Its the most wonderful time of the year!

That's right ladies (and gentlemen...do any gentlemen actually read my blog?), it is is my most favorite time of the year, FALL. Oh sweet baby Jesus, the heat of the summer is subsiding, the nights are cooler, football is back on TV, the Phillies made the playoffs for the 5th yr in a row and I can unabashedly proclaim my love of all things pumpkin. Ok, let's be real, I unabashedly proclaim my love of all things pumpkin year round, but you know... We've also only got 2 more weddings to go and for two glorious months, my electric/gas bill is manageable while we don't need the ac's or the heat quite yet. Ahhh, are you with me?!

So in that spirit, I've done some serious research on pumpkin muffin receipes because I HAVE to have them right about now. Any time the temperature dips below 100, I have to have pumpkin muffins. Now, generally I stay away from the Pioneer Woman because her stuff looks AMAZING to my tongue and about 40 lbs to each hip, however in my quest for awesome pumpkin muffins, I am caving. Tonight I'm going to make these babies, complete with cream cheese frosting, because I don't believe in doing anything half-assed. I will report tomorrow, after I dig my face out of the muffin tin.

Rain

Well, in the last 24 hrs alone we got over 5 inches of rain. The regional rail lines have largely shut down and Dr. F got so frustrated trying to drive to work that he came home and is going to try again later. I didn't even bother trying (thank God we can walk to daycare), so now I'm working from home today. In my sweats. YESSS. Of course, I had to stop at take a few pictures of the river that has in large part f'ed everyone's commute this morning.

Yes, that is a duck swimming ON the road

And this is why working from home today is the MUCH better option

And for comparison to a non-flooded day:

This lady is my hero. I dare you not to laugh and sit back in awe.

All the Preggo Ladies - Parenting.com

nothing much new to report

I've been neglecting this blog a whole lot lately, because well... there just hasn't been much to talk about. We're working hard, laughing all the time at/with the Little Man who continues to blow us away with his smarts and memory, and wrapping up summer with some cooler weather, THANK GOD. We were very lucky not to be affected by Irene too badly (no basement flooding etc) and I got to experience my first earthquake on my birthday last week. It was...exciting...up on the 18th floor where I work. Shamefully, my quads were killing me the next day after walking down 18 flights...Like last year, I bought my own ice cream cake and it was fab. Dr. F surprised me with flowers and my parents surprised me with a Nook! This weekend Dr. F's sister and her boyfriend are coming for a visit and we've got a few more weddings in September to round out The Year of the Wedding. Additionally, it seems everyone in my office is in love with Indian food and must eat it every day. I can't even walk through the lunch room without getting sick to my stomach. Pass the ginger ale please.UGHH.

Hope everyone is doing well!

I got this in my inbox today. It made me happy :)

I normally don't do forwards....

but my mom sent this one to me and I had to share it. See, we are a proud military family, one cousin has done 3 tours in Iraq and is Marine helicopter pilot, my uncle is a Navy SEAL who volunteered for Vietnam, both of my grandfathers served in WWII and another cousin is a member of SEAL Team 6 and is currently serving in Afghanistan. And yes, several of his friends were killed a week ago. So this hit particularly close to home.


International  Picture of the Year.

Here  are two very touching photos honored this  year. 
First  Place : 

First  Place 
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain  News  

When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived  at the Reno   Airport , Marines climbed  into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the  flag over his casket as passengers watched the  family gather on the tarmac.

During the  arrival of another Marine's casket last year at    Denver  International   Airport  , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so  powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They  sat right there in the plane, watching those  Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through  their minds, knowing that they're on the plane  that brought him home,' he said 'They will  remember being on that plane for the rest of  their lives. They're going to remember bringing  that Marine home. And they should.'

Second  Place  
Second  Place 
Todd Heisler The  Rocky  Mountain  News The night before the  burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey  refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep  next to his body for the last time The Marines  made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below  the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her  laptop computer and played songs that reminded  her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if  she wanted them to continue standing watch as  she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if  you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's  what he would have wanted'. 


And the  one that really tightens MY throat: 



 
Blue  Fridays. 
Very  soon, you will see a great many people wearing  blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who  support our troops used to be called the 'silent  majority' We are no longer silent, and are  voicing our love for God, country and home in  record breaking numbers We are not organized,  boisterous or overbearing.

Many  Americans, like you, me and all our friends,  simply want to recognize that the vast majority  of    America supports our troops. Our idea  of showing solidarity and support for our troops  with dignity and respect starts this Friday --  and continues each and every Friday until the  troops all come home, sending a deafening  message that every red-blooded American who  supports our men and women afar, will wear  something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV --  let's make the    United States on every  Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming  football game in the bleachers. If every one of  us who loves this country will share this with  acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family,  it will not be long before the    USA is  covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know  the once 'silent' majority is on their side more  than ever, certainly more than the media lets  on. The first thing a soldier says when asked  'What can we do to make things better for you?'  is .'We need your support and your prayers.'  Let's get the word out and lead with class and  dignity, by example, and wear something blue  every Friday.

Only two  defining forces have ever offered to die for  you:
1.   Jesus Christ
2.  The American G.  I.

One died for your soul, the  other for your freedom. 

    

I finally did it!

I actually got it right last night with tofu! See, I've been trying to incorporate tofu into our meals more often to up our vegetarian options and just keep it interesting. I've had one or two successes and a whole lot of failures. Until now!! So here's how it went down:

1 extra firm block of tofu. I put it on a dinner plate with a cutting board on top of it. Then I put a heavy sauce pan on top of the cutting board (a book would do as well) for about 20 min. This worked to gently press the excess water out without drying it out too much...which I've done.

Then I cubed the tofu and gently tossed it in a cornstarch (its gluten free, if you're so inclined) and Italian seasoning mix. I'm betting this would work just the same way with flour and spice of your choice or bread crumbs. Next time, I'm going to try panko bread crumbs. They are DELISH!

The next step was to fry tofu cubes in hot EVOO until they were brown and crispy on the outside. Without removing them from the pan, throw in some tamari (gluten free soy sauce) or just regular old soy sauce. Coat the cubes and remove from pan.

That is it! It was sooo good. I also served Trader Joes green curry infused rice and sauted string beans. This meal was easy, cheap, delicious...and today, I'm eating leftovers for lunch!

Today I'm so the culinary version of Charlie Sheen. Winning.