Crazy geese and chocolate cake

Yesterday we had to make a run to the Market Day store to get more of our favorite chicken, so we decided first to visit a little farm that is connected to a nature center we used to frequent. I was surprised to see three fat geese hanging out. They were aggressive, trying to nip at our shoes through a fence! I got some nice photos of them, so there, geese! We also saw some pretty horses, cows, and not-so-pretty pigs. You can check them all out here.

This morning we went to Ikea since we know they carry cheap desk lamps and I needed two for the lightbox Joe built me. First order of business, however, was breakfast. Ikea’s is surprisingly good, and only $2 for scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, and french toast sticks. The potatoes are my favorite ever since they got rid of the weird seasoning they used to put on them. The french toast tastes like elephant ears to me because they are deep fried. I usually give some of mine to Joe because they’re too greasy.

One of our finds today was a square grill pan for only $14.99. We were just discussing how one would be more convenient than the heavy two-burner grill plate we own, and there it was! I tried it out for dinner, grilling chicken breast, and it was perfect. After grilling, I put ham and swiss on top and stuck the chicken under the broiler, making little chicken cordon bleus. I made roasted broccoli and cauliflower to go along with it. Very tasty! Oh, and we topped off our meal with a slice of chocolate cake from Portillo’s. We had picked it up yesterday and had forgotten about it. I realized as we were eating it why it’s so damn good – it tastes almost exactly like a Hostess cupcake which I love but don’t buy anymore.

As I’ve already written, I can’t avoid the Christmas stuff anymore. The stores just won’t let me! I saw the cutest stocking stuffer at Target today, although I couldn’t justify the $7 price. I’ll do my best to explain it. First, take a look at this. Ok, so now picture a bigger globe with a tree as the piece that spins around inside. Then think of those white balls that are inside a bean bag chair. Now imagine when you push the button and the tree starts spinning, all the balls swirl around like snow. Very cute!

If you can’t beat ’em…

I give in. Christmas stuff is all around me and I cannot ignore it! Today I bought stocking stuffers for the kids and yesterday I bought ornaments at the Market Day store and Pier One just because I’ve found if you snooze, you lose. I don’t want to lose out because the stores feel it’s time to put out the Christmas decor even though it’s not yet Thanksgiving. I’m sorry for being a hypocrite. I’m still not putting up my decorations until December 15th, though. Well, maybe. You see, Joe built a lightbox for me so now I’m having too much fun photographing all the ornaments and stuff.

Gallery of Ghoulish Homes Tour

How cool is this Halloween decorating contest? I love stuff like this! I was perusing all the local towns’ park districts’ websites last weekend when I stumbled upon it.

Tonight we printed out the tour guide, loaded the kids up in the car, and toured some homes. I have to say, however, that it would have been nice if the tour gave directions from house to house instead of from the same “starting point” to each house. It made finding many of the houses difficult and even though we were out for over two hours I know we didn’t see all 27 participants.

We did see some real cool stuff, however. My favorite houses had people dressed up following you around to creep you out or sitting really still so you were convinced they were dummies and then making sudden movements to make you jump.

I am tempted to put each address into MapQuest and plotting a route so we can do the entire tour before Halloween. I want to get more photos!

Gallery of Ghoulish Homes Tour on Flickr

If you’re looking for some decorated homes in your own area, I also came across this site called GooGhoul where you put in your zip code to locate Halloween related events nearby.

Just say no

As soon as I walked into Michael’s (a craft store) today I knew I’d be writing this entry. How pathetic was their Halloween section? Well let’s just say there was half an aisle with mostly empty shelves. After all, they had to make room for the Christmas crap you know. There were several aisles full of ornaments, trees, decorations, etc. I was livid.

Why is the Christmas crap coming out earlier every year? Target put theirs out along with the Halloween stuff. This is why by the time December rolls around I am already fed up with the whole holiday! I took down the tree before New Years last year. Christmas does not need to last from September through January! That is pathetic and sad.

What about Thanksgiving? Has everyone forgotten that it comes after Halloween and before Christmas? Who is buying Christmas stuff in October already anyway? Yes, yes, you’re right, I got an ornament yesterday. I’m a hypocrite. It was in my face, and I wanted it. Is this why the stores put the stuff out earlier every year? I think if they wait until Thanksgiving they’ll still sell loads of stuff. I just don’t get the mentality behind it and every year it just irks me more.

Labor Day

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Labor Day! I didn’t crawl out of bed until 10:30 am because we didn’t get home from my parents’ last night until 1 am. We had a blast! Played lots of games including Friends Scene It and Guitar Hero with Brother #2. He seems happier since he dropped out of school. I worry about that decision, but it’s nice to see him less stressed and friendlier. He rarely spends the entire time hanging out with us when we visit, so it was nice. Plus I got him addicted to Pictionary, muhaha!

Playing two player mode on Guitar Hero was interesting. Apparently you can battle each other or play cooperatively. Brother #2 would play on Hard mode and I’d play on Easy yet he beat me every time except once. I’m impressed how quickly he can play that thing. Now Joe wants to get a second guitar so we can play two-player at home. We’ve actually got a rolling list of things we’d like to purchase this year if he doesn’t lose his job. He’s got an interview for another position on Friday, so please keep your fingers crossed.

We didn’t leave the house at all today. I wasn’t about to jinx it since I feel better than I have in nearly a month (check the private entry from a few days ago for the details). Maybe the new calcium pills I’ve started taking are having a positive affect. I watched a few movies including Shaun of the Dead (love that one), cleaned Peanut’s cage, and made a yummy dinner. I’m shocked how quickly the time passed since we didn’t do much.

I don’t want to go back to work!