Still in the high 20's this morning but going to mid 40's and I see 50's in the forecast this week!  Maybe the heatwave will make it up here.  It's also bright and sunny.  I may be able to get out and work in the patio area this afternoon although I do have a chat to host.

Today I have a rack of ribs to prepare for supper tonight.  I have not done this before so it should be interesting.  I want to marinate it for a couple hours and then roast it long and slow.  I think I will need some luck.  Can't believe that I have never ever worked with a rack of ribs before...especially at my age...but I haven't.  My favorite type of ribs is country style pork ribs and those I have made several times.  Any ideas about what sides to make with this rack?  I'll have to take a look at that but I am leaning towards rice.

So, have you worked out your plans for Thanksgiving?  I know it sounds a bit much but deciding on what dishes you are going to use, both eating and serving makes sense.  And there's nothing wrong with using everyday dishes.  But some folks like to use their special dishes.  First question is do you have enough to serve all the folks that will be sharing Thanksgiving with you?  

I think we are using our everyday dishes but I realized that I was short of some small bowls and pie plates.  Off to Goodwill I went and found five small bowls for three dollars and eight small plates for four dollars.  I could have made it without these added plates but it would have meant washing dishes between the meal and dessert.  The bowls...not so much.  

And do you have your menu planned?  And when you are making things?  I plan on making the pies (pumpkin and pecan) as well as the jello salad the day before.  The other items that I am responsible for will be prepared and cooked Thanksgiving day.  But because there are so many items in the oven and on the stove, I will need to use the electric skillet for one of them.  See what I mean...you have to plan ahead...at least in your head!

So, I have another pumpkin craft.  This can be made out of construction paper, card stock or magazine pages.  First create a pattern as shown in the middle of the circle and make 12...

Fold all in half...

Glue the halves together to make the following shape...

Glue a stem (either a twig or roll up a brown strip of paper), some leaves out of green paper and remember making curled paper strips by pulling it over one side of the scissors (carefully), add a couple of those.  Check out this picture...

The picture doesn't show how really cute these are.  One thing, when I used magazine pages, before glueing the last sides together, I used an orange marker to add the color but that's not necessary.

Tomorrow we'll work on another house for our winter village.  Have a wonderful day.