LOVE THURSDAYS

I am the first one to admit that I hate the cold weather. I always want summer to just last and last with those endless days of 100 degree temps. Glorious. So it's very grudgingly that I will agree that there is something to be said about the change in seasons. The Fall season started to tug at my heart a couple of weeks ago actually, when we pulled in to the Farmer's Market and the pumpkin guy had his big trailer full of pumpkins parked outside. I was instantly drawn into the idea of buying every single pumpkin and gourd. Chris said no.

Fall has a way of sneaking up on you here in Oklahoma. It starts with just one leaf and very gradually a tree starts to turn to different shades of reds and golds. It's almost like the season knows that I will love it only if I am introduced and acclimated to it slowly. And really, what's not to love? The Fall season brings beautiful color changes, evening campfires and smores with friends, silly costumes and parades. I will forgive the cooler temperatures for all of the above. Plus, I always seem to forget just how much I enjoy choosing a pumpkin and figuring out the best way to carve it.

This years pumpkin has all these lovely knobby warty things all over it. The other evening Chris caught me lightly caressing and tracing faces on it with my finger. He just shook his head and walked away. But I'm saving the carved pumpkin for another entry. Happy Love Thursday!

LOVE THURSDAY

It's easy to forget that my sister and I were once little together. There was a short window of time where we enjoyed playing dress-up, watching cartoons, and playing with Barbies together. Then Janell was a teenager and I was still little. She was off doing semi-grownup things while I was still playing dress-up. I became used to "no, you're too little".

The best part of growing up is that it makes those age differences that seemed so huge as kids, very minuscule to adults. Eventually I was no longer too little to tag along and Janell and I started hanging out together again. Over the years our relationship has been like a roller coaster. We are distant; we are close. But we are always sisters. Nothing can change that.

Saturday, Chris and I had the chance to sit down to dinner with Janell. It was a rare treat to just sit and be with her and only her. As I sat there and listened to her talk about her adventures in teaching, I couldn't help but be a bit proud. It's nice to see her come into her own. Even though sometimes I still see us as the two little girls in nightgowns wearing Burger King crowns.

Happy Love Thursday!

LOVE THURSDAY

A year ago Chris and I decided to change the way we eat. I was resistant and pouty at first because I new it meant more work. I didn't see how we could possibly do it considering that we live in a very Wal-Mart dominant City. That first grocery shopping trip to the health food store took hours. We had to read every label, ponder every purchase, and gulp over the final bill. But we learned what to buy and where to buy it and now the weekly grocery shopping trip is an outing that we actually enjoy.

But it doesn't end with the shopping. I enjoy planning our meals. Even when I come home from a long tiring day, I find joy in chopping and preparing the evening meal. I've begun to rely on cookbooks and my collection of them is growing. The last time I was home I was even able to pry some of Mom's old recipe cards from her. I now have the only written copy of the famous Pea-picking Cake. I've promised Chris that recipe stays just between us, but I will tell you that there are no peas in the cake. In fact, no one has any idea why it's even called Pea-picking Cake. But we all agree that it is the best cake ever.

My initial fears over the big food change was just silly. We all know how important food is, particularly the right food. Most of those great memories of childhood revolve around the family gathering around the dinner table or hanging out in the kitchen. And it's only right that it should be a huge part of our attempt to think out of the box and try new things.

Happy Love Thursday.

LOVE THURSDAY

Our friends often point to Chris and I as the model couple. While I find this flattering, I also tend to roll my eyes a bit when people go on about how perfect our relationship is. Don't get me wrong. Chris and I are perfectly matched. We just don't see it as a big deal and I think that there are other couples out there that are an even better example of a good relationship than Chris and I like The Jens.

I think we forget that the Jens' are an actual couple. They're not just two girls living in the same house. They are a couple. And they are often the couple I look up to. Their relationship is not easy. Besides the usual relationship battles, they have to put up with the prejudices of the outside world. They have to live in a society that does not accept them as a couple.

Saturday was supposed to be Jen's first art show and we've all been scheming and planning for the event. I love watching Jen and Turayis work together to make this happen for Jen. They are a team. I'm so proud of Jen, but I'm even more proud to have these two as my friends. I also know that despite the cancellation of Jen's show, they will find a way to do another one some where else.

Happy Love Thursday!

LOVE THURSDAY

Yesterday was the first day of Fall, but I'm still clinging to the last of summer. I'm just not ready to put away my tank tops and sandals. It helps that the garden still thinks it's summer. I love going out there and finding bugs like these.

I also love that I went out there to look for the new things that are sprouting, but instead I found the lady bug. Oh...and some carrot sprouts.

Enjoy! Happy Love Thursday!