Happy Halloween!

It's a good night to curl up with a book (or a puppy, in my husband's case) and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Kids never come to our house on Halloween- we're the only house inside of a public park.

I tried out a new recipe today in the slow cooker- Beef Burgundy. It came out wonderful, but I'll try a different wine next time. Oh well, live and learn! My stomach is full and my family is around me. What more could I possibly ask for?

Mushrooms I have known...

Found this beauty in the front yard, proudly growing along the fence. If my Dad was here in Connecticut, I'm sure he'd know exactly what it is. I'd love to know how to identify them as easily as he does Unfortunately, I couldn't let the mushroom stay. I could just see the puppy deciding to taste it, and that just seems like a bad idea to me. Especially since this week we've taken a major step backward in the housebreaking department.

Note to self: clearly mark which seeds have been planted in which pots. I'm honestly not sure right now which of these are spinach and which are mixed lettuce. I'm not sure it even matters at this point, I'm just happy that these little guys have survived the snow flurries and several frosts we've had so far. Like a proud mama, I guess.

Bunny, I have determined, is an eternal optimist. Giant rock in her way? No problem. Medieval torture device/doggie harness holding her back? No problem!

Wouldn't it be great if we could all face each day with that same optimism?

It was a chilly day here. Lentil and sausage stew for dinner. Of course, it's going to get a lot colder soon. Time to find my hat and mittens. (And possibly sew a hat for Bunny, if my husband will let me get away with it!)

Farmer's Market

I'm not sure there is anything better than a beautiful fall day and a trip to the Coventry Farmer's Market with my husband and the puppy. Bunny was really well behaved, and it took us twice as long to get what we needed because everyone wanted to say hello. We'll have to be careful or Bunny will end up with a big ego- every single passerby complimented us on her beauty or her good manners. She didn't jump, she didn't bark, and she most certainly (thank God!) didn't do her business in public.

We ended up with some ears of sweet corn for hubby, a beautiful baguette and some broccoli for a fondue tonight, and some potatoes for later in the week. All fresh and local. We also (and I didn't see it happen!) ended up with a carton of homemade puppy treats.

On an entirely unrelated matter...my husband hasn't read my blog yet. He said it needed car stuff or explosions. I'll have to work on that!

A fragile truce...

The animals of the house have come to a tentative agreement. Bunny has promised not to chase the kitty, and Bliss has promised to sneak up on Bunny only when she is sleeping. So far, so good.

Puppy watch...day two

I had some alone time this afternoon with the new puppy. It wasn't as difficult as I had feared. I am, by nature, a cat person. Dogs, especially large ones, have always frightened me. I'm hoping this will be a really good opportunity for me to get over some of my fears, as well as satisfy my need to nurture something small and cute. She won't be small and cute for long, so I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can.

Newest member of the family...

My husband loves dogs. For as long as I can remember, he's been wanting a dog of his own. Three years ago, because he loves me, he got me the cat I've always wanted. Today, finally, was his day.
I present, for the first time....Bunny! (So named because I've been bugging him to get me a pet rabbit. Hence, the dog's name is Bunny)

Spinach watch, day 25...

I'm feeling slightly more optimistic today. The cold, damp weather always gets me down, but I went out to check on the cold frame today, and there are still some baby spinach growing! I'll be so happy if I even get one that matures completely. I planted a second batch of seeds today, so we'll see.

Since it's too rainy around here to enjoy the foliage, here's some of New Hampshire's finest.

This is one of those trees that you just know has been around for a couple of hundred years. Imagine what it has seen!