It is cold here in Texas. Dense clouds are choking the sky. The world is grey and wet. Yesterday the temperature dropped from the high of 75F all the way to 50F, and today we are in the low 40s. For the first time since February this year I’m wearing a sweatshirt. Alert the media.
My husband, of course, used this opportunity to build the first fire of the season in the fireplace “for the dogs.” The big aging bulldog has sprawled in front of it, bathing in the heat. That man bought more firewood. We have like 4 cords now. I don’t know what he thinks is going to happen this winter, but now we have to build some sort of roof over that wood, because the tarp ain’t cutting it.
A rustic Italian bread with semolina flour and sesame seeds is in the bread machine. We still have left over beer stew from yesterday. It is very delicious. I made a double batch and sent one up with Kid 1 to feed her boyfriend and his 4 year old son. I’ll have to check with her to see if they like it.
I’m baking some premade kolaches for breakfast. Baking is probably the wrong word. Warming up is more like it. And I brewed a cup of really strong black tea Mod R sent me last Christmas. I’ve been hoarding it. I put a little bit of Splenda and a lemon into it. Hehehe.
I might not even work out today. I might just pretend to be one of those little critters from Redwall, drink hot tea, and work on the book. 117, 611 words. 2 scenes left, maybe 3.
The plan was to finish this weekend, but on Friday I stopped being able to recall words. Normal words like bread. I was taking to Gordon in the kitchen, reached for the word, and got a blank. He’s been there and done that, so he waited the required 10 seconds that it took for my brain to finally process things and pointed out the obvious. Burnout is imminent.
It’s not that we vomited almost 120K in less than 6 months. It’s that a new world had to be built from scratch, and this summer was stressful for many professional reasons. So I did not work this weekend, except on the map with the artist. Becka has been very patient with me. I keep moving things around.
This week must be the final week. We need to get this book done so it can go into a brief edit to smooth the most obvious problems, then we revise, and off it goes. The next big project is Iron and Magic 2, but we will see if we do something very short as a palate cleanser. We’ll have to relisten to Iron and Magic on audio to refresh. It’s much easier than reading it, because the flaws aren’t as glaring.
Well, my kolaches are done and I poured a second cup of tea. Off I go. Happy Monday.
The first cold snap is my very favorite time of the year. Take your time and enjoy it! And per On the Banks of Plum Creek you can never have too much firewood 😎
it is yucky in Texas right now! i think we will get two nights below freezing in DFW this week; and it was in the 80 last week.
First fire of the season means it’s time to hibernate under a pile of blankets n the couch with tea… good remedy to stave off burn-out, too! Hope you get the peace and mental rest you need, and then finish the book. Also, a private squee at the mention of Redwall! Read those books obsessively way back when 😊
My middle brother and his wife started using their wood burner a few weeks ago, complete with taunting photos to the rest of us who just have your bog standard radiator. London is tending to the wet at the moment and Storm Ciaran is headed our way midweek so that’s something to look forward to.
I wish I had some kolaczki, poppy seed only though. May have to go on a trek to the deli. Or settle for a madeleine – it’s getting dark and windy out even if it’s not raining. . . yet
It’s raining in Zone 6 😂. Just give it time!
The other day it was raining on one side of our block but not the other! London microclimates are insane so it will probably be snow when it hits zone 1 😂
I’m in South Wales, got a weather warning for Storm Ciaran for the next few days, and it’s already started raining …. again! The joys of autumn 😞
Oooh! Poppy seed kolaczki! Must find a bakery and ask about that. The grocery store bakery section has raspberry and apricot, which are good, but oh, my! poppy seed is next level!
Distinct staying-home-from-school vibes here in London, too. A storm is pelting the windows, there’s soup simmering on the stove for dinner and the blankets on the sofa make the softest nest 🍂
I am just a bit north of you in Brushy Creek.
The old Tom cat we inherited when his owner passed, knows what the fire place is and is sitting and laying in front of it, not something he normally does.
I sincerely love what you write, I also sincerely hope you can pause for a bit.
we can all wait for you or get off the train.
Got our first big snow of the year this weekend along the Colorado Front Range (2 feet at the south end of town).
Sooo not ready for the season changes despite living here for 50+ years but staying warm and cozy on the couch yesterday was nice!
Fortunately, it’ll warm up to 65 by the weekend – that’s golf weather around here. 😄
I must be in the farther north part of the CO Front Range! My 2-7 inches predicted only ended up being on the maybe 1-2 inch side. But those mountains look amazing now that I can see them again!
lol. In another part of the front range, and we got 6 inches.
Very much a cuddle in front of the fire weekend.
It does sound like a nice lazy day for a fire. We’ve been going between 40 and 80 since September. This weekend we hit 80 again, today maybe 77. Tomorrow on Halloween it will probably be low 50’s. Its been so confusing in Nj that even the trees look confused. Some are already bare, some are the pretty fall oranges, red and browns and some are still partially green.
I really would like it to just pick a season
There are No flaws in Iron and Magic!
+
Was coming here to say the exact same thing.
Agreed.
+99
Just rereading Iron and Magic because I can’t remember any flaws 🙂 But of course that might be the difference between the reader who enjoys the story as it is and the maker who intimately knows all the possible ways his work of art could have been created and how he want it to be.
Have yourself a nice quiet day with tea, cookies, a nice fire crackling in the fireplace, and whatever other coziness you can manage to indulge in. You deserve it, and I’m sure the writing will be much easier later on. Enjoy!
It has just hit 50F here in NJ (it was in the low 40’s this morning) but I’m definitely not complaining. After a hot and humid summer (which describes most NJ summers!) I am ready for the crisp and even chilly fall weather, cozy blankets to snuggle under, hot mugs of tea (or hot chocolate, hot apple cider, etc) and a good book…heavenly! 🥰
I would say I feel badly for the trick-or-treating kids walking around collecting their Halloween spoils today, but they are so hopped up on sugar and general Halloween excitement that they don’t even notice the weather! 😂
+1000
*squee* What flaws? Who? What?? I just re-read Magic Tides and Claims, then went through Innkeeper again <3 I am very excited that there may be an addition to Iron and Magic. Please take care of yourselves. Your DBH doesn't only care about the delicious books we devour, but you also!
We didn’t even get an “Open Window Day” this year. (For those of you unfamiliar w/ Jeff Millar’s old columns in the Houston Chronicle, that’s the day you turn off the A/C, open a window, take a deep breath, close the window, and turn on the heat.)
I debated letting the house get really chilly before I turned the heat on, but it isn’t getting warmer by more than a degree or two all day. It’s just easier to keep the place comfortable.
What!? I ‘m lazy. Sue me.
(The cats approve. I got complaints from both sides as I served breakfast this morning. It takes a little while to get things warmed back up…)
I remember him!! Yep, that’s Houston. I have on a long-sleeved T shirt, beef stew on the stove, but my house hasn’t really cooled off yet, so I’ve got all the fans running. Gotta love it.
Soup weather is upon us. Yesterday I made pintos and smoked turkey. Next is minestrone. And I need a better recipe for borscht. My favorite season!!
I seem to remember a HA recipe for borscht at some point. Might be imagining that though.
I woke up to snow on the ground in eastern Ontario 😖 and a high of 0 C (32F).
I know winter comes every year butI just never seem to be ready for it.
What a cozy update. Glad you took the weekend off. Called it an extra rest day today and I regret nothing.
Frost overnight and into the 70s during the day with a red flag advisory for high winds and low humidity, Facebook has been reminding me of fires and evacuations past ever since the first week of October, so am looking forward to November.
Now your post makes me want to use those bananas in the freezer and make some banana bread. Mmmmmm, banana bread. And maybe some apple butter shall be slowly cooking in the crock pot.
I’ll be eating almond butter toast and hot soup today.
We’re expecting snow on Halloween here in Wisconsin….a relisten of Iron and Magic sounds good…a pallet cleanse between releases
I’m in the process of moving on Friday. For me the weather is perfect to get rid of stuff to the dumpster without taking one thing out and getting heat exhaustion after. The wind, however, is brutal when it whips up from the north. It’s still not as bad as when I went to see family in northern Indiana and the lake effect snow was swirling with the horrendous wind.
I did have to put an extra afghan on my bed early this morning because I was shivering to the point my muscles were hurting. Once I did that, I warmed up just nicely.
Stay warm and dry everyone!
Moving sucks. I wish you energy and ease.
Thanks! It’s a pain. Moving always puts my organization skills to the test. The nice thing is I’m moving across the street, so it’s not quite as bad as it could be.
Got great movers, so I don’t have to ask friends to help. Plus it’s a great way to get rid of stuff. 😀
The “extra afghan on the bed” conjures a mental cartoon of snuggling with several afghan hounds. “Three dog night” anyone?
🤣🤣🤣
“Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night came to mind.
I crochet blankets (aka afghans) in one piece since granny squares get boring and frustrating. No dogs were harmed in making or finishing the blankets. 😁
I’ve lived in Wien for over 12 years now, Climate change has been keenly visible in hindsight. This year we went from full summer to late fall overnight, and yesterday we left daylight savings time behind. So all of a sudden it’s cold and dark. And we can’t turn on the heat in the living room for cat reasons — they are inconvenient, but we love them. We have an end unit that abuts another building so we usually heat our apartment through the winter via our neighbors’ heat — to the point that if we turn on our own we get wayyyyy too hot. But since we crashed into late fall so abruptly, it seems no one wants to be the first to turn their heat on — and we can’t. I mean, I could go hang out in the bedroom, which we CAN heat, but it makes me feel like a slug to stay in bed all day. Ironically, the very cats that prevent us from heating the living room take full advantage of the heat in the bedroom, and instead of drama over Who Sits on the Couch, we have Who Sleeps in the Bed.
IOW, not much going on, but I understand the climate.
Have you thought of, or can even get, Dyson’s hot/cold fan? There are no blades for cats to get hurt. Also, if it gets tipped over, the fan will stop running.
It’s expensive. However, it’s nice to have when a space gets cold.
I love the Iron and Magic audiobook. such a great voice it made it so much easier to not hate Hugh.
We’re getting the tail-end of the cyclone that hit Vanuatu so hard last week. Very much downgraded, but suitably wet and miserable as my family and I prepare to farewell my mum…
If your comment means a permanent farewell: ((Hugs)) and sympathy on your loss. 🫂
Thank you, she passed away on Sunday after a long journey with dementia. She’s at peace now, but leaving a huge hole in our hearts…
My sympathies. My grandma also went thru a long journey with dementia, and it felt like losing her a little bit at a time. After she passed, knowing that she was at peace made it easier.
I also eventually realized that she is still here with me and always will be. I wish the same for you…sending virtual hugs.
My deepest condolences.
Given the reliability (ahem) of the Texas power grid, having a little extra wood on hand for the winter seems like a good idea!
Bonus, that fire looks delightfully cozy!
I live in Katy (west of Houston for those not familiar) and my power already flickered 2-3 times today. This does not bode well for winter!
Happy Monday to you! I turned 62 yesterday and we got 8 inches of snow since 10pm last night and it’s still coming down. My pitty is laying on the heating pad because she went out in 28 degree weather and snow and in the time it took me to pour a cup of coffee, she apparently froze.
My much older sheltie was running around in the snow like a puppy and was having so much fun I thought I’d have to carry him in. Of course his bed is right in front of the radiator.
I’ve cleaned the kitchen and started disassembling a stack of old computers to rescue their hard drives. Then they’re going to be recycled.
(I live on an Island in Lake Superior. the northern part of the Keweenaw peninsula. We’re going to get another 6-8 inches of snow by 6am tomorrow.
Many happy returns! Hope the snow is cosy and you have all you need 🤗
Happy Monday. Enjoy your day. May the rest of the scenes go smoothly.
Had our first snow in Nebraska this week. I’m jealous of your fireplace, I really wish I had one here. Almost done organizing the house out here and getting it ready for my cousin to use it while I’m gone for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait to get back to California where it’s not frozen. I love my family here in Nebraska, but I miss my husband out there in California. Living this split life thing is kind of weird
I’m headed to Houston next week from the east coast and can’t wait to get my dose of kolache!!
I googled how much wood is in a cord, and Google helpfully let me know that one cord is 957.5 liquid gallons.
So apparently 4 cords would be 3,830 gallons of liquid wood.
The obvious conclusion is that you should keep your cords of wood in a swimming pool or large aquarium.
Isn’t Google so helpful sometimes! 😂
Hugh’s moat could hold all that liquid wood. 🤣🤣🤣
Google…such a helpful search engine (rolling eyes).
LOL, WTF? I guess it won’t matter if it gets rained on then.
we had our first snow fall 10/23 and the roads became chaotic…. the roads were really slippery and vehicles can’t drive up inclines and lots of cars end up in the ditch….
welcome to winter in our side of the world
We’ve been doing Christmas in Austin, so the brother in Dallas will drive over and stop to pick up kolaches on the way. He gets the sausage ones. They’re very good and they last for days.
I’ve never asked if there are other options besides sausage.
It’s always so weird to see “kolache” mention in the same breath as sausages. I’m Czech and the filling of “koláče” is only ever sweet so I can’t quite wrap my head around it. But I bet it’s good, they’re always good 😀 I really want to visit Texas on my next US trip and try it all 🙂 My favourite filling is quark, poppy seed or kind of plum spread.
I have not yet been to a Buc-ees. I need to get that on the next trip to Texas, per Sean’s recommendation. 😉
They were always my favorite; I never got into the ones with a sweet filling. One of the things I miss about Texas is sausage kolaches – they are not a thing in Maryland.
There was a BBQ place in DC that had them. Hill Country maybe? I don’t remember what kind I got; it was six years ago, but they definitely hit the spot at the time.
It’s cooked down here in Tucson as well, highs only in the 70s, but it should warm up a bit next week. Not sure if I’m jealous of everyone’s fall-like weather or not. It just is a reminder that winter IS coming.
Saturday I went to the Texas Ren Fest and it was 88 degrees. I felt sorry for all the people in their heavy leather and velvet costumes. Yesterday it was 86 here in Spring (burb on the North side of Houston). Today I don’t think we’ll get out of the 40’s. It’s rainy, windy and dark; an all around blah day. I absolutely hate the cold but seeing as I’m in the Houston area I just need to give it a bit and the weather will change. By Thursday it’s supposed to be sunny and in the mid 70’s. Got to love Houston weather.
The heated mat for my dog was the Best. Puchase. Ever. She is face down in that mat basking in the heat as she is in full hibernation mode.
Steve West does such a fantastic job reading Iron and Magic. He is forever now who I hear as Hugh – I hope you enjoy the reread as much as the rest of us do!! You’ve done amazing work as always – rest, recharge, enjoy the fire that was “for the dogs” lol.
Iron and magic 2! *excited* I love love love that book and will wait patiently but excitedly for the sequel!!
Just wanted to let you know Finland 🇫🇮 is freezing and it started to snow today. 🥶
No I don’t think it’s going to last without melting next week but still. Super cold end of October. Loved the sunny days it brought.
Winter time is back so sun sets 4.30 pm
😵💫🎃😵💫
Rest your brain! It’s scary when the words go. I can live with Finnish being slow in my head but now first time Covid wrecked my English. Not acceptable 🤦♀️
We had snow over the weekend in Colorado. Well on it’s way to melting already, but it was 3 degrees outside when I left for work.
Bleh! Cold and wet is not fun, but a fire in the fireplace and fresh bread baking sound fine. I confess to being curious about the ‘really strong black tea’, though.
Love to hear that the latest is about ready to head out!
Probably the Christmas Tea from Fortnums 🙂 https://www.fortnumandmason.com/christmas-black-tea-200g
Have you ever tried their Pickled Brussel Sprouts? They only appear at Christmas, I keep trying to work up the courage – and I love sprouts – and hoping that they’ll have a taste test version out on the day I go down to London to enjoy the lights and the Christmas windows, just in case I plump for a jar and they’re not good! (Mind you, when have Fortnum’s ever had a bad product?)
I have! The texture is lovely, I’m crazy about a crisp crunchy pickle. The taste is a little too aromatic for me- more on the cumin and coriander side, which are not my faves. I’d like to recreate it at home with a more straightforward brine of just vinegar, sugar, peppercorns and maybe some lovely horseradish.
Both versions sound intriguing! Thanks, I’ll pop it on this years shopping list!
Are you trying to clear out your sinuses? Oooo, vinegar and horseradish?! Wow!
Add turmeric, mustard seeds and celery seed!
Hey ModR, last summer (2022) I went pickle-crazy and tried pickling all sorts of things from our CSA farm share, including ripe cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, green beans, and yes – Brussels sprouts. As I recall, I used the same very basic brine with each (no cumin etc.) I will try to find the recipe and post it…it was a fun, tasty, and pretty successful experiment! 😋
Thank you.
I made 2 loaves of pumpkin bread this morning and a batch of empanadas. I feel justified drinking tea and reading the rest of the day.
Happy Halloween 🎃💀
ilona.exe failed to execute…reloading….reloading
😄
We got the same cold snap over the weekend here in Colorado, although ours came with snow. Made Beef Burgundy stew to keep warm. I had never made it before, so need to make sure to halve the recipe next time, or invite people to help eat it. Made way too much for 2 people.
Love love love kolaches! 🤩😋
I’m just south of you, made potato soup and turned on the furnace.
First snow for us, it is early for that. I would like to stay in Texas instead of Quebec lol lol
Still haven’t turned my heating on, but then I love the cold so am still in short-sleeved shirt and tie for school right now and it’s about 12-15oC right now.
Hope you have a gently productive week so you can relax and enjoy your pallet cleanser – maybe something food related as it’s meant to cleanse your pallet!
let’s see, Monday there were four inches of snow to clean off the car, tuesday there were three inches of snow to clean off the car and wednesday there were 2 inches to clean off the car…. no garage so this will continue. as of today there is still snow in the pasture and it’s only 26 degrees at 2PM. oh joy, winter is almost here. and i am the one that gets to take my sisters dog out for breaks while she’s staying with us. at least i have the right winter gear… 🙂
85 degrees in central NC today. It’s supposed to get down to 37 tomorrow night, and it’s going to rain. We get big temperature swings here, but this is on the extreme side. On the positive side, the fall foliage is lovely this year.
The fire looks wonderful and Sookie looks happy. I have sourdough bread and am getting ready to slice skirt steak, bell pepper and onion for fajitas.
It’s 82 degrees right now but won’t get out of the 50’s tomorrow and lows in the lower 30’s the rest of the week (NC).
Probably moving after the first of the year and absolutely dread it. I look at everything in the house and I swear it multiplies in the night!
Rest and stay cozy.
Oh, my gosh! REDWALL. That brings back memories. It was my favorite book as a kid. I still have the paperback (tied together with ribbon because it fell apart) in my memory chest. I might have to find a digital copy and re-read it (no cold snap here just yet but plenty of tea).
I LOVED Redwall as a kid! Especially the descriptions of food! 🤣
As a wee dibbon, “Deeper n’ever Turnip n tater n beetroot POI!!” was definitely a winner at home, once I’d persuaded Mum to make it after reading the book(s) at her repeatedly as were candied chestnuts!
I might put out the one with the traveling carnival. Suitability creepy for Halloween.
Is there a good way to make chestnuts? I remember being intimidated by the hard shell and the fiber-like layer as a kid. Might try them again this winter.
I’m a throwback in my family. I love cold weather.
Today was a bracing 35 degrees, and tomorrow is my 31st Wedding Anniversary. (Yes, we got married on Halloween. Yes, it was awesome.)
Unfortunately, I caught a cold mid way through last week, and I’m not quite well enough to go out to celebrate. Hubby took the day off, so we’re planning on watching season 5 of Ghosts (BBC show, very funny), having dinner, and sipping hot toddies.
Hope the week goes better!
Happy 31st on the 31st! 🥳
I have not seen the original BBC version of Ghosts, but I do like the US version. The BBC version is supposed to be good. They’re not always successful transferring a BBC production to the US (I’m looking at you “Couples”), so I’m curious to see how the BBC version compares since I saw the US version first.
Side note: New Doctor Who (with David Tennant!) in November! Squeeee!
So, David Tennant came back? He was one of the better Doctors.
He and the actress that played Donna will be back for 3 special episodes/movies for the 60th anniversary, then they’ll introduce the new Doctor.
So excited- dropped cable tv this year so hoping it will be on streaming.
Ilona, Gordon, ModR – wishing you all restful and enjoyable days this week. Thank you for all you do for us!
Flying to New Orleans tomorrow for four days. First flight since 2019 for me & first since 2018 for my husband. Kind of weirded out but we need to do this 🤣🤣..
I think it will be on Disney+.
love kolache. make them regularly but if you can’t Butter Maid bakery makes good ones
Sounds like a cozy day! 40 degrees in Texas 😲yeesh! Cute pic of pup with next to the fireplace. Thanks for sharing
Please take care of yourself!! Slow and steady and no burnout!!
Has cooled down very fast up in the PNW (Pacific Northwest), down to near freezing at night. Have had the fire on several times (for the cats, of course).
Started a crock-pot chicken and dumplings today (single, so use cornish hen).
Leaves are turning, sky is blue, looks like heading for the mid 50’s today, back down to the mid 30’s tonight, and rain for the rest of the week. I know that is not “cold” to a lot of folks in this country, but we’re used to being wet, not cold!
🙂
PS – Sookie such a sweet looking dog — reminds me of my parent’s first boxer they had in the 50’s … “Brigand Princess of Dixie” … had the same head and body shape, but in fawn instead of brindle, and same long-suffering look when dealing with “her” children, my sisters.
Went out to leave for work this morning and turned around to get a sweater. It was 47 degrees outside. Last week with high 70s. This is Southern CA. We use the wood stove on the patio to stay outside in the evenings.
there used o be a Kolache shop on 35 with a parking lot big enough to stop and shop with an 18 wheeler just north of Austen. When headed home to Dallas I always grabbed a couple of sacks for an Irish friend and an ex-CIA friend in my Home group (AA)
Your weather is similar to Massachusetts this past weekend. 80s Thursday through Saturday then here comes winter. My older cat was not amused in the temperature drop. Plopped herself on top of me. Would not get off till she was pushed off. Then the terrorist got a hold of a trinket and rattled it continuously. I got the message. If you aren’t going to turn the central heat on yet, won’t let me sleep on top of you thenplug in my electric cat bed. Once that happened, she settled on it and went right to sleep. I am enslaved by an 11 pound animal. How does this happen?
Omg thats 😂 love pets with attitude 😆
It’s been 40 degrees or less in the mornings, Sacramento California area. It spit snow in Tahoe last Wednesday. It’s barely warming to 70 today, and has been in the low 60’s last week. I placed flannel sheets on the bed.
Apple cider was made this weekend. And I keep looking at my Baba’s recipe for pedaheh. For the upcoming holidays it can be made and frozen. Kolach, too (a braided bread, different from what House Andrews is making)
Have our first snow in middle Sweden now as well, and immediately 30cm with dunes… Some nice knitted blankets and fire in the stoves to keep warm 🙂
we’ve started drifting into colder weather here. keeping a sharp eye on my growing setsuma oranges hoping i can harvest them prior to any actual freeze
Happy Monday! I’m glad that you’re slowing down a bit today 🙂
Your soup and bread sound yummy and absolutely perfect for the cooler weather.
In West Virginia, it started 67F at 7am, started raining, and was 48F at 2:30p when I got off work.
I got home and immediately heated a bowl of Campbell’s Chicken Pot Pie soup, drank hot tea, and then put plastic over the ACs.
We also spent the weekend in front of the fire drinking hot drinks. 29 degree days and 6 inches of snow. Of course, we live in Colorado, so it was time for the weather change. What made it cozier was the excuse it gave me for reading! Reread Innkeeper series. Was a nice weekend.
I miss the snow😞 originally from up north NY.
Live here in NC and most times wear shorts thru the winter.
I go to the mountains to get my fix 😋
My professors are agreeing to a dry colder than norm winter on the US east coast. I don’t want another Xmas like we had in NC last year…
I’m chuckling because that’s the exact same temps we had up here in Maine.
I cozied up under blankets on Saturday, but it was 75° today. Around here, the kids have two versions of costume – short sleeve for daytime, long sleeve for after dark.
We had one last lovely warm, sunny day today, and then that front rolled in shortly before sunset. The temp has dropped at least 20 degrees in four hours, and it’s been spitting rain on and off. Heading down to 45F by morning, and not far above that tomorrow. Crockpot weather!
I totally get the aphasia thing. Every time I think I’ll have a chance to sit and recharge, something else happens. Every time something gets crossed off the list, something else has to go on it. Usually more than one thing, in fact. I might drink different teas all day tomorrow, with good local honey. It’s a plan.
Chicago area will have snow with wind chill of 28°F tomorrow….
Allegedly not as much snow as in 2019, but we shall see….
I remember a few rainy Halloweens when I was a kid; don’t remember any snowy ones.
🎃 + ❄️ =🧥over costume!
I’m glad you had a good weekend. Do what you want, you’ve had a busy year and that won’t stop.
You are in DFW as well? The forecast says that it will go into the 90s next week. In the meantime… coats, coats, and more coats!
I’m sorry, that was intended to be a reply to a comment, not a comment itself.
If you use the Reply button under the comment it will be chained where you intend and I’ll delete the duplicate 🙂
It’s been mid 40’s this past week, below freezing at night here in Boise, Idaho. I had to start wearing socks at night to keep my feet warm. Back to 60’s this next weekend. Snow in the mountains but not here in the valley. Time for my flannel nightie and hot tea at night. Happy Halloween everyone. Ilona, take your time writing. The BDH appreciates and enjoys everything you and Gordon write.
I am burning out too. husband let me fall back asleep this morning. I woke up at kid departure time to a melting down kid 1 saying her breakfast was burnt, told hubby to take kid 2, banned kid 1 from TV for the day for being late and sassing her dad, and fell back asleep.
it was 40 degrees this morning. we got an email right after hubby dropped off kid 1 – late – asking for pants for kid 2 because he had apparently got out of the house in shorts. this is 40 degrees Fahrenheit. we got an email after school from kid 2’s teacher reminding us that coats are not optional for kid 2’s age group. the kicker of everything was that I had just done the requisite “does it still fit” fall ritual yesterday. it all still fit and was located, so there really was no reason for kid 2 to be in shorts and a long sleeved tee in 40*. I am in Michigan, and kid 2 decided to go outside to play barefoot in his pajamas the previous morning and simply remarked that his feet got cold, but ya know. we can’t have the teachers get cold by looking at kid 2’s outfit.
I’ve got shenanigans at work too, so it’s just all over. thank goodness for knitting. I’m doing a garter stitch baby blanket so I can just stare at nothing while my hands work.
We likewise have had a pleasant indian summer, to now having nighttime lows around 30 degrees. Goodbye dahlias and other summer stuff. Moving my orchid cacti into my (new!) greenhouse.
I’m always glad to say goodbye to summer heat but really am sad to see flowers & plants die.
I likewise lighted a fire and 2 of my cats had to investigate the warmth.
Now to plant tulips & daffodils before the ground freezes!
Ooh enjoy your greenhouse!
A greenhouse is on our ‘list’, but there are still things to do for the house, so who knows when we’ll get to it.
Sounds like a great Monday! I hope you extended your weekend off, myself. Best wishes for a satisfying conclusion to the current project!
“very short” 😀
All the love and support for you, HA!
I second the comment. We cannot be the only people whose pointed ears perked up to hear about a “short” think, as we try, bravely, to avoid rolling on the floor, laughing …
Thing. Help, Mod R.
A “do nothing” weekend! Good for you! You need it!
Unset of the cold season makes me want to hybernate. But it has been unseasonably warm here, then we get a few days that are normal for this time of year. Brrrr. Halloween is usually cold, wet, and sometimes blustery. When not, the kids are coming by the carload.
You guys have a good spook night
may the cold weather allow you time and energy to do fun cooking and crafting. It’s 35°c here at the moment and only going up so I’m a tiny bit jealous of the cool weather and the hot chocolates in front of the fire. Would a tiny tiny cookbook be a pallet cleanser???? just because you always have amazing foodie bits in all your books. A thought only, from a devoted bdh member.
Are you guys going to try to submit to a NYC imprint or self-publish? I just want to know if I have to wait 4 months or 15 months for Maggie. 😅 Trying not to be too impatient.
A decision has not yet been made 🙂
“If you are a reader, you have to wait a bit until we decide what to do with it.
We will announce what happens to this book as soon as it does. You will know when we will know.” from https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/what-is-it/
Sending sunny and warm thoughts from the Philippines! Hope you’re able to take as much time as you need to rest so you can avoid that burnout.
I’m in GA. Chili and cornbread for us today. 20 degree drop from yesterday’s high and first freeze of the season tonight.
Now I want to know the black tea. Anything you hoard must be amazing!
It’s probably the Christmas Tea from Fortnums 🙂 https://www.fortnumandmason.com/christmas-black-tea-200g
My friend sent a meme about how the body needs at least one “lazy” day to re-set and recharge. I hope you enjoy your relaxation time.
Cozy. Sounds like a perfect day.
The first thoughts into my head while reading the blog post – Yes someone else has a husband who does X project and now has to do Z and Y plus A B C to finish the project. Someone understands. Then my second thought was Yes, someone else has kids that when you send them something, you have to be the one to call and see if they like it.
Sending you lots of thoughts of energy to finish the last chapters and edits. I hope you get to spend some time in front of the cheerful fire.
Flaws? Pshaw! What Flaws? As a proud member of the BDH, I declare I have have read every book you wrote and only one – well I can’t say it was flawed. It just triggered my creep meter but I suspect it was supposed to so not flawed
blessed Samhain! May a new year restart your energy. Meantime, rest and refresh. Tea! Always tea! And stay warm. We are remarkably cold even with sun just now.
We went from 84 a week ago to 31 this morning. It’s after 1 pm and only 34 degrees. On the plus side, it’s motivated me to knit more. Since Friday I’ve finished a pair of mittens and two children’s hats. I hope to finish at least one adult hat before my Thursday knitting group, then a headband for a friend with early dementia before Saturday. 99% of my knitting is for charity, and with the cold weather here, we are even more motivated.
I can’t be the only one dying to know what kinda tea that is that Mod R sent you.
Probably the Christmas Tea from Fortnums 🙂 https://www.fortnumandmason.com/christmas-black-tea-200g
Enjoy your blustery day!
What kind of topping(s) do you put on your kolaches, Ilona? We have a lot of Cech people in our area, so that’s a favorite treat around here. My favorites are poppy seed, also the cherry.
Glad you took me time. You deserve it! You work too hard to fee us, the BDH. I am sorry but we love your magical minds and amazing stories. That said we will always eagerly want more.
Happy Halloween
That fireplace looks amazing with that beautiful dog. I’m sorry to hear about your burnout. I’m more sorry about being selfish, coz if you are feeling a burnout then it means an awesome book is on its way, so I’m a little happy for me. ( hence why I am selfish, sorry 😞). I’m really really excited about this palate cleanser🎉! Maybe something in Kinsmen??? Or maybe having ‘Free Friday’ and/or Friday Talks? For a little while? Just to see how some of our characters are doing? (Am I being selfish again?😳)
Meanwhile, here in socal, it’s in the mid 80’s and the last 2 days have had single-digit humidity. Thank goodness we’re up to 15% today.
Very glad you had a low-key weekend; and there’s tea and good smells from bread baking! Happy Monday to you as well!
I’m sitting here watching The Book Club, Second Chapter. I think Jane Fonda had a face lift, she reminds me of Madonna’s new face now.
I put my electric mattress pad and flannel sheets on the bed two weeks ago, so nice to crawl into a warm bed at night.
you are teaching me how to be professional and self-care, thankyou!
Love the concept of a writing palate cleanser (lol wrote pallet first – hard to cleanse). Like a sorbet. A short story? A script? Snippets with no editing? A dusted off bottom drawer concept? A crossword? Recipes? More text messages between characters? An inter HA world dinner party scene. Book art? Fight scenes with no context?
I’ve been wondering What would happen if Gertrude Hunt met Helen, Kaylin’s home in Michelle Sagara’s world?
Would you share your kolache recipe?
❤️
Can the maybe possibly short something be in Kinsman universe?? Pretty please? 😍🥹
+1
We are excited, but we will wait patiently so your brain does not explode.
Iron Magics 2…OMG, I don’t believe. So happy.