FORTY-SIX

Last minute mulch purchase to protect my plants from the 21 degree night ahead!

2014 week forty-six

Aaaaaaaand, it is suddenly winter here in North Texas.

At the mall, which is apparently Christmas heaven already. The entire time, "Light! Light! Light! Light!" Except in Old Navy when the tune turned to, "Dog? I no know?!" Some Old Navy's have dog mannequins, but not this one and that was Distressing.

Fall cleaning surfaces really fun toys like this cake-stand turned baby merry-go-round. Pardon the no pants, we were toilet training.

Going on a walk. She loves these gloves. I gave up trying to knit some that would fit her and not be too bulky. Michael's had these for $1, so whatever. At least the hat and scarf are hand knitted. Because I know you're all keeping track.

Another cold walk to avoid further tantrums. 

Happiness is your first Chick-fil-A, if you didn't know. 

It was so cold this week. I'm not even exaggerating! COLD! Like nights in the 20s arctic wind, highs in the 30s-40s, cold. We woke up to powdered sugar snow. In November! I love it. I listened to one Christmas album. That's all I could take before I felt the Thanksgiving guilt sneaking in. I love being bundled up and feeling real seasons. Bring on the coldest winter ever (according the the Farmer's Almanac)!

I have no good stories this week. But the other night I noticed Matt had pushed all the pillows to my side. I asked him why he was offering me so many. Apparently it's because I'm a "thousand-pillow wife." True love. :)

Everything froze so I stripped my cucumber and bean plants this week. We had homemade refrigerator pickles with our roast beast last night. Delicious.  I'll share our refrigerator pickle recipe.

1/2 cup vinegar (any kind, white or red are best)
3/4 cup rice wine vinegar (or apple cider)
1/2 cup sugar
tbsp pickling spices
fresh cucumbers sliced or whole.

Put the cucumbers in a bowl. Bring other ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour over cucumbers, bring to room temperature and then refrigerate until ready to eat.

The same pickling brine can be used for any veg you want. Really good for pickling onions for sandwiches.

I got crazy with fall cleaning this year and purged every counter, closet, cupboard, cranny. EVERYTHING was purged and cleaned. It feels so good and fresh in here now. Ready for winter. Pass the apple chips and hot cocoa now please.




As a note, yes we are "toilet training" but we've been toilet training her whole life, so all it means now is periodically she goes pantless when we're at home to encourage her to say something before she goes. Knock on wood, she has been dry for 2 whole days now and verbally telling us when she has to go! Hooray! My flexible goal is to be in panties by Christmas. We'll see.

Happy Monday, stay warm!