Hi friends,
I hope you are all doing fine and enjoying the change of seasons. Since I last posted a few days ago the weather has warmed up considerably and I can now turn down my thermostat. Usually when it warms up at this time of year it means rain so I expect that over the coming days.
When it's raining it's a good time to cosy up with a good book and hot drink. Here are the next few books in my reading pile.
Book number 59, reading goals 2020.
Book number 59, reading goals 2020.
Book #60, reading goals 2020
The red blob in the bowl is home made ice cream which I made Tuesday night in my Vitamix blender. This is a photo taken as an afterthought after the ice cream had been sitting for about 20 minutes. It is made of a frozen wild berry mix, chia seeds and cream. Yum! It's one of my favourite snacks. A variation on this is making a smoothie with a vegan protein powder, berries and water (no milk, cream or yogurt).
I went late night shopping on Wednesday night for a carpet/rug cleaner I have been eyeing. It was on sale at a local store. It is also available on Amazon for the same price but I prefer to get it in the brick and mortar store when I can. I also bought stain remover and soap cleanser for the machine. Now I am all set to clean the carpets. My goal is to do a thorough cleaning of all the traffic areas before I start decorating for Christmas. I don't plan on moving the furniture unless it's chairs or plants or something small.
On the way home from shopping there was a beautiful sunset over the Fraser River. Unfortunately I could not stop to take a photograph for you. By the time I got home and started dinner it was quite late. By the time dinner was ready I was feeling a bit light headed and I ate too much as my blood sugar was probably a little too low.
The stuffed pork chops were just right. Normally the pork chops on offer at the store are very lean. But these ones were quite fat and had a lot of marbling. This turned out well because I like roasting my meat for a long time but sometimes they get too dry if they don't have adequate fat. We had sides of caramelized onions, mashed potatoes and a simple salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes and avocado in a dressing of Balsamic vinegar and grapeseed oil. Everything was delicious. It sounds funny for me to say that but I can appreciate my own cooking and I'm happy when whatever I've made hits the spot otherwise it would be a waste of food and cooking effort.
Here is another photo from my archives.
This one was taken at the Stanley Park downtown along the beginning of the seawall (south side)
This dog had so much fun running into the ocean to fetch the stick. It always amazes me how dogs never seem to tire of playing fetch with their owners. As you can see I shot this photo into the sun. I always read you shouldn't do that but personally I like to do it from time to time.
These little bird photos are also from my archives. I'm afraid I don't capture birds very well because they move too fast for me. I am not one hundred percent certain but I think the first bird (first 3 photos) are of a sparrow. It looks somewhat bedraggled because I believe it was a super hot summer. I think the last two photos are of little chickadees. These are the two main types of birds that come to my patio besides the hummingbird. Update: Thank you to Eileen over at Saturday's Critters for identifying the first bird which is a finch not a sparrow.
Given Saturday is Halloween I am posting a few photos of spider webs. I do not celebrate on October 31st but I know many people do. I'm finding people are getting quite creative about the way to celebrate since the health officials are strongly urging people not to go out door to door.
I cannot believe how fast this month has gone. I know I say that quite often, lol but it is so true that time passes far too quickly. I don't want to waste a minute of the time I have. I don't count relaxation like reading or watching television as wasted time for the most part because we all do need to build relaxation in our daily lives so we can stay happy and enjoy life more.
Speaking of happiness, I found a graphic some months back and meant to share (I don't believe I ever did). The suggestions for being happy apply at any time but maybe this year they are more important than ever.
Tell me dear reader, do you agree with these suggestions for happiness and do you have any additional suggestions?
Thank you for stopping by. Please stay safe until we meet again in this space or yours.
I will be linking up with
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21 comments:
time fly so fast ...we are entering November now....
Your foods look delicious...yummy
Thank you for sharing beautiful leaves colors..... have a wonderful day
Hello, Penny
October did fly by, as I get older the days go by so quickly. We do need to find ways to stay happy, dropping unpleasant memories is a good idea. Your pork chop meal looks delicious! Great collection of books. Take care, enjoy your day!
It has been a very odd year and I will be glad to see the back of it but not sure at this stage if 2121 is going to be any better!!
Your ice cream sounds delicious and I love the autumn colours.
We are back in lockdown again!! Stay safe Diane
Our weather has turned nice again. I hope it stays this way for a while.
What a beautiful dinner.
What a diverse selection of books! I'll be eager to hear how you like them. We're a little warmer too -- 40s and next week, higher. I love all the colorful trees you showed. So very beautiful, this fall.
Your archived photos are beautiful.
Hi Penny,
...such pretty trees and birds...still looking forward to cooler weather here...it's fall in name only...haha...
~Have a lovely day!
This month has simply flown by!
I enjoyed seeing those colourful trees, I do like the Autumn season.
All the best Jan
Your home cooked pork chop looks yummy. Beautiful autumn leaves. Dogs love to interact with their owners and they are men's best friends. You captured the birds very well. I won't be able to do that. By the time I get out my hand phone, they are gone. Happy weekend.
Hello, Penny
Love the dog playing fetch, it remind me of my old yellow labrador. She loved playing fetch and swimming in the lake. Pretty captures of the birds, Could the first bird be a finch, they have the streaky chest. I love to read, I would not count that as time wasted. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day and weekend! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Hello. Beautiful colors of autumn and cute little birds.
Take care.
Hi Eileen, thank you for identifying the finch for me. I googled and I see several photos of birds that look just like the one I captured. That's awesome. Enjoy your weekend too.
My eyes went straight to your mashed potatoes!!! :))) The happy chart, I love it. I've been working on being more in the present lately, slowing down and sharing my love and happiness with whomever wants to receive it. I really feel it makes me a happier, more grateful person. My dog Jack could chase the ball for hours if I had that energy! :)
I like that chart! I tell people...like my kids...to look around them and see what they can do to bring joy to their lives. If you don't have time for a hike...take a walk. No time for that? Sit outside in the sun for a few minutes! We need to boost our spirits. And I need the book about wardrobe...I need more STYLE! heehee!
This year is going fast. I also like to take pictures into the sun. I think you can get some interesting pictures that way. Your meals look delicious and made me hungry now!
Love all the photos and your dinner looks like good comfort food.
Wow, so much good stuff here. I loved your spiderweb photos...very good!! And your pork chop dinner looks delicious. The books sound good too. Hard to believe it is the end of October, but I am kind of glad it is over. It seemed to be a long month. Now I have to plan Thanksgiving and then start getting ready for Christmas. That should keep me busy for the next two months. Have a great rest of your weekend. Clocks go back tonight!
Hello dear Joyful, your book choices are very practical. I would love to clean up my wardrobe, it is such a mess and the clothes are mostly my daughter's, the ones she doesn't like anymore, so I get them. It's a good way to save money though, I don't need to buy new clothes. That ice cream looks so enticing, and the autumn leaves are beautiful. We are still in summer here in Sicily actually, today we went out to have a coffee (the cafes and restaurants now have to close at 6 PM so we've got to get there early) and I had to take off my jacket and sweater, that's how hot it was.
You must have a really good camera! I agree that I do most of the things to be happy. I am doing my charitable deed right now. And, it does make me sooo happy to know it will bring happiness. I wish I could stomach chia. It makes me gag, but I am quite sure it makes good ice cream.
Hi there, some of these photos are several years old so were taken with a Canon point and shoot and a few were taken with a Sony mirrorless and yet others were taken with my phone camera. I use whatever is available, lol. I'm sorry you cannot eat chia. I think it is a good nutritious seed and I drink it in water if I don't put it in a smoothie or ice cream. All the best with your charitable deed.
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