Long Good Week

Perhaps I shouldn't have tried to commit to blog every day in a month that I knew I would be so busy ... oh, well. Yesterday, by the time I got home and unwound ... there just wasn't enough juice in me to spin a good tale.

Yesterday was rehearsal day. I got to see my c-suite exec practice their speech. It was interesting. And I don't envy the position of having to deliver a speech to 15,000 people. I wish them all the best in having a kick-arse delivery tomorrow.

Today I was able to attend a session to hear other company leaders motivate their teams. They did an excellent job. I was quite impressed with the authenticity and energy they conveyed. I also got to see a special session that a friend of mine worked on ... it was great. Of course it was, she is awesome.

And finally I got attend an event that helps you understand some of the strategies of where the company is heading. Again, marvelously executed. Lots of energy.

Yes, this week is one that always reminds me about the excitement of working for a Fortune 50 company. It also is the week that officially gets me into straight-on autumn agenda. Yay!

The Making of the Soup

  Saute garlic, onions and red pepper. 

 Take roasted tomatoes out to cool (but just a bit)

 Dice other tomatoes (smoky heirlooms)

 Add tomatoes and basil (lots of it)

Add stock and bring to boil and then simmer

Introduce immersion blender to soup and puree

Bag and freeze

Tomato Harvest and Football

Today I was a vintage housewife. I spent the day in the kitchen, doing laundry ... oh and throw in a soccer game in between.  I made some yummy tomato basil soup and caprese salad to help use some of the abundance of tomatoes that we have. I will post the photos tomorrow, as I am still technically challenge.

I also realized that while I've always been glad I'm not a fishing or hunting widow (which means, during those seasons your husband disappears and you're on your own ...) I am a Fantasy Football casuality. As D stayed in the bedroom with the TV and various electronic devices to keep track of his score.

Oh, well ... at least he was still in the house when I needed him.

A Day of Cleaning Up

Today was a humble Saturday. It was spent cleaning up both the vegetable garden (the tomatoes really flourished more than expected.)  And then it was spent saying farewell to my side garden.

Oh, the side garden. A few years go, I was quite aspirational. I wanted to create a native garden that provided a nice cottage asthetic to our yard. Small white picket fence included. I carefully selected native plants and used plans to determine the layout of the garden. I hunted for a specific bush to anchor it.

It was a good plan. Where it failed is in the execution. You see ... I am good with vegetables, but apparently not flowers. The garden basically went the way of the side of the road. Wild, chaotic and just not pretty. Not even the white picket fence could help it.

Therefore, today I pulled up all the plants and next weekend we'll be placing seed over it and turning it back into the lawn. It was therapeutic. And unfortunately a reminder of the many times I have a great plan ... and have a hard time following through. I'm a great starter ... a great ideator. I just need someone else to execute. Or force me to execute. Yes, D was the one who put his foot town and requested I get rid of the garden (or eyesore as he liked to call it.) Good call, D. Good call.

The Woman Behind the Mask

This is the post I planned today last night, to keep with my every day September posts, but by time I got home it was too late and I couldn't figure out how to get the photos uploaded from my iPad to the blog. Had to wait until I could go old school and post from the computer.

Last night, I did one of those things that always makes you go "I wonder what people do that?!" Last night, I lived the dream. (Okay, maybe not my dream ... but I am sure someone's dream. Last night, I ran in a mascot race. Yes, you read that right. I intentionally ran in a crazy hot, heavy costume. And it was hot. Like high 80s and  humid by time the game started.

The place: Target Field. Minnesota Twins vs. the Toronto Blue Jays. Each Twins game, they have a mascot race after the 4th inning.

So, me and four other willing souls suited up. got into character and had to run for our lives. well ... we just had to run a short distance. Let me tell you, you cannot see a thing in those costumes ... except for about six inches in front of you on the ground. Me ... I was the lovely Skeeta.

And the feet ... yeah, they make it a little hard to run, too. But you figure it out. And even though you get super sweaty, and you really have no idea what is going on, you have fun. The best part ... I almost won.

I ran hard, and you really can't see where the others are. So, when I saw the ribbon signifying the end, I was so exciting. But then I felt someone next to me ... and Bullseye won. Gosh darn it. But you know, it was the guy in the costumes son's second birthday and he was at the game ... so in the end, I'm glad he won. Okay, no, I still wish I won, but there's always next time!