these days...

i hope to post here more than once a week, but lately that's all i can muster. 

we had gorgeous weather for the last few days, and today it's hovered right around 33 degrees, and it's pouring. i wish we'd get a bit colder and get some snow.

this picture was from a couple of days ago, it was practically shorts weather here in texas.

the colors of fall are brilliant, aren't they.

i'm thankful that i'm done with the cardiologist for 6 months,
that i have medicine to fix what is wrong,
and that i have a new outlook on life.
because i've been a mess the last few weeks.
i have taken my 40 years of good health for granted, like i'm invincible or something,
and apparently, none of us are. {news flash}.
i've been walking and it feels so good. i've lost 8 pounds since i started seeing the cardiologist, which shocked me yesterday when i got on the scale. 

i will miss my walk tonight, although if the rain stops, i'm bundling up and going for it. 

there is something about walking at night that is so liberating and so peaceful. i used to be scared to go alone, but i go with a flashlight and pepper spray,
and i remember what my mama always says about herself,  
i'm too mean to be scared. 

for now, more decaf, and i'm a happy girl. thank you jesus for decaf coffee.

here is my little pumpkin pie before school this morning. kevin and i walked him to school and stayed for a sweet little thanksgiving program that the kindergarteners put on. during his performance, boyd actually had the cry face going on, and i was surprised. i asked him after school what happened, and he said he just missed me. i think he was a little shy up there, which is definitely not in his nature. 

thank you jesus for this sweet child of ours, who is still being a toot in school, 

but he's just doing what 5 year olds do best.
or at least that's what i keep telling myself.

i was thinking of this soup last night, and i sent a text to my girlfriend, who used to make it.

i haven't had it in 10 years or more, and couldn't find the recipe. 

she wrote me back and said she had just made it a couple of nights ago, and she sent me the recipe,

so i made it today.

it's an old weight watchers recipe, and it's so easy.

1 16 oz bag of frozen california style vegetable mix

1 can of low sodium chicken broth

1 can of Rotel

4 oz of light Velveeta

cook first 3 ingredients together, until veggies are tender, add in cheese. i am a rebel and used regular velveeta, and maybe i used just a little more than 4 oz.
i also doubled the recipe.

top it off with a few bacon crumbles if you need a little bit of meat with it. yum.
{i think i will chop the veggies next time, before cooking, just to make them into much smaller pieces}.

i filled up my happy bowl with these today, and i've been eating them like candy.

and these replaced my tired looking mums today.

i hope you have a good thanksgiving week, whatever your plans may be. 

it's good to be thankful.

love,

nicolle