Monday, October 05, 2009

Monday Mish Mash


Fall is officially arrived in Southern Alberta. And I love it. It's cold and crisp in the mornings. And it's been raining on and off, which I also love. Although I imagine the folks in the big city aren't too happy with the snow they got on the weekend. Nothing that stayed put, mind you, but still there is something about the thought of snow in the first weekend of October that is a bit disconcerting, even for us Albertans.

My girlfriend and I grabbed us a warm jacket, stopped at Starbucks and with chocolate truffle espressos in hand we headed off to do the rounds of showhomes on Saturday. There is one builder in town who always has the best showhome of the bunch. This year we started off with that house. It did not disappoint. But we thought after we should have saved the best for last. The others were nice in and of themselves but nothing compared to the that first one. The family friendly ideas and the gorgeous way they put everything together always leave me applauding them as we leave. If they would let pictures be taken I would, but they don't.

While I'll pass on the idea of striped walls, or stainless and glass everything, or the green paint that looked black, or the "monster mash orange" paint (yes that is the name of the color) in some of the homes I did decide that yes, I do want a cork floor in my kitchen (so nice and warm on the feet and very forgiving), and I found a counter top I love. While it's not granite, not in the budget, it is a really, really nice Formica laminate.

Sunday started with a headache and ended with me totally wiped out. After lunch I fell asleep on the couch for more than 3 hours. I never, ever, ever do that. Eight ibuprofens spread out over the day and a big bag of classic Lay's potato chips and Philidelphia Brand Herb & Spice chip dip later, I finally shook that thing but it left me wiped out and I still went to bed at my normal time. Now I know what you're thinking. Don't laugh. I'm not joking with the chips and that particular brand and flavor of chip dip. There is something between the two that they really do cut the severity of a bad headache for me. That headache didn't go anywhere until my sweet son went to the store and picked me up some. An hour or so later, the severity wasn't there anymore. Hmmm, maybe I can patent it somehow.

This week is shaking up very, very busy for me. Thanksgiving is this weekend in Canada and Kay is coming home. I see lots of cooking and baking in my week which means grocery shopping too. I love Thanksgiving. And I'm determined that the prep is not going to overtake the attitude of thanksgiving I want to maintain.

So on that note, I'm off to get the to do list and the grocery list together. And I'm thinking it will include a brick or three of cream cheese.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds as if you are going to be very busy. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all :)

Barbara H. said...

Monster Mash Orange, eh -- not my style either. :-) I don't like stainless everything, either -- when we bought a refrigerator it was hard to find a plain white one.

That is an unusual headache remedy! But it sounds like it works well!

Jientje said...

I hear that and I've read this on other blogs too, Thanksgiving is something you Americans REALLY llook forward to isn't it? You are already making up things to do lists, and wonder what you're going to cook and bake, but Thanksgiving is at the end of November , isn't it? Awwww!!! NOW I see!!! It's this weekend !! LOL!!! Okay forget what I said here!! LOL!! Forgive me!!!! But still, it IS a big deal, Thanksgiving, isn't it?

nikkipolani said...

How fun your home tour sounds :-) Before I had a house of my own (when I rented), I found home tours depressing because I'd never be able to afford any of it. And fall has arrived even here! I put on a blanket last night and even closed the windows. So when you're rich and famous with your magical headache remedy, you'll link back to this post with nostalgia. Enjoy your Thanksgiving week, Susanne. I know you'll be thankful to have Kay visiting.

Karen said...

Love your picture of the fall leaves.

I'm taking notes of your headache remedy. It (almost) sounds worth getting a headache! Yum!

ellen b. said...

I really hate headaches. They are so debilitating. What an interesting remedy...
Wow Thanksgiving is upon you. I've only realized Canadians celebrate in October since I started blogging. I think I'd prefer that over the end of November and so close to Christmas :0) Let the festivities begin ...

Islandsparrow said...

Coffee is my headache cure - a good strong cup in the am and the thing backs off.

You've got me thinking about my Thanksgiving menu too. I wondering what you're up to with cream cheese??

Faith said...

Wow....I gotta get me some of that headache remedy....

Laura said...

I totally understand the chip thing. When I'm sick it's cheesies I crave. I wonder if it's the salt. So glad it helped your headache.

I'm doing most of my Thanksgiving cooking this week in advance of the day. I hate being stuck in the kitchen when everyone else is having fun :)

Brenda said...

I could hardly keep reading after you said, "chocolate truffle expresso", but somehow I got passed it. .. . I love looking at model homes too. So many interesting ideas out there.