Is Fall Really Coming?

It's been cooling off here, but it's still above 100 degrees (f) most days.

Probably only a few weeks left before it's COOL here and lovely all winter long.

This time of year, it seems as if the hot weather will never end

and as if it's been hot as long as I can remember.

I try to spend some time outside, even just a few minutes,

in the morning.  Juvy likes to go roll in the rocks and dirt,

so I got with her, take out the trash and recycling, and feed the birds.

The other day I found this weird little round thing growing on our crazy cactus.

This is the crazy cactus. 

I planted it - we'll see what happens!!!

I haven't done much in-store shopping lately (it's not as fun without my Mom!),

but I did stop by Ross a couple of weeks ago and I bought this top.

It has a little velvet bow.

It also has cute bell sleeves.

Here's what I was wearing that day at Ross.

This is the striped U-back top from Target.

I bought two of this top and I have been wearing one of them

at least once per week.  I just wore one today, in fact!

I tried a FASY (that's a mix between FAST and EASY!)

hairstyle other than a bun - a braid!

On mornings where I don't have time to blow-dry and curl my hair,

this braid has been working great!

I have a little velvet pre-tied bow from J. Crew (it's like a scrunchie,

but with a bow on it) tied on the end.

This is not a wonderful photo, but it's to demonstrate

part of my exercise routine.

I ride the bike.

Allistair sits on the desk.

Claude likes to be held so she can nuzzle in my neck and purr

and get scritches.

It's a pretty great way to exercise!!!

I also do yoga, of course, and Allistair LOVES to sit

or sleep on the yoga mat.

The other day, I had Stephen in my lap and Allistair on the mat -

how is a person supposed to DO YOGA when there are so many cats to snuggle?!

While I'm working in my office, I often have 2 cats on the bed and one cat on my lap.

Juvy on my lap, Stephen drooping off the end of the bed, Allistair curled up.

One day I came out from working in my office, 

and I saw this fuzzy BELLY pointing at the ceiling.

Her eyes are wide open, though, because she needs to be alert 

to protect that glorious fluff!

Sometimes the boys even snuggle:

The other day was "Talk Like A Pirate Day," so I dug up

this cute photo from when I was 8.

The pirate in the middle is a faux-pirate (he's wax!)

My Dad is the one on the left with the hook.  My pretty Mom is in the pink dress

(I really wanted to wear a pink dress, too!)

I am in the yellow with the pearls, and my adorable little brother is in blue, lookin' suave

with weapons.

I have the CUTEST family!

I tried making potato-carrot fritters, and I loved them!

I also made chickpea nuggets, which are tasty, but a bit dry.

I might need to try a different recipe, but this one was really EASY . . . 

Look how much they look like chicken nuggets!

I tried making vegan sushi (wrapped in seaweed) . . . 

But I didn't like the taste of the fishy seaweed.

Aren't they pretty, though?

Surprisingly, Allistair LOVES seaweed.

I decided to try rice paper wraps instead.

These come as weird plasticky disks that I soak for 30 seconds or so

and then put stuff in and wrap them up.

They look a little strange, but no fishy taste!

I mentioned the other day that I returned the raincoat I found at Target,

and this is the replacement I found!

I bought it from Poshmark and I really like it.

It's VERY slim-fitting, so we'll see if I can fit sweaters underneath!

It was $118 original price.  No thanks!

I enjoyed trying on some hats at Target.

Here's a beret:

And here's a cloche:

Whole Foods is putting in some new palm trees.

Here's how they're tied up to travel and get acclimated

to their new home.

I visited a new Ross,

which had a fancy shoe area.

Still no shoes I liked.

But I took a photo of my outfit!

blouse: Target
camisole: Target
skirt: Rekucci (Amazon)
shoes: Target

I have been experimenting with wearing two necklaces together.

Black diamond necklace from Etsy a couple of years ago.

Heart diamond necklace from my parents about 25 years ago.

Greg's Mom came to visit last Friday and we went to Barro's for pizza - yum!

Greg's sweet Mom brought me the cobalt bowls in the middle of the photo -

they are shaped like tulips!

She also brought me this adorable BIRDIE cup!!!

It has a nice lid to keep things in.

We found out that my niece, Esme, will be Holly Hobbie for Halloween.

Guess what?  This used to be MY OUTFIT!!!

Here I am!!!

And here is the outfit with the apron.

BONUS:

If you're looking for a funny kid's book,

check this one out! 

Happy Friday!