This Perfectly Imperfect Life

Happy Saturday all! How true the ole saying, 'Necessity is the mother of invention' can be. Today I'm going to share with you a yummy recipe I've tried with both peaches and apples in the last month using what I had on hand. Preheat your oven to 350*. Take a sheet of frozen pastry dough out of the freezer for 40 minutes or so before you begin. As soon as your're able, lay it flat. Peal & core 3 apples (Honey Crisp pictured) or peaches (I used white peaches). Chop your apples/peaches & place slices in a Large bowl. Add cinnamon to your liking. Add dark brown or light brown sugar to your liking. I used 3 packets of Sweet & Low but you could use 2 tablespoons regular sugar. No Salt!!! Add pre-chopped walnuts to your liking. Mix well until all pieces are thoroughly coated; if using apples, you may need to add a 1/4 cup  of water to help get things coated. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with non-stick spray then line t...

Happy first day of Fall everyone!  My favorite, Favorite time of year is upon us and I couldn't be more excited. Even both of us being sick isn't dampening my spirits! (Pesky sinus infection & cold).  All week long I've been catching signs of the season, some of which I'm sharing here with you because they make me happy, and in honor of the day :o) Aren't they the cutest?! Faces only a (vintage) Halloween lover could love perhaps! Autumn sunsets are among my favorites Yes, we're still The Garden State, more visible at this time of year than others Now that's a whole lotta pumpkins! (They stretched outside the frame on both sides!) Speaking of Autumn, in other exciting (and somewhat unrelated yet related) news, after many, many (many!) years of writing, I * FINALLY * have an opening for a novel! A place for it to begin. (cue squeals, jumping up & down and excessive smiling) Whether or not it leads something entirely new ...

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(Please excuse the spazzy spacing in this post! I've tried correcting it & haven't been able to). A week ago today, I set out on foot in the beautiful Autumn-like morning weather and headed downtown for a pottery class that I signed up for through the Library.   Yes, a pottery class!  Something I've heard people do, something I've never done before but thought, "Why not?!"  While I was getting ready to leave, I realized I was actually nervous ( really nervous ) and laughed out loud at myself. "Come on! It's a pottery class , what are you nervous about?!"  But, I don't do things like this.  Do I?  A pottery class?  Me?  What's the point?  (Aside from supporting a newly revamped Library/Friends Of The Library program).  I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb amongst my bookclub gals.  Most have children.  I do not.  Most are healthy.  I am not.  Most are of better financial means...  Ack. S...

Through my tears, on this beautiful Autumn-like day, much like it was 11 years ago, I am taking the time to especially appreciate my blessings today, in the garden & out. After today I can stop holding my breath.  Until the wheel of the year returns us to this point once again. A single, white memorial candle is lit on the mantle and will stay lit until I go to sleep tonight. I will never forget. I am thankful for this day in spite of the tears & heartache because it is without a doubt the best reminder for me to appreciate being alive, living with disease & all.  (If you would like to read my September 11th story, please click here ).  I listen to the names being read from the WTC site memorial and then spend time taking stock, followed by planning for Autumn.  It is a deeply reflective day for me. My love to all today.   

It has been a day of wild weather here in the Northeast/East Coast & Mid-Atlantic! Full of t-storm & tornado warnings, rain, gusty winds and tornado's!!! (At least 2 confirmed in NY and 1 unconfirmed in NJ). My sincere apologies for being fairly MIA here recently. I've had an upper respiratory infection (right ear, eye, sinuses & throat) & "a touch of bronchitis" (as the doctor put it) and it's pretty well been kicking my arse! There's lots to catch up on and I can't wait to share oodles of photos with you! I hope you're all well (and safe if you're in any of the areas affected by today's storms or recently affected by Issac). Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®