Monday Musings, Daybook Style...

I decided this week I'd play along with the Simple Woman's Daybook format.

Outside my window... Cool, crisp, fall-like days are here! It rained a bit on Halloween, but only in the morning thankfully.

I am thinking... about restarting the Afternoon Basket this week, as we miss it.

I am thankful... for the time change. That "extra" hour has been wonderful the past couple of days!

I am wearing... black slacks with really tiny and subtle white pinstripes, a black sweater, black shoes, and a deep magenta t-shirt.

I am creating... a monthly menu planner, in order to streamline shopping, and cooking, hopefully saving some more money along the way. I like my mom's approach to this -- she lists a certain number of each type of dish (example, 4 pasta meals, 4 chicken meals, etc.), and then just chooses each day which she will make that night.

I am going... to class this afternoon.

I am wondering... what Christmas will be like this year on a super-tight budget.

I am reading... The Paris Wife. I'm about a third of the way through, and am really enjoying it!

I am hoping... that they get M's work schedule straightened out soon! He's not working at all this week, since "business is slow". He's actually thinking of looking for something else, but we're really hoping that this job will work out.

I am learning... about cognitive development in adolescents.

Around the house... I am thinking about pulling out my fall decorations today, like the wreath for the front door. Of course, we need to take down the Halloween decorations first!

In the kitchen... We had this delicious tagine last night. Even M, who generally hates squash, thought it was delicious. I made apple muffins for today with this recipe.

I am pondering... what I really want to do next year if I am laid off again.

A favorite quote for today... "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." John Quincy Adams (I am hoping this is true!)

One of my favorite things... that it is the time of year for soup and hot tea.

A few plans for the week... more tutoring. Homeschooling. Fencing practice. Roller skating at the local playground after hours. Park day.

A peek into one of my days from last week... I reached the awesome number of 1000 posts last week! And here are a few pictures from Halloween:

The witch and the dead race car driver, ready to head out

Close-up of the dead race car driver

Out with friends

The Girl's creative jack o' lantern, eating its own guts

The Boy's jack o' lantern, with many eyes

The Girl's jack o' lantern at night, The Boy's in the background

Have a good week, and Happy November!