Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours!

Auntie Ruth's Pumpkin Pie

It is the weekend before Thanksgiving and it is really feeling like Fall today.  The day has been rainy and cold, but the perfect solution for that is warming the house by cooking and baking up a storm!  Yesterday I made a big pot of Pioneer Woman's Chili, her "perfect pie crust" recipe and a yummy dessert called Pumpkin Love.  

On this rainy afternoon I whipped up my pumpkin pies for Thursday's feast.  I've decided to share my own recipe with you ... shh! don't tell anyone!  Modified and adapted from the recipe on the Libby's pumpkin can.  


Auntie Ruth's Pumpkin Pie
(Makes 2 Pies)

1 cup Sugar
2 teaspoons Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Ginger
1 teaspoon Pumpkin Spice
1/2 teaspoon Cloves
4 Eggs
1 can (29 oz) Pumpkin
1 can Evaporated Milk (I used the reduced fat kind)
1 can Condensed Milk
2 unbaked Pie shells (I used this recipe)


Pre-heat oven to 425.  Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl.  In a large bowl beat the eggs then stir in the pumpkin, sugar mixture and   both cans of milk until combined.  Ladle the mixture into the pie crusts.  Bake in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to 350 and continue baking for 45 minutes.  Enjoy!

I just finish making what I call the Perfect Fall Soup this afternoon.  It is one of my favorite recipes when the weather begins to get cold.  I've modified it and tweaked it over the years.  This time I added sweet potatoes and it turned out really good.  Give it a try!

Perfect Fall Soup

10 servings (about 1 cup each) 

2 T olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 carrots, chopped
1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, sliced
2 qts (8 cups) water
1 C dried lentils
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
3 bay leaves
2 T balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Stir in carrots, sweet potato, bell pepper, and garlic; cook 5 minutes.  Stir in remaining ingredients except salt and pepper, bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 30 - 40 minutes; or until lentils and vegetables are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Remove bay leaves before serving.  


Enjoy a nice big bowl of this tasty soup with some fresh, warm bread or cornbread on a cold day!

Be still sad heart and cease repining;
Behind the clouds the sun is shining,
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life a little rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

-Longfellow

A Delicious Fall Recipe

Last week we had a small glimpse of brisk, cool Fall weather which got me in the mood for making this recipe I found on The Pioneer Woman's site.  So even though this week feels hotter than summer (104 on Wednesday) once it cools down again for good this will be something you will surely want to try!  It is easy and very delicious!  


Here is how I made it...

Cut the acorn squash into wedges and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle a little bit of salt.  Pop that in the oven for 20 minutes.

While the squash is baking grab some fresh rosemary and chop it up finely... inhale the wonderful scent of freshly chopped herbs... Mmmm!

Combine the butter, brown sugar and rosemary into a paste...

Take the squash out of the oven and smear the all paste mixture on the wedges...

Continue to bake until golden.  Drizzle sauce over the wedges to help them carmelize.

Enjoy!  


There is the printable recipe from The Pioneer Woman's website.

Goodbye Summer... Hello Fall...

Fall has finally arrived.  Even though I don't live in a part of the country where the leaves change and display a beautiful palette of colors, there are different sorts of Fall colors I enjoy this time of year...

Sunrise in Costa Mesa last week

From sunrise to sunset

Sunset at Creek Park last week

The colors of the season are brilliant and beautiful!

Sunset from up on the hill

The shadows in the afternoon are long and the breeze is brisk.

 At the end of each day it's a wonderful sight to behold.

City lights from up on the hill

It's hard to believe that I started this blog five years ago on September 6, 2006. It really doesn't seem that long ago! Through the years I found it to be a great place where I could share thoughts, memories and photos with family and friends near and far.

This summer I took a brief hiatus from posting and spent lots of time enjoying family, friends and the great outdoors. So as summer comes to an end I am ready to get back into the groove.

My Summer

Sunny days at the beach

warm sand

excited kids splashing in the waves

Trips to the city

exploring monuments of concrete and steel

beautiful ceramic fountain

Serene countryside

majestic falls

snugly, fluffy kittens to hold

Two birthdays and a wedding

family, food, friends

spending many wonderful hours together

Walks in the park, sharing summer bounty

in colors of red, green, purple

enjoying tasty treats

Summer has come and is almost gone

warm memories will stay forever.

Job 38

Job 38 from Grace EV Free on Vimeo.

Vacation Treasures

I've been on vacation visiting my best friend in Amish country in Pennsylvania. We went out antiquing the other day in Smicksburg. This was the best find of the day. Three teacups for $2.50! I love finding little treasures.