“In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October.” – Alexander Smith

Can you believe it’s already halfway through October? Maybe because it’s only just now really feeling like fall around here, with snow starting to show up on the forecast, that it hasn’t quite seemed like October. I guess I’d better start thinking about what to get for the 5 or so trick or treaters we get every year…

1. Harry Legged Jerry. Last week I mentioned the Halloween decorations in the neighborhood where I walk Bama. Over the weekend I passed a family who were in the process of putting out their decorations. And I overheard their daughter yell out to her friends next door that they had named their spider Hairy Legged Jerry. Jerry wasn’t out yet when I passed by, but I did get to see him the next day. He’s a giant fuzzy purple spiders with big googly eyes and I love him. So now every day we get to walk by and say hi to Hairy Legged Jerry.
2. Cactus Friends. An old friend of mine called me her cactus friend this week and while I can be prickly at times, that’s not what she meant. She was describing how we can go months, maybe even years, without talking to each other or putting energy into maintaining our friendship. But then when we do get back in touch we’re just as healthy and strong as ever. We started texting this week after she sent me a funny headline she found and I sent her one back that I had seen last week (and at the time had actually planned to send it to her!) We caught up a bit on life and vowed to keep in better touch. And I really hope we will. But I also feel confident that if things do fall off again, we can always pick back up where we left them.
3. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese. Guys, this might have been my favorite mac and cheese that I’ve ever made. The squash adds flavor but it isn’t overpowering. I made a few swaps/changes because I rarely ever can just make a recipe straight! First of all, I read through the comments ahead of time and ended up doubling the amount of pasta. I’d say either do that or cut everything else in half because it makes a lot of sauce! Other changes: -Added fresh rosemary with the sage -Used heavy cream and 2% milk (we didn’t have half and half and whole milk!) -8oz of cheddar cheese instead of 10oz because I didn’t check the size of the block when I bought it… -made my own purée with a bag of frozen squash -Stirred in some shredded chicken at the end because I had some left over. Yes, that’s a lot of changes, but no I don’t think it materially made a difference to how good this recipe is! Well…except maybe the using heavy cream… Anyway, make it and enjoy!
4. James Bond. I went to see the new James Bond movie, No Time to Die, this week and really enjoyed it! It’s a long one, so bring snacks! I would also recommend watching at least the most recent Bond movie before this one as there are plot points mentioned from it. It won’t ruin the movie if you don’t, but I wish I had just so I was a little faster on the uptake with a few conversations between characters.
5. Essie nail polish in Rocky Rose. I just repainted my nails with this color for a second week in a row and I’m so in love with it. It’s the perfect fall color if you lean more towards neutral/nude colors. It’s like a rosy terracotta color and it’s just so pretty.