WEEKEND DIARIES
Another weekend, come and gone. Fall is officially here, and while not my favorite flavor, I try to enjoy the best it has to offer. In Western New York that means apple harvests, the last of the tomatoes and cucumbers, chilly nights, snuggling in with a good book (or a favorite person...), football with friends, and sweaters. Do you love Fall? What brightens these darkening days for you?
Saturday we celebrated a first birthday with some good family friends. The occasion was bittersweet, as they recently found that they will be moving soon for a work assignment. We've had so many good friends come and go over the last five years; each of them a unique gift that has enriched our lives as individuals and as a family. It makes me think of that quote by C.S. Lewis “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival” (The Four Loves, my emphasis). I might have to disagree with the good wordsmith and say that friendship is utterly necessary to survival...
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| My friend is such a great artist and crafty lady. She made her daughter's party invites... Super cute! |
Our garden is starting to wind down, but we are still getting tomatoes and a cucumber here and there. One of my favorite things to make with this combination is Lebanese tomato and cucumber salad. My version is very simple, and goes like this: Cut tomatoes and cucumbers into bite size chunks. Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, a bit of ground pepper, garlic powder, kosher salt and fresh mint. It doesn't get much fresher or tastier than that!
So I finished White Noise, and I have moved on to Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion. If you know me, you may be wondering at my literary choices recently. I have been participating in a loosely organized book club this summer, and it's been interesting and enjoyable, even if the books aren't exactly "fun" (unless the neurosis and atomization of modern man and culture is your cup of tea). Once I finish Play It, I'm on to American Pastoral (Philip Roth), and then something light hearted!
When I haven't had my head buried in the heart of darkness, I've been glancing through the recent issue of Better Homes and Gardens. I found this coupon for a free 8 ounces of Valspar paint in any color of the new Fall palette. I read on their website that the sample container will cover a 4x4 ft area, so I'm asking you for project ideas. Ideas, anyone? Have you gotten one of these samples in the past? What did you do with it?
Maybe a piece of furniture? I imagine you don't have any 4x4 wall areas to highlight. Do you think you could buy chalkboard paint? I painted a chalkboard wall, and it's a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteNot linking up this week because I had a different post to...post. My mother recommended The Burgess Boys, by the way. Did you ever read Olive Kitteredge? I loved that book, and this one's by the same author. My mother said it wasn't all light-hearted, but it ends hopefully. I'm on the hold list at the library so it's a popular one.