Pumpkins

This was on the back of October's Cook's Illustrated Magazine. I'm so thankful Mother Mary and Father Glenn got us that as a gift. Lots of different kinds of pumpkins with different names. I love them all. I enjoy this time of year more with each passing year. Mid September I begin to long for the smell, look, and feel of fall. I've been enjoying hearing of the fall traditions my friends have. From pumpkin patches to pumpkin bread. Jim and I are developing our own. We have lots of birthdays we celebrate this time of year - including mine. I enjoy birthday celebrations and make them last all month if possible. I decorate our house. I find it easy to do with fall - just get lots of fun pumpkins like those below!

The Wonder Of The Natural State

California Dreaming - Napa in the fall

Sterling Vineyards

St. Francis in Sonoma

Auberge Du Soleil

Rudd

Far Niente

In St. Helena

Nickel and Nickel

 

Before leaving for my birthday dinner at Meadowood

Taylor's Refresher Now Gott's Roadside

A Napa Valley Staple! Jim and I have made the garlic fries and sweet potato fries at home - but there's nothing like the real Taylor's (new name Gott's Roadside) experience. A must do Napa adventure. The Valley now has several locations with the original being across from Merryvale. Grab lunch then head over to Merryvale for a tasting.

Hot Mulled Cider

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Serves: 12 servings

Ingredients
16 cups pure apple juice or fresh apple cider
4 (2-inch) cinnamon sticks
2 oranges, peels and juice
8 whole cloves
6 star anise



Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Pour into mugs and serve.

I like to use Martinelli's Apple Juice or Cider www.martinellis.com or Fowler Farms www.fowlerfarms.com.

Copyright 2001, Barefoot Contessa Parties, All rights reserved

This is one of those recipes so enjoyable in the fall. Have it for parties, showers, or just for fun. It will make the house smell like the season.

I just love the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten! http://www.barefootcontessa.com/

Remembering A Nursery Rhyme

"I see the moon and the moon sees me The moon sees the somebody I'd like to see. God bless the moon and God bless me God bless the somebody I'd like to see!"

Tonight while soaking in a bubble bath, I said a prayer then I happened to look up. My eyes drifted under the curtains and in a tiny crack in the blinds I saw the moon. I said, "I see the moon and the moon sees me, God sees the moon and God sees me."

We all have prayers, we all experience need, we all have grief, we all laugh, and we cry....we feel pain, we feel hope, we have faith and that's the only thing that keeps us going when we can't even find the strength to breathe we somehow go on. Sometimes we become numb. We fear. It's when we let go that we are free.

I said a prayer of need tonight. I believe I saw the moon for a reason. I have faith that something can happen. Great need exist in this world. And we all have needs. We all feel, we all bleed, we are all human. We all live in our own existences and they all matter. We go through different trials, but we feel a similar feeling. We all look up and see the same moon all people, all cultures, all hurt, all love, all happiness, all in need, and God sees it all, feels it all, and holds it all.

Basic Marinara Sauce

I took Father Glenn's recipe and made it more basic and smaller. It's easy - anyone can do it and you've got most the ingredients. It's an inexpensive but impressive meal.

1 can peeled tomatoes
1 can of tomato paste
½ green pepper (optional)
1/2 an onion
1 shallot
3 garlic cloves
1/2 tsp. dry thyme
dash of fennel seed
½ tsp. dry oregano
dash of sea salt
ground pepper to taste
1 tsp. sugar
½ cup of red wine (optional)
2 tbs. (3 branches) fresh parsley - can use dried
2 tbs. fresh basil - chopped - can use dried fresh preferred

Sauté onions & garlic in olive oil on medium/low heat - stirring occasionally. After 3 mins put a dash of sea salt and generous black pepper on top with thyme, oregano, and fennel seed (and bell pepper if your doing that) cook down another 2 - 4 mins. Put tomato can in and half a can of paste (may or may not use the other half at the end to thicken). Take your spoon and break up the tomatoes. Put in parsley, sugar, (red wine), and stir well. Simmer on lowest heat covered for 30 minutes to an hour. Put basil in and last paste after it has simmered - stir. Turn off or low and let cool. Freeze or leave out for reheating for dinner.

The Power Of Smell

One of my favorite smells is that of sauteing onions & garlic. Even though it's something simple the smell is sophisticated and adds such great flavor to any dish - it will make anyone feel like the are a chef for a moment about to make an exquisite concoction.

Nonnie's Pie

There's nothing like grandmother's cookin'. My Nonnie knows how I love chocolate in her pies so she put chocolate chips in a recipe she found of her mothers, oatmeal pie, just in case I came over. Well, I did and couldn't resist having not just one piece but two pieces. How I love my Nonnie's pies - made so yummy, but most important made with love. I'm thankful for her and my D-Daddy and the every second I get to spend with them!

Oatmeal Pie
1 - 2 Cups of Evaporated Milk
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
2 Eggs Beaten
3 – 4 cups sugar
2 – 3 cups white corn syrup
1 – 2 stick butter
(so old it originally said margarine)
1 – 2 cup coconut
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup of chocolate chips
1 9 in. unbaked pie shell
Mix all ingredients together and pour into an unbaked pie crust. Bake for 1 hour at 350.
Optional: Add nuts and chocolate chips