On double-checking the caffeine in tea you give your child; fall; porcine magician; misc

Of course you can have tea, sweet child

It occurred to me last night around 11pm, when Jack was still awake and truly unable to do anything about it, that perhaps the pots of tea we'd shared with my dear friend, Gay, while at her house playing Monopoly with her and her grandsons, had not been caffeine-free.

It was green leaf tea from China, and we must have steeped three full bags during our hours at play. I realized that my headache subsided but felt sure that was the tea's ancient medicinal power coming through. Also, green tea doesn't have any caffeine, and so I watched with pleasure as Jack downed cup after cup with such pure contentment while we played. An eight-year-old who requests honey and happily grasps a warm mug of tea on a cool afternoon- what is more charming?

Y'all, green tea does have caffeine. You probably all knew that. And my poor little guy was wired to beat sixty. He awoke on the wrong side of the sleepless bed and was rather a bear today, but I could hardly blame him. Literally. #momfail

Somewhat inexplicably (because a sports family we really aren't), young chap read the sports section while eating breakfast this morning.

Fall is falling

After an absurd series of intense dog days last week, fall broke overnight last Thursday, sweeping in with an invigorating zip. It was glorious today; bright, blue, crisp. The sort of day that makes you feel utterly alive, like you want to make applesauce and pumpkin bread and rake leaves and later enjoy something warm and cozy. Indeed, I have flannel PJ pants on right now, and from the moment I slipped them on, I have felt satisfied. This heat-loving lady does love the advent of fall!

Last night, we enjoyed steaming bowls of gumbo, and I again thanked T for making a double batch last month and freezing some. My farming friend gave me a stunning Cinderella pumpkin recently; it is the perfect home accessory this time of year. If only I'd made it to the farmers market today for some fall goodies. Alas. I did make an apple pie with a pecan crumble topping on Friday. We ate it all before I snapped a pic. Oops!

Have you ever met a porcine magician?

I hadn't until yesterday.

These pics = enough said. Look at that eye in the second shot; studying my every move!

Miscellaneous

Fresh garbanzos! Delightful! Harder to peel than they appear.

Fresh ricotta: always the best! Dollops of this beautiful snow dot my pizza tonight.

On November 21, Benedict's movie, The Imitation Game, in which he plays the incredible WWII cryptographer, Alan Turing, opens. He will be excellent in this role!