this weekend...

camping

beaching

playing

walking

eating

bonfire-ing

breathing

Location: San Onofre State Beach

first day of autumn

I love autumn. It has always been my favorite season. Although, I really can't complain too much about any of the "seasons" here in San Diego. I enjoy them all! Fall is probably the only season I miss from living in the Midwest. Cool, crisp days and nights. Lots of changing leaves. The scent of woodsmoke and bonfires in the air. It's pretty fantastic.

Now that the first day of fall is upon us, here are some fall-ish things I'm planning on indulging in very soon:

- Cinnamon-frosted Pumpkin Cookies from Von's (okay, maybe I have already indulged in these...)

- Squash. Spaghetti, acorn, butternut...all good!

- Apple Cider

- Baking. Starting with these Caramel Apple Cupcakes from the Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine.

- Holiday-scented candles

- Christmas shopping! I promised myself I was going to try really hard to shop throughout the year this year, instead of saving it all for December. To date, I have one Christmas gift. I know it's only September...but think about how fast the last nine months have gone...then think about how there are only 13 weeks until the Big Day. Yeah.

What are some of YOUR favorite things about the season?

another post on dogs

Remember when I said I was going to get a dog? Yeah...still no dog... But one step closer! This weekend I'm going to go hang out with the dog I met at the Big Dogs Rock Adoption Event last month. It's the next step in the process, to spend some time together outside of an event. After that? MUST FIX BACKYARD FENCE! If only I were handy...

I want this

Other People's Rejection Letters

edited by Bill Shapiro

A whole book on "NO"! No being said to other people--not yourself. People like Andy Warhol and Jimi Hendrix. And Joe Schmoe who lives next door. Because--let's face it--we all know what it's like to be rejected!

Bill Shapiro has also edited another book called Other People's Love Letters, and, yes, I want this one too.

If only I were not currently on a DO NOT BUY ANYTHING personal mandate. Alas. Both are on my Amazon Wish List for later...

Meredith Andrews Ft. Paul Baloche - How Great Is The Love

Love this song by Meredith Andrews. I would highly recommend her stuff. Very meaningful lyrics, and she has a beautiful voice.

from a dog-lover

That's me. I love dogs. I do. They make great companions and are ALWAYS excited to see you, whether you've been gone five minutes or five days. What's not to love?

This weekend I went with my roommate to to the 4th Annual BIG DOGS ROCK Adoption Event at Fiesta Island. And I filled out an application to adopt a dog! A big step and a big responsibility...but I have been thinking about getting a dog since moving into the house.

In my family, pets are treated like members of the family.We give our pets gifts at Christmas and for their birthdays. Sometimes we even sing "Happy Birthday" to them. I am excited about the prospect of having my own furry friend and can't wait to hit up some of San Diego's great dog beaches!

More to come on the dog adoption process as things move along...

temporary blog design

Okay, people. I just HAD to get rid of the black background. It was starting to drive me nuts! Consider this a placeholder blog design while I work out the nitty gritty details of getting it to actually look the way I want it to. I've decided perhaps it might be easier for me to take it one step at a time, instead of trying to do it all at once, which creates angst, apprehension, and...well...not much else.

So for starters, we've got a nice white background. And, yes, I do realize my header is no longer centered. I'll be working this weekend on a background, and we shall see what happens.

Stay tuned...