gray is the new black this week.

with everything in the news this week, you would think my mood would be in the sh*tt*r. pipe bombs. torrential rain storms causing catastrophic flooding. one more mass shooting that could have been prevented in more ways than can be debated. the world seems to be coming to an end and darkness can certainly prevail if left unchecked. however, while i (and many others it seemed - thank you for reaching out and sharing) struggled last week to find my serenity, i realized that reaching out, as always, helps me feel not quite so alone in the madness of it all. amid all this heartbreak, there are pockets of joy and sunshine and i have found exposing my struggled always manages to bring just the thing i need to me at just the time i need it. thanks to all you readers for buoying me up on a dark day.

sometimes it's just that one thing that can tip the balance and then it all starts to flow again. seeing something bright leads to the next thing and then to the next and suddenly i'm smiling again and can't quite remember what brought me down in the first place. we celebrated my mom's 78th on friday night and while my dad is no longer around for it, the excitement and air of love and laughter was everywhere. we each wrote toasts. the grandkids sent funny/classic/sometimes totally incomprehensible sentiments and seeing the love that has been created in one household brought tears to my eyes. i learned my love for parties, entertaining & celebration from my mom. no one loves a party like her and watching her soak up all the love and joy and allow herself to be taken care of by us for a change was a wonderful thing. here's to many more nights celebrating the family she & my dad made.

so my blog is short and sweet today. i have more pumpkin bread to get cooking, we have halloween parties still streaming in and parties to plan for the weekend so this girl needs to get cracking! don't fault me if one of those loaves of pumpkin HEAVEN above doesn't make it to the shop for sale...that sh*t is off. the. chain. ridiculous and i can be held responsible for that much chewy, sweet, delicious goodness making its way to the cafe. pop by the shop and pick up your loaf or order straight from our website www.thecatchycaterer.com. & have it delivered!