The book I'm reading is Time After Time by Lisa Grunwald. It's another book from Modern Mrs. Darcy's summer reading guide. It's kind of a magical realism type of book as it's about a woman that dies in Grand Central Station during a train crash in 1925, but she comes to Grand Central on the anniversary of her death, but only some years. She meets a man who works at Grand Central so there is a love story component. It's taking me awhile to get through this book, though, as I have so much on my mind with the move, etc. I think October is going to be my slowest reading month of the year, which I'm ok with as I've already read 81 books this year!
The high of my week was finding out our house appraised pretty significantly ($30k+) over what we are paying for it! I used to work as an underwriter for a mortgage company so I know that it's fairly rare for an appraisal to come in high, especially significantly higher. Phil's been nervous about this purchase so the high appraisal definitely helped. The sellers were very motivated to sell it fast as they have 2 very young kids. So we got very lucky that they priced it on the lower end and accepted our offer the day it went on the market!
A recipe I made was Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup. This is one of our favorite soup recipes! We skip the mushrooms (sob!) since Phil doesn't like them, add 2 chicken breasts and double the chicken broth (you need to if you add chicken breasts). The chicken breasts fall apart so are super easy to shred. This isn't a "light" recipe as the roux you make to thicken the soup calls for 6 T of butter. But hey, some meals needs to be a little more indulgent! This yields a ton - probably a solid 6+ generous servings. It's even better the next day. I'm hosting my family on the Friday after Thanksgiving and will serve a selection of soups. This is 1of the 3 I'll be making!
The best money spent was on tickets to a Halloween Trolley + book event for Paul and me. Some of the moms in my mom's group are coming with their kiddos, too. It should be a fun event. You take a short trolley ride (which I think Paul will love), wear costumes (um, Paul only - I'm so not a Halloween person so won't be donning a costume), an author reads a kids book, and you get some treats.
My plans this weekend include nothing besides playing cards with another couple on Saturday night. We don't even have our usual swimming lessons as the pool where we take lessons is closed for 2 weeks as a precaution since one of the teachers had a stomach bug that can be very contagious, especially considering the water is warmed to 91F! Having no plans is fine because we have a lot to do around the house. I'm starting to box up some non-essentials and Phil is working on sealing/painting our basement walls with the help of his cousin. Hopefully the weather will cooperate so we can go for some walks and go to the park. Paul is super into slides these days so he really loves going to the park.
Bonus Paul Pic:
I only took one picture this week. Whoops! Too busy to think about pulling out my phone!
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| He's saying "cheese" in this photo! |
What recipe did you make this week? Do you have any plans for the weekend?
10 comments:
Yay for the house appraisal!!! That is awesome news!!! The halloween trolley sounds like so much fun! Charlotte has said that she will stay home this year and help pass out candy. That soup sounds delicious!!! The past few years we've gone to a soup lunch that's a fundraiser for our local Meals on Wheels. I LOVE trying all the different soups from different places around town. They are always so delicious!!!
I know that appraisal number made your week! In a little over one month you'll be in it, so this month will fly by.
Paul is so photogenic and he appears to love the camera! His smile makes me smile!
Killer! Walking into the deal with $30k in equity has to make y'all feel better about the move. That is quite nice
I just finished making cupcakes in my new leaf-shaped pans and more (and more and more) sauce from my bushel of tomatoes. Tonight it will be with sausage, kalamata and capers, too. Friends are coming for dinner. Last night we went to a wine tasting at a local wine store and tomorrow go visit the kids. A good weekend! Hope yours is too!
30K over! That's awesome!!!! What great news to find out. I am really happy for you guys and am looking forward to your posts when you first get moved into the new place. So exciting!
We are trying a new recipe for Korean short ribs today. We're serving them with rice and roasted pumpkin.
Hooray for the high appraisal! That must ease some of Phil's stress. Woohoo!
That Instant Pot recipe sounds delicious, although I'd probably also sub out the mushrooms. :) I'm going to try it because I'm always looking for recipes that make lots of servings! Nice to be able to freeze half of them to have later.
My weekend was filled with work, which isn't the most fun, but will be nice when my next paycheck comes in! I did get to sneak in some family time + a Saturday afternoon nap so it wasn't all bad!
The picture of him saying cheese is SO cute! Love his little grin. The halloween trolley ride event sounds super fun!! I would totally go to that as well. I am away for work the week of Halloween but specifically flying back early on the 31 so I can take Olivia trick or treating. Now that she can actually walk I think it will be so cute. We'll just go to a couple of houses.
Have fun on the trolley ride! I went with my little one on the PJ Trolley ride and we also had milk and cookies. I think they were Great Harvest Cookies! An author read us a book and the hosts were Wild Rumpus. I am so jealous you got tix for a Halloween one. I will have to remember that for next year!
I made a delicious quiche!
oh that's amazing that your house was appraised high, that is definitely rare! Good for you guys! Have fun on the trolley ride! That must be so much fun to do with little kids!
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