October Wrap Up

We’re ready to put another October in the books.  And this, ladies and gentlemen, is how I got so old.  I just let time fly right by.  Darn it.

In any event, here is the October wrap up and how we have been spending our time around here.

What I’m Eating

I made a really good gluten-free healthyish brownie recipe for hub.  It called for a very small amount of baking powder and consequently it didn’t rise very high.  If I were making it again, I’d double the amount.

I know this picture isn’t too attractive, but you can see that it stayed pretty flat.

The recipe is from Fit Mitten Kitchen and the changes I made were to use cacao rather than cocoa powder, 2/3 cup regular sugar (cutting out a third) and skipping most of the added chocolate chips.

Hub prefers his desserts less sugary and chocolatey, so that’s why I always cut down on those ingredients.

These turned out good and I’ll make them again and re-visit that site!

The big Costco produce run means we have been eating up our goodies this week.  I’ve been making a lot of fruit salads.  So far, several days in, the fruit is still good and not overripe.

What I’m Reading

My sister’s friend Azin wrote Tehran Moonlight and my sister gifted me the book during my recent trip to her home.

It’s a love story set in Tehran about ten years ago.  I’m sure things are much different today than even ten years ago, but it’s nice glimpsing into the culture from Azin’s eyes.

On audio I listened to A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones.  I liked it but didn’t realize it was the first in a trilogy.  So of course, it didn’t end.  I skipped to book number three and it is locked and loaded right now.

Reading time has taken me onto the patio this week with much nicer temps.  Of course that suits Roxy just fine.

Exercise

I’m not sure if I mentioned this, but our club added a step class and I am just loving it.  I’m right back in 1991 groovin’ and movin’.  I honestly don’t feel tired (or old) while I’m stepping.

The rebounder is still a big thumbs up exercise recommendation.  I’ve been using my trampoline regularly for several months now and really like it.

One way I use the rebounder is doing YouTube videos with the sound down and listening to my audiobooks.

Michelle Briehler’s channel has a lot of good options.  Sunday she dropped a short foam roller workout which I tried.

I HATE the foam roller, but this workout was doable with little pain.  I’m going to keep on it and hopefully have fewer sore muscles to report.

Wrap Up

We had a few fun activities around Anthem this weekend.  The club added a new pizza oven and I checked it out Friday night (no, I didn’t order a pizza).  The lady cooking told me it gets to 1000⁰ and the oven’s name is Jenny.  I don’t know what the cook’s name is, but she was quite nice.

Anthem Days vendor booths and carnival were at the park.  Trunk or Treat Friday night at the club.  Saturday night was a family fun night at the new Backyard our club added to the patio with all new bocce courts.  We checked out the festivities but didn’t stay too long.

John has now added bocce to his weekly activities.  So when he’s not golfing or playing pickleball he’s rolling a ball in sand.  Hey, isn’t that exactly what happens in golf?

Well, it’s not for me, but he enjoys it so there you go.

Have a wonderful week ahead and thanks for joining me.