Soup, Pulled Pork, Halo, and a Busy November

How the hell is it November already?  It seems like it was summer just yesterday, and now its been in the 30s as a low the last few nights.  I love this time of year.  There's something about walking the dog in that cold, crisp, morning air with the leaves falling that just makes me feel more alive.

Anyway, haven't updated in awhile so I figure I would do a new post.  I have been working from home the last couple weeks but am now back on the road in Detroit.  It was really, really nice to be home with Theresa and Abby for two straight weeks!  Its sooooo nice to be able to come home to the best girl in the world and the best puppy in the world! :-) It also gave me a good chance to relax at home and cook and do some other hobbies.

I love being able to cook when I am home!  This past weekend I made a sweet potato and chipotle soup that came out really tasty.  It was a Bobby Flay recipe from a cookbook that my parents got me.  I served it with some cornish game hens and Theresa made some tasty green beans :-).  On Sunday I threw a pork shoulder in a crock pot with apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, made some stovetop stuffing, heated up some leftover soup.  It turned out to be a pretty tasty hearty meal.  The pork came out pretty good - I think next time I may season a little differently - maybe add some more brown sugar, but overall it was a pretty solid meal. 

Being home for a couple weeks, also gave me a chance to play a decent amount of Halo: Reach.  The game is a lot of fun to play and is very well done.  I have been a huge fan of the Halo series (including all the games and the books) since I played the original game when it was released with the original Xbox.  Halo: Reach marks the last installment of the Halo series, and I feel like Bungie did a really good job on it.  I really feel like they did an awesome job incorporating some solid new game play mechanics while still remaining faithful to the original feel and style of the Halo series.  The campaign is very engaging and challenging (but not frustrating), and ties into the rest of the Halo storyline very well (it is effectively a prequel that immediately precedes the original Halo).  The multi-player match-making is really fun and addictive.  Bungie did a good job of including a game type for everyone in this installment and has been doing a good job so far of making updates and tweeks to improve the games.  The armory and credit system makes it a lot of fun as you earn enough credits to get new armor items.  However, the biggest highlight of the game is that it gives me something to do with my buddies that I can't be with physically.  Its been nice to be able to play Reach with Zorro, Veggie, Tommy D, Chewie, Matt, Corey, and others over Xbox Live.

I have a feeling the next few weeks are going to fly by.  Theresa's cousin Stacy is getting married this Saturday which should be a really fun time!  Unfortunately, our friends Aubrey and Josh are getting married the same day down on the shore, so we won't be able to go it.  But I am really happy for both couples and I'm sure both weddings will turn out great! :)  We also have a couple parties the couple weekends after that which should also be a lot of fun.  Before i know it, its going to be Thanksgiving!

Song of the Day: "Punk Rawk Show" by MxPx
Beer of the Day: Labatt Blue Light (wish I had one in hand now haha)