OK, Pumpkin Picking Might be Better!

OK -- maybe there's something that trumps apple picking... Pumpkin picking! This is another one of our October traditions. And it can be a load of fun.

First, you've got to find a farm that grows pumpkins.
Then, you pull up the car and start perusing the wares.
We like to frolick in the pumpkin fields for a while.
But, then we begin our search for the perfect pumpkins.
We like pumpkins with very cool stems.
Especially little stripey pumpkins that are still attached to the vine!Yay for little stripey viney pumpkins!
Sometimes, the pumpkins we find do not meet our approval.
But, sometimes they make us very, very, happy!
There are some pumpkins that you just can't help hugging.
And other pumpkins that deserve to be held up high above the rest.
I think we've finally settled upon a few to take home.
Hurrah!!
The End.

Nothing Better Than Autumn Apple Picking!

Some of you know that we make it a point to take a weekend in October to go apple picking at Barthel's Fruit Farm in Mequon.

Here are some highlights from our apple picking adventures.

Come on, kids! Apple picking is fun!!
And the apples are so purty!
Look at how fresh and dewsome they are!You can pick apples, or you can just hide in the trees!
Or you can play on the ladders...But, while you're there, be sure to pick some apples!And kiss them.
We're having so much fun picking all these apples!Well, some of us are having fun.
Yay for apple picking!
The End.

Life Begins After Birthday Week

I'm pleased to report that birthday week started off fantastic -- and ended on an awesome note. Thanks to all of you who participated -- and helped to make it such a stand-out success.

I'm really pleased to report that, not only did we make it out to Barthel Fruit Farm to pick apples and pumpkins, but we had a great time! The Ida Reds were prime for the picking. And the pumpkins weren't half bad either. We took loads of great pictures (which we'll share when I get a chance to sit down at the computer to download them)... so stay tuned!

We also had an amazing dinner on Saturday night with Steph (of which, I'm sad to report, there are no photos). We seared up some delicious scallops, composed another batch of delicious arugula corn salad, and made homemade butternut squash ravioli (with browned butter, sage, and marscapone cheese). Yum. After dinner, we managed to stay up WAY past bedtime playing Trivial Pursuit and drinking pumpkin martinis (made with awesome, locally distilled Pumpkin Spirits and a bit of Frangelica)... so, we were pretty tired all day on Sunday. But, it was totally worth it.

Now, it's back to the old grind again. Peef working. Me working and studying. It feels a bit dull. So, I thought I'd share some random thoughts about things that are going on in our lives.

1. THE GARAGE. Not quite as exciting as birthday week, but I'm pleased to report that we finally finished painting our garage ... and we also bought a new service door(!). As soon as we get the door hung (hopefully this next weekend) we'll have pictures to share. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to see how great the "new" garage really looks!
2. THE PAPER. Some of you might know that Lo has been struggling with a research paper topic since the beginning of the term. But, she might be narrowing in on a possibility. For those of you who are curious, she's thinking about writing on women and the pressure to marry. She got a hold of some interesting information about an 18th century female "singleton"... and she might run with it.
3. THE GARDENS. Seems everything is wrapping up for the season. We still have a few peppers struggling to ripen. And the scallions are going strong. We might even get a few tomatillos before the season is through. But, I think we'll be taking everything down this weekend before the chill in the air gets too strong.
4. THE ELECTION. If you're reading this, consider yourself reminded to vote. This is probably the most important election we've voted in during our lifetimes. So, really. Don't let it slide.
5. THE BATHROOM. After we've done our part and voted in the election, we'll be hoping that interest rates fall just a bit. And that way we'll be able to take out a loan for our upstairs bathroom rennovation. Hurrah!
6. SUSHI. Oh -- did I mention that we had sushi for my birthday on Friday? It was awesome. But, I'm really looking forward to my next fix. So, who's going to come out for sushi with us??!!

A Good Birthday -- So far!

I never know what it's going to feel like... turning another year older.

Somehow, I always expect that something dramatic is going to happen. But, it never really does. And maybe that's OK with me. Especially since I'm generally pretty happy with my life.

Some of you know that we celebrate Birthday Week at our house -- because one day is never enough celebrating. So far, birthday week has been pretty wonderful.

• Lo had lunch with her Mom, Keri, and Reagan on Wednesday. And they spent a nice afternoon tromping around Costco and visiting.
• We had dinner at Maxie's with Peef's parents (Lo got to eat gumbo and derby pie, and peef indulged in a really fantastic barbequed beef brisket and a fantastic arugula salad that we created over at Burp!)
• We had dinner at Cafe Sourette in West Bend, WI (Lo had a pretty good orange ginger duck and a delightful chocolate raspberry cake, while Peef ate flat iron steak... are you seeing a pattern here?)
• Lo took a few days off of work -- for lots of lazing about!

But, the birthday week won't be complete until we get a few more lovely activities in:

• Lo will get her wish for birthday sushi on Friday night (can't wait!)
  
• We're planning on our annual trip to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch this weekend, if the weather holds out. And then, I'm thinking there might be some baking in the cards!
  
• Hopefully, we'll be getting together with Steph -- either for a birthday cooking extravaganza, or else a night out (Lo is hoping for La Merenda or Meritage).

Oktoberfest 2008

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so ten pictures should be more than enough for one blog post, I say.








Fun, huh?

Lies. All Lies.

So, we didn't drink our way through the vice-presidential debate. Or even the last presidential debate.
Although I think we're both getting to the point where we can't wait for November 4th to arrive. And be gone.

While waiting, we're trying to enjoy ourselves.

1. We spent the weekend in Dallas, WI... where we partook in their annual Oktoberfest celebration... a small town affair with feasting, Viking combat, and a whorl of other funny, kitschy delights). Eating photos HERE. Other errata to come.
2. I've been reading lots of early American literature. And a really great book about early American novels by Cathy Davidson (Revolution & the Word). Yeah -- I'm geeking out. Bigtime.
3. Peef has been traveling again. This week he was in Seattle. Ate at a fine little gastropub called SPUR. Very kewl.
4. Speaking of spurs. Did I ever tell you that I want to start a bluegrass band called the Pink Spurs? (yeah... another one of those far-fetched dream things)
5. This weekend we are planning to finally paint our garage! (yes, the self-same garage that we SCRAPED back in June and primed over the 4th of July weekend). The weather looks positively fabulous (70's, partly sunny). So, we're stoked. Really. Stoked.
   

Get Ready. Get Set. DEBATE!

Thanks to Rebecca, who alerted us to the possibility, we know how we're going to be spending our evening.

The Official* Vice Presidential Debate Drinking Game!

It's not about taking sides, after all. It's about the beer (so buy the good stuff).

Remember to drink responsibly.

The Week in Brief

When Monday starts off with a migraine, you can fully expect the rest of the week to be better. Right?

Tuesday: Peef and Lo part with a large sum of money (we had the roofers re-roof our garage while they were here to fix the leak in the roof of the house... so, the good side of it all is that we have all sorts of new roofing around our place)

Wednesday: A quandary ensues about what to make for dinner. After all, we don't want to miss the season premiere of Pushing Daisies.

Thursday: A quandary about whether or not to watch the debate. Of COURSE we'll end up watching. But, I really don't want to.

Friday: Preparations for our trip to Oktoberfest. The kitchiest, most wonderful festival in all the land!