Monday. Monday. It was so good to me.

Pleasant weather equals
lunch outside!

outside my window... cool weather has finally arrived to stay. Early mornings in the 40's and  the afternoon high of 70. It is perfect.

I am thinking... I need to water my plants and have a serious talk with them. I saw some Camellia's blooming today, and although mine have buds, they don't look at all ready to bloom. I'm going to lay down the law with them. I'm expecting blooms, and sooner rather than later.

I am thankful... Fall has arrived again with all of its many pleasant activities, even though its also the busiest time of the year.

I am thankful (part two).... the Christmas Child boxes were successfully delivered to a drop off location this morning (the last day of collection) even though there was a period of time where it was looking like they were not going to make it.... and I went to the wrong place first... then I was too early at the right place... but in the end, it was accomplished.

In the kitchen... making something to bring to Thanksgiving dinner at the office tomorrow. I've been assigned to the steamed veggies (which I quickly delegated to my secretary) and one dessert. I want to make something with things already in my pantry and fridge. This is not the time for complex recipe testing.  I'm leaning heavily to Pecan bars.

 

I am wearing. . .  Black and white tweed skirt from Stage, black tights, purple cardi from Ann Taylor, white and black cashmere scarf that was a present from my boss last year... but looking forward to wearing PJs and fuzzy socks.

I am wondering... when I'm going to find time to do all I've put on my plate to do.

I am reading... Chapter 5 of  Hand Me Another Brick, Bible Study on effective leadership based on Nehemiah's model and the Civil War Diary of a Confederate Woman, who amazingly, wrote the book while living two blocks from where I now work. It is fascinating to hear about her life during war which is literally across the street from me.

I am looking forward to...my Monday night regular activities of a hot bath and watching Dancing with the Stars,  but with the addition of doing a work assignment in my PJs with
an Advil.


Around the house...a new breakfast find. Cinnamon swirl oatmeal with a handful of raisins, a handful of pecans and 1/2 of a diced apple. Warm tummy on cold mornings and it is delicious.

A favorite quote for today... We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)

One of my favorite things... having lunch outside (burger with pasta salad and fries) with my friends and sharing recipes.

A few plans for the rest of the week.... an evening of cooking for a Thanksgiving party at work tomorrow; another trip to the grocery store and more cooking Wednesday for my sister in law's house, completing the assembly of Thanksgiving gifts for the in laws, packing, cut and color late Wednesday afternoon, and long weekend trip to the beach with annual black Friday  shopping fun.

I'm linked up with the Simple Woman's day book