I Like Thursday 10/23

 Thank you to Leeanne of Not Afraid of Color for reminding me to notice things I like. 

I like that I have completely finished this art journal!
There's a completed project on every page!
And there's a brand new one ready to begin.

I like watching these young hens. 

I like (actually love) candy corn!
But, I never eat the white parts.

I like the view from the upstairs window... 
A dozen (okay... 16) chickens in the grass...
a tired-but-still-producing garden...
my red benches... our winding drive...

I like (and am annoyed by) our squirrels.
On one hand, they're so cute. Balance that with the other hand,
they eat hickory nuts and throw the sharp shells on our deck, they sneak in to eat the chicken's food, they make our birdfeeders their own, they pick tomatoes and take one bite... I could go on and on...

I like Twinkle.
She's the friendliest and most patient to wait for a treat.

I like starting the day with Wordle & Quordle.
I usually win, sometimes I get extra lucky.

I like filling my gardening basket.
It's not every day any more, but that's okay.

LeeAnne's  writing topics this month are about herbs & spices:

Your most used spices or herbs... what do you seem to use over and over? Did you grow up with these or start using them as adults?  My mom used salt, pepper, and onion salt... maybe some paprika on the tops of deviled eggs.  I honestly can't remember any other herbs or spices in our house.
How do you store spices and herbs? jars they come in, special holders, etc. My spices stay in the little jars they come in.  My spice rack is a little box type thing with three drawers. I pull out a drawer and it drops down to show me the little jars.
Do you grow any? how do you do it? pots, inside or out side? all year or in summer. Do you dry them for use later?  I started growing herbs in pots in recent years.  I'd never done it or never cooked with fresh herbs, but I've learned that I like it. I grow chives, basil, purple basil, Green oregano, Italian oregano, and rosemary.

What is an unusual herb or spice that you love now that you've tried it? How do you use it?  I suppose It's not unusual to most, but I'd never smelled, cooked, with or eaten rosemary until last year.  Yum!  How did I miss that for nearly  60 years?
What ethnic foods do you like? I'm pretty much an all-American eater.  I do like Mexican food.  I like Italian okay. 
Do you get take out, eat at a special place,  or have you learned to make a version at home?  We do have our favorite places for take-out or to dine-in occasionally. I have my own home version of lots of things.  I'd say I most enjoy making soups, chilis, and stews.  I find it a pleasure to chop and stir and simmer and sample.