November weekend -

 

This week has been busy around the house.

Our guy did the crawlspace work under the house - took out old

and replaced new waterproof vapor barrier, made sure insulation

was secure, and checked there was no mold. . . . . or a large

black snake such as found in a close by neighbor's crawl space recently!

Now, any mice sheltering in winter have a safe, squeaky clean area

to play in!

I was in the kitchen doing my usual flipping through cookbooks, searching

 for something new to bake, but resorted to a batch of pistachio muffins,

 most of which went into the freezer.

Made the quiche to use up last week's eggs and a bag of baby spinach.

 I ordered two dozen eggs for this week from my farm lady Linda - picked

 them up yesterday - as her chickens are laying well again so I wasn't

 limited to just a dozen as during the past couple of months.

I changed up the quiche a bit this time. Added a big dollop of that

pumpkin seed pesto to 1/2 cup of Ricotta cheese. That was

spread on the bottom crust after the 15 min. par-bake, then 

added the grated Gruyere cheese, the chopped spinach, the

 egg/milk/cream mixture, and topped with the remaining Gruyere. 

Baked as usual and was pleasantly surprised when I cut it and

 found all the layers visible, making it look really neat.

Also it was very tasty!

Garden chores to be revisited today as the weather is lovely - mostly

 emptying/cleaning the summer pots remaining. Still some basil which won't 

survive winter, the dahlias which are just about over, and annuals now

 on their last legs!  Planning to scrub out the bird baths also, they're a mess.

Amaryllis bulbs did get planted up in narrow pots on Thursday - they

 like to be snug - four large bulbs and one surprise bulblet. 

My fingers are crossed they will all grow.  

I have few areas to place them where they will get enough sunlight,

the best being right here on the dining room table.

Note I've already stuck a twig in each pot ready for tying up

leaves and hopefully tall blooms!

Boxes of Christmas cards are at the ready - I plan to start writing a

 few a day which is easier for me with this often achy shoulder/arm. 

Rotator cuff surgery is still on my To Do list, needless to say it's close

 to the bottom as I'm not excited by the thought of being out of commission

 for several months. I plan to wait as long as I can!

One cooking pumpkin remaining - will prep it this weekend.

I bought a few holiday items, including this door mat, when at Target

 this week - and must say I now feel better about Christmas coming.  

At first it sounded all too much to bother with during these

stressful times, now I'm going to make the most of it with

perhaps a bit less baking as I won't be throwing my usual

parties/meals, but plenty of decorating, roaring fires, candles 

lighting up the winter nights, and of course, as always,

 will be hoping for a White Christmas!

What are you planning for this November weekend?

Whatever, I hope it's relaxing and fun.

Farm to Table - the edible pumpkin!

This is one of the two large cooking pumpkins I bought at the farm last month.

Now the night temperatures are around freezing it's time to bring them in

from the porch and use them.

When cut open, one is presented with a lot of seeds.

I have to admit I don't usually do anything with them other than

put them in the compost barrel.

This time, after finding a recipe for Pumpkin Seed Pesto (see below),

I washed them off and proceeded to add a new flavored pesto to my list.

Ever since my Autumn 2015 visit to an amazing Pumpkin Festival

 in France - in a pretty village close to where my brother lives - I have

 always brought home, along with the decorative ones, a couple of

 'cooking pumpkins' (these are not the small orange 'pie pumpkins' often 

seen in grocery stores) for roasting and soup making. 

I usually roast my cut up pumpkin along with shallots, olive oil and

 seasoning first - I think it adds more flavor - plus just eating some as

 a side veggie as it makes a delicious accompaniment to many meals.

France 2015

When in France, the market lady is also a gardener.  

She will share cooking tips with you when you buy her 

pumpkins (potirons). Her recipes are basic and simple but

 always delicious. She's probably made this soup for years, 

throwing ingredients nonchalantly into her large pot without

 measuring or weighing. 

Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in your large

 heavy pot over medium heat and add an onion,

peeled and chopped, cooking a few minutes until 

pale gold, do not scorch.  Add 5 pounds of peeled, 

chopped pumpkin, leave out the seeds and roast them

 later for a crunchy snack.  Dice a small potato and 

add to the pot, you can leave the peel on for more nourishment.  

Pour in 5 cups of water, season with sea salt to taste,

 decide later if you want to add pepper. 

Cover pot, bring to a boil, reduce to medium, keep

 covered and cook 25 minutes until potato and pumpkin

 are very soft.  Remove from heat, cool slightly then

 puree until smooth with that wonderful kitchen

 must-have, your stick blender.  

Serve with a swirl of thick cream, a sprinkling of Gruyere cheese

 and a chunk of fresh-baked farm-style bread. 

 Bon appetit!

My version of Pumpkin Soup this week, delicious!

The pesto is really good - has quite a kick from the red chile 

pepper - I removed the seeds.

Blend all ingredients together, except the oil, and lemon juice

 (I didn't add cream) in a small food chopper, then add liquids and

 salt/pepper to taste.

Although I have one more large cooking pumpkin awaiting the knife - a

 kitchen job Bob helps with - I probably won't do anymore post on the 

wonderful pumpkin. . . . . .this year!

The weather here is beautiful this week.

We have lots to do around the house and garden - leaves are falling

and need raking, crawlspace is going to have a clean out with new

 waterproof barrier etc. installed (new water heater was installed a

 couple of weeks back), and I'm working on cleaning up Jasmin Cottage -

  the potting shed.

I will be heading out there shortly to plant up my waiting amaryllis bulbs.

They spent summer in the garden and look really healthy after a cooling

off in the dark shed these past two months. Fingers crossed they will

bloom again and bring much beauty during the dark winter months.

There was a time. . . . . .

 . . . . . . . I was so much more neutral when it came to decorating the cottage. 

If you've followed my blog for years you will recall the days of white slip

 covers, a pain to remove, wash, and get back on, and not favorites of the

 red wine guzzlers - of which I'm definitely a member in the winter months, 

once the hot weather rosé has been consumed!

FYI - if you're interested, a much favored red around here is 

Robert Mondavi Private Selection - Aged in Bourbon Barrels

 Cabernet Sauvignon

The two awesome plates, bottom left - Swan & Leopard - are two more birthday 

gifts from granddaughter Jasmin. I told you she spoils me!

Color is now popping in my no longer mostly white living room.

Nothing new purchased recently, other than the little velvet pumpkins

 on the plate, and a bunch of chrysanthemums, but I have changed out art, 

pillows and throw . . . . . . . because this evening as the cold front roars

 in and the temperature drops to 33F, we will light the first fire of the season!

  Bob has the hearth ready. 

I have the red wine waiting.

OMG - just now see I have the painting upside down in all these photos, 

and not even a sip of wine yet, honestly!!! I'm off to turn it around.

This morning I skipped the extra hour of sleep and was up busy at 6:30 AM,

putting away Halloween decor, clipping ivy to add to the flowers, tossing

 pillows, planning a nice dinner menu etc.

Tonight's the night for me. A blazing fire, a glass of wine, knitting

while watching some good TV.  Hopefully it will mean farewell to

 mosquitoes who don't survive the cold. I'll be free to get cracking on garden

 chores including 'mucking out' the potting shed, potting up my waiting

 amaryllis bulbs, all without getting bitten!

****************

Are you ready for the week ahead?

Here in the USA I think we all agree that Tuesday's election will take center stage.

No matter the outcome, there will be both good and bad in the months and

 years ahead. Please get out and vote if you have not done so.

We will definitely be there casting our votes early morning.  

Over in Europe I know many of you are now in a huge COVID lockdown

yet again. This includes the UK, France and Germany where my family

 and friends are. I hope so much you will manage. My thoughts are with you all.

Stay Safe - Be Well

************

BTW - we only had three little boys come by for Trick or Treat last evening!

How about you?

Bob is already munching on those leftover candy bars!!!