Upside Down Cats

I'm not going to write one of those sappy 'Ode to an Autumn Day' platitudes here, but I do want to share how much I adore the Fall. It is without question my favorite time of year. I am so pleased it is near!

We live in the Midwest and this is my impression of the seasons here...

Spring is too unpredictable and volatile...extremes of too cold, or too warm, or too wet.

Summer is unbearable! It is far too hot and I HATE HUMIDITY!

Winter seems endlessly gray, and storms just make life unpleasant and inconvenient.

Autumn...well, that's another story! Give me bright sunny days between 50 and 70 degrees, and I am a happy girl! This time of year seems to fit my temperament, too. I prefer the shorter length of daylight, the cooler temperatures, the brilliant colors of the turning leaves. I am always relieved when everything seems to calm down after the hustle-bustle of summer. I love wearing sweaters, sleeping with the window open covered by a light blanket...heaven! I love taking a bike ride when the weather is crisp, and there is that Autumn scent in the air that absolutely invigorates my soul!

Here are the recent additions to the guest list for my Fantasy Dinner Party. Click "Continue reading...to see who's invited...

Continue reading "Fantasy Dinner Party - Vol. 2" »

While reading Michael Wade's blog, Execupundit, yesterday, I came across his post about the ninety year old author who has just had his first novel published. And I thought I was a late bloomer!

Talk about inspiration! I have struggled for many years with the feeling that I am leading an incomplete life. The work I do with the daycare children is fulfilling on one level, but I have always known that there should be more to my life than that. I am and have more than I can express through my role as daycare provider. I feel like an untapped well waiting to be brought forth.

Continue reading "What Do I Want To Be When I Grow Up?" »

I've got the week's menus planned so I thought I'd share with you once again some of the meals I'll be preparing for us at home this week...

 

Almond & Cornflake-Crusted French Toast (admittedly, it's not as good as at EJ's Lunchenette in NYC, but my at-home version is pretty darned good, too, if I do say so my darned self!), Apple Maple Chicken Sausage

Fried Chicken Salad & Marinated Fresh Mozzarella Garlic Bread

Fish Sandwiches, French Fries, Coleslaw

Enchiladas, Mixed Greens Salad

Homemade New England Clam Chowder, BLTs

Hot Dogs, German Potato Salad, Corn on the Cob

Bacon & Cheese Omlettes, Bagels, Mango

 

I'm loving the fact that our weather is cooling off a bit...it makes me think about a whole different array of foods and cooking methods. This is crucial inspiration for someone who cooks as much as I do!

Let's start off the weekend with a smile...

I snapped this photo on our way to breakfast on one of our New York vacations a couple years ago.

Those New Yorkers and their wicked sense of humor...!

I know an awful lot of people who would need some sort of horn cruise control if they blew their horn when they were experiencing anger...Otherwise, they would develop carpal tunnel syndrome (and none of the people I'm talking about are from New York!)

Wishing all a quiet, peaceful weekend.

I've been backed into a corner by a ten pound critter named Cooper...

Since he's our most recently acquired fantastic feline friend, I thought I had some time before introductions were necessary. After all, Abbey has been a part of our family for 13 years and you only made the pleasure of her acquaintance a few short weeks ago! But this little man keeps doing cute things I want to write about, so I feel the need to properly introduce him to you first...

Continue reading "The Peeping Tomcat" »

Last year, just weeks before the fifth anniversary of the horrendous events of September 11, 2001, my Sweetie Scott posed this query on our family website. At that time I responded, and I still wholeheartedly believe what I wrote. In memoriam of this day, I would like to - respectfully - share my thoughts...

Continue reading "In Memoriam..." »

My Bitchin' Broad for today is Malvina Reynolds. I first heard of Malvina when I looked up information about the theme song from the television show Weeds, titled "Little Boxes," which, it turns out, she wrote and performed. Click the arrow below to hear her perform the song.



What a stroke of serendipity that was for me! Not only did I quench my thirst for obscure television trivia, but I was introduced to a truly inspirational woman! Sometimes my tedious curiosity pays off...It is my pleasure to share with you why Malvina Reynolds meets (and exceeds) my definition of a Bitchin' Broad ...

Continue reading "Bitchin' Broads - Malvina Reynolds" »

Desi treated us to an an awfully good upside down view today...

Could she be jealous that Abbey is featured on my header and she is vying to be the official face - I mean belly - of Upside Down Cats?

We'll keep this photo on file, Desi...in case of a contract dispute with Abbey or something...

"Shit happens. It’s the way we clean it up that matters."

I heard this on the television show Saving Grace recently...I thought it was an excellent mindset to adopt!

I need reminders like this in my life to help me accept that although I can't control everything that happens to me, I can control how I deal with it. So when misfortune comes along, instead of feeling powerless or angry or frustrated over circumstances, it's up to me to use the experience as an opportunity for personal growth. The important thing is to find what can be gained or learned when given what life hands me.

That is what this quote means to me.

Somebody Get Me A Mop!