Happy Thursday!

I thought I would quickly check in before another busy weekend begins. I've got class this weekend (heck, I've got class all the time :) so I figured I wouldn't be back on line until Sunday. Tomorrow night I'll stay over at Maria's so we can leave right from her house on Saturday morning. We have our research proposal all set to turn in. I just have to round up all my books that we had to have read by this Saturday, print off my final journal critique, and I'll be ready to go!

What to knit now that the poncho is finished? The projects I have going mostly require me to spend time trying to figure out where I am in the pattern. Don't want to spend what little I have left in concentration doing that! So, what to do. Preferably something quick, easy, and very useful. I really don't need another scarf. Maybe I'll check through my one of my felting books for a pattern. I could use another set of fuzzy feet or slippers. Hmm.. . Anyone have any suggestions?

Locals! Listen up! There is a new restaurant worth visiting. Grapes and Hops is located in the same building as Hometime Spirits (behind the Publix on Spout Springs). I had a Fennel and Olive Tartine for an appetizer, a huge! Fall Waldorf salad (apples, field greens, walnuts, dried plums, onions, and water chestnuts), and an amazing poached caramelized pear with pecan ice cream for dessert. Each item on the menu has recommended wines and beers to enhance the dining experience. Artwork, linen tablecloths, a baby grand piano, spacious bar, fresh flowers, and jazz and classical guitar music piped in all made for a delightful Saturday lunch.

Maria had the blue crab salad (wow!), a creamy chicken soup (can't remember the fancy name), the same Waldorf salad, and a torte (not as good as my desert!). She had a Bison Blonde beer, and I had three 2 oz. servings of the three recommended white wines. My three course lunch, with wine, was $25. Quite reasonable for the quality.

As we were the only patrons for the majority of our dining pleasure, we were able to speak with the manager and server quite a bit. Apparently, they will be having wine tastings on Wednesday nights and other special events regularly. Maybe we should recommend trivia to them? I hope Grapes and Hops will be wildly successful. It would be a great place, too, for a knitting group. :) The possiblities are endless.

After this lovely lunch (shouldn't I become a restaurant critic?) Maria and I headed to her house to work on our LMU research proposal. It's due in one week, and we were about half through. We worked for about a half an hour before hosting two other members of our larger group (different project). We worked on that project for 2 hours. After they left, we gobbled up our Waldorf leftovers (it was HUGE) and kept plugging away on our 12 page (or longer when Maria finishes typing) research PROPOSAL. Yuck! I got home about 8:30 pm. Long day, but very productive (and delicious).

Although I haven't been to PINS in a while, I got a hug from Jean, the founder, at our recent county-wide ESOL meeting. She told me that the next PINS would be on Nov. 20th, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Still can't make it to this one; I've got another group meeting. I've got one this Saturday, the following Saturday is class, and then on the 20th, the same day as PINS, yup, another meeting. Ick. My mantra: twelve more classes to go, twelve more... Locals, remember, you're still invited!!

I only half-love the time change. I appreciate getting to work while it's light out. However, I hate having to close the blinds already at 5:45 pm. Another ick. As a Leo, it should be light early (except on weekends) and light late.

While flipping through knitting blogs, I came across a great tea site. http://www.adagio.com They have an amazing selection! I ordered bunches of samples. I was so inspired, I brought along two bags of my loose tea to work, springtime roobis and chai. Since I now have a microwave in my classroom, I treated myself to two cups of tea today. Since the weather is finally turning fallish (we've had temps in the 70 and 80s for the last week), and we are expecting temps of 44 tonight, I will soon be drinking more hot tea at home, too. Yum!

I borrowed one of the teacher's copy of the FBHS Cheerleading Cookbook and found three great recipes. I had to cook one this same evening! Polish sausage, au gratin potatoes, california blend veggies, and cheese on top in a one skillet meal! Fabulous!! Miguel isn't home yet, but I'm sure he'll go wold for it. Lots of leftovers for both of us. :) (Holler if you want a $15 cookbook! I'm buying my own copy tomorrow.)

Anyone watching Veroica Mars or Kevin Hill? Both shows are on UPN, and both are amazing! Great writing, awesome one-liners, incredible actors, and neat premises. If you aren't watching, you should!

Thank goodness the President was reelected. I took today off from school knowing I would watch late into night. I finally crawled into bed about a quarter to three. Ugh. I could not believe, though, that when I woke up, the electoral count was still 269. Thankfully, Nevada became Bush's, and Kerry called to concede. I watched his speech, and I thought it was well-done and gracious. But, I am surely glad he won't be President.

Now, onto knitting! I have finished my green Oscar the Grouch poncho. I will post pictures soon. I have also finished a little washcloth with leftover cotton chenille in purple. I need a no-brainer project last night/early this morning while watching the returns.

LMU has kept me very busy, and thus the lack of posting. I have completed three classes; only twelve more to go. Yippee! I'm ready for it to be over, but I am learning, so it's not all bad.