Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Cloudy and Colder

    Our part of the world (Colorado, between Denver and the Springs) is normally drenched in sunshine nearly every day of the year. It's a big change from the Michigan I grew up in, which seems to spit out two or three dreary days for every sunny one. In fact, whenever we headed east to visit the folks, we'd joke about dropping off the sun in Iowa, and picking it back up on the way home. 

     So what have we had here, for the past week? 

     Michigan weather -- but without the moisture. (Well, a couple of gray afternoons with a scraping of snow, including Monday.) Those of you who live back east, I don't know how you do it. Sheer courage.

     Halloween candy is out and ready for the trick-or-treaters. We even got carved pumpkins early, for chicken use. (Our neighbors had ground squirrels change their jack-o-lanterns into open-faced zombies, thanks to some snacking.) We don't celebrate, but my piano students and the neighborhood kids do. We'll probably do the usual: snuggle up by the woodstove with buttered popcorn and a scary movie. And wait for the doorbell to ring.

Visits are up again! This blog has held pretty steady at 5000+...even more than 5600 visits this month. Thank you, Gentle Readers, for being so faithful. I've got plenty to share with you. 

FREE Collector's Workshops Nov. 3...courtesy of Skinner Auctions, to advertise the Americana one they'll be doing Nov. 4. If you're in the Boston, MA area, don't hesitate to attend -- you'll learn!

Celebrities' dogs in costume.  And nearly all of them look miserable. Shades of...

And from the Department of "You Have Got To Be Kidding," comes the account of a Norwegian princess who really did sleep on a pea...to see if she was authentic or not.

Coney Island sauce for hot dogs? I'm in!  (From Vickie's Kitchen and Farm)

What if you don't get the 'thing' you really wanted?  (From Moneysaving Mom)

Make your own spray air freshener? My Abundant Life says sure.

What President Trump REALLY said to the Gold Star Widow. And it's not what most of the social media reported, either.

Two women and their dogs, rescued by the Navy after five months adrift at sea!

Restaurant-style meals you can make even better at home: 24 recipes, from barbecue ribs to tirimisu. (Thanks, Betty Crocker!)

Nine good financial hacks. Don't miss the extra links that lead you to yet more hacks. (From Budgets Are Sexy)

Frugality for very busy people with no time.  Lots of good stuff here.  (From Penniless Parenting) Speaking of:

It IS Just Stuff.  An enduring truth. (From Planting Our Pennies)

Flourless almond cake -- oh my. (From Hundred Dollars A Month)

Beautiful places in Ireland that the average tourist doesn't know about.  (From Irish Central)

A cougar visits a school principal and his wife in Woodinville, WA...nosy, or hungry?

Don't eat too much candy... and have a great week.