Fall Planting

I planted a new bed of allium and grape hyacinth bulbs a couple weeks ago.  I'm looking forward to seeing them come up next spring.  This old pitchfork worked well for the job and the character of its well-worn parts made me grab the camera.  So much prettier than something brand new. 

Choo Choo

As I drive from my house to my parent's house, the thought usually pops into my head that a passenger train between these two places would be great.  The road is long and fairly straight and I could almost drive it half-asleep.  If I were to hop on a train I could actually do other things along the way instead of constantly flipping the radio station and singing to keep myself occupied.  A high speed train would be even better.  I wonder why the passenger rail system does not even exist in my state of South Dakota.  Amtrak just bypasses it.  I have seen some masterplans for expanding passenger rail, but there still isn't much planned for this part of the country.  America 2050 has the idea right, but not much attention is paid to the lower population areas of our country.  I suppose the infrastructure would cost a lot for the payback, but if we don't have the option of alternative transportation we won't get away from the ineffiency of passenger vehicles. 

Bug Sighting

 

I came home one day about a month ago and saw this buzzing around my flowers.  I think its a hummingbird hawk-moth.  It looked like a hummingbird hovering around and eating the nectar, but it had a proboscis that was really strange to watch.  You can see it the best at the end of the video. 

Best Investment Ever

This spring I decided to join Massage Envy.  I pay a monthly fee and in return get to have a fabulous massage every month.  It's like getting a mini-vacation every time I go!  I went in the first time because they were offering a fairly inexpensive massage for first-time customers.  Going into it I thought they were going to give me the hard sell after my massage to join, but they weren't pushy about it at all.  I couldn't refuse.  Sometimes you just have to treat yourself- especially when you sit at a computer all day and need to fight the tension that builds up.   

Looking for New Music?

I found out about Noisetrade yesterday from a music newsletter I get.  I'm crazy about it already.  If you are like me and are greedy for new music whenever you can get it... check out the site.  You can download samplers for free from lots of different artists.  Most of them I have never heard of, but it's like playing the lottery without the cost.  :)  Yesterday, I got four songs from Ivan and Alyosha and I'm really liking their sound. 

Fall TV

I'm really enjoying Parenthood this season.  I watched it on and off for the last couple of years, but the story lines have completely drawn me in now.  I think I've cried over the last couple of episodes.  Ray Romano's new character is great too.  He's awkward and totally unlike other roles I've seen him in. 

Of course, I'm also watching plenty of reality TV.  The Voice has been fun... lots of talented singers.  The blind auditions are what differentiates it from the other "talent" shows.  The judges really do have to base their selections on how the person sounds, not how they look.  This year they also introduced the "steal" concept where a judge can decide to keep a contestant from another team if they are about to get kicked off the show.  It's fun. 

The old favorite Austin City Limits had a great show last weekend.  Bon Iver was playing and it keep me entranced for the whole hour (even though I was up later than usual). 

And for the drama-lover in me, Revenge has it all.  It makes me laugh, keeps me guessing, has fun fashion, and oh yeah, revenge-y type stuff. 

The architecture nerd in me is looking forward to this season of This Old House too.  They are totally gutting this victorian style house and the interior is going to be Scandinavian-modern.  It should be interesting. 

Wake Up!

I think I need this Wake Up Light Alarm Clock!  Already, I am having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning because it is dark out and we haven't even reached the darkest time of year.  I would like to get out of bed a little less groggy and not have to feel my way to the shower with my eyes half-closed. 

British Humor

Growing up, I used to enjoy watching the show "Are You Being Served?" on PBS.  It was this british comedy shot in what looked like the 1970's.  Weird for a kid to watch, but for some reason I liked it.  Maybe it was the variety of hues Mrs. Slocombe colored her hair.  I still enjoy the dry humor that exists across the pond.  I'm currently reading "The World of Jeeves" and it's cracking me up.  Some of the period slang is really hilarious and even though this volume is a series of short stories, they all flow together so it's fun to read a few at a time. 

Fall Foods

Beer cheese hush puppies

I harvested all of the remaining veggies from the garden this weekend.  It's getting too cold and I don't feel like going out to cover things up EVERY night.  So, I have lots of green tomatoes ripening in the basement and some little fingerling size yellow zucchini.  I made a few new recipes recently that helped warm up the house.  The first was beer cheese hush puppies.  I was craving deep-fried foods, and these totally fit the bill.  I've never made my own hush puppies, but they were yummy although perhaps a little too big.   The next was deep-fried zucchini slices served with some ranch dressing- perfect to feed the craving.  I'm at the point where I have lots of zucchini to use up.  I just found another recipe for cranberry zucchini bread- that will be the next item in the oven.  I also made chicken and vegetables braised in bock beer.  It smelled great in my house and the chicken was sweet and tender.  (One of my magazines had recipes that had beer in them; I don't typically cook with this much beer!)  Finally, I bought a bag of candy corn.  One of my favorite fall treats... I can just grab a handful and be happy.  :)

Book Lovers Unite!

I attended the Festival of Books over the weekend.  For a book nerd like me who also likes to write, this is a fabulous way to spend a Saturday.  I went to five different sessions and got to hear various authors speak.  I chose a wide array of topics: mystery, ultra-running, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.  It's unbelievable the number of authors who come to South Dakota for this event.  To top it all off; it's free!  I enjoyed listening to Leif Enger talking about Norwegian cultural norms.  Having some Norwegian blood in me and growing up in the northern plains, I could relate.  Scott Jurek talked about running 100+ mile races in difficult terrain, and oh by the way, he's a vegan.  Roy Blount Jr. made everyone laugh with a rambling discourse about etymology. 

If You Like Good Food...

I had lunch at Sanaa's this weekend.  They make the best chicken dish ever.  I attempt to try other dishes when I go there, but I always come back to this one.  I think it's called Shish Tawook.  Two thumbs up!