Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything personal...partly because facebook has become my go-to place online for personal updates, and partly because so much is going on and I'm not entirely sure what to make totally public...that's the downside of a blog, especially one that's linked to the church website!
But, I know some of my readers don't really care much about reading sermons, and would rather hear about all the fun and juicy details of my life in the woods, so here is a long-overdue post for you!
The biggest news around here is that I am well on my way to becoming licensed to foster/adopt a baby! My classes are done, my application is submitted and my references are being checked. I'm still waiting for my home visits to be scheduled, but hopefully that will happen soon and I will be licensed before the year is out.
My plan is to wait for an infant girl, so I may have to wait quite a while, and I will begin as a foster parent, so there is a possibility that I might foster a baby for a while and she would then go back to her birthparents. I am hoping for the right baby to come into my life, and accepting the fact that I may get to parent her for a few months or many years. It's a wild and scary process, but it's the way I'm going to create my family, so I have faith it will all happen as it's meant to.
I've been sewing blankets and knitting toys and sweaters for the someday baby, and perhaps I'll get it together soon to actually take some pictures of it all!
But, for now I have a juicy picture for you! Here is Deacon snuggling with his secret lover--my leopard print Snuggie. He adores this Snuggie and can knead it for hours, purring and drooling. Nisse is harder to catch in a picture, as he is still very shy around people--even me--but he does adore his big brother and they often wrestle and cuddle each other, when Deacon allows it.
And, now, on to cooking. One of my favorite ingredients this fall has been Purple cauliflower. Just look how beautiful it is! How could anyone resist it?? This picture is of a Cauliflower soup in progress, and it was oh-so good! I'm happy that fall/winter/the rainy season is/are upon us (it's all the same thing here) because it is perfect soup weather, and I love to make soup!
In big cooking news, I'm hosting Thanksgiving for the first time (for a small but interesting group), so I've been planning and preparing for weeks! I have some meat eaters coming, a gluten free vegan, a vegetarian toddler, and a pregnant former vegan...so it has been a bit of a challenge planning all the dishes to make to accommodate everyone and feed them well!
I'm excited to do it, though, because few things make me happier than feeding people well in my cozy home. All the groceries have been purchased, along with a few new cooking implements and appliances (I can't believe I didn't own a rolling pin!), my wonderful cleaning lady is coming tomorrow to get the house ready, and my trusty new houseboi Jd is coming to be my sous chef and co-host.
So, I'll leave you with a picture of me and Jd from a few weeks ago when she escorted me to the local Diversity Center's Casino Night fundraiser. I think it's safe to say we were the best looking couple there.
