Cooler Temps and Spaghetti Squash

The temps are finally falling in North Alabama, and I couldn't be more excited. After two days of 98+ degree weather, yesterday's cool down was wonderful. I decided instead of heading back to the gym I would take advantage of the cool morning and do an outdoor run. It was AMAZING to be running outside again. The time passed my so quickly (much quicker than when I am on the treadmill). My speed isn't where I want it to be, but I could tell I was running faster than I did in the spring. I had to take a couple of walk breaks, but by the end of my 5k run, I felt invigorated! I ran my trusty "Roadkill Run" path from last spring, and loved every minute of it.

Yesterday afternoon, while doing a bit of grocery shopping, I spotted a spaghetti squash.

A couple of years ago, I had my first run in with a spaghetti squash after reading several people's blogs about them. People raved and I was so excited to try a new veggie. I love fruits and veggies, and there are very few that I don't enjoy. I picked out a HUGE spaghetti squash, to it home, *thought I followed the directions*, and thought it was HORRIBLE! I was so upset. Tommy just laughed at me as I tried to finish one serving. I could not imagine how people could like these things. A while back, Rae posted about having spaghetti squash and a former coworker had put a facebook status about how much she and her kids LOVED spaghetti squash. Now, I will be the first person to say I am not a good cook, but I do alot of cooking. I am easily  intimidated by new recipes and tend to make the same things over and over. Several people have told me I am a good cook, but I think they just want me to cook for them so they don't have to do it...because in my eyes I just don't have great cooking skills :) I am always in awe of Brittany when she posts amazing creations from her kitchen, and Tish has been known to make my mouth water from her dishes. Mary has been posting new recipes each week with her DDGbD posts, but as for me I seldom venture out in the kitchen. Yesterday, when I got home, Tommy helped me unload the groceries. His first response was, "Is that a spaghetti squash? Did you really buy another one of those?" Honestly, I am a little surprised that he remembered the first experience. I guess me not like a veggie was memorable :) Anyway, I did a bit of research online and roasted the squash in the oven. (The first time, I used the microwave...and I think I may have undercooked it.) I halved the squash, coated with a tiny bit of olive oil and Italian seasonings and baked it for 45 minutes at 400.

IT WAS GREAT! Tommy even had a few bites! I am soo excited to had a new *easy* side dish. And maybe I will even try a recipe for Spaghetti Squash as the main dish :)

**I think the problem with my first experience with Spaghetti Squash is that I cooked it in the microwave for the time it was suggested to do the first cutting, instead of the amount of time it needed to cook after cutting! Oops :)