Not having access to my laptop is not helping my already waning enthusiasm for NaBloPoMo.  Although, I did get quite a bit more done today, seeing as how distractions didn't come quite as easily.

Caitlin needed a model for part of her photography project, and the neighbor's tree is just so perfect right now.

And then I spent the afternoon baking bread and began working my way through that 30 pound pile of apples.  The crockpot is simmering away with cider butter, while juice strains overnight to make jelly.  I'm hoping to turn the rest into sauce or preserves, before I drive down to Kentucky Friday morning.

The sky was gorgeous tonight, as I stood by the kitchen window, peeling and chopping.  I kept rushing out the back door to capture the clouds and light.

I'm making my escape, for a few days, need to clear my head.  I baked a loaf of banana bread on Saturday and left out 1.5 cups of sugar. It took an entire day of pecking at that disgustingly bland loaf to figure out that I'd forgotten the second main ingredient.  Trivial as it may be, I never forget things like that, and it's a sure sign that I need change.  I need to get out of this house, find something to do, get my life back.

~RLM

slightly problematic

The power cord to my laptop snapped in two today, the little electric wires that keep things working all frayed and broken.

And now I'm dreaming more than ever of a lovely little Mac with MagSafe power connectors and a battery life greater than my IBM's measly 43 minute endurance.

~RLM

My brain doesn't seem to be working right now, so I'm blaming daylight savings time and leaving a photo instead of trying to write anything remotely interesting.

~RLM

NaBloPoMo, year three

While Socktoberfest was an epic fail on my part - I didn't even make it through the second clue of the myster sock - NaBloPoMo is too much of a tradition now to back out of. 

And I need to get back in this space, need to get back in the habit of writing again.  The words are still there, floating around in my head, I just need to force them into some semblance of coherent thought.

But that attempt will have to wait until tomorrow - DLST is doing a number on my brain today, and nothing I say will make much sense.

For now, a list of November goodness will have to suffice...

• There's a Vestvember movement going on amongst the knitterly peeps, I've got a pile of blue Malabrigo destined to become something adorable.
• A roadtrip to Kentucky and Tennessee to see some of my favorite people is in the works :)
• Grad school applications are due in a few weeks
• the new Vanity Fair hits stands on the 10th.  I might have to frame it. (the twifans will understand)
• A fresh stack from the library - cookbooks and Louisa May Alcott
• A friendly Twilight party and the New Moon premiere (my inner fangirl can't wait)
• Thanksgiving, golden holiday for the food obsessed
• Another round of block party fabric to work with
• A day spent in the kitchen with 30 pounds of apples and two dozen canning jars

~RLM

complete

One year + one week after the start date, my first 365 project is complete! 

I have to say, despite the absolute insanity of this past year, it was incredibly good.

And out of all the photos, I think that last one just might be my favorite. 

Year two starts today :)

~RLM

i like brown county

I found myself in Brown County twice this past week, in search of apples, bridges, and overwhelming displays of fall foliage.  It did not disappoint on any count, which is how I find myself with three hundred photos and 37 pounds of apples to deal with.  Not a bad situation, by any means.

Sharing said 300 photos is problematic, at best, so I'm going to split this up into a few different posts, with the highlights. 

So, part one, the Apple Works.  Located in Trafalgar, Indiana, it's a pretty half hour drive from the madre's house, and well worth the trip.  The apple selection is immense, the scenery is gorgeous, and the fresh cider donuts are of the best I've eaten.  Caitlin says Dunkin Donuts will never be the same.

Caitlin and I talked yesterday, about how odd it is to actually like it here.  To find ourselves out and about and actually enjoying Indiana after so many years resenting our presence in this state.  But Brown County is beautiful and reminds me so much of North Carolina, that I find myself wanting to go back again and again.  The winding tiny roads lined with looming trees are reminiscient of my savored drives out to Fuquay and Holly Springs, and a welcome counterpoint to the South Side and proximity to the city. 

I fear my inner city girl may be disappearing completely, as I felt more at peace, more at home, out in those trees this week than I have at any other point over the past three months.

Back tomorrow with scenes from the Beanblossom Covered Bridge, it's gorgeous there.  In the meantime, I've got to hunt down some canning jars to deal with a giant pile of apples.

~RLM