Birthday boy and Halloween

Birthday breakfast of champions

Today is the day my Kev was birthed and I am so thankful. Happy birthday my Kev!

I got up at 3:30 to pee and was up for a while. Kev also heard me up and woke and then he couldn't get back to sleep. He got on his phone and read for some time and when he finally did, thr alarm went off. he had to get up for his final PT appointment.

I was nicely sleeping when my phone buzzed just before 7:30. It was Amy across the street asking if I was ready to take their family Halloween photo. I knew I would be taking their pic but didn't realize it was that early, but of course it was. Their daughter had to get to school. So I jumped out of bed and threw on some clothes and ran over. Got home and made Kev some birthday coffee and got bacon in the oven. I had his eggs cooking when he got home around 8:45. He gobbled them down and had to get on a call. I finished mine and made a run to the grocery.

Yummy chicken Mahkni

Do you know that there are leaves all over my yard? Of course the damn front mailbox tree couldn't wait one single day before deciding to FINALLY drop leaves. Had to do it right after we spent four hours cleaning up. I did a little work and when Kev finished his two calls we first went to the leaf drop off to do a big leaf dump, got home, jumped in his smushed bumper car and drove it to the auto body fixer upper place. After we got the rental we decided to have Kev a birthday lunch at our fav Indian place, Curry-n-Kebob. I had the bowl of chicken Mahkni, identical to chicken tikka masala but with dark meat so it was a bit more flavorful. Still in the tomato cream sauce and oh so freaking tasty. This will be a great winter eating. Of course it came with a mountain of rice, 4 pieces of naan, an onion baji and pineapple chunks.

Cajun meatloaf with cheesy cauli and fresh berries

We got back and I started prepping for dinner. I made a berry salad and got it in the fridge. I cooked two cauliflowers and set it aside and we made another venture out to fill the fish tank water at Vitamin Cottage, picked up laundry and got Kev's growler filled at Liquid Mechanics. Birthday beer! Got back home and I folded and put up laundry, made the cheese sauce for the cauliflower and at 5:30 we started making the Cajun meatloaf. This was a new recipe and we substituted crushed pork rinds for breadcrumbs. We didn't use celery, bell pepper, jalapenos or brown sugar. We did use half an onion and reduced sugar ketchup along with garlic. We also did not make the glaze, to keep carbs down. it was delicious but didn't "loaf" too well. I think next time I'll add another couple eggs for binder. Dany and David joined us and all of us had seconds of both the meatloaf and the cheesy cauli. Dessert was the berry salad and I made a fresh whipped cream to go on top. We all handed out goodies to the trick-or-treaters and when D & D left, Yen and Mr J arrived. We visited until after 10 and hit the bed when they left. What a fun day.

New shiny baby

Starting Sunday

Kev put the little extra room fan in the window last night and sleep came fast. I did get up at 3:30 for the usual bathroom break and stayed up for a while. When I got back to sleep I was in some fantastical dream where I was watching a movie, Alive in Wonderland-ish, in chairs that were like big, cushy chair swings. A boy next to me shared some chocolate covered raisins but gave me too many. I ate 5 and gave the rest back.

Bacon was put in the oven and Kev made some dandy delicious scrambled eggs to go with it. We watched CBS Sunday Morning, as they were highlighting a segment on Josh Groban and his new Broadway show, which debuts in November. I'm excited that we have tickets and will see it brand new.

Quick lunch before leaves

We left the house at 10:30 for a trip to the mall. I had an appointment to pick up my shiny new iPhone 7 Plus baby. My old phone, which was Kev's old phone, had finally gotten to the point where my apps were crashing and it was super annoying. Yay for a new phone and a business write off! We got home and I heated some cocktail wieners and leftover Brussels. I stirred in two tablespoons of Stubbs regular BBQ sauce and it hit the spot. We needed sustenance for the four hours of yard clean up that was had after lunch. 12:30 to 4:30 was spent picking up leaves in the front and back and then I mowed. A big thanks goes to Dany & David for helping to haul our leaves to the leaf drop. Kev put out the Halloween lights and skeleton and we're ready for the trick-or-treaters.

Grilled chicken salad

After I did the final sweeping and Kev set the light timer I went in for a well deserved shower. Once all clean I went down and washed up some green leaf lettuce and made a version of Mama's salad dressing. In it was the juice of two lemons, lots of freshly grated Romano, canola oil and a splash of basil flavored avocado oil, garlic, dash of salt, some fresh grated black pepper and a wee squeeze of Stevia. I had to call Mom for some tips and it turned out so good. We each got two and a half thin chicken breasts on our salads, some black olive slices and chopped green onions. We ate and started season 10 of our favorite Heartland. Afterwards we had some orange sugar free Jello.

Cherry lime awesomeness

Saturday perfection

I woke at 3AM to pee, drank some water and just could not get back to sleep. I browsed Facebook for some time and guess I eventually fell asleep around4:30ish. I woke at 7:20 and didn't roll out of bed until just after 8. It needs to cool down. It was 76 degrees today, at the end of October. Nuts.

I cooked up three slices of bacon and three eggs and enjoyed almost a full cup of butter coffee. And it was a most delicious cup. I poured 1/4c coffee over a tablespoon of butter and blended. Mixed in a sweetener packet, a dropper of butter toffee Stevia and 3/4c unsweetened almond milk and then heated the cup in the micro until good and warm.

Leftover beef and cauli casserole

Me and Kev made a store run and when we got home I marinated a batch of chicken breasts and got them in the fridge to stew. I then filled my tumbler with water and headed up to the office for a day of work. I worked until 12:45 and got hungry. I heated the rest of the super delish beef and cauli casserole and ate till stuffed. I worked until 3:30 and texted Dany about a stroll. We did the medium loop and it felt oh so good to move my legs. I sat all day yesterday and most of the day today and needed to get them going.

Rock star dinner

I started a batch of Brussels cooked in bacon fat at 6PM and at 7:15 Kev lit the grill and made us some mighty fine Prime sirloins. We melted on a tablespoon of butter and it's my mot favorite. The butter mixes with the steak juice to make a most excellent dipping sauce for the meat. Meat and Brussels I'd say is a top favorite meal.

Kev watched his game and I watched my great Hallmark channel show, Cedar Cove, comfy stretched out by the window on his side of the couch. I gladly give up my spot when the games are on. So all of Saturdays usually. We had the best batch ever of sugar free Jello for dessert. I mixed some lime sparkling water in with the cherry gelatin for some cherry-lime decadence.

Smooshed

Friday starts

I got in bed just after 10 last night and fell asleep. At 12 I woke and called to check on Kev. At 12:30 he got home from work. At 6 I got up to pee. At 8 I got out of bed.

I got bacon cooking and fed Sampson. I made fried eggs to go with the bacon. After breakfast I went up to do some work. At 10 I found out that the event I was supposed to go to all afternoon wasn't going to happen so I continued working. I had a case of cramps and wasn't up for dancing, so I kept on working.

Delicious leftover lunch

I took a break at noon, when I got hungry, to heat leftover beef and cauliflower casserole. I ate while watching Grey's Anatomy and went back up to the office. Kev saw his shoulder surgeon and got the official release. He's healed and clear to snowboard! On his way home someone rear-ended him and smooshed in the trunk of his car. This same bumper was just repaired from another rear ending just a few months ago. Thank goodness no one was hurt, that's the main thing.

Friday night burgers

I worked until 7 before heading down to think about dinner. I had some ground beef that had to be used so I made up four burgers, which Kev grilled, and broiled on cheddar. We ate the beef and finished the final two episodes of Scandal. What a good series it's been!

Dress up dance party

Food and the Ice Ice Baby

I woke up exhausted. I got up every hour, hearing things and just couldn't sleep at all. It was likely that I got maybe 3 hours snooze total. But I was excited for the Halloween costume dance party today so I got moving.

Nibbles after the dance party

My stomach was growling like crazy so the first thing I did was get bacon in the oven and then make eggs. After I ate and cleaned up I started slowly dressing and doing makeup. I met Sherri in the parking lot and we went in as a team. It was great seeing everyone's costumes and of course it was so fun to dance to the Halloween music (Monster Mash, Hungry like the Wolf, Ghostbusters etc).

We sat and cooled down a little in the lobby before a small group of us went across the street to a Mexican restaurant for lunch. I went for the appetizer plate of bacon wrapped jalapenos (stuffed with cream cheese). They were super tasty and not nearly as hot as the ones I had at our last Zumba lunch gathering.

Lunch shake

I got home around 12:45 and could not get the ice bag off fast enough. And it was wet inside. So totally gross! My shirt and bra I could almost wring out. I had the best shower of my life and put on some comfy clothes. I was pooped. I did muster up the energy to run a couple errands before falling on the couch for the rest of the day. I got hungry around 2 and made a shake with protein powder, 1 TBSP unsweetened cocoa, 1 TBSP peanut butter, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 cup ice and a little sweetener packet. it rocked my world.

Beef and Cauli casserole

I had just enough fun work to fill the rest of the afternoon. Around 5:45 I started dinner. I whipped up a beef and cauliflower casserole, mainly by making my favorite cheesy cauli recipe but adding seasoned ground beef (seasoned with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, and oregano) and bacon. I browned the bacon bits and set them aside. When cauliflower was done and meat was browned and cheese sauce was made, I mixed the cauli with beef and sauce and added in half of the bacno bits. Dumped into a casserole dish and topped with cheese (cheddar and mozzarella mixed and the rest of the bits. Baked at 400 for almost 30 minutes and let cool for 15 before devouring. I ate and watched Younger and thought that I'd definitely make this again.

Ice bag prep

Costume's ready for action

I slept pretty good last night. Just the 3AM bathroom run but back to sleep until my alarm went off at 7:15. I got up at 7:30, put on some clothes, made a cup of tea and got a text that Sherri was on her way.

Her and Amy arrived just before 8 to help put the Ice Ice Baby costumes together. Amy had the great idea to use bubble wrap for a better "ice" texture and luckily we had two garbage bags full of it. There were big sheets which we cut holes out for our heads and can wear like a dress under the clear bag. We tucked the bottom of the bag under and now we have full range of movement for our legs. Tied the top and voila. But then the black leggings looked bad because you could see them through the bag. We needed white ones. Make a few stops and finally found them at H&M for $3. We got $3 white Keds-like tennis shoes at Walmart and we're all ret to go. I'll post a pic of us done up after class tomorrow.

Yummy Gyro salad

After we did all of our running it was noon and we were both super hungry. We decided to stop at a local Mediterranean place called Mumtaz. I tried it years ago, when it was new, and didn't care for it but I've heard good things so what the hell. I got a regular size salad (with feta, tomatoes and cucumber) and added gyro meat. Mixed in the cucumber yogurt dressing and oh it was super delish. But super expensive. This salad was almost $16 (of mostly lettuce). I will likely not go back, unless I'm in dire straights with a craving. Plus I spent ten minutes removing every little piece of tomato.

Leftover dinner, again

I did a practice run on my makeup and showered it all off. I then had to make a run to Walgreens for last minute stuff. Got home and heated two stuffed burgers and sat down to watch The Durrells in Corfu, the new PBS Masterpiece Classic. This Is Us was after.

Dance pants Tuesday

Toast and bacon Tuesday

Another home run in the sleep department. I had one bathroom run at 2:30 and back to sleep until 7. Got up at 7:30 and dressed, gathered trash, scooped the litter, got trash out to the curb, washed hands and got bacon in the oven. All of this while the Kev was getting ready for work.

Crazy Halloween dance pants

I had a couple slices of no carb bread with my three slices of bacon and soon it was time to change for dance. I wore my new Halloween tights that have crows (or ravens) on them. I love them so much. And they weren't hot at all. I thought I was going to die but oddly enough, they were very comfy.

Leftover lunch

I got home and instead of showering I changed into some cool clothes and headed outside. I got the leaves up in the front yard that were about to drive me batty, eight bags full. It took about an hour and a half and I was hungry when I got done. I heated a stuffed burger and started watching Jane the Virgin. I didn't finish it because I had a call at 2PM and had to shower before it started.

Repeat of lunch for dinner

The call was done at 3, I got a little work done and finished up Jane the Virgin. I watched Timeless next while working. I was done at 5:30 and heated the leftover cauliflower since I was getting hungry. Since there was only a little of it I then moved on to the cheddar Moon Cheese. I went to yoga at 6"15 and got home around 7:45. I heated another stuffed burger, since they were there and done and convenient and watched The Voice.

A balanced Monday

Starting the week off right

With the windows cracked and a little room fan on, we slept like the dead. Oh and when the 7am alarm went off we moaned and groaned. Both of us didn't want to get up. Yay for Monday.

I got up just after 7:30, dressed and made my way downstairs to feed Sampson his nasty wet food. I'm having trouble adjusting to a schedule. I've always had the babies graze when they were hungry from the big feeder. This wet food business will be a hassle when we are out of town. I got bacon in the oven and then made fried eggs. I toasted the no carb bread (no carb because I used a zero carb protein powder in the recipe) and it was much better. It's a nice addition of texture to the meal but certainly isn't needed.

Shake with bird holding ice bag costume  ties

I did a smidge of work and then freed up to work on the Zumba Halloween costumes. With the paint coming off my first ice bags I re-made both today using blue duct tape, which is a total pain in my arse, and paint pens. Man I haven't used paint pens since high school! I used to paint names, you know with the balls on the ends, and fill the containers with candy. Paint pens are so fun! When done I ran a couple errands and then got home and did the small loop walk with Dany. Lunch was a chocolate peanut butter shake and a little Cedar Cove before doing more work.

I finished around 4 for the day and procrastinated in the grueling task of filling out my early voter ballot. I do not want to stand in lines in Nov and the ballot drop off is just a block away. Friends have mentioned that it took them quite a while to read through amendment details. It took us an hour to finish it and afterwards I made a batch of stuffed burgers for dinner. It was the fastest batch ever, finishing in 20 minutes. Kev was going to watch the Broncos/Texans game at a brewery with David and I wanted his help with the T-Rex before he left. He got the burgers on, headed out, and I scooped them off after an hour of cooking at 300 degrees. I devoured two while watching last night's Poldark and then The Voice.

Swan Lake Sunday

Late breakfast

Sleep was much better. I did get up at 1:30 for the usual bathroom break but back to sleep until almost 6. Another bathroom break and back to sleep until almost 8.

I showered and dressed in my comfies and went down to the kitchen. Made coffee for the Kev, got bacon in the oven and decided to try a new bread recipe. It's a different take on the one I usually make as this one uses sour cream instead of cream cheese and I used 1/2 cup zero carb protein powder. The texture is so much closer to regular bread and I'm excited to try it with a burger or turkey sandwich. I didn't have time to toast it since the eggs cooked too fast but it was still very tasty. I'll make it again for sure.

Steak and Cauli

We got our new art mask hung in it's new place and soon it was time to change and hit the road to Denver. We had 2PM ballet tickets for Swan Lake. I've always wanted to see it but tickets were either sold out or I forgot about it. This was Kev's very first classical ballet and he really enjoyed it. I'm sure we'll go to more. It was so so lovely. I love watching the graceful dancers move. I had half of a protein bar during the first intermission to hold me over to some dinner.

We got home around 5:15 and I got a couple ribeyes thawing. I also cut up a cauliflower and got it boiling, made cheese sauce and put it all in the oven for 20 minutes. Perfect meal. We finished out the night with Scandal.

Flaky and Lost then found

Steak and Eggs

OK sleep last night. My mind was much calmer but I woke at 2:30 and had to get up to check the T-Rex, which had a pork shoulder on it overnight. I sometimes think it's on fire and need to take a peek. It was good. I hit the bathroom before getting back in bed and then my nose started running. Got back up for a Kleenex, back in bed and wide awake. It was likely around 4:30 before I was back to sleep. This meant I didn't get up until almost 9.

I took my hormone pill, scooped the litter and fed the downstairs fish, my usual Saturday morning things. I cut up the leftover sirloin and browned it in some butter and then made us fried eggs to go with it. The funny thing is...I wasn't in the mood for it but needed to eat. I swear my food moods have been driving me a bit mad lately. Not much sounds good. Once I was full I dressed and went into the garage to pick up my two Halloween ice bags that I painted yesterday. I shook one to get the grass clippings and dirt off and, holy crap, the paint flaked right off onto the ground. I almost had a heart attack. I'd have to redo both.

Protein shake shake shake

I changed and settled my mind into the work I'd have to redo and hit the road. First stop was Target and they didn't have the PlayDoh so I got Pirate's Booty packets, mini slime containers, Finger bubbles (bubbles in a spooky plastic finger container), and glow bracelets. Michael's was next to get blue and white tape and paint pens for the ice bags, since paint wasn't sticking to the plastic bags.  I walked over to Ulta and stopped at our local grocery on the way home. Got into the house and went to grab my phone and nope, nowhere. It wasn't showing on the find my iPhone radar either, which meant it was in the grocery somewhere. I went up there and asked customer service, the checkout girl and walked the few isles I was on. I checked the parking lot and nothing. I marked it lost so we'll see what happens. I'm not ready to get a new one just yet after all. Hopefully once the store gets less crowded someone will spot it. I needed a chocolate peanut butter protein shake after that.

Pizza and a Movie night

I started watching Cedar Cove with the headphones on when the game started. David came over to watch with Kev and partake of the pulled pork so I went over to Dany's. I saw their new cabinets and then we chatted on the couch and I browsed Pinterest. I went home when the game was done and me and Kev made a run up to the store to check on my phone. And YAY! someone had turned it in. Got home and I made our favorite crust and then pizza (ground beef, pepperoni, black olives). We watched Mockingjay Part 2 and devoured that thing.

Friday feeding

Breakfast

I was finally able to sleep through the night and not be freaked out about the alarm going off. Someone said that I could have a touch of PTSD after that horrible experience and I think they could be on to something. I did get up just before 5 to pee but back to sleep until 7:30.

I tidied up in the kitchen, fed Sampson his wet food, which he gobbled up, and couldn't decided, again, what I wanted to eat for breakfast. I started watching Cedar Cove while doing a little work from the couch and finally opted for the leftover skirt steak and the rest of the Brussels.

I got my first bit of work done by noon, Kev got home from work just after noon and because it was such a pretty day we did the medium loop walk with Dany. It trumped dance, which is rare.

Protein shake with new art mask

I made burgers for the Kev to grill but didn't want any myself. I just wasn't in the mood, which is odd. I really haven't wanted burgers lately. In fact my tastes have changed a bit. I wonder if it's a phase. And speaking of different, out of the blue I wanted a protein shake for lunch. I have some of the super good beef protein powder left up in the cabinet and had to have it. Into the blender went one cup of unsweetened almond milk, one scoop of the protein powder, one tablespoon of peanut butter, one cup of ice and two sweetener packets. And it was the best thing in my world today.

Costume in action

My order of a million giant 65 gallon clear plastic bags came today. I only used 5 total, getting the arm and leg and neck holes cut properly. Two will be used for Zumba Halloween next Thursday and I did the painting on them in the afternoon. Yes I am going to be a bag of ice. But so is Sherri. Since a lot of gals in class love the song Ice Ice Baby (salsa mix) to dance to we are honoring it by mimicking this couple. I couldn't find those bags so ours will be tied at the bottom between the legs. We also have a baby doll from one of Sherri's kids.

Unsatisfying dinner

We rand a couple errands after 6, one was to Costco to look for the mini Play Doh containers to give out instead of candy on Halloween. Kids love them and we don't contribute to the sugar/crack epidemic. Plus they'll get plenty at other houses. But they didn't have them. So we got meat and cheese and some nuts and I'll look around later for the Doh. We got home and I put some cauli rice in the oven to roast. I had a feeling it wouldn't be great but it had to be cooked. We served it with burgers left from lunch, which I didn't want but had anyway, and we both didn't eat the cauli. It was not good roasted and had a totally gross texture. I choked down the meat and it did the trick but then had a few bites of sugar free orange Jello afterwards to clear the taste. I was excited to get back to Scandal to finish the night.

A favorite dinner

Beef and Brussels

Another not so good sleep night. Got up at 12:30 and then 2:30 and then 4 and then 7:30. I crawled out of bed around 8 as Sampson meowed and stared. He wanted some food.

I got dressed and flopped down the stairs, waking up slowly. Got kitty baby his half can of turkey dinner in gravy and then thought about my own breakfast. I pulled out the leftover bit of ground meat I had browned from pizza night and tossed it in the skillet. Next I tossed in some of last night's Brussels and let them heat. I cracked two eggs that I was going to fry up to put on top but then opted for just the meat and sprouts. I sprinkled a little mozzarella on and man it was some good!

Lunch after a lunch outing

I changed and got to dance, picking up my friend Sheila on the way. I was so excited to have a friend join! And she had just the right attitude and spirit going in, just have fun and enjoy moving and the music. And she did great. I dropped her home after class and had a quick shower before heading back out to meet the girls at Walnut Cafe for an early lunch. I wasn't really that hungry so I ordered a cup of cream of broccoli soup, which they ended up not having so I had a slice of bacon from a friend's plate and water. Perfect. Got home at 12:30, heated the last leftover stuffed burger and watched Younger.

Favorite dinner

After lunch I did a little work and then walked the small loop with Dany. It was a blue sky day in the 50s, perfection, and I actually got a little sweat on in the sun. I turned on Cedar Cove when we got back, had a teaspoon of peanut butter and chilled the rest of the afternoon.

 I lit the grill around 6 and grilled up some balsamic mustard skirt steaks before it got dark. I devoured three pieces and have one leftover for tomorrow after dance. Or for breakfast if I can't wait that long. These were some of the best yet. I watched Love & Friendship, which JUST came out on Amazon video today and I've been waiting for it. And it wasn't one that I really got into. The era was great but the storyline fell short for me. I went up to read Outlander after it was over.

Sprout season begins

Soup for breakfast

I took two Bayer PMs and went slap to sleep just after 10. I really wanted to read but when I crawled under the covers, the tiredness hit and I remember staring off into space for some time until sleep took me away. And boy did I welcome it.

I did get up at 2:30 to pee but it took no time to get back to sleep. I got up around 8. I cooked bacon and thought I was going to have my typical eggs and bacon but like yesterday, changed my mind. Instead I heated leftover hamburger cheese soup and crumbled three slices of the fresh bacon on top.

Perfect dinner

I changed and met Miss M at a trailhead for a nice long walk, in the lovely 50 degree fall day, getting home around 11:15. I'd guess we got at least 4 miles in. I refilled my water tumbler and went right upstairs to work.

I didn't get hungry until almost 4pm. And in this case I had a teaspoon of peanut butter and decided to wait it out for dinner, which I started cooking at 5:30. Tonight was Brussels Sprouts with bacon and broiled sirloins. And it all could not finish fast enough. Yes I'm still craving cabbage and these are the next best things, if not better. Oh my tummy was so happy as I ate and watched Cedar Cove.

Ick in the tank

Meaty yummy leftover lunch

I got a little bit better sleep, but not much. I still woke every hour or two but surprisingly wasn't too tired during the day, and again, slept better once it started getting light out. I got up around 8:15. I gathered the trash and got it to the curb and it was quickly time to change and get to dance. I wasn't hungry for breakfast today.

I got home and showered and then was hungry around 11:30. I hated two stuffed burger to get my fill of meat and it totally did the trick. I watched Jane the Virgin, which just started back up it's new season, as I ate.

I only had a smidge of work to do today and it was done quickly. Around 1 I went to get my nails taken care of. They had grown like talons and were driving me crazy, mainly with gunk getting stuck under them (like ground meat). I got the gel polish taken off and didn't add it back. I figure I'll use it for travel, when I need it nice for longer.

Cauli rice leftover dinner

I took a short nap in the later afternoon, once the fish tank was taken care of. I've been adding in some water treatment tablets for a few of the fish with ick. I changed into some warmer clothes and went to in yoga from 6:15-7:45ish. Oh I so needed to stretch and left feeling much better. I got home and was ready for some food. I heated the rest of the chicken bacon rice and watched The Voice. I then watched some of West Side Story on the classic channel then hit the bed to read some Outlander.

Windy Monday

Non-traditional Breakfast

As expected, I didn't get much sleep at all. Once it was dark, and the curtains and blinds were closed tight, I turned on the night light down the hall and crawled into bed. I read until 11 and turned the lamp off. I dozed in and out and woke every hour. I got up at 2:30 to pee, at around 6 to pee and once it started getting light out I finally slept. And didn't get up until 8:45.

I was hungry and had a few raspberries while deciding what I wanted to eat. Not that there are tons of options but because I was in between eggs and bacon and Chicken Bacon Rice bowl. I browned two stripes of bacon in the pan and could have dumped in the eggs but opted for the chicken cauli. I needed it.  I heated a bowl and put the fresh bacon on top along with avocado. It was exactly right. I finished an episode of Cedar Cove as I ate.

Leftover lunch

After the kitchen was cleaned I headed on up to the office for the day. I had a good bit to get done. The wind picked up right around 11:30, as the news predicted, and sure enough we had some serious gusts, they were saying around 50mph. This meant that I had to close the windows because the blinds were clanking so loud. I started getting hungry around 2:15 and took a late lunch break to heat a leftover stuffed burger. I watched half of Grey's Anatomy while I ate and then back up to work.

I was done for the day at 4:30. I finished up Grey's and showered before it was time to leave for a LuLaRoe party.  I've been hearing about these clothes, especially their leggings with comfy shirts, so thought I'd go. It was at an old coworker's house in Louisville so didn't take long to get there. This was only Halloween leggings so it was a fast trip. I tried on the two sizes that they have, a Tall & Curvy and a One Size. Both fit well. The One Size would be great for Zumba as they are a bit more fitted but a hair shorter. I went with the Tall & Curvy for a little extra wiggle room and a bit longer. I can't wait for the next show on the 28th to try dresses and shirts. I'm ready to try some daring patterns mixing.

Cheesy bacon burger soup

I got home just after 7 and changed into my pajamas, because it's pitch dark already, and guzzled some water from my awesome tumbler. I waited until 8 to start The Voice so I could blast through the commercials. That DVR is worth every cent.

I decided to make this low carb cheesy bacon burger soup for dinner and hopefully leftovers. I've been eyeing this recipe for a while and happened to have all ingredients ready to go. It was late by the time it was done, around 8:30 so I ate while loving on the Voice battles. And wow that recipe is great. It is a great substitute for potato soup and will certainly be a staple this winter.

Oldie and Goodie

Yummy Sunday

I turned a small room fan on last night because it has been so warm. And I refused to turn on the AC. It was 85 degrees today, I think I heard that it broke a record for warmest on this day. We should be getting ready for our first snow but there's none in sight. The winds move in tomorrow to lower the temps but then back up into the 70s next weekend.

We got up and made our bacon and eggs to start the day. I made a cup of butter coffee and sipped about 1/4c. Mr. J stopped by to visit with Kev before he headed off to work and Susan arrived as he was leaving.

An old favorite resurrected

It was n odd but lovely visit. Odd in the sense that I could not decide what to do. I really didn't want to craft or do anything artsy. I made a cup of tea and we began watching Poldark, some of season 1 since Susan isn't caught up. We stopped midway to prepare some lunch and never finished the show. Lunch, however, rocked. We made Chicken Bacon Rice bowls, which I used to make often for me and Kev, and had forgotten about it. I didn't use any onion, but rather onion powder to keep carbs down, and added in less diced tomatoes than called for. Still delicious. Susan riced the cauliflower like a pro.

Good TV watching food

Dany came to join us around 2 and they both left around 4:30. I cleaned up a bit and finished vacuuming upstairs before it was time to start dinner. I made a batch of 6 stuffed burgers in the oven (not as good as on the T-Rex) but doable and settled in for a most fantastic evening of TV. It started with a new Masterpiece called The Durrells in Corfu. A family that up and moves to a small Greek island in the 1930s. Mom called to tell me to watch, not realizing that I've been waiting for months for it to premiere. And it was as good as I thought it would be. I immediately set it to record. Poldark was next and as usual, it rocked. I just adore it so much. After downing two burgers I put away the leftovers, cleaned the kitchen and watched a little news before heading to bed to read some Outlander. I am now at 70% completed with book 6. Woo!

Summer Saturday

Kev's Sat breakfast fixin

We woke at 3:30. Kev first, which woke me up, and then he never really went back to sleep and went downstairs. I slept in spurts and got up around 7:45. I made some butter coffee and sipped as the bacon was cooking. Kev made scrambled eggs to go with it and oh it was so good. We were both pretty hungry, especially after not eating much for dinner last night.

Stuffed potato bowl

We got out and ran errands after kitchen clean up. Drop off an Amazon return box,  fill the fish water jugs for a water change, Home Depot, Halloween store for my wig and then home. Around 12 we were hungry. I browned up some meat and made us stuffed potato bowls (meat seasoned with salt, cayenne, garlic and onion powders, sour cream, cheddar, green onion). I watched a Cedar Cove while he watched some football and then we made a grocery run for more meat.

Pizza night

I got out and mowed in the heat. It was 82 degrees which is stupid for mid October. Me and Kev tag teamed for leaf pickup. I'd mow them up into the mower bag and he'd dump in the leaf bags. It made it go much quicker than going solo. Once done and showered the plan was to make stuffed burgers. But at the last minute I asked Kev whether he wanted those or pizza and without even finishing the word he said "pizza." He grated the cheddar and I whipped up this cheesy awesome crust. When it cooled I spread on about 1/4c pizza sauce, sprinkle of Parmesan, big pepperoni, black olives, jalapenos and mozzarella. Baked for 5 mins at 450 and the yum was on, while watching Scandal.