Currently, I’m…
Dreaming About: again…travelling. I love having a trip to look forward to. Jesse and I keep throwing around ideas on where to go. We keep talking about going to NYC again like we did last October. Or checking out somewhere new. Iceland is still an option. But I also would love to go to Spain and Portugal. And Japan! Too many options! Sometimes it’s tough to decide between returning to a place you love or trying something new.
Reading: I am just about to start reading My Year with Eleanor: A Memoir by Noelle Hancock. It sounds like a nice, light read about a blogger who spends a year following the famous suggestion by Eleanor Roosevelt – “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Apparently the book is quite humourous and inspiring. And then I’m excited to check out The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar. I have a feeling I will love the book, as it seems to be along the same vein as some of my favourite books – A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Kite Runner, Brick Lane and Secret Daughter. And, if I have time this month, I’ve love to read Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore. I find his writing to be quite hilarious and a bit reminiscent of one of my all-time favourite authors Kurt Vonnegut. Do you have any good book suggestions?
Also, do you use Good Reads? If so, please find me! I love to share books with others and see what people are readying.
Craving: Pumpkin Snickerdoodles and Apple Pie Smoothies
Loving: Autumn Squash. I’m not sure if you could tell. *hehe* I’ve been cooking a ton with butternut squash, pumpkin and sweet potatoes. I just bought some acorn squash, so I’ll be making something with that soon too. I’m also loving being in cozy, warm hoodies and drinking Banana Bread Tea from David’s Tea. Mmm!
Watching: a ton of Criminal Minds re-runs. And, in the process, giving myself frequent nightmares! *HAH*
Anticipating: Canadian Thanksgiving which is coming up on Monday, October 8th. Jesse and I will be hosting a small dinner for my parents, sister and brother-in-law a week before Thanksgiving. I love to host a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner and a vegetarian Christmas dinner each year, so I can test out all sorts of new recipes. I have so many recipes planned! I am so excited to get in the kitchen and start cooking and baking.
I am also anticipating starting my intermediate Japanese classes tomorrow. I have not studied Japanese in 5 years – since I last took some courses at university. I recently realized I have lost a lot of what I learned and would like to be fluent again. I’m a tad nervous – I hope it all comes back to me quickly!
Oh! Also, I’m anticipating the new fall TV season! Is that sad? *hehe* I’m excited for a few of my favourite shows to start back up. Which TV shows are you excited for this upcoming season? I’m pumped for Vampire Diaries! *hah* Oh, I love my guilty pleasure! Too bad Man Men was not starting up again soon too!
Listening To: Ben Howard – Every Kingdom. This album is awesome. If you like singer-song writer/folk music…you’ll love this album! The songs are wonderfully written. Ben’s voice is calming and unique. And the beautiful way he plays acoustic guitar gives me goosebumps! I am also really looking forward to Frightened Rabbit’s new EP – State Hospital. It comes out next week!
Planning On: finally watching The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It looks really quite funny! Have any of you seen it? Would you recommend it? I’m also planning on watching the new TV show – The Newsroom. I’ve heard incredible things about the writing.
Also, I am planning on making this amazing looking Autumn Fruit Ginger Crumble from Once Upon a Cutting Board.
Working On: getting over this month-long flu bug! I’m trying to eat better and go to bed at a decent hour. I’m a night-owl, so it’s very tough for me to go to bed before midnight. However, I have to be up by 7AM every morning. A full 8 hours would be ideal. I definitely need to spend some time looking after myself and get healthy.
Wishing: … that my beloved football team would start winning some games!!!!
Reflecting On: how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. I love my parents, sister, bro-in-law, grandparents and Jesse to bits. They are so loving and supportive. And they always know how to make me laugh. I don’t know what I would do without them. I also feel pretty lucky to have awesome in-laws too!
Enjoying: the abundance of yummy produce from our local farmer’s market. I wish I could always get fresh, local produce so easily! I am also really enjoying the vegan cookbook called Chloe’s Kitchen by Chloe Coscarelli. One of my very favourite cookbooks of all time!
Pondering: splurging a little and buying some new clothes for fall. I’ve not bought new clothes in over a year and I think it’s due time I buy some nice new sweaters, a dress or two, and maybe some new boots. I’m also pondering dying my hair red….but will likely go back to dark brown. *hehe*
I’m also pondering what to dress up as for Halloween. Any suggestions?
love this post- what a great idea. Hm, for tv, I am looking forward to finishing Breaking Bad and Weeds. I love fall too, and sweaters, ahhh. Fall baking is my weakness and I end up making a lot of fall inspired breads, cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and more. Currently planning a trip to visit with my girlfriends from highschool- we all turn 40 next year. Gasp. need to make it memorable! And for halloween? well, go as a squash! Thanks for the inspiration and wonderful recipes!
Thanks for commenting Kimberley :) I watched up until season 6 of Weeds and I cannot wait to finish off the series. It’s so good! I need to check out Breaking Bad next! :) Me too. Baking is my weakness, but it gets so much worse in the fall! Sounds like your plan to visit your girlfriends from high school will be lots of fun!
*haha* And I love your idea to go as a squash! *hehe* Maybe I’ll go as a cute pumpkin!
I have an idea for your costume this year, Courtney. “Kitchen Witch” – wear your biggest apron with a fancy chef’s hat and just sew on all the items you use in the kitchen (eg spatula, grater, measuring spoons, flipper, cook book, oven gloves, the works!). Add a poof of flour to your face and outfit and away you go. When I did this a couple of years ago I used my largest bowl and filled it full of treats – when the kids came to the door I used my tongs to dip in and give out the goodies. Please post pics whatever you decide! Love your blog, Hugs, Auntie Shelly
*haha* Love that idea!!!! :)
Love that picture of the trees … I want to be wherever that is! I have yet to buy my first squash of the season but am pretty excited for it! I also bought that banana bread tea from David’s and had a cup last night .. at first it didn’t taste like much but once I let it steep longer it was so yummy! Thanks for mentioning my pie!
I agree! My first cup of the banana bread tea was not the best, but I let it steep longer for the second cup and it was delicious! Smelled amazing! :)
such a fun post! your apple pie smoothie sounds sooooo good, i totally need to try it!
Awe, thanks! It’s fun to write about different things sometimes.
The apple pie smoothie is soooo good. Love it. Such great flavours!
What a fun feature! I’ve been insanely busy and haven’t been keeping up, but I love the idea of doing a ‘currently’ type of thing. I really enjoyed reading this and getting to know you a little better, and switching up the focus from food to the rest of life is a great way to keep things interesting. :)
Awe, thanks Willow! :) It was a fun post to write. Made me look at my life and think about where I’m at and where I want to go. And it made me see I have lots to be thankful for :)
Lovely feature — and get well soon my friend. Plenty of sleep and rest is important!
Thank you! :) Finally feeling better. Fingers crossed the flu does not come back! :)
You at least got your wish about the Bombers!
Woooooo! Finally! :) Did you enjoy the game?
I want to reply to everything in this post, but I will try to keep it short!
I finished reading The World We Found and I actually didn’t like it as much as I was expecting to…it was still good, but I guess I just didn’t really get into the characters. I still liked Secret Daughter better! Also, I watched Best Exotic Marigold Hotel on my last plane ride and I really liked it…but that might have been because it brought back memories of India for me. If you like Indian culture, then I think you’ll like the movie too!
I’m so excited for my shows to come back – I’m looking forward to Up All Night, the Mentalist, and the new seasons of Survivor and Amazing Race (I’ll always be a sucker for those series!)
And I can’t believe how quickly Thanksgiving is coming and I haven’t had a chance to try out any recipes! I’ll be coming back from this trip the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend, so I won’t have time to make anything for my blog this year…oh well, at least I won’t miss the actual event and all the food!
Hope you’re feeling better by now :)
Thanks for commenting Genevieve! :)
I adore Indian Culture. I studied it in university when I was doing my pre-masters in Asian Studies. I cannot wait to visit India one day! Hopefully the movie will tide me over for now. *hehe*
Amazing Race is really good! It makes sense you love that show since you adore travelling so much! :)
I cannot wait to hear all about your trip! And see pics!
I am currently….wondering where my goddess guacamole and ferrero rocher cheesecake are? ….. LOVE YOU!
I’ll have to teach you how to make it all yourself :P