When I started typing this- I really didn’t know much about the shortage, other than the fact that I heard there was one.   Since I’m of the curious sort- I decided to snoop around the information superhighway and see what I could see and low and behold- there is a pumpkin shortage.  The resason being is because there has been too much rain and not enough sunshine to sustain a proper growing season in central Illinois- which I’ve found out is where 95% of all the pumpkins come from (including canned) in the United States.

I will admit that while I am not the biggest fan of pumpkin pie (I’m more of a pecan pie kind of gal myself), I do love pumpkin in breads and muffins, so the shortage is something that is of concern.   I decided to take matters into my own hands and three days ago I bought a pumpkin that I plan to roast (hopefully tomorrow) and then cut into pieces and freeze.   This will allow me to have fresh pumpkin anytime I want it, without having to depend on the supermarket to deliver me the canned pumpkin I may need.

You may want to try it yourself- especially since it’s easy to do.   After all, what’s Thanksgiving without pumpkin?  I’ll share the pumpkin roasting adventure with y’all, but in the meantime- if you’d like to read about the shortage- check it out here

I know some of you may be a bit surprised, but I’ve started thinking about Christmas.   In fact, I’ve already started buying a few Christmas gifts.   I know that gift cards seem to be all the rage these days- and I happen to like gift cards myself, but I’m one of those people who like to give gifts that I know the person will love.    Throughout the year I listen to what they say and if they mention wanting something- I take note.  

I happen to be a huge fan of the “O” Magazine and this month’s issue has the latest and greatest version of Monopoly.   It’s all electronic, which means no more ‘money’ at the bank, but instead little ATM cards.   It has cool sound effects and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was something I’d love to have.   I haven’t played Monopoly in years, but I love the new round board and the overall look.    Something I didn’t realize when I went to the Hasbro website that Monopoly has been around for 75 years!  

Marcel and I both grew up on Monopoly and he thought it would be fun to have the new version.   We don’t have the old version here, but I know mom and dad have the version we used to play as a family when Matt and I were growing up.     I think it will make a great Christmas gift for Marcel, so I plan to order it from the Habro website or somewhere online.    Of course, he doesn’t know it yet, but since he did show interest in having it, I think it will make a great surprise come Christmas morning.

I’m curious-  What’s you’re favorite childhood game?

Last night as the sun was going down, I decided to brew myself a cup of coffee and sit outside and enjoy the sunset. In the western skies the blue was so bright, and I noticed at one point that there were six planes flying through the sky. The ones flying in the western part of the sky were the ones I noticed most. The sun reflected on their vapor trail and it literally glowed a beautiful, bright white color. As the plane would move across the sky, the vapor trail would slowly dissipate and follow behind it. I found myself thinking about this man that goes to church with my parents. His name is Jack, and I remember him telling us several years ago that clouds come from airplane vapor trails. I couldn’t help but smile when I watched them move across the sky and slowly disappear. Sorry Jack, no clouds were formed.

It was a moment of simplicity. The cool, crisp air as the sun slowly made its way beyond the horizon, which would mean sunrise in another part of the world. The beauty of a bright blue sky and a vapor trail- of planes flying to destinations unknown. A cup of my favorite coffee and nothing but the sounds of the outdoors.

Simple, but yet so filled with peace and beauty.

Mom’s 5 O’ Clock Friday’s picture is actually a picture of herself.   It all started when she sent me the 5 O’ Clock Friday’s picture of the blood mobile.  I called her and she was actually sitting in the chair you see here, probably in a very similar position.   I told her I didn’t want to blood mobile, but instead I would like a picture of HER giving blood.  

The nurse was so excited to take the picture and once mom and I got off the phone, she sent it my way.  They titled the picture ‘saving lives’ and that’s exactly what they’re doing.  Diddy also gave blood and they possibly saved two lives that day.      I like this picture because it not only shows mom, but it also is a great 5 O’ Clock Friday’s picture that carries the message of how important it is to be a blood donor.

Thanks mom-  and thanks nurse who helped and actually took the picture.

In addition, my very sweet and crafty friend Kimmie also shared her 5 O’ Clock Friday’s photo, but she did it via her blog titled, Misadventures of Mub. She’s very creative and I always leave her blog feeling inspired, so you should definitely check her out.

I’m a little late sharing this week’s 5 O’ Clock Friday’s submission. Sorry about that-  I didn’t turn my computer on yesterday and spent most of the day catching up on a few things around here that was not done when I was sick.  I’m still not 100%, but I’m getting there and that’s the main thing.   The days are getting cooler and I absolutely love this time of the year, so I hope this tiredness wears off soon.  Maybe then I’ll feel like getting up at a decent hour in the mornings, instead of sleeping part of my day away.

Some of you may remember my film grain phase last summer.   I still love the look and feel of the film grain and decided to bring it back this week.

If you would like to participate in 5 O’ Clock Friday’s- we’d love to have you.  Take a picture at 5 on friday (could be a.m. or p.m) and then either post it to your blog if you’re a blogger (let me know so I can link you from here) or email me the picture at lori in care of this website (simplywizardress.com) and I’ll share it here along with anything you would like to share.

A family that I’ve known a long time lost their only daughter today. A girl that I grew up with and even though I haven’t seen her in years- to hear that she died suddenly in her sleep was not what I expected to hear this afternoon. My heart is heavy and breaks for the Holder family.

I started thinking about why I got sick – yet again- and aside from going in and out of the cool weather and pouring rain- (plus going to bed with my hair wet one night after getting soaked in a downpour),  the only thing I could attribute to not feeling well is the fact that I haven’t been exercising as much as I should, plus I have dealt with a lot of stressful events this year and I honestly think it has all finally caught up with me.  

I’m on the mend (I hope)  and even though I don’t have a lot of energy, I’m going to try to start working again tomorrow.   I’m still going to take it easy though, because I don’t want to jump into the swing of things too quickly and make matters worse, but I’ve got to start somewhere.

This afternoon the doorbell rang and it was someone delivering me a package from my dear friend S.   It was a belated birthday and Christmast gift, which included (amongst other great things), this very awesome coffee mug that she got me on her recent trip to New York City.   It reminds me of Sex in the City and I’m drinking coffee out of it right now.

I have to say that the package couldn’t have come at a better time, because it was the highlight of my day.  Thanks again S.   You’re the best.

When I woke up this morning, I was greeted with this gorgeous picture on my Facebook wall from my friend A. This was the beautiful picture that she took on Friday, but life had taken her in different directions and she didn’t get a chance to share until yesterday. I love the colors of the flower and if I’d seen it, I would have definitely been drawn to photograph it as well. Reds and yellows always seem to draw me in- not just in flowers, but also in virtually everything.

A. has a great photo blog called Backroads Photo Blog and if you’d like to see some great photographs of Anywhere, USA- you should definitely check her out. Thanks A. for sharing a piece of your Friday with us.

I’m still sleeping late, but I must need the rest. I’m going to attempt doing some work today and see how that goes. Hopefully I can get something done, if not everything.

Mom took this on her way home from work on Friday and as you can see the drops on the windshield tell a tale of what the weather has been like in Southern Mississippi as of late- wet, wet, wet.  

Today is Wednesday, which means that this coming weeks 5 O’ Clock Friday is just around the corner.   Start thinking now and I’d love to see your submissions to see what was happening in your life around 5 on Friday.  Send the entries to lori (in care of this website- simplywizardress.com), feature it on your blog so I can link back to your entry, post it on my Facebook wall or whatever will get my attention.