Random 5 Friday on Saturday

To be precise it's time for my Random 5 Friday post. Since it's Saturday it's not really Random 5 Friday, but happily I can still be random on Saturday.

1) I don't mean to obsess, but I am so missing Google Reader. I like Bloglovin' but there are times I can't comment when I open a blog there and I get too I lazy to find the blog and comment. It's not for lack of love that I'm not around as much, but for lack of Google Reader.

2) I just got an email from the library reminding me that "Revenge Wears Prada" is due on Tuesday. What a change from the days that you had to keep track of a book's due date. My goal is not to pay late fees for my library books, and I may succeed this time.

3) Speaking of "Revenge Wears Prada..." I should have read the reviews on Amazon first. I've finished the book and it was just okay. I didn't read "The Devil Wears Prada," but I liked the movie a lot.  The plot here was very predictable, the characters weren't very nice and Meryl Streep was nowhere to be found. Happily I didn't buy it, but since my reading time could be devoted to a hundred other books, this wasn't a great choice.

4) We had another glorious fall day today. I'm treasuring every one of them. In a couple of months these days will be history, but for now it's the best.

5) I had my second bowl of butternut squash soup this season here yesterday and it was perfect. Any other squash soup devotees in the group?

It's been pretty random today, but I like to think there's something for everyone. Thanks for stopping by and take good care of yourself. Wishes for a sweet weekend!

Happy Spring!

I think we've turned the corner into spring. It was in the 50s today and a little nippy, but tomorrow is supposed to be warmer and I will be surprised to see snow again until next winter.

I'm back to the Blogging A to Z Challenge tomorrow. We're going off Broadway for a landmark "G" and I am happy to inform all that I've found H, I and J. I was beginning to get worried, especially about I.

I'm still having problems with Pinterest and I am at a loss how to solve them. I can show favorites on Facebook, but cannot embed them on the blog. This is the new updated Pinterest, but I would happily return to the old Pinterest, which was such a pleasure for me. Has anyone solved the Pinterest blog problem after updating?

I had a fun day with my friend Mary and her visitor, Pat. We had lunch together, did some walking and shopping. The latter was almost entirely window shopping, so it was also an economical afternoon.

Have a Great Monday! 

Pinterest Gingerbread Fest

Source: oneperfectbite.blogspot.com via Carol on Pinterest

Here's a cheer for the classic gingerbread man, beloved of literature and eating!

Aren't these the cutest little gingerbread guys ever? I've had a wonderful time looking at a world of gingerbread delicacies and decided that this week I would present the most classic gingerbread man. I chose this one from Pinterest and found it was from one of my favorite blogs, "One Perfect Bite." If you like to cook or eat this is a great place to visit, and Mary is a lovely blogger friend.

I am somewhat startled to realize that next weekend is Christmas weekend. I kept thinking there was still weeks. We had our holiday luncheon at work today. Lots of goodies and beautiful decorations. I have some fun times with friends this weekend and there's still wrapping to do and lots of cards to write and lots of blog visits to make. Frozen custard post tomorrow! It's a promise.

Wishes for a sweet Saturday!

It's Bachelorette Time

Source: ruemag.com via Carol on Pinterest

No, my dear friends, I am not holding out on informing you of any great romance in my life. You will be among the first to know when Mr. Great Guy comes along. You will be the first to know when Mr. I Have A. Date is on the horizon. I love to share happy news. In fact I love to share happy news so much -- we can use some really happy news in Buttercupland -- that I had to let you know that I am in the Bachelorette party planning mode.

I have a dear colleague, Maritza. She has been seeing someone for the last five years. I've not met him, but he sounds like a terrific person and truly Mr. Right for Maritza, who is a long-divorced single mother of two. For the last several years our little group of friends has been encouraging Maritza to say "yes" to Mario.  They seem so well matched and yes, we love to plan parties. Yesterday, Maritza shared with us that she had won a radio contest describing her affection for Mario. My colleague and friend Sandy and I decided we would make our every other month offer to help Maritza with her wedding. We fully expected her to say no for the dozenth time, and this time she said okay. We were ready to dance around her office.

Besides an office event we are going to do a very simple Bachelorette evening. We'd like to go to a restaurant near our office and have snacks and a drink or two. But we'd like really fun favors. I saw a number of cute things on Pinterest and I was very taken with this black and white theme. There were also adorable cookies and cupcakes.

Source: flickr.com via Carol on Pinterest

Does anyone in Buttercupland have recent bachelorette party experience? I know what I see on television, but we're not "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" women and I can't do any kind of favor that will make us blush. Some of the things I saw while doing my research would really make all of us blush.  

There are few things more fun than weddings -- babies, of course! -- and I feel so happy to share in this one. 

Pinterest Pumpkinfest

Source: bakersroyale.com via Kim on Pinterest

I was a little slow on the uptake with Pinterest, but now it's a regular stop on my internet visit list. One of the things I most enjoy is looking at recipes and I've happily assembled an entire board with pumpkin recipes. I shared the pumpkin ice cream a few weeks ago and that was a big hit with the citizens of Buttercupland. I thought it would be fun to share more of the pumpkin recipes I've found -- and there are lots, each looking more delicious than the last. Every Friday from now until Thanksgiving I'm going to feature a different pumpkin recipe. Some will be savory and some will be sweet. I'm initiating Pumpkinfest with a fabulous mini-brownie recipe with a swirl of pumpkin cream cheese.

I love the title of this post -- goofy, but my first rhyming alliterative title. I love the pumpkin recipes. I've come to love Pinterest and I love the citizens of Buttercupland. It's a lovely way to start the weekend.

Sweet Wishes for a Sweet Saturday!

Source: maresfoodandfun.blogspot.com via Carol on Pinterest

In just a few hours Yom Kippur starts, the traditional day of Atonement on the Jewish calendar. I will be joining friends for dinner before services tonight and we will be breaking our fast after 7:00 tomorrow night. I've always found the day meaningful, even when I was barely a teenager. It's an opportunity for me to think and pray about how I can be a better person. This year will be no exception. I received a great gift of health and am so grateful. I am bringing my prayer list and of course, my blogger friends and their families will be on the list for health and well-being. Thank you all, for all you have said and done for me this year.

I will be back after the holiday. Sending sweet wishes for a sweet Saturday!

It's Pumpkin Time in the City

Source: cheekykitchen.com via Carol on Pinterest

I'm wildly happy with the autumn and with all things pumpkin. We had a perfect autumn day today and wearing closed shoes and a jacket felt just fine. With my new found love of Pinterest and my abiding love of pumpkin I am happy to share one of the great pumpkin recipes I found and pinned to Pinterest. It's from one of my favorite blogs, Cheeky Kitchen. The link and the recipe are just a click away.

I wish I could bottle the weather and this ice cream and ship it off to all of you. But alas, weather and ice cream are ephemeral and instead, can only send hugs and happy wishes.

Love the Haircut!

Little Buttercup -- circa 1952

Thanks for the help and friendship on Pinterest. I'm having trouble saving the "pin," but will spend some time with it this afternoon. I think I really could have some fun with it.

Wishes for a great day!

Pinterest

Please help! I'm signed on and totally confused about the next step. Are any other blog friends signed on? If so, how are you using it? One idea I've had is thinking about some changes in my kitchen and it seems -- if I understand correctly -- that I can "clip" pictures from the universe and "pin" them to a design board. Can someone give me the next step?

Thanks, sweet friends and have a cozy evening!