"Listen to the mustn'ts then listen close to me. Anything can happen, child, anything can be." Shel Silverstein

I have to start telling myself that I can't drink coffee after dinner. Ever. Because when I do, I turn into Rosie O'Donnell. I'm loud, digressive. Oy. And I usually end up talking to people I am really rather fond of and then kicking myself later as I try to gag myself with a sock. Rereading that, I make it sound like I'm drunk. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me: DRINK WATER.

It is fall. I think it's official and I only think it's official because it was foggy yesterday and has been raining all day. My weather compass is only so forgiving and the "spring" we had turned my weather-heart to stone. Or at least a semi-precious rock. But I got to wear my Fall clothes which made me happy. Layering is tough on the West Coast. Everything has to fit under a rain jacket which really doesn't breathe very well, so usually by midday you come back smelling like the inside of a rain boot.

Started some training at a bread bakery today because I obviously eat through jobs like goldfish crackers. Management turnover at the cafe I was at before and not only me but everyone else is also out of a job. Luckily, I had a kick ass opportunity right around the corner (aka the next day). This job will mean some EARLY mornings, basically before God is up but it's all good. He'll have some fresh bread, baked by me, ready for him when he gets up. Today was the first time that I felt a pang of nostalgia for school. But I thought through it and what I thought I was missing out on. And I realized, though I wish I was taking my Conversational Russian class (that's the only class I missing!), the only thing I was missing was the physical movement of routine. I miss waking up, picking out my clothes, waking up on the bus ride to school, grabbing a coffee before class, having the anonymity time of the academy. Besides that, I realized I don't miss UBC at all.

I'm feeling it's a Simple Daybook kind of day because my days are all over the place lately.
FOR TODAY
Outside my window… Rain. Blech. It's fall. But I bought in and had pumpkin spice latte yesterday. I'm a sucker.
I'm thinking...
I'm thankful…
From the Learning Rooms…I am trying to relearn all of the Russian I forgot over the summer. All I remember how to say is "I eat pizza with my hands". Not good.
In the kitchen…Newly baked caraway rye artisan bread. Win!
I am wearing…new skinnies and a tank with wooden beads. It's a mix of weather appropriate wear.
I am creating…Smitten Kitchen posted a recipe for peach butter (as opposed to apple butter) and I'm pretty stoked to give it a shot. The lemon-grapefruit is gone (Thank God! I was putting it on everything!) so I have an empty jam jar that needs fillin'!
I am going…the Alibi Room tomorrow. It's a sweet pub/restaurant in Gastown and our friend Todd is having his birthday there tomorrow night.
I am wondering…how I'm going to handle 'bakers hours'. 4 o'clock starts. Whoa.
I am reading…Flannery O'Connor. Moozh bought me one of her anthologies for Christmouse and I haven't even cracked it yet. I love her interpretation of gothic.
I am hoping…to spend tomorrow afternoon buried in some writing.
I am looking forward to…dinner with friends from the Reeg on Saturday! Some old, some new. I have a majestic cake planned and Moozh will pull one of his epic meal times out of a hat. It's gonna be a gooder.
I am hearing…Yukon Blonde. I have to give Florence and the Machine a break. Yukon Blonde is kind of a cross between Sloan and Fleet Foxes.
Around the house…a half finished baby blanket. Moozh's beer training book. The carnage left over from making bread.
One of my favourite things…Fall! The leaves are turning and that has to be one of my favourite things in the whole world. One of my Seven Favourite Things? Hmmmm…..
A few plans for the rest of the week…Seeing good friends. Praying over what this fall looks like and this year. Counting down the days until The Adventures of Tin Tin: Secret of the Unicorn comes out. Ya know, big stuff.

"I hope you stay, American Baby..."

FOR TODAY (PLACE THE DATE HERE)...

Outside My Window…Sun! Ohmygosh! Sun!

I am thinking…that Moozh's birfday shindig this Friday is gonna be a hoot. My gift to him: A huge bowl of caramel. 

I am thankful for… political agency. Everything's that going on right now, Syria, Lybia, Egypt, Sudan, people are fighting to say, "You will hear me". I just got to vote in two elections in the past month. I am thankful to live in a country where I am heard and my right to be heard is protected. 

From the learning rooms… Food Science! All those things on the side of the cereal box that you don't know what they are or how to pronounce them. I know what they are! It's all corn…

From the kitchen… I made this and it was yuuuuuum. Chana Masala is not my favourite Indian dish but the base is so good. You could swap out some of the chickpeas for peas, potatoes, cauliflower or paneer!

I am wearing… shorts! Today was resplendent! Thank you Bankybear. Thank you Jesus ;) 

I am creating…a portfolio. I should hear from the Creative Writing Department this week or next. Aaaaah! 

I am going… to Cowtown three week from Saturday. Whooooooooa.

I am reading… Year of the Flood by Margret Atwood. It's her newest book and she does the dystopian thing so well. 

I am hoping…this sun sticks around. 

I am hearing…Jasmine Ash. You may have heard her on a Nissan Commercial. 

Around the house…Vegan cookbooks. A conversational Russian book (that hasn't really been touched). Iced tea with lemon. Yoga mat that I used today!

One of my favorite things…sprouts! I love them in sandwiches, salads, even just by themselves. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Take my camera out. Commercial Drive! 

Here is picture thought I am sharing…

I found this girl that reminds me so much of my sissy in law. Matt's family have miraculous faces, seriously. 

Pandora's Box Blog

"Cuz it's the wrong'em boyo."

FOR TODAY

• Outside my window…Daffodils! Spring has sprung. This weekend the camera and I are taking a walk. 
• I am thinking…don't relax yet. 
• I am thankful for…My Moozh. He leaves for a retreat centre tomorrow until Saturday night. I'm going to miss his snuggles and awesome pre-sleep pajama pant dance. 
• From the learning rooms…Finished my portfolio and my gender theory essay. Now I just need to start (!) my GMO foods assignment, practice my Russian dialogue and write a web series. Whew.
• From the kitchen…a matcha latte with cinnamon. Mmmm for home. 
• I am wearing… my vintage cameo and thigh high socks. (Among other things of course.)
• I am creating…a portfolio, two competition submissions, irish soda bread and a knitted scarf.  
• I am going…outside! Bankybear is showing the sun! So. Bright.
• I am reading…The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I haven't been able to get past the front cover yet. How I long for the days of recreational reading. 
• I am hoping…for warmer days. Believe it or not I'm getting tired of big socks. 
• I am hearing…Catastrophe and the Cure by Explosions in the Sky. 
• Around the house…boots under construction. Smouldering Yankee Candle filling the house with caramel.  My backpack looking menacing (and full). 
• One of my favorite things…caraway seeds (for the aforementioned irish soda bread). I love their earthy smell. 
• A few plans for the rest of the week: Celebration post-portfolio submission! And Saturday is a sleep day. Fer sure. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

This is my city!
And that yellow triangular mound in the upper right hand corner. That's sulphur.
Photo from Flickr by ecstaticist