Leftovers

We finally remembered to pick up batteries so I could take and upload pictures of my beautiful anniversary flowers and the fabulous onesie we got for Sam at the vineyard this weekend. It seriously could be one of the cutest damned onesies I ever set my eyes on.

For anniversary dinner, Gregg made a pork roast w/ rosemary, roasted sweet potatoes w/ rosemary and garlic, spiced baked apples, and asparagus (that was for me, Gregg tries not to consume green veggies when at all possible.) I know what you're thinking, Meg's a veg and doesn't consume meat. While that is true, I do on occasion eat some meat. Primarily chicken if I am otherwise protein deficient. This happens about 1-2/month. I don't purchase it, and it's only if it's already been prepared by someone else. (While there is no requirement for Buddhists to be veg, it is used by some of us to accumulate merit to be dedicated to others, like an extra blessing.) If someone makes a meat dish especially for me, I will just say extra prayers before the meal and will eat it. Although I am by no means going to go back to the amount of meat I ate prior to becoming veg, let me just say, that pork roast was FANTASTIC!!!!!!! Of course, my wonderful hubby could make shoe leather taste fantastic, because he's just that good. There was some extra pork left yesterday so I got to have it again. YUM!

I know what you are thinking, what about Sam & siblings? Will the kids be raised veg? The answer is -- they will be raised to have a healthy diet. That healthy diet will include some veg protein, soy protein, egg & dairy protein, and occasional chicken/fish/pork. When they are old enough, they will make a choice for themselves. Just like with religion. Gregg is an ex-Catholic, I was raised Protestant, converted Buddhist. We will raise the kids to have respect for all varieties of spirituality and to have faith of some type/shape/form. I don't care if our children connect with anyone of the Ibrahimic or Dharmic religions, or anything else. So long as they are healthy and happy and well-balanced.

Food, religion, next topic is obviously politics. After saying on a yahoo group post that I don't care who you vote for so long as you vote, which remains true, I had goose-bumps after Sen. Obama's closing remarks. Heck, I have goose-bumps each and every time I hear Sen. Obama give a speech. Sure, he is a well-versed orator with an engaging cadence. But it's so much more than that. I have voted every opportunity since I became 18 (92, 96, 00, 04 and all the local elections in between.) I have taken a great deal of pride in voting, and every time I do so, I always think of my Grandpa, who was a political activist and lobbyist in Indianapolis and Washington for elder rights, after he retired from his work as an ambassador for the World Council of Churches. I have thought of grandpa a lot during this election cycle. Although a registered Dem, I know, from my mom, that Grandpa and Grandma had some less-than-desirable opinions about blacks in America. Specifically, when my mom was a teen in the 60s, they didn't let her date a boy she was quite fond of, solely because he was black and "what would the neighbors think." They were okay w/ Mom going to the March on Washington, but didn't attend themselves because "what would the neighbors think." I cannot understand or explain that viewpoint, and believe it is more a product of the times, rather than my grandparents being racist. That being said, I truly think Sen. Obama would have been the one candidate that would have been able to forever change their opinions, and that both would be proud to announce their support of him in this election. Sen. Obama has a gift -- he truly can bring diverse people together, and get them start talking. I really believe he can finally change the world stage. Let's face it, the majority of the world is NOT white. Having a head of state who is NOT white can only serve to help how other nations feel about America. Please don't think that I'm voting for Sen. Obama purely because he is black. I am voting for him because he gives me hope. Hope for tomorrow, Hope for the future, Hope for my children, Hope for getting out of this pathetic war, Hope for the economy, Hope for education, Hope for health care, Hope for global warming, Hope for EVERYTHING. When I hear Sen. Obama, it lifts my heart and spirit. It makes me believe again. If you are voting for Sen. McCain, I hope he makes you feel the same way. If you are voting for Sen. Obama, I already know he does.

Okay, off my soap-box. I'm actually home a bit earlier today and going to enjoy a bit of time w/ my man.

Snow and frost and babies, oh my!!

Yesterday driving home from a meeting, it was snowing on my windshield. Seriously!! SNOW!! It was October 27th and that was WAY to early for me. Of course, nothing stuck because the ground is still warm, and it warmed up to 51 today. but still! Then tonight it's going to be a low of 25 and we have been told to expect our first hard frost. I don't know if I'm really ready for fall to be over and winter to start. I got a little blue about it yesterday. But then, while on the phone w/ my mom, I realized I AM ready and should be welcoming winter with open arms. You see, Winter means we are 1 season closer to our baby. After Winter comes Spring, which is 1 season closer to our baby. After Spring comes Summer, which is the season we think we will get a referral in. SO, I'm thrilled for Winter after all. Come on Snow -- Bring it on!!!

Speaking of babies -- today our agency gave out 6 referrals. 3 boys & 3 girls. The oldest was 6 years, the youngest was 6 mos. The shortest wait (for the 6 year old) was 3 mos, the longest wait was 7 mos. I'm so very happy for all the newly formed families!! More referrals mean people are moving up higher on the list. Movement on the list is good for everyone. And of course, finding forever families is so amazing for these little darlings in ETH. Happy Happy Day!!

PS: shout out to Gregg, the finest husband in the land, on our anniversary. There is no one in the world I would rather spend the rest of my life with, no one I would rather raise a family with. I love you more today than I did 2 years ago when I said "I do", and I didn't think that kind of love was possible before meeting you!!!

We said YES to Michigan!

Although our actual wedding anniversary is Tuesday, today Gregg and I went to Michigan for the day. Our favorite place is Union Pier, and we go there as often as we can. We didn't have time for an overnight trip, so we just went up for the day today. The foliage was spectacular!!! Burnt orange, sienna, maize yellow, and fire-engine reds. Really fabulous.

We started at a local vineyard, St. Julian, which is the oldest winery in the state of Michigan. They have the basics, as well as cherry, peach, and 100% concord varietals. I even tried a port (which I never have before) and fell in love. We purchases some concord wine, some cherry, a couple more "basic" reds. I did not purchase the port because I loved it so much, I thought it could prove dangerous on nights waiting for our 171-H or a referral! We did get the most adorable onesie on the planet. At a vineyard? Yes, really. It says "Vino Bambino Maturing perfectly. Best of the Bunch, Superb now but gets better with age." and has a smiling bunch of purple grapes. I'll be sure to take a picture this week and upload it.

We then took a walk on the side-streets of Union Pier, loving the view, and then walked down to the beach. I was wearing my new deliciously comfy fleece-lined Crocs. Only problem is, when a big wave hit the beach, all the little holes let the water in. I had soggy toes the rest of the day. But I had a warm heart because I was w/ my honey.

Although we got lost looking for the organic orchard I had planned us to visit, and then found it but it was closed, we did find a wonderful family orchard on the way back and picked up 1/2 bushel of wonderfully tart and crispy apples. I'll make some sauce, but we'll eat most of them as is. YUM!

We had a lovely, romantic, and fun day. Gregg was even a sport and danced with me at a little cafe where we stopped for sandwiches ("Beyond the Sea" was playing.) Have I mentioned how amazingly wonderful my husband is???

It's officially Fall

I know on the calendar it was fall about a month ago, but that wasn't the case in Illinois. We have had a very warm and balmy fall thus far, and it was in the 80s well into October. This past week, it's been in the 40s and 50s and really FEELS and LOOKS like fall outside. The trees are yellow, orange and red. I HAVE to take some pictures. It's gorgeous and PERFECT sleep weather. (nice and cool and I must have been exhausted by the trial, because I slept a solid 12, yes I said 12 hours last night.)

Gregg and I are off to Michigan tomorrow morning for our anniversary. It's on Tuesday, but we will celebrate tomorrow w/ a trip to our favorite town, Union Pier. We will crunch through piles of leaves, walk on the beach, go to a winery, and pick some apples. But best of all, I'll have 12 hours of my honey, and what could possibly be better than that???? I'll have my camera and will take some pictures that I'll post tomorrow night.

Have a wonderful Fall day everyone!!