Purple Flowers Poolside (Complements of Guest Photographer Alexander Gerth today.)
READING: Shakespeare's Hamlet as I have not read it since college and am going to see it performed this coming week...a refresher is always nice...and even in drama, Shakespeare is always fun.
POOLSIDE READING: Finishing Donna Leon's third mystery book (1994) Dressed for Death; 13 more to go in that series...yahoo! What's not to love about reading a series of books set in Venice? It's hard not to fall in love with Guido...he is a nice family man, loves his wife and children, and isn't fussy like Poirot. He could come for dinner here anytime.
LISTENING TO: Dylan...it's been a Dylan kind of week around here...some Stones...a little Traveling Wilburys for whatever reason I was inspired to dig that out...and various classical pieces that will send you all yawning into the weekend because you all aren't very tolerant with me on those. What's playing there? Anything new I need to check out?
COOKING THROUGH: Autumn has arrived...I have lots of staples for autumn cooking involving squash and parsnips and brussels sprouts...oh my! (Helps to sing it to the tune of "Lions and Tigers and Bears" from the Wizard of Oz.) Seriously, hands down, one of our favorites: Peel and cut in large chunks one butternut squash, toss on a sheet pan with a little olive oil (little, mind you...not swimming in it), salt and pepper and bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes (longer if you like it mushier or you have cut them in really big chunks). This is one of our absolute favorites, healthy, and so very easy!
FAV NEW FIND: Michael Flohr...he is an American impressionist for those who have not discovered him yet...I think his work is charming and magical...I could look at it for hours and still not see and feel everything going on. Here is a link to a site where you can watch him paint on YouTube...take a moment...you will be happy you did...and the music is great while you watch. Come on...it won't kill you...you may love it! Michael Flohr
FAV THING TODAY; Feeling really good today about all the nice reports on Matt's grades, etc. last night at the Parent/Teacher gig. As a homeschooling mom you hear it all...not all of it good, obviously, about how we are "harming" our kids by homeschooling them and how they will never "fit in," etc. Ad nauseam. We have never isolated the boys...they have always been out there participating in everything and then some, etc. and they are well-rounded young men who function very nicely in everything they do. It was so nice to have that validated by the teachers who were all saying how wonderful Matt was and how nice, polite, considerate, helpful, kind, etc. they found him to be each day. And the thing I loved hearing the most was how easily he was adjusting to school life, how well prepared he is for his classes each day, how he gets along with and makes friends easily, etc. Music to my ears. That and his grades are excellent! Homeschooling: Another option, not for everyone, but truly another schooling option. I'm so happy we did it all those years...I would not trade them for anything.
SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK; Tomorrow...going to Anne's to scrapbook for a couple of hours in the afternoon and may find some time while watching the IU/Iowa football game this weekend to do a little also. Get to do the homecoming photos, etc. That should be fun.
GOING TO: Frankly, I have lost track of where everyone is going to be this weekend. Let's see: the opera, camping, swimming, IYC singing, church, Carmel Swim Club yearly hayride, and the Colts game on Sunday. I may have missed something, but if you are looking for us, check these places first. What's going on in your neck of the woods?
PRAYING FOR: 40 Days for Life please join me.