Only a month left

I can barely stand the thought, the end of fall is so quickly approaching. So, in honor of my favorite season, I am posting some of my favorite fall photos.

If I could own a farm, I would. We love going up to Lawrence Farms. We plan on getting our Christmas tree there this year. The idea of strapping it on our small car gets me so excited.

Walking through our neighborhood. I love how plush the east coast is, the trees, the leaves. What I mostly love is the opportunity to walk through it all, every day. When I'm in a car, I somehow seem to miss it.

And the botanic gardens. I think this might be my favorite thing about where I live. It's such a contrast from the hustle and bustle of the city. And year round it is breathtaking. I usually only go in the spring and summer but this fall we have been several times. One of Luke's top requests is the "quacks" and "fissies".

a NY Thanksgiving

We decided to spend all of our holidays here in New York this year.  Not that we haven't had the opportunity to do that over the last 5 years, retail isn't exactly known for vacations during their busiest seasons, but being that this might be the last of them here, we are taking advantage.

My cousins Hilary and Kyle came down the night before to sleepover and get an early start on the parade. Well, early came and went, and we didn't get up there until it started. The crowds were a plenty, and the sunlight was blinding, but the weather couldn't have been better, and the balloons were nothing short of spectacular.

And for dinner?  buffet style at the Palmer's. Of course, we all dream of the day we can fit a big enough table in our small apartments to accommodate a traditional sit down dinner, but eating on our laps is certainly more authentic. This year I made a yummy sweet potato dish with a streusel topping, a salad, an oh so healthy green bean casserole, and a Smith Family favorite, pumpkin chiffon pie. 

The company was also great. The Riches, Moran's, Palmer's, and Clifton's made for great conversation, laughs, and a very competitive round of the name game. I really need to brush up on my current affairs, my vast knowledge of pop culture will only get me so far with this group.

There will be many years to come to spend Thanksgiving with family. So this year we spent it with New York.

Happy Thanksgiving

++ Thanksgiving 2006

Love,
The Beans

I need a boss

Someone I can report in to. Someone who will reprimand me for spending half of my day on ebay, blogs, sewing, and other time wasters. I used to be that someone. I was the boss, the schedule maker, the enforcer.  Maybe I was too strict, maybe I needed a break.

But a year off is enough, I'm done. I'm done not being able to fall asleep at night because I worry I didn't play enough with Luke, or work on my at home business venture, or practice my violin. I am going to manage myself.

I've created a schedule. A schedule for my day, and a schedule for my week. I don't imagine it will be set in stone, but it will give me some structure. Structure to stop talking and start doing.

This is how today will hopefully go.

7-8     running, switched to Friday
8-9     shower, Luke watches Finding Nemo
9-10    house work
10-11   computer time: blog post, work on business idea
11-12   Lunch 
12-1    Lukey time  <insert activity>
1-2     practice violin, Luke sleeps
2-3     work on teaching curriculum, Luke sleeps
3-4     Lukey time <insert activity>
4-5     Lukey time "                  "
5-6     start dinner
6-7     dinner
7-8    Luke bedtime
8-      sewing, catching up on tv shows, etc.

This is only day two of my experiment, I'm keeping an open mind. I am also hoping that this will kick me into doing some of the bigger goals I set for 2007 that will now be moved into 2008: taking a night class at FIT, joining a symphony, and finally teaching violin.

Saturday is a special day

I love them all, whether we plan a New York adventure or just enjoy our home and neighborhood, they just don't come often enough. This past Saturday was wonderful, the air, each other, good food, friends, and fall.

After my run, I met the boys at the farmers market for our weekly picks of apples & vegetables.

I never buy any of the baked goods but I always pick out my favorites.

And of course hot apple cider and donuts. They hit the spot every time.

After the market we napped, watched Gilmore Girls, and baked Pumpkin Bread.

We then headed to the Brooklyn Museum for a children's book signing.

Feeling too much pressure to buy, we bolted to the library for a few hours.

And the rest of the evening?
Thai food, and staying up till midnight talking with good friends.