Happy Light

One week of gray and rain and my mind turns to darker days ahead when S.A.D. will plague some of us who live out winter in sunless semi-darkness.

Some of you advised me last year to buy happy light bulbs, so I did.

Now I lie on my sofa, eyes closed, visualizing afternoons only weeks ago when I'd sit on my sunny porch in shorts and tank top, feet resting on a cushy chair, dark glasses on my nose, body soaking sunshine.

One does what one must to keep her spirits up.

It's never too early to begin preventative measures, no?

How I am enjoying the challenge of living season-consciously during months that normally sap my energy, crabbyizing me until spring returns bright new life.
Decades of 'doing it wrong' have instilled crusty, moldy habits - habits that feel as instinctual as breathing and eating. I'll root 'em out.

As Bob Dylan says, "He not busy being born is busy dying." Busy being born here - anticipate the unexpected!

Triple Chocolate Caramel Apples

Caroline didn't feel like Trick-or-Treating this year. All four of our kids found their moment when dressing up and walking the neighborhood lost its appeal.

She handed out candy to all the little kids instead. "It was really fun! They're so cute."

The little girl who commented, "I like your house. It's pretty!" received two large Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.


While the front door was busy opening and closing to little bumblebees, princesses, and military boys the kitchen was busy, too. I made homemade caramel with fresh milk, cream, dark corn syrup, and more. Then, I coated a bunch of apples.

After they hardened I coated two-thirds of the apples with melted milk chocolate. Back to the fridge for cooling. (First photo is after milk chocolate dip.)

Tom and Cassie added a coat of semi-sweet chocolate to all of the milk chocolate and/or caramel apples. (Second photo, Tom and Cassie melting white chocolate)


Once the goodies had chilled, Caroline watched as Tom and Cassie drizzled the ever-expanding apples with melted white chocolate.




More refrigeration. Thirty minutes. It's all we could stand.






We sliced an apple in half then into quarters, slicing out the core, and we each enjoyed a hunk.

The remaining treats? Noooo, we won't eat them all. There were over a dozen. Joe and Sam, Joe's friend, will be gifted with a couple. We shall present a couple more to the kind friends who came over to console the girls during the Sammy/pit bull ordeal. I'm sure the leftover coated fruit will find bellies to sweeten.

Hope your Halloween was safe and fun!

I'd write more but I think I need a little snack - say, an apple?

Cheese Genius

In the deli department of one of our favorite markets, Market of Choice, there lies a huge wheel of cheese. Huge. The lady behind the counter, after pointing out all the delicious cheeses on sale during their Harvest Sale, told us that if we could guess the weight of the cheese wheel we'd win a small prize.

Tom asked if he could pick it up.

"Sure!"

He did. And as he was setting it down he said, "That weighs 85 lbs."

The lady's mouth dropped open. She reached under the counter for his gift, a small jar of jam.

She asked, "How'd you know? I mean, that's exactly what it weighs."

"Felt like a tire and tires are 85 pounds."

My husband the mechanic - and now enjoyer of a fine jar of rhubard jam, with almonds.

And he shares.

Hidden Meals

I'm ever surprised - stupid me - that there are so many meals hidden in my food storage areas, in pieces here and there waiting for someone to put them together. It took me getting irritated at food prices - okay, outraged - before I rediscovered my stubborn streak, the one that fights back.

Tom's been after me for some time to dig out the old, frozen chicken parts, the pork chunks, and the nuts and berries, etc. from the back of the freezer. And to reacquaint myself with the mason jars of various dried beans, peas, and lentils in the pantry. He mentioned as he walked out the door for work yesterday, "Is there something that can be done with these bananas before we have to throw them out?" While his helpful little comments normally have a negative effect on me - down-side of the stubborn streak - I've taken his pleadings to heart in an attempt to strike-back at rising grocery prices.

I've had the ability to cook and bake for a long long time, yeah sure. But after twenty-eight years of husband and children, well, it sort of loses its appeal now and then. Especially when my chore list remains long, responsibilities demand, and contemplation is taken seriously.

But occasionally - especially when the seasons change - the mood strikes!

And this time it struck a double-whammy! Seasonal cravings coupled with high grocery costs.

I really had no choice. I, being who I am, took up the sword and sliced the grocery bill down by using what I already have to feed my family. Swoosh! And I cleaned out the freezer making room for more good harvest delights. Swoosh again!

The mood will pass. It always does. But this time I have pictures to remind me of the satisfaction. Maybe I'll be motivated again sooner. And this time I have a freezer full of things I normally would have been too preoccupied - lazy - to make up ahead or save from the garden.

I think I'm changing.

Hmm.

Crisp Weather/Chicken Soup

It rained yesterday. Nice! I pulled a bunch of chicken pieces from the freezer and made stock.


The girls and I rolled out a batch of rustic pasta last evening, spreading it out to dry overnight.


This morning as I skimmed the fat off the refrigerated stock I remembered that our last CSA box included purple potatoes. Why not make chicken soup with purple spuds for fun? Over the weekend Cassie picked the last of the green beans. As I didn't have any peas, I added a few of the late bloomers instead.


The soup foamed and dripped a little onto the stove as it simmered away. Oh well, it still smelled divine.


This afternoon, right before the girls left for French class, and before Tom headed for work, we sat down at the table over steaming bowls of chicken soup, and watched the gray fogginess of a chill October day creep over the butte and into our world.

Hot soup and a drippy day.

Perfect timing!

Gathering Pieces

What do you do with these too soft to peel and snarf bananas?


And what about these remnants of walnuts crammed to the back of the freezer? Have they outlived their usefulness?


They can still contribute. Yes, they can. They may look used up and worthless, old and spotted, too soft, but together they create a whole new food!


A gentle touch finds good fruit inside...


..a new banana form. Smashed! Pile up the nuts and chop chop chop.


Introduce the duo to a few fresh friends.


Send them on a cruise to a warmer climate.


Sun tanned, bananas and nuts, a whole new offering.


Beautiful.

Never underestimate the value deep inside each and every one of us.

Apres Summer

I know I'm the most boring blogger ever. My posts are about desserts and soups, harvesting and preserving, and the joy that these simple things bring to me. Complete, peaceful joy.

I'm in a very relaxed, content place right now. Embracing the new season, letting the chill wind brrrr me, letting the warm house toast me, and letting the satisfaction of a summer well-spent console me. l rode fearlessly on the crest of summer this year, rode her from spring to fall, noticing her nuances, making time to stop and making time to participate, squeezing out all that I could of her loveliness, her offerings, her opportunity and poetry. It has left me very mellow.

It's boring to read about, I know. But these simple posts reflect my experience, my feeling.

I hope it's not the calm before the storm.

I hope it's just me...learning to listen, to absorb, and to be grateful.

We'll see.