The Here and Now...

I never think about this meme until my friend does it and then it spurs me on to want to totally copy her. She won't mind. ; )

Outside my window… Cloudy, rainy, chilly (this was her answer, but it remains the same this morning).

I am thinking…about downloading some great Christmas music that I don't already have onto my iPod for some festive deaf-dog-walking.

I am thankful for…the cautious optimism around our house preparing for PandaJoy's arrival...though we have no idea when that will be. Sniff.

From the kitchen…I smell the lingering aroma of the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins (recipe below as per request from several Face*book friends) I made. Totally yum and totally more WW points than I need in one sitting.

I am wearing…purple t-shirt, PJ bottoms with brightly colored sketches of well-known cities from all over the world, navy blue frou-frou house shoes.

I am creating… several wall decor pieces, a window treatment and toddler bed blanket for you-know-who!!!!

I am going…to do laundry today, work on my Revelation Bible Study, put black glitter on a cute wooden letter for PG and PJ, pray that PJ will get to us in God's perfect timing-but that it would be very soon, gear up for the (in)famous Wednesday Night Dinner Crew at church, enjoy the chilly fall air and cute fall clothes.

I am reading… just bought Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker. Have never read any of his stuff because I am a self-proclaimed weenie. This looks like I can handle it, just have to find the time to start it.

I am hoping…figure out some sort of work-out schedule that I will actually do.

I am hearing…impaired. Wait. PandaPop and PandaDoggie are hearing impaired. I just don't listen. (PP just helped me with that!!).

Around the house…PandaDoggie needs a bath and his teeth brushed after gnawing on a box of Nerds, usual Wednesday cleaning, waiting and waiting and waiting on some hard dates for PJ to get here.

One of my favorite things… the sweet, comforting, strong, warm hug I just got from my Man as he left for work. Yes.

A few plans for the rest of the week… PJ's room, praying about PJ, finding a place to purchase cute Christmas stockings, short photo shoot, praying about PJ, Skype with PJ, play with PP on his day off, walk deaf doggie, praying about PJ, go to the library with PG for books on CD that she LOVES, try to count WW points (fail by lunch!! YIKES!), finish creative projects, dinner with friends, Daddy-daughter event at church, accountant friend getting me all straight with The Cotton Crop Photography because I absolutely STINK at that part of the business, scrapping a few pics and praying about PJ.

A picture to share…

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

(recipe from a grand prize winning entry from Cindy Middleton out of the Country Woman May/June/95 magazine)

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 can (16oz) pumpkin
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
2 cups (12oz) semisweet chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth (I did it by hand). Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips (after scooping a few into your mouth first). Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 400 for 16-20 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack. Yield: 24 muffins