Pigtails

                Even though I've got a case of the Mondays today, I’m excited that it’s Halloween week. It’s a funny thing to be able to transform yourself for one night (or several if you’re like me). My roommate Lei says she always has to work pigtails into her costume somehow because it’s the only time she can get away with wearing them. I totally agree—fishnets, bright red lipstick, TONS of makeup; it’s all fair game. I don’t smoke, but I’m pumped to hold my Audrey Hepburn-esk cigarette holder all night. Plus, all diets are off this week and I’ll be baking like a madwoman (probably while reading Jane Eyre and Frankenstein).

                Well, I’m off to a meeting with my advisor to plan the rest of my life here at Southern.

Happy Haunting!

Love,

Annie

Had a great time with my Grandparents who came to visit this weekend. Their pup, Heidi was an adorable match for Monti.

Liz, Kenzie, and I took a walk around West Rock Friday.

Liz and I. Loved the view with all the leaves turning.

Cooking and Costuming

                Normally, Sundays are my favorite, but today I’m feeling out of it. Maybe it’s just a case of Annie-it is (the term my mom coined for my little un-explained sick days as a child). But whatever you call it, fact is I’m sitting in watching Gossip Girl and eating ramen on this beautiful fall day. In any case, last week was a whirlwind—I had two papers due and tons of reading, so I missed my post Monday.

                At least I got plenty of R&R and fresh air yesterday with a walk to the local park with Monti, who had a blast chasing leaves on the windy day, and Mackenzie. Then we stopped by the Southern Homecoming game, which we stayed at for about two quarters, but it was pretty breezy and cold. The Owls were winning when we left, but turns out Bentley pulled ahead to win 36-26.

                And I’m getting all pumped up for Halloween—I found the perfect dress for my flapper costume and have most of the accessories already. One more Goodwill trip for finishing touches should do it… Last night, Kenzie, Liz and I drove up to Wallingford for the Trail of Terror, but they had already closed the line! Apparently there was a 7 hour wait. Boo.

                Today, I’ll leave you with a recipe. For dinner last night, we had pork to cook so I looked on Sparkrecipes.com for a way to make it. Here’s what I found:

Pork Chops and Apples

Submitted by: JEANDEVINS

Ingredients

4 Pork Chops
4 apples peeled and sliced
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions

Mix together the sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Sprinkle sugar mixture over the sliced apples and pour into a baking dish. Dust the pork chops with the flour and place on top of the apples. Bake at 425 for about 50 minutes. The pork chops come out golden brown and moist.

Number of Servings: 4

 

                We had a bit more pork than the recipe called for, so I added to the baking time. I ended up overcooking it a bit, but it still came out delicious.

                Continuing on with my domestic streak, I got ingredients to make Halloween cupcakes. Can't wait to whip them up.

Love,

Annie



Before the club last Wednesday. I'm sad it will be too cold to go out soon.



My flapper dress from Maybe. It was about $30, which is more than I wanted to spend, but still less than a tackey store bought costume.

PSL. My addiction.

Fall to-do list

Monday again! We’re already into the sixth week of class, and the semester is flying by. I decided it’s about time I slowed down to enjoy it. Last week, I couldn’t have been happier when Friday came. It wasn’t all bad—we had a fun night out Wednesday—but it seemed that tests and papers were the main attraction. The nonstop rain put us in hibernation mode, but the weekend had beautiful, crisp fall weather. Mackenzie and I went to Maine with his parents, and had a great hike Saturday at Bradbury Mountain State Park, a little North of Portland, ME.

But for week six, the forecast is dismal. I’m looking for little pick-me-ups to make the week enjoyable. I’m getting back into my gym routine, and spending more time with my roommates. Liz and I are currently sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee, getting into some studying and homework. Hopefully, if the rain breaks by Thursday, we’ll be downtown for the night. Other things on my list coming up? I’d like to take Monti for a walk around West Rock now that the leaves are turning. And one weekend soon, Trail of Terror in Wallingford—a Halloween must for those who live in CT. I’m also getting to work planning my costume. I’m thinking a flapper and/or Rosie the Riveter? I'm going the homemade route this year, much more fun.

What’s on your to-do list for Fall?

Love,

Annie



Perfect skies on Saturday



From the summit

Loved the scenery

Some inspiration for Halloween: LC as a flapper in 2008. Love her.

Liz, Lei ,and me before going to SOCO's Wednesday night.