Fall in Manitoba

Pumpkin Procrastination

Yesterday I was attempting to avoid the huge stack of homework that was awaiting me when I came across some lovely pumpkins I had collected on the weekend.

I'm not a great cook but I decided to get the aid of my sister, who is a great cook, and who I have gone on many cooking adventures with and make a pumpkin soup. It was a lot of work and a lot of pumpkins bit the dust but it was delicious! This was more or less the recipe I used, a different website suggested using a bit of olive oil and salt when roasting them which I did, and well I didn't measure any ingredients but in anycase, I highly recommend this soup, both as a procrastination method and a delicious fall meal!

Cosmo also has a recipe for a pumpkin face mask (half cup pumpkin + 1 egg white) which I tried,grudginly, with one of my many pumpkins, and it felt lovely and my skin looks marvelous today.

What to Pack For A Weekend At The Lake

I have to confess that I have a love-hate relationship with packing, on one hand I love thinking of everything I need, planning my outfits, etc. On the other hand I always end up lugging a few giant overpacked bags around and not using half the things I brought. So in an attempt to streamline here is what I'm packing for a weekend getaway at the lake! Hopefully there will be lots of reading, relaxing, consuming of wine and hiking and since I don't have holidays again till February, I better enjoy it to the maximum.

Clothes:
For Friday-black skinny jeans, black tank top and floral shrug from Wet Seal and wedge booties from Spring.
Outerwear-beige trenchcoat and cream scarf which I made for a trip to the UK last fall.
For Friday and Saturday evening: Leggings, black  t-shirt, a grey sweater from Jacob, that I've had forever but can't give up, orange wrap around scarf
Saturday: A grey and black sweater which I found at the thrift shop, jeans, black booties from Pull and Bear (I have also read that Pull and Bear has an online store now?? What are the chances they ship to Canada?!)
Sunday: Houndstooth mini, red Michael Kors top (also from the thrift shop-of course), black tights and white scarf

Beauty: The great thing about going to the lake is not needing much makeup, all I'm bringing besides the essentials are nail polish for touchups, a bit of blush and mascara and my L'oreal, anti-frizz serum.

Entertainment:
Captain Corelli's Mandolin-time to finish reading this book!
Red Wine-Right now I love one that is called Red Velvet by Cupcake, since I'm not a true red wine drinker this mild wine is perfect for me.
October Cosmo-Cosmo always makes me laugh, still I pick one up once a year
My journal-writing by the lake is so peaceful
My knitting-ditto!
Homework (unfortunately, but it's Canadian literature so it will be interesting)

Of course I am also bringing something else very important.

Larry looks slightly apprehensive, but I'm certain he will love the lake.