~  Anybody else think that this year's Halloween decorations were more ghoulish and gruesome than usual?  Or is it just my neighborhood?  And if they were worse this year, is it recession-related?  Hmmmm.

~  I'm actually on the ball and thinking ahead to Christmas plans and preparations and presents and traditions....  And yet I was still taken aback when I was driving to church on November 1st and a commercial came on the radio with a woman brightly announcing "It's the holidays and you'll want to ...... (blahblahblah buy our product)".

This is our favorite go-to meal:

Cook 1 cup rice (any kind - white, brown)

When done cooking, stir in 1 jar salsa

and 1 can beans (we like black, but pinto or kidney work too; or sub 2 cups cooked from dry)

Serve in bowls topped with shredded Cheddar and

tortilla chips on the side (we use them instead of spoons)

Enjoy!