Friday, October 26, 2018

Visitors

So, my birthday was Wednesday.  And Jeff decided that he needed to take the day off to spend with me!



Of course, he brought Tank.  No visit would be complete without that big goof.

Thatcher hates other dogs.  Seriously, he tried to attack Tank the last time Jeff was here.  What are you thinking, dude?  You weigh 49 pounds, and that doofus is around 120.  Chill!  But there were other dogs here then, and with only one other dog to contend with, Thatcher eventually decided to be a reasonable citizen.  Jeff handing out treats to both of them simultaneously may have helped....

But I'm going with Thatcher decided not to be a jerk!  Win for all!

Happy Friday, everyone!

Monday, October 22, 2018

A Little Color

I've been blue today, so I went outside to freeze myself out of it.  Hey, 40 degrees with no coat feels enough like freezing to me.  And I saw the first real color of the season.

This tree was brighter in real life.  But pictures aren't perfect, no matter what we do.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Roasted Roots and Delicata Squash

Last night, to Patrick's horror, I cooked the blue potatoes.  Oh, they're purple, not blue, and I think that might have made it worse.  To his credit, he did try them, and upon discovering that they taste just like "normal" potatoes, he ate them.  Didn't even share any with his dog.

Roasted Roots: Chop up potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic and (if you have it, which I didn't) celery.  Spread out in a pan, salt lightly, add some vegetable oil and toss well, then respread them out and roast with you meat at whatever temperature you're using for an hour or so.



Delicata squash: As Gemma commented, it was wonderful!  Cut in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, brush the top with butter and add a couple of small pats to the center, salt very lightly, and roast until fork tender.  It cooks faster than acorn or butternut squash (likely because the side walls are thinner), it's softer and less stringy, and it's absolutely delicious.

Of course, Patrick didn't even try it, while Ryan and I both greatly enjoyed it. "Mom, it's squash and you know I don't do that kind of thing."  At least that's much more polite than he was as a kid.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Drive-by Posting

You all probably thought I disappeared off the planet, right?  Nope.  Just trying to get my outside work wrapped up as the weather turns abruptly cold.  I can't tell you how much fun it is to go out in the rain at 47 degrees every 30 minutes or so to make sure I like what the garden guys are replanting in the front of my house.

But, I did make a trip to a little farm stand down at the bottom of my hill.

Blue potatoes, sweet potatoes, fresh carrots and some kind of squash I've never seen before.  Ryan was pretty pleased, but I'm betting Patrick will be less than impressed.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!