You know me—I love a good storm. Sitting in Colorado under all that blue sky while back home they were having two really good storms drove me crazy. As predicted, the Nor’easter came. But it was pretty much a fizzle. Yes, it rained but not nearly as much as they had thought it would. No biggie, that’s for sure. Today is supposed to be gusty and windy on the tail end but that’s about it. If you want good weather just ask me to come and visit you! But, there is a definite upside to this and that is the changing trees. Right now they don’t need to have their leaves ripped off!

It was still the perfect kind of day (cloudy and cool) to be making this stew. It takes tons of prep work with peeling and cutting all the veggies and making the red wine and porcini mushroom sauce, but it’s totally worth it.

It gets served with some lentils (they get the sauce too) and a celery root and potato purée. Delicious!

Now for the second part of this post. The day before yesterday Rick came home from work and handed me an Apple bag. I knew right away what it was—an iPad! He told me I would probably getting one for Christmas or my birthday, but it’s neither one of those! What a surprise!

I LOVE IT! Thanks so much, honey!

Since Rick got his back in May it’s hardly left his side. I’ve often kidded him about how his iPad can do just about everything. Well, except for one thing that I can think of! And, if it did that he wouldn’t need me at all! After just one day of playing around with it I am beginning to see the addiction. I can just see us now, sitting side by side completely engrossed in our own little iPad worlds, sending each other IM’s back and forth ... how romantic!

Shaun was given an ipad for work and I am just green with envy! I just play with my iphone and pretend that it’s just as good.  tee hee

OK, come visit me in about a month.  They are predicting a really nasty winter and you know how I feel about that.

Susie, you should be green with envy! Maybe Shaun will get you one too ...  Okay, I’ll book my tickets now ...

Hi lynne - so sorry I’ve not visited for so long, life is too busy!  I do so love your autumn photos, just spectacular

Oh, lucky you, well done Rick! You need squash with that lovely stew - yes, Boston Marrows are edible, we only have three so I am saving them for special occasions.

Letty, thanks! Not to worry!

Gretel, hello again! Thanks for stopping by. I need to look up Boston Marrows here, they look lovely.

Hey Lynne!  I still lurk and live my life vicariously through you.  By the way, we got the ipad too, took it on vacation to North Carolina.  I got back of the neck strain from using it the 12 hours or so in the car.  It is amazing.  Love it!  I do want to take the class to learn more though.