Turing the Page on September...October Looms!

October is the time for crunching leaves underfoot.  Raking until
your arms are tired then...if you are a child, jumping into the pile
until the leave flutter up into the sky and come down again. 
Time to pick the best pumpkins.  Remember not to grab it by the stem!
The final harvest is here.  Eggplant, peppers and squash take center
stage now. 

If you're like me, it's hard to put the gardens to bed.  Some plants
continue to bloom despite cooler temperatures during the day.  But
the days are just not long enough for their fruits to fully realize
their potential.  Mother Nature has a plan!  Her plan is embedded
in our minds and hearts just as it has done for so many years.  A repeat
performance, YES!  Nothing really new to report.  Just the same
vibrant colors, reflections of leaves in the pond, crispy, crunching
and munching all taking place simultaneously like a symphony
directed by Professor Wind. 

Time to take in the beauty of this colorful time.  As the sun sets
on another month, look towards bright October for some solace.

A Johnny Appleseed Breakfast!

Follow the recipe on the Quaker Oats container.  Add a peeled
and diced apple along with the oats and lots of cinnamon!!
It's a breakfast fit for a KING or better yet, Johnny Appleseed!  

Turkey Meatloaf...a new twist!

 

Ready for the oven...just brush
Howard's Hot Pepper Relish
Over the top!

This is a great product!  For a different twist...
spoon over a block of cream cheese for a nice
spread with crackers!  It will be gone in minutes!

 

 

• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped marinated sun-dried tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound ground turkey
• Vegetable Cooking Spray
• Howard's Hot Pepper Relish or something similar

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with non-stick aluminum foil.  Spray with cooking spray.

In a mixing bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, eggs, milk,

feta, salt and pepper.  Add the turkey and gently stir to combine.  Do not overwork the mixture.

 

Carefully, shape the mixture into small ovals.  Less than 1/2 cup of mixture each.  Makes between 8 and 10 mini ovals. 

 

If you prefer, you may pack the mixture into a prepared loaf pan and bake until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant thermometer, about 50 - 60 minutes. 

 



As the Season Changes...So do the household settings!

As you must know by now...I spend a great deal of time in the kitchen.
A couple years ago, I started decorating the windowsill. 
Wooden, wax and glass apples are placed upon vintage doilies
and crocheted pot holders. 
Beyond is the porch with its black and white awning, outside
and my garden room!
I call it..."A room with a view!"

Mom's favorite candy dish is filled with candy corn colored
M & M candies!  Yummy!

Grandma's china in the "Poppy" pattern is on display
on a newly painted yellow wicker tray.  I've started to
paint some of the many, many white wicker trays other colors.
It is fun and easy with a can of spray paint!

Here's another newly painted yellow wicker tray. 
Black-eyed Susans have found their way on the porch table topped
 with one of Mom's vintage 54" squares!

My friend, Lou gave me this old school chair!
How many coats of paint does it have?
Who knows!  Thought I'd use it to hold some
zinnias and hydrangeas on the back porch.

More wicker given to me by a neighbor many years ago.
Each year it gets coated with a clear coat of spray
paint.  It preserves it through the spring, summer and fall
months of the year when it's on the Farmer's porch!
How do you like the tomato and zucchini harvest! 
Ready, set, cook!!!

Bidding Summer Adieu!

It's labor Day weekend!  Yes, the summer appears to be over but...not really.

So, don't despair!  The Autumnal Equinox is on Sunday, September 22 and

there's still time for that last cookout of the summer season.  Although your

schedule will drastically change, linger in the twilight, catch a sunset and bid

the summer of 2013 a fond adieu when the time comes.

 

September is a time to visit the apple orchard, make that delicious apple pie and

savor in all things with cinnamon and apples.  After all..."An apple a day keeps

the doctor away!" 

 

September is a good time to make out that Christmas list!  Yes, you heard me right!

There's no time like the present to start planning for the holidays.  By making that

list, you may just free up more time to enjoy the festivities of the holiday season.

 

Celebrate "Citizenship Day on the 17th.  Learn about our constitution and spruce up

your knowledge on how our government runs.  Give thanks on being an American!

 

Take a walk under the "Huntress Moon!" The full moon appears on the 19th!

 

Visit the Farmers' Market...there you'll find delicious things for the harvest table.

Baked squash, that Sunday roast, applesauce and pie in many flavors, caramel

apples and cider doughnuts are in store for you!  Settle in and let the aromas of this
 wonderful time of year fill your home. 

 

Pick some newly fallen leaves, Bring these colorful gems inside and sandwich them
between wax paper. Place them in the largest book in the house, the dictionary. 
Do you still have one?  Pressing leaves in this manner is something our lovely
Mother did throughout her life.  In opening the dictionary, pressed leaves that
once touched our Mother's hands fall out and remind us of colorful days gone by.  

 

Times have certainly changed but one thing remains constant...this delightful time

awaits the discovery of your senses.  The feel, taste, sight and sounds of fall

await you!  Don't miss it!