Walking in the Snow

Sunday, October 25, 2020

I stepped outside this morning for a walk and it smelled cold. Well, maybe it wasn't so much as it smelled cold as it was feeling the sharpness of cold while talking that first outside breath in through my nose. 

As I was approaching home on the return trip I couldn't help but notice how pretty the gently falling snow looked as they floated down. Despite how charming it all was it felt just a little wrong. Like maybe it's snowing and colder just a little too early. It feels like it should be a different month. Like maybe November or early December.  

It was only about 27 degrees out as I walked. It felt really quit wonderful though. With the appropriate attire I felt comfortable and was reminded how much I enjoy the crispness and crackle of the cold. My boots crunched on the very thin layer of snow and I watched Athena walking along ahead of me as she acquired a dusting.

Cold Weather Outside Turns the Focus Inside - Comfort Food

 Saturday, October 24

Quiche with Brussels sprouts.

Whipped cream with pumpkin pie.

Cold Weather Outside Turns the Focus Inside - Comfort Food

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

I always love the first snow fall of the season. In the moment, yesterday’s was no exception. Howevs, now that we’re a day removed from it, I’m feeling it was way too early especially since the forecast for the next week and a half looks like it’s gonna be much cooler than usual for this time of year. 

The best coping solution? COMFORT FOOD!! Tonight it’s turkey noodle hot dish in the crock pot and a nice roulade for dessert. Food good at any time of year but it feels particularly comforting in colder weather. 

Snow

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Snowstorm today. We got about 8 inches when it was all said and done. I do not remember getting snow in October that’s accumulated since the Halloween blizzard of 1991. For that one I think we got about 28 inches although that was a two day storm. 

Vote

Monday, October 19, 2020 

Dale and I voted today. The city set up a dropbox near our house so we walked over during our lunch hour.

Mums

Sunday, October 18, 2020

Recently picked up some mums at Bachman's.

Raking

Sunday, October 18, 2020

Dale and I raked and bagged leaves today. It was loud outside. The guy behind Dale on the right was using was using a particularly shrill sounding leaf blower. The guys behind Dale on the left were using a chainsaw. 

Silver Maple

Sunday, October 18, 2020

The tree pictured above is our next door neighbor Jean’s back yard silver maple. The one shown below is our front yard silver maple. Although they are only a house length’s away from each other, Jean’s is always behind ours in terms of speed of leaf loss. Every year. Not like it gnaws at me but I’m curious as to why.

Picture of a silver maple leaf; run through a filter. 

MEA Weekend

Saturday, October 17, 2020 

MEA weekend. Dale and I were supposed to go to Madeline Island but decided not to. Mostly because Dale's workload this past week was much higher than expected but also somewhat due to the wind advisories for tonight and tomorrow night. We didn't want to risk the possibility of not getting off the Island.

Although it would've been fun to make the trip to Madeline, it's warmer here which is more conducive to a cigar in the yard. 

Autumn Light

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Views from a backyard city lot.

Taking time after work to sit with a cigar to reflect how things have gone work wise this still fairly new school year felt well deserved. Also, being outside feelin’ fall with slightly cooler yet still comfortable weather felt very #blessed. Not a fan of that term but in the moment it felt very accurate. 

Cigar Time

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Cigar time after finishing parent/teacher conferences. 

Fall Color

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Afternoon walk with Athena. Warren's block. 

Cigar Time

 Sunday, October 11, 2020

Long Week - Cigar Time

Friday, October 9, 2020

Exhausting but by no means bad work week. So appreciative that it is Friday. 

No, that is not gin or vodka in the bottle. It’s water. I’m taking a break from drinking. It’s something of a practice run for another dry January in a few months. I was successful this past January so I have confidence I can do it again. However, a warm up can’t hurt, right? Truth be told my goal for October is only three weeks alcohol free. Twenty-one days sounds manageable compared to the 31 day I did this past January. Hard liquor really goes well with cigars though...

Sunrise Sunset

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Just as the sun is coming up later and later, it’s going down earlier and earlier. These outdoor photo taken at 5:55 p.m. 

Morning Sun

 Wednesday, October 7, 2020

The photos posted here were taken at 7:41 am this morning as I was just getting back from an early walk. Sometimes on cloudy October days I’ll look out the window or look up when walking and get tricked into thinking the sun is out but then I realize it’s just the brilliance of the colored leaves. Wasn’t sure what the weather had in store for today so I was jazzed to see that today it’s actually the sun. 

Falling Leaves

Monday, October 5, 2020

Very much a Monday kinda day. Not that that’s a bad thing. Just rather uneventful. Worked a lot. Took a few walks. Leaves are falling. Here comes Tuesday.

Cigar Time

Saturday, October 3, 2020

48 degrees. Perfect weather for being outside if dressed appropriately. Not enough leaves have fallen for any serious raking but it’s only a matter of time.