The Last of October

I love spending time at home.  It is somehow pleasurable to me to have no commitments for a period of time.  The week sped by and, as usual, I had big plans for it.  But, as usual, I only got a small piece of my plans actually accomplished.  I struggle to simply let myself not be busy.  Layne complains about that almost every TV night we spend together.  He likes to sit and just watch.  I like to do all sorts of things while I watch; ride the stationary bike, lift weights, crochet, sketch, fold clothes, etc.  It drives him a bit nuts.  But if I like to do it, why not?  He can still relax, right?

We took on a project to cover over the outdoor fire pit this week.  I liked the pit but Layne felt it was a fire hazard, so we covered it up with flagstone and mortared it.  I cleaned off the surplus mortar and boy did it eat up my hands.  They peeled for most of the rest of the week.  But I think it looks good.  Or will when it finishes curing.  So now, what is to be done with a flagstoned area that serves no purpose?  I think a gazebo there would be quite wonderful.  Layne is not so sure.  But I figure if I keep suggesting it, he will eventually see the possibilities.  In the meantime, we have a useless piece of flagstoned space, and another useless piece of decking that used to service a pool that is no longer there.  Oh, I am full of helpful suggestions about what we could do with those useless spaces and other parts of the yard but, somehow, Layne isn't always excited to hear my good ideas.  After all, he is the man who has to make it all happen.  Well, actually, I have volunteered to help him.  Really I have.  And I will, once he decides to make some of these potential changes.

Layne and the cat, Cherry, who accompanies us outside wherever we go.  He and I just finished the fire pit project.

Here is the finished fire pit, with rain puddles along side.  Wouldn't a gazebo look great there?

My nephew Rus and his son Berkeley came to visit on Friday, along with some friends.  They attended the BYU-Boise State football game Friday night.  BYU lost but they had fun and we got in a good visit around the time gone for the game.  I so enjoy having family here.  Rus is quite pleasant company and I feel like we had a good bond. They all left Saturday morning, after a breakfast of Mom's sourdough pancakes.  Rus suggested a way to make them with whole wheat flour that still preserves the starter.  I never thought of it before and tried it.  I like it and think I'll do that way from now on.  There are some things in my life that I am so used to doing that I never consider another way.  Layne complains that I am always wanting to change things, but that isn't always true.  I never considered changing how I make sour dough pancakes, for instance.

Berkeley and nephew Rus on the left, with friends on the right.

Idaho in Autumn.  What a lovely time of year!

It seems that I'm complaining, perhaps a bit too much, about Layne's complaining.  I don't want you to think that he is a complainer generally.  He really isn't; he is quite supportive and loving.  Just saying.

Layne in our living room, adorned with a few Halloween decorations.

Audrey and Allegra are coming for Halloween weekend.  I'm so excited to have some family here for a holiday!  I feel much more excited for the holiday season this year.  I can't say why exactly.  I guess I don't care why.  I'm just going to go with it.