Fast, French, Fabulous

I was treated to an unexpected visit by one of my oldest and dearest friends.  He's often able to stop in on his way North this time of year so I usually try to keep some ingredients for some fast, yet elegant meals on hand.  It helps that there is an abundance of produce available both from the garden and from the CSA bag.  I found out that he'd be coming for dinner around lunch, finalized a menu in my head during the early afternoon, and cranked the oven to 450 when I got home.  We were eating by 5:15 and had a healthy and filling meal in front of us and great conversation between us.  

Roasted Salmon

Put a cast iron skillet into the oven set at 450.  When the oven (and skillet) is hot put the salmon down, salt and pepper it and drizzle it with olive oil.  Bake 10 minutes.  Scatter on garlic, lemon slices and fresh parsley.  Bake 5 - 10 min. more until the fish flakes.

Roasted Cauliflower

Put Cauliflower on a roasting sheet, drizzle with olive oil, chopped garlic and sage.  Roast 20 min. Add salt and pepper and fresh parmesean if you have it.

Sweet Potato Gratin

Par boil whole sweet potatoes for about 15 min. until fork tender.  Drain and cool.  Peel off the skins, slice and put into a baking pan.  Scatter chopped garlic and sage over the top.  Salt and pepper.  Cover with heavy cream and chees (Swiss or Mozarella work well).  Bake for about 10 min. untilt the cheese is melty.

Also on the table - Apparition wine from Americana Vineyards in Trumansburg, NY.  This is the perfect fall wine.  We love this vineyard and I usually buy at least four or five bottles so there's enough for fall entertaining.

This was a perfect meal with one of my favorite people on the planet.  What a great way to end a Monday.

Fall Fun # 1

It's been a busy fall so far, but that's pretty normal around here.  Although we actually have fewer kid activities happening this year, it's seemed like much more is happening.  Part of that is that I'm teaching all Juniors this semester and that's the big English testing year in our state.  So, that's meant that I constantly have a huge pile of grading to finish.  But, even with all of the running around it's been a great fall so far.  It hasn't felt like fall here - it's been consistently in the high 80s.  As soccer wraps up and we head into November,  I'm looking forward to fall part two.  Hopefully it will be a little calmer and a little cooler.

Survival Strategy # 1  Crock Pot

We are managing to drive together most days this year which is good.  However, it also means that there are several days when we need to eat as soon as we walk in the door.  The crock pot is a fantastic tool that I use several times a week.  It's been a little hard to find recipes for the early fall though since it's been so warm.  I'll do soups later in the year, but no one is really in the mood for hot soup on a humid 85 degree afternoon.  This Lentil Dal really fits the bill.  I usually do a crock pot of rice in another smaller cooker, so dinner is all set when we get home.  It's a crowd pleaser, it goes together in about 5 min. in the morning, it makes enough to freeze or to have leftovers for lunch, and it makes the house smell amazing.

Crock Pot Lentil Dal
3 c. red lentils or split peas
6 c. water
28 oz. tomatoes
2T onion, garlic, fresh ginger
1T tumeric
1 bay leaf
2 t. cumin, mustard seeds
1 t. salt
1/4 t. black pepper

Daddy/Daughter Camping

The girl and her dad were able to go out and camp together this year.  I love that they do that.  Eli and I went to the high school football game to cheer on my school's amazing guys.  We all had a great weekend together.

The Harvest (or Lack Thereof)

It was a pretty pitiful garden year.  The beans and flowers did really well.  Everything else was a bust. At least the garden looks pretty and because it's been so warm they're still blooming.

Pumpkin Patch

We headed to the local pumpkin patch and apple orchard with some great friends.  It was an awesome afternoon.  We had planned to go to the corn maze as well, but it was closed because of the heavy rain the day before.  Oh well, figures, the only weekend we have rain would be the weekend we planned to head there.  I'm loving watching these kids grow up and I'm so grateful for my parent friends as we help shepherd eachother through their teenage years (four of the five in that picture are now middle schoolers).

It was $40 to fill the wheelbarrow - we got as much as we could.

Physics

View from the apple orchard

Redskins Game

Ed and Eli had another chance to go to a Redskins game together.  They even won!  

Growing Up

We now have two middle schoolers (6th and 8th).  They've gotten so grown up so fast.  Mostly that is a good thing.  They're both pretty responsible, and most days they're kind and easy to be with.  No matter the age I love these kids so fiercely.  I'm already realizing that there are only four short years after this before our household starts decreasing.  It really makes me wish we had a bigger family.  It's going to be really quiet around here when they're gone.

1st day of school

Confirmation - She's now considered an adult in the Lutheran church.

Applesauce Weekend

It wasn't much of a party this year.  We had to do applesauce at our house because of Emma's confirmation, and the kids, Ed and my Dad had a school service event.  So, mom and I tackled four bushels of apples ourselves.  I missed having cousins and the weekend at the farm.  There's always next year.  At least the job is done.  I used the big pressure cooker to cook down the apples and it worked really well.  We got some fantastic tasting sauce.

I made him help me with the last half bushel because my hand hurt.

Campout

We held the campout a weekend earlier than normal.  The weather was gorgeous, but we were competing with several other events.  So, we had the smallest turn out we've ever had.  It was still a fun weekend, but we'll probably go back to hosting later in the fall next year.

The Garden Knows It's Fall

Since the beginning of September, The Woodsman and I have been having a fierce Facebook debate about the proper term for our current season.  I believe once September hits, and especially once Labor Day occurs, we are firmly in the season of Fall.  The Woodsman holds to his belief that Fall does not begin until we hit the Fall Equinox - which will happen at 4:21 AM this Wednesday.

I keep posting recipes that include Pumpkin (Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats, Pumpkin Chia Pancakes  and giving him evidence that I am correct.

Exhibit A:  We're back in school.

 Exhibit B:  It's cold in the house.  The blankets are back out of the closet, the quilts are back on the bed, and we've (mostly) let the cats back in the house.  Last night I even asked him to build a fire.  Of course, he looked at me like he'd just seen a horror movie.  September was definitely too early for the first fire in his book.

Exhibit C:  The Garden Knows It's Fall - I picked three bushels of winter squash and gourds on Sunday, and harvested the Bloody Butcher (dent corn).  All of the summer crops are pretty much finished.  The kids are delighted because the summer squash is dead, and I am sad that the tomatoes are almost a thing of the past.  What's growing well in the garden now?  Kale, Carrots, and Sweet Potatoes.  Those don't sound like summer to me.

When he saw the fall display I put on the porch, as we enjoyed Sunday afternoon's pleasant cool weather, he said, "You know, it's starting to feel like fall around here."  In another day we'll be in agreement.  Until December 1st of course, when I'll say it's winter and he'll still think it's fall.

Always Over Extending Myself

Sometimes old friends really do know you the best.  They're so good at picking out the patterns of your life.

Recently, I was discussing a new part time job (working a few hours on Saturday and Sunday as a ski instructor for teeny weeny ones) with a friend who has known me almost as long as I've known myself.  I told him about the plan for the new job and then pondered, "I hope I'm not overextending myself."

His response....  "Sweetheart, you're always overextending yourself."

And isn't that the truth.  I think I've always been like this.  I don't remember ever, ever being a person without several projects or plans on my plate.  I don't do well with idleness or being unproductive.  It's not that I don't like to relax - I do.  I just think it's more like that old joke...

How do Germans relax?  They work.

The thing is, as long as I have a plan, and I have time to prepare, the stress of having a full calendar and a to do list usually keeps me moving forward and engaged.  I don't like being so busy that I don't sleep, and I don't like having so much happening that it impacts on time I get to spend with my kids, but usually, being busy really fits me.

So, am I overextending myself?  Check back next week after I don't have the weekend to regroup from this even more than normally busy week and I'll let you know.  In the meantime, here's some of what's been keeping me flying.

Had a great Thanksgiving visit with my family including:  cookie baking and house decorating with my Grandma, Black Friday Shopping with my sister, kids and mom, a wonderful Thanksgiving feast with everyone at the farm, a date night with the Woodsman (lunch - Italian and a movie - Hunger Games), and buying a car (Forrester - replacing the Outback that died the week before).

Before Thanksgiving we all ran in the local Turkey Trot.  The Girl ran the 10K with her Daddy and came in second.  The boy and I completed a 5K (I wasn't even last like last year).  I also cooked a couple of incredible dishes using fall ingredients.  It's been lovely having the CSA, but the kids are already sick of winter squash.

Smoky Black Bean and Butternut Ragout

Arugula Salad with pickled beets, clementines and Asian Dressing.

Butternut Squash Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Prepare 3 c. of mashed winter squash.  Season with salt, pepper, butter and fresh parmesan cheese.  Set aside.

Saute 2 lbs. of sausage or ground beef or vegi burger or a combination.

Add 2 cans/jars of tomatoes, garlic, oregano and 1 t. soy sauce.  Simmer until the mixture reduces by about half.

Stir in green beans or peas, then place in individual ramekins or a 9x13 pan.  Top with squash mixture.  Top squash mixture with good sharp cheddar cheese.  Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.

Finally, our favorite activities, and the ones that keep us the busiest have been the ones involving the kids.  In the past few weeks we've had a dance recital, Lego Club, Code Club (including a presentation to the School Board members), Orchestra concert, musical practice, confirmation class, acolyting, usher, special music at church, Sunday School, Youth Group, and a boy's trip to the Redskins game.  Of course, there's also the regular, normal, everyday activities of running a household and working full time.   Busy?  Yes.  Blessed?  You bet.

So Long October - Welcome November

Over the past several years I have decided that, while I love the festivals and fun traditions of October, by the time we get to Halloween I'm craving the peace and serenity of November.

Mostly, the weather is dreary.  I like that.  Today, when the sunshine came out briefly I found myself feeling a bit disappointed. November is not a time to be out; it's time to be in, so let it rain.

 I look forward to warm sweaters, comfy tights and cozy skirts.  I want the pop and crackle of a wood fire and the warm you to the bone feeling that only comes from radiant heat.  I want hearty soups and stews simmering in the crock pot.  I want blankets, and fleece robes, and flannel sheets.  I want darkness, so I can savor the homey light inside.

November, before the cold gets so raw we can't stand it anymore.  November, when snow is still a rare, fleeting, delight.  November, no big Holiday, no big stress, just a time to Give Thanks and reflect on all the blessings in my life.

Despite it's busy nature, October really was wonderful.  We have so many delightful times with family and friends.

Campfires - just us around the fire on the last few pleasant nights of the fall.  Hot Dogs and S'mores make for simple, and inexpensive Friday nights.

For more years than I can count, we've been making caramel apples with some of our favorite friends.  Really, the kids just lick off the caramel - most of the fun is in the creation.  However, I think it's the easiest dessert I prepare all year.

The annual Fall Campout and Bonfire was much smaller this year - we mostly stuck to inviting the kid's friends and family.  After having had such a busy summer, a smaller, more relaxing weekend was perfect.  But, as the boy said, "This year was a little too small."  I think we'll be back to our bigger party next year.

The girl's tent was quiet long before lights out.  They were reading and talking quietly together.

The boy's tent was a different story - it stank.  They spent most of the time before they went to sleep having farting contests.  I will never understand boys - but they seemed to have a blast. 

 We visited a different pumpkin patch this year, and only picked up two.  Since we've been getting our produce from the CSA, I didn't feel compelled to squirrel away big Hubbard squash and Cinderella pumpkins.  The kids needed very little help this year with their Halloween preparations.  I helped rescue one carving boo boo, and I fixed the devil horns.  Otherwise, it was their own show.

We had a great soccer coach this year, and a really hard working team.  Coach surprised everyone with trophies at the end of the season.  We had a great final game too.  It was wonderful to see all of the kids grow and develop their skills.

We made a few apple dumplings and put them in the freezer for cold snowy evenings.  Apple dumplings were the last of my very limited processing list for the fall.  Now, I can enjoy all of November and enter Advent with (hopefully) a clean house and a rested spirit.

This weekend is the first weekend with absolutely no plans since May.  I've been absolutely giddy about it all week.  I love being social, and I love traveling.  But for now, I'm glad to be hunkered down inside enjoying the last of the fall views on the mountain while catching up on all the small projects that have been needling at me for weeks.  The weekend's menu is full of simple foods perfect for fall:  sweet potato waffles and sausage, cranberry beans and kale, red lentil curry, raisin bran muffins, peanut butter vegetable soup.  Food for the body and for the soul.

How about you?  Are you making time for yourself?  Are you giving yourself the gift of an empty calendar weekend?  We may not go dormant in the winter, but as the months get colder winter is a perfect time to stay in, recharge, reconnect and reflect.  Happy hibernating everyone!

Fall Fun 2014

I love October.  It has to be one of my favorite months - we've had so many wonderful activities going on, and there are still a few more before winter arrives.

Mountain Craft Festival, Somerset PA

Blacksmithing

Shelling Corn

 Daddy Daughter Camping at Trout Pond

The Girl learned how to make mountain pies herself.

 Dad and Kid hike on Old Rag, Shenandoah National Park

These are the same kids that complained all summer when we hiked!  Amazing!

The last long hair picture for the boy- it's now much shorter, and I'm much sadder.

 Applesauce and Woodcutting Party

My cousin and her girls were able to join us.  Perfect Day!

The middle child keeps up a running commentary the whole time while working - love it!

We lucked out this year and got Honey Crisp Apples - maybe the best sauce we've every made.

Every Christmas The Woodsman gives Farmer Dan a coupon to bring in his winter's supply of wood.  What a guy!

Cousin love

Beside herself with joy - wish we saw this sweet boy more often.

 Family Campfires

What have you been up to?