a peek inside the fishbowl

These last few days have been something of a struggle. Put plainly, I have felt like crap, still do, in fact. My energy is close to nil. My throat is so sore from coughing I can barely talk. AND I’ve been feeling guilty and sad that I’ve been missing this fantastic weather.

Because it has been, well, fantastic.

I felt well enough today to rake a few leaves and take a few outdoor photos around the garden. The colours, the patterns … everything is so pretty this time of year. I love fall.

We went down the village to check out a fall fest. Funny, I thought I was fairly in the know about this kind of thing but this one escaped me.

Here we are, in the new Roots. Sarah’s expression cracks me up.

There were some other critters down there too:

And we strolled by the Superstore to pick up something for the BBQ. The parking lot was packed. I was happy that I did my shopping on Friday, even though it KILLED me to do it, I was just so ill. I like my shadow in this photo:

(Here’s a tip. If this location is busy – which it is, like, every Saturday and major holiday – go to the Merivale Road location instead. It’s almost always empty.)

Today was also Sarah’s seventh-and-a-half birthday. Here’s her half cake:

A busy day huh? Now I’m going to go and collapse… and dream about our dinner tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who came forward with their ideas! I’ll let you know what we cooked up.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Reminder to self: post chicken broth recipe when you get your mojo back.

I need help with my Thanksgiving menu. Do you have any tried and true recipes you’d like to share with the hungry Fishbowl family?

My MIL just came out of surgery (hi Mary!) and I’m doing’ the cooking at her place this year. She’s making the stuffing (because there is no stuffing like her stuffing) and I’m making a loaf of bread, but otherwise everything is up for grabs. Help!

My criteria:

– feeds six
– there must be one turkey
– there must be a few traditional dishes on the menu
– no one but me likes sweet potatoes a.k.a yams
– there has to be something fresh and green
– I like to throw in one wacky dish just to keep my in-laws on their toes. And by wacky I mean braised onions. ;)
– Dessert! We can’t forget dessert!
– The majority of dishes must be make-aheads and relatively easy todo. (I don’t see myself deboning a capon and making puff patries with it or anything like that.) Otherwise I just won’t be able to cope.

Bonus points to those who post actual links to actual recipes.

Dinner is on Sunday. Aaaarrrrrgh.