Ten on Tuesday

1.  My health is a mess.  I'm going to spare you the detail, but in the last three days have had a new issue a day, each miserable.  I think Brent and I decided it was sometime around July or October 2010 when I was last fully healthy with no "issues." We're dreaming such a day comes again and working on that.

2. Per item 1 - less jogging this week.  Only one day of jogging, a very nice run outside, alone with lots of wind. I did get to return to Zumba on Friday with Rosanna which was wonderful and hopefully by Friday I'll have at least a few of these issues under control enough to go again.

3.  I "think" the refinance of our house is finally going to happen in the next couple weeks.  Yes, we've been talking about this since probably February, but finally seem to have a deal that may work well.

4.  I devoured a new set of books this weekend. The A Hidden Witch (A Modern Witch Series: Book 2) and A Modern Witch (A Modern Witch Series: Book 1) and Witches on Parole: Unlocked (A Modern Witch trilogy, book 1) all by Deborah Geary.  These are a bit less intricate and complex than the A Discovery of Witches book I read last, but they are well written, thoughtful, and emotionally compelling stories of family, belonging, love and discovery.  I quite enjoyed them and am happy to lend my Kindle versions to whomever is interested. (Yes, it is possible I should branch out a bit for my selection.  Any light fiction suggestions?)

5.  The kids have randomly fallen back into playing with the pretend kitchen they got from Santa last Christmas.  We are getting all sorts of culinary treats and "diet coke" from M as well as lots of fruits and veggies from B.  (Because they are healthy for me when I'm sick, I hear).  He even made vegetable fruit soup today.  Very sweet and lots of fun.

6.  M is suddenly also taken with this little toy dog (or maybe it is a bear??) that you cuddle and it cries a little or snores when it sleeps.  She feeds it a bottle and carries it around a lot, often in a basket with her toy big bird.  She is very attentive which is good as that puppy is quite a demanding baby!

7.  B went on his first really long play date last week with his friend Preston.  He was at Preston's house for maybe five or so hours!  I hear they had lots of fun playing games, eating Happy Meals and generally being small boys.  I'm so glad it finally worked out as they have wanted to do this forever (as I guess seeing each other 25 hours a week at school isn't enough?)

8.  Saturday was so odd this week - no football or soccer.  We were sort of at loose ends so we fell back to errands and jogging before naps and Ashtyn's birthday party.  Kind of nice, but probably the last quiet Saturday for awhile.  We had Corwyn's birthday on Sunday too which I hear was awesome, but sadly missed home sick with ailment #1.   Sigh.

9.  I have my Thanksgiving food assignment for the Richards/Rouse festivities.  I have been assigned a vegetable side, which is admittedly not my strong suit.  The traditional things like mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and probably green beans are taken so any one have a suggestion for me?  Limited more as I probably won't have too much access to an oven immediately before eating time, but could possibly use a stove top.  Brent says I should make the roasted cauliflower, but just did that for these folks in October so I'm brainstorming, but appreciate ideas.  I'm trying to worm my way into bringing an Appetizer too, as I have ideas for that already.  For Blakley/Dotter Thanksgiving I've requested to and hope to bring pies... we shall see.  Here are some recipes you might consider from my blog posts in prior years:

Amazing Cauliflower
The Best Broccoli  (link is to the Amateur Gourmet, my recommendation is here).
Raisin Cream Pie
Dotter Pecan Pie
Foolproof Pie Crust
Dotter Cheeseball
Thanksgiving Dressing/Stuffing

10.  Happy Birthday to Jess, Erik, Corwyn, Emily, Ashtyn, Uncle Jim, Nick, Molly, and all the other November birthdays.  I hope they are all lovely.

Have a wonderful week all!