The Great Pumpkin Caper

I'm having a bit of an issue.

I'd really like to make this

Baked Pumpkin Spiced Donut Holes- via pintrest 

and this

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies- pintrest 

oh and these look good too

Pumpkin Whoopie Pie- pintrest 

and the other great-looking 583 pumpkin flavored treats on pintrest. 

But there is NO pumpkin in the stores.  In the past week I've been to 8 different grocery stores...without finding a single can of pumpkin.  There are cans of pumpkin pie mix...not helpful.  And don't tell me it isn't the right time of year, because I've bought it in late winter, early spring and summer. I used my last can to make the pumpkin scones, which are good, are few weeks ago.

I've tried google search. There isn't much info but it seems like last fall there was a pumpkin shortage.  I don't remember having trouble last year.  There aren't articles about this year, but some people have posted comments about having trouble this fall as well.

I'm frustrated...and in need of pumpkin goodies!!!   

Does your store have cans of pumpkin??  More importantly, do you wanna send me some?  Just don't tell me about your favorite pumpkin sweet...I can't handle it. 

Oh, amazon does sell canned pumpin but after shipping each can is like $6.  And I'm not that desperate...yet.

So Long Summer

Well, summer is officially over. But luckily, I have it all documented in my free Shutterfly Photo Book. Take a look!

Click here to view this photo book larger

In the past week there have been three big signals that the season is changing.

First,I went back to work. I know I’m very lucky to have 2 months off in the summer (although I, like most decent teachers, take part in professional development over the summer- without compensation of course), but the transition back is always rough. Not only is there a great deal of stress and long hours (12 hr+ four days this week), but I have to see this each morning as a I pull out of the driveway.

Secondly, we have enjoyed great fall weather this week. It has been in the 70’s-80’s all week and 60’s at night. I love having the AC off, and being able to hear the crickets at night.

Lastly, we celebrated Buffett Day over the weekend. As always, it was a fun day- how could it not be?! Even my mom flew 500 miles to join the party (oh and work in my classroom). And a good party it was!

The first day with kids is tomorrow- holding my breath and crossing my fingers.

Annoyed

I can’t believe Domino is shutting down! First of all, I know many people who read the magazine- it is pretty popular. Second, I just got a subscription for Christmas. I’m annoyed.

Seasons of Love

“No day but today”….but sadly today is the day… the final Broadway performance of RENT is tonight.

There has never been a show like RENT: set in “current” times, dealing with real, tough issues (AIDS), not shying away from “edgy” language or sexual explicitness (hetero or homo), with real diversity (gay, lesbian, cross-dressers, multi racial)- with beautiful music, wonderful lyrics and important messages. And sadly, with Jonathan Lawson’s ironically untimely death, just as he was beginning to change the norms of musical theater- who knows when something this special will appear again.

http://nymag.com/images/2/daily/entertainment/08/01/16_rent_lg.jpg

While of course, we must “forget regret or life is yours to miss”. It is impossible not to be a little sad that after tonight, with almost 13 years on Broadway (in the top 10 longest running shows), Mimi’s candle will remain unlit. The homepage of the RENT site has fitting opening today, and some links to great articles and multimedia presentations honoring the show.

Thankfully, the touring company is still schedule out through summer ’09 (although not in DC- but Chicago hint, hint Tootsie). However, the traveling production cannot replicate the amazing setting provided by the Nederlander Theater. Its sad to think about amazing RENT décor- inside and out- being replaced.

www.nederlander.com

I am celebrating (trying not to mourn, because really RENT teaches us to celebrate) the amazing RENT legacy today. I am wearing by new shirt (from my last RENT show,- thanks Chels) and will be watching the movie- including the extras, and documentary, this evening.

(I know this is not the time to discuss the movie vs. the play- no question the play is the best- I think they should have tossed the original cast on the Nederlander stage with video camera in the audience and sold that- but its all I have tonight people).

"It's time now- to sing out/tho the story never ends/ let's celebrate/ remember a year in the life of friends/ remember the love"

Thanks for all the memories and love- RENT!

NO DAY BUT TODAY!