A sign

This may have been the best sign I saw yesterday. Now that this purple state has become red, bright red, we will have to look for other positive things to keep our spirits up...for the next two years. I am usually not political, at all...but that might have to change a bit.

By the way, I asked the store person if the sign was for sale (it was found here), and sadly, she said no. I would have loved to bring that home, and replace kitten with puppy!

Post Halloween Blondies

I may not be excited about Halloween, but I won't ever say no to a piece of blondie!

What's a blondie? Well, think of it as a brownie that tastes a little like chocolate chip cookie! Now do you still question my love for blondies?

So, despite our efforts to get rid of as much Halloween candy as possible (by giving it away to others), we are still left with handfuls of stuff around here. This recipe is a good way of getting rid of some of that stuff! You can add any kind of chocolate covered candy you would like. Here, we used Kit Kat Bars and Twix (we don't like nuts in our cookies/ brownies, but don't tell Jim that!).

Post Halloween Blondies

Wet ingredients
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg

Dry Ingredients
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped up Halloween candy (we used Twix and Kit Kat bars here)
several small marshmallows on top for decoration

Preheat oven 375 degrees F.

In a bowl, mix wet ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients together before adding it to the wet ingredients. Add the chopped candy and mix well. Grease an 8x8 baking pan and fill with the batter, making sure to spread it evenly. Sprinkle marshmallows on top.

Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool 10-15 minutes before cutting into squares. Served warm with a glass of milk or a cup of tea! Happy non-Halloween!

Voting Day

Today marks the first time I have the right to vote in this country! The day is crisp and clear. The poll was across the street from where we live. The process, well, can be improved, I think. We brought the kids with us to experience one of the reasons this country is known as "the land of the free". Freedom to vote is a big thing...who actually gets elected is a whole different story. I do hope the right people get the most votes today.

Our Boy

We have avoided the soccer culture for a while. Until now, that is. I still think that I don't have it in me to be a soccer-mom...but will you take a look at this guy? We are taking a break now until Spring... and then...well...stay tuned!

Still some colors

I know that the time is coming.

It's the time of year, in this part of the world, when the only colors I see in my photographs are that of my children's winter jackets. I remember this from a few years ago living in Boston. I remember needing more life, more colors, more of something other than grey and leafless branches.

Columbus is going to be just like that. So I am taking in what is left, surprised that some hardy plants are still producing vivid colors even though the leaves around them are dropping every second.

I might just need to get a greenhouse, or go live at the Conservatory, or go home to Thailand for the next 6 months. Or... I know, I can just take it all in now, and live the moment.

Saturday Flowers

Before coming to Ohio, I had not been familiar with these blue canning jars. And as if I had been living on a different planet (well, arguably I was), poof, they exploded everywhere here. Okay, so not everywhere, but if you go to any kind of antique stores, flea markets, amish country anything, you will see them. They actually come in other colors, too, which I like, but not as much as the blue ones.

Our Zinnias are still surviving the frost (so far). What a prettier sight than home-grown zinnias in blue jars? Happy Saturday to all!

Halloween '10

And so, I survived another Halloween. I know it's not Oct 31st, but in our part of the world (well, in this little town we live in), Trick-o-Treat happened last night! A bit strange, I know. But guess what?! It's over! Most importantly, I think the children had a good time... Oh, what we do for the love of our children.

Growing

There is something growing around here...

Falling for fall

It's been gloriously beautiful around here. Fall has been good to us. The colors, the cool nights and warm days, the crunchy leaves and earthly smells.

Today, though, the winds came as did a lot of rain, and even some tornado warnings. I suspect that we will have a lot less leaves on the trees tomorrow.

It's quite alright, actually. I am ready for it. These distinct seasons help remind me to live life simply, one moment at a time.

Pumpkin Seeds

So, is everybody roasting pumpkin seeds right now?

The great thing about having young children is that their enthusiasm about something that happens every year seems to still excite them. In fact, it seems that even if it's something that happened last week, they would be excited about doing again.


Take pumpkin picking. Or pumpkin carving.


And what to do with all the pumpkin seeds left over from all these activities? Besides saving some for next year's planting, we roasted them with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. The fragrant of roasted pumpkin seeds uncannily resembles popcorn. Be sure to stay right by the oven as they seem to roast quickly.


I hope your home is filled with as many pumpkin seeds as ours.

Pear Juice, the old fashioned way

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Our friends from Michigan were in town for the weekend. Before they left to go home, we took them to Slate Run Historical Farm for a little taste of 1800s Ohio farm life.

Upon arrival, we saw a farmer with a wheel barrel by the pear trees. It turned out we had arrived too early, before the 11am opening time. The farmer did not seem too bothered. He told us a bit about the orchards; how the apple trees have a harder time with pests, and that these two pear trees can yield a lot more fruits than several of their apple trees can provide good apples. As we listened, we helped him collect the fallen pears for the old fashioned cider press.

The farm bell rang when they were ready for the cider pressing. The kids ran from the barn so fast you would think it was Christmas morning. They were allowed to help put the pears into the press as well as the pressing itself. How fun that they got to see and help with the whole process, from beginning to end.

And I hear (I did not taste it) that the pear juice was quite a delicious reward.

Fall Colors

Just a glimpse of what we get to experience here in Bexley. Beauty!

Oh, and all those beautiful leaves? They fall! They fall a lot onto our front and back yards! I bought my first rake the other day... Beauty is fleeting, is it not?

Cherry Tomato Jam

We are expecting some frost tonight...our first one, I believe. And yet, we still have so many cherry tomatoes that are trying to make it just one more day!

Our dear Claire was inspired in the garden yesterday. She wanted to can tomatoes... which we have done a lot of this season already, and there is not enough to can anymore. But those cherry tomatoes! Something must be done with them before they go to waste.

Tomato Jam. It just popped into my head just like that. Not that I had made it before... but why not? Can't be too hard right?

The little chef got it all together: the harvesting, the cleaning, the chopping, the stirring. I was just the sous-chef. The result: brilliant. It went very well with the Alaskan Cod I made (and did not plan to have tomato Jam on the side). It was just meant to be.

Claire's Cherry Tomato Jam

Two cups of ripe cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

a pinch of salt

Wash and slice cherry tomatoes into halves. Combine all ingredients and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Let cool, and serve!

Colors

I kind of drove through the "bad" part of town today on purpose. Part of it is being revitalized, and part of it has beautiful old homes.

And then there were these buildings and windows! My goodness, the colors of the windows, and the red brick and that blue sky!!

It was worth 'risking' the drive. I do hope that this area of town will see its pretty days again, soon.

Last Fresh Pesto!

For the first time in a while, we have our own basil plants that are prolific, delicious, and oh so fragrant!

It is going to be heart-breaking to see the first frost-bites on these little plants...so, I am not going to wait for that. Instead, I am going to harvest them before that dreadful day, turn them into pesto and freeze for a mid-winter's feast (or two or three or more!).

I generally don't measure my ingredients for pesto. It it by taste, and may vary from person to person (you may like more nuts and less cheese, more garlic or a miniscule amount). Here is a basic way we make ours at home:

Ingredients:

• Bunch of fresh basil leaves, washed and drained
• Handful of nuts (we like tamari almonds, or walnuts)
• One clove of garlic
• A good amount of grated Parmesan Cheese
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• A squeeze of lemon juice

I generally start with the nuts, cheese and garlic in the food processor, and mix that well. Then add a lot of olive oil so you get a consistency of a thick soup. Add the basil leaves next, then salt and pepper to taste, and squeeze in lemon juice at the end. You may need to add a bit more oil, or water works, too, if it is still too lumpy. Remember, taste as you go. You can tweak it with less or more of each ingredient, depending on your liking.

Freshly made pesto over a well-cooked (al dente) pasta is one of the most delicious dishes ever! Try it now before the season is over. Or like I said, make it, freeze it, and celebrate summer in the middle of January...because it will be summer somewhere in the world!

The Piano

An important inanimate object became part of the family a few weeks ago. Thanks to craigslist, we didn't have to break our bank account to be owners of a piano (a perfectly fine piano especially for little fingers!).

Also, thanks to Ted, the piano teacher, there are actually some real music and tunes being played to sooth the ears (rather than causing headaches).

Maybe someday, this can be heard in our home. Wouldn't that be lovely?

Sunday Moment

Organic Apples in the heart of Ohio!

We are 50lbs richer with organic apples from Charlie's Apple Orchard! You can read more about our day and the orchard here!