Home Again, Oct 19 - 23

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig 

Tuesday, October 19

I missed the early sunrise beach walk this morning.  From our property, we do not have a sunrise view.  The foggy mornings are beautiful in their own right, but do not invite me out for a walk along the lake.  I'm content to enjoy the view from my breakfast table.

We got everything unloaded yesterday.  Today, I unpacked, did laundry and put away my summer shirts and shorts.  A trip to the grocery was also necessary.  Bill mowed and washed the boat.  It was a busy day for both of us.  As much as we love to go, we are always glad to be home.

Mountain sunsets are beautiful, too.

Wednesday, October 20

We slept in this morning and had a less intensely busy day.  I worked on posting some pictures on this blog, got in a mile on the treadmill.  Late afternoon found me in the garden harvesting the last of the garden produce.  It is hard to get back into daily routines after a great vacation and with  no pressing appointments.  In the past, I have resisted referring to our trip to Orange Beach as a vacation.  We we are there for a month or more, it is less vacation like, and more of a home away from home.  This trip felt like a vacation.

Only a few herbs and the marigolds are still going.

Last Harvest of the Season -
Fried okra and fried green tomatoes for supper!

Thursday, October 21

Rain began overnight and continued into the morning.  By noon the drizzle had tapered off and there were occasional peeks of sunlight.  Kathy picked me up and we went to Marilyn's for our monthly lunch.  The four of us, Connie included, enjoyed Marilyn's hearty tomato soup.  We each confessed that we were hoping she would serve it on this damp fall day.  *Recipe below*

Later in the afternoon, I went to town for another "meet the candidate" event at LC Park, sponsored by the LoCoDems.  Mark Harmon is running against Tim Burchett for US Representative, 2nd Congressional District.  He has virtually no chance of winning, but will run a good race and may be more confrontational that our last candidate.  The election is a year away, so he is out early.

*Marilyn's Tomato Soup (Vegan)*

1/2 cup oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped zucchini
2 cups chopped cabbage
1 standard can diced tomatoes
2 T sugar
2 tsp salt
Tomato juice to desired thickness (about 1/2 tall can)

Cook onion in oil until tender. Add zucchini and cabbage and cook until tender.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer for at least an hour, stirring frequently.  Best if refrigerated for several hours or overnight.  Serve hot. (She makes at least a double recipe, maybe more)

Friday, October 22

Habitat director Chris Callahan was scheduled to bring his inspector Jim A's house this morning for a final inspection and sign-off on the ramp.  I met them thee at 10 am and had a lively visit with Jim after.  I am proud of the role that I played in getting Jim the Habitat grant.  They will be replacing his roof and repairing the soffits later this fall.

 At 11, I went to Bonnie's for lunch and a visit.  Next stop was the grocery.  Food City's smoker truck was out, so I brought home a pound of their excellent pulled pork and some beans to go along with it.  Before supper (and since I didn't have to cook) I went over for a visit with Laura and Mike.

Saturday, October 23

The new pillows that I had ordered arrived on Thursday and we used them for the first time last night.  It is the most comfortable pillow I've had in years. I discovered it at our hotel room in Gadsden - a Choice Hotel pillow which I found on Amazon.

Saturday morning and afternoon passed with odds and ends of chores.  Amanda is playing in a golf tournament and Laura is performing in a circus show.  My shoulder discomfort still inhibits me from garden work, although there is plenty of fall trimming, cleaning and weeding that needs to be done.  Instead, mid-afternoon we took a walk through the park.  At 7, we went to the Brock's to watch UT get beat by Alabama. Kathy made a big pot of minestrone and I contributed a loaf of sourdough.  The soup really hit the spot on this fall day.