure someone will be home or if we're all gone, then we have housesitters...for safety but also because so many homeowners have issues when they are gone out of town...pipes burst, etc...and it isn't discovered until they get back. 

I think we'll have concrete steps poured in a few weeks, and that's exciting. I can't wait. 

What we've watched or listened to: I listened to some really good Ted Talks. I love that they are short and easy listens. One was Why having fun is the secret to a healthier life by Catherine Price. So interesting how we associate fun with an activity, and that isn't always the case according to Catherine. It also has to do with a feeling, it's important to weave "playfulness, flow and connection into our everyday lives". I also listened to a podcast episode by Andy Frisella on the #75hard. Oh boy...if we do this challenge it will definitely be a test of mental toughness, but I feel like it's something we could do. Just this morning I listened to one more Ted Talk called The Danger of a single story. 

From the kitchen or restaurant: I did try a few new recipes this week that were winners!! Yay! One was for a tomato pie. I plan to write a post with that recipe in the next few days and I'll share a link for it later. The second thing I made was Mongolian beef with broccoli. That turned out really good. I tweaked the recipe a bit and added onion and the broccoli. I think it was a hit. 

Simple, rustic, tomato pie!

Mongolian beef. Turned out so good. 

Favorite quote of the week: I did not participate in #WQW this past week just because life was busy and Marsha wasn't sure who would be hosting. But I will share a quote I rad from our bookclub book that I thought was interesting. Let me know your thoughts. 

"The seasons don't cease to change because we haven't the time to plant or tend or harvest, because grief like a hailstorm comes up sudden and frightens us with its noise. Once the storm rolls on, the fields remain, and life goes on, whatever we prefer" ~Olivia Hawker, One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow.

Favorite photo from the week: Well, I actually don't have one for this week. I don't think I took any pictures. I will share this photo my son in law posted...oh my word! This child! 

Random and not so random things: We had a busy week. Sunday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon we had the grandkiddos here. It went well, but boy am I tired. The nights were a bit rough with Pepper so I ended up sleeping on one couch in our living room and "rigging" another bed for her on the other couch. That helped, but still not amazing sleep for this Nonni! They did have a great time, and by the end of the visit she was finally saying "nonni"..she's been saying "Poppi", but not "Nonni". I am surprised I didn't take any photos, but we just were too busy doing things to pause for photos I guess. I did work Monday and Tuesday so they had babysitters. I asked Indy what we should have for dinner when he was here, so I bought all the favorite things, which he enjoyed. 

Wednesday I went for a blood draw. My naturapath just wants to check my complete blood count and ferratin. They were really bad last year but probably mostly because I was having very erratic cycles and was surprised I was still alive (I was surprised, not the Dr. and I say that jokingly)...so we're re-checking. It was really quick. I was in and out within 15 minutes. Then I ran to drop off a couple of puzzles at a puzzle exchange I knew was outside a store in a nearby town...I left mine but was a bit sad that I didn't find one to take with me. I love the concept of a puzzle exchange. 

I've been trying to update a few things on my blog, like adding "labels" to my posts so maybe they're easier to find. Adding another page or so to the top of the page, etc. I need to redo some of the posts with better photos someday. 

We leave in a week for our 10 day vacation and I need to make a list of things I need to get done before we go because bills will still need to be paid, so I'm trying to pay them all before we go, and also get my VA work done ahead of time. Then decide what to pack, if I need to buy anything. AAAhhhhh. Debating whether to take my computer or leave it home. I think if I bring it, I'll be too tempted to get on it and I'd rather unplug. With that said, I'll probably miss 1, maybe 2 weekend coffee shares, but you can bet I'll be back with lots of photos to share! Saturday we have my grandsons soccer game and then we are having a friend up for dinner. 

October is also Pumpkin Patch month so I'll be helping on the weekends I can (only 4 days this year), at our local patch that is owned by my son in laws family. I love the time I get to spend there. I'm a bit bummed I'll only be there a few days, but it's okay. 

I did finish my blog post about our Kelley's Island trip. You can find it here. 

Check out all the other posts on Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. I'm off to go visit some now. #weekendcoffeeshare

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin