Minestrone On Steroids

*Blue Ridge Mountains shrouded in rain clouds*

We were 60 degrees yesterday but today it tumbled into the 20's.  Our weather is a total roller coaster.... those 60 degree temperatures brought much needed rain, so I won't complain since the ground is far too dry and I fear for the needs of trees and bushes this spring.  

 

 Cold weather is always good justification for making homemade soup in our house.

This one is one that my husband refers to as 'beefed up minestrone', or as I call it... 'minestrone on steroids'.

LOL

It is tomato sauce, onions, carrots, potatoes, garlic, ground beef, diced tomatoes, and of course Hubby's Italian seasonings which always come into play in our meals.

Just before it's done he will add a small amount of cabbage, a partial head leftover from something we concocted last week. 

This soup should warm us to our toes in this twenty something degree weather today.

Ciao!

 

Giving Up The Color So Soon?

 This was our morning view today as we stepped out to the porch to drink our first cup of coffee.

What a delicious view!

 These snapshots of the driveway and Rowdy watching over his domain were snapped a day or two ago, and I am SOOOO glad I took them when I did,

 because by 9AM today it was raining and gusting and bringing leaves to the ground faster than you can spell deciduous correctly.

 It's also twenty degrees cooler than yesterday.... a nice change when it comes to comfort, although you won't convince my 62 year old knees of that.

 

  

 The crepe myrtle is giving it up for this year.

Ten days until Halloween and then it's November already.

Started thinking about Christmas yet and that whole red and green vibe?

Not A Potted Mum

 The week-end was cold, once again requiring a bit of added warmth.

I had a bout of cabin fever, which strikes me during long spells of inclement weather like we have been having here in Virginia for what seems now like weeks.

Seems as though it started around the 20th of September, just before our anniversary and hasn't stopped since.

*scarf - Steinmart*

*Coat - Columbia brand from Gander Mountain last winter*

*Hat - Minnetonka brand from Leatherhaus*

*Lipstick - All Fired Up by Mac*

 My husband was out taking down a dead cedar tree and using a chainsaw so Rowdy was hesitant about leaving the safety of the cement slab, and the roof was keeping him dry... so why leave?  

 As you can see, we still did not get the upper or lower driveways paved.

Far too much rain for that.

 Absolutely everything is soggy up to it's ears.

This ground won't take much more,

The potted mums have loved it.  No complaints from THAT peanut gallery.

And although there is a smile on my face,

I am not a potted mum and am over this rain

REALLY OVER  THIS RAIN.

Sending wishes to all rainy parts of the country for a dry week.

Hats Coats Scarves

In my previous post I spoke of projects that need to happen, or rather WE WANT to happen, and we had hoped to get started on them this coming week.

Errr, I doubt that will happen, in fact it's looking more and more likely that they may not get started for a week or two.

We appear to be engulfed in a pattern of constant rain, something that August and early September did not offer us in small doses as usually is the case.  

We are getting it all at once, just as we did the snow last February when it would not stop snowing to save our lives... LOL  My husband was gone to California at that time to be with his brother during surgery for a glioblastoma, and the snow removal here fell on the shoulders of kind neighbors and myself. Me? Shovel??  ACK!  But shovel I did.

 Right now we are having temperatures that I find to be ideal for autumn comfort, but THE RAIN...

OMG

THE RAIN!

Anyone care for a bucket or two or three?

Because I would gladly send you a truckload of rain were it possible.

 Sweatshirts, raincoats, and large brimmed hats are a must right now, and luckily I own all of these items.

My Motto?

Always be prepared when it comes to the weather in Virginia,

because it's full of constant change.

 Hat.

Check.
Smile.
Check.

 Coat and scarf.

Check.

Rowdy:  Mom forgot to buy us hats, scarves and coats.
I don't think we should risk getting wet.

What do you think, Izzy?

Izzy: Well, it does make my fur rainwater soft,

but every time I get wet the skunk smell comes back.

Rowdy:  Ya, I've noticed an odor.

I Lied Again

In yesterday's post I mentioned there were no gully washers.

I lied.

We had one later in the day and here is the video to prove it.

More on the way today?

Well, with this humidity it's VERY much a possibility, but don't worry... I own a raincoat and umbrella.

XOX

No Gully Washers Here

I'm hearing thunder in the distance this afternoon as I sit hammering away at my keyboard.

 

Thunder boomers don't always bring rain.

 

Sometimes, as of late, they just bring noise, and the dream of gully washers.

And now the sprinkles fall,

 not enough to sate our need for a real rain, 

but enough to make the birds sing.

Tweet Twitterty Tweet

 

 

Days Of Gray

 When you live in this area of the country, winters CAN be wonderful and warm,

with sun that bounces through the trees and warms your face as you lift it towards the sky.

 On the other hand......

days CAN be dreary, and that is the kind of December we have been having.

*stupid mole is playing havoc with the yard*

 The sun comes out and does the hula begging you to come outdoors and play,

 but the minute you turn your back....

 fickle December brings on wind, fog and days of gray

 with a smattering of frost and snow.

Boots?

Scarf?

Bikini?

Raincoat and umbrella?

Fake fur?

We are not sure what to wear, although Rowdy and Izzy are always fashionable in their real fur.

December.... please make up your mind.

A Dull Day

 A break from the decorating photos while I show you this morning's fog.

In fact, it is still foggy this afternoon.

May the sun shine down upon you today.

*wow, that sounds like something a minister would say!!!*

What November Is Like

 When the fashionable orange and gold leaves of October hit the ground in November the reality of winter being on the way becomes very real.

 The world takes on a look of being barren and all you want to do is draw your coat a bit closer and your hat a wee bit tighter to the ears in order to keep the chill away.

 I had just purchased a new pair of shoes/boots for walking, finally a brand that I can wear and not limp by the time I reach the end of my walk, when the unnatural cold temperatures set in.

Temperatures of January and February in November.

This is not what any of us signed up for when it comes to the term 'autumn'.

 This is a home I pass by while walking our road.

It sits on a hill in all of it's contemporary glory.

 I have always been drawn to the look of a contemporary styled house and if this ever goes on the market I hope to be able to peek inside to see if it is worth bidding on or if it needs too many updates.

 This one sits directly across the street from the one story contemporary home, it's more a style that my husband loves... too many peaks on the roof for my liking and WAY TOO BIG.

But it could belong to you or me for $1.2 million dollars... at least that is the asking price.

AND  the golf course is directly across the street.

 But, back to talk of November.

We have no snow.

just icy temperatures

and new walking shoes for my feet.

 Today the plan is for me to go in search of a carpeting that would be appropriate and good looking on the basement stairs.

It's something to do on an icy day.

AND

everyone else will be at the mall

so I won't be tripping over baby strollers or whacked in the back of the legs with a shopping cart.

It's November,

time to strap on your shopping armor!

What's your plan for the day?

Not So Toasty

It was a cold morning at 29 degrees F. and that's about all I have to say today.

Hope yours was a bit more toasty warm day than ours.

xox