kitty love...

I guess its official... I'm a crazy cat lady. I go away for a few short days, and I find myself missing my kitty! 

But she's in the loving care of her godparents and making new friends with Cookie, Bolito and of course there is her dear friend Caramelo, so I'm not worried... just sending lots of love to G'berg- and crossing my fingers she doesn't get into TOO much trouble!

Oh Tannenbaum...!

Getting our Christmas tree was quite a magical event this year. I had the tale to tell you all put together beautifully in my head, but it has been a long day, and perhaps the pictures tell the story well enough on their own...

creative juices...

A four day weekend is such a rare fine thing... a break where you are granted enough time to recover from the go-go-go of a mad work week AND do a few brilliant things with a few brilliant people. I think one a month should be mandatory (Anyone want to join my cause?).

Last saturday (thanksgiving weekend)-- after two days of recovery and onto those brilliant things... I found myself the proud and humble owner of a beautiful new guitar (to aid me in my quest for rockstardom). Rita, Juan and I had a lovely afternoon... playing guitar, quilting, cooking, eating, drinking out of freshly handmade vessels... and were joined that evening by Katie, who rocked out on HER guitar...

Ah, the GOOD things in life. Can't wait for Christmas. 

Thank you

Rita and Juan for bringing us all together in your beautiful home for a lovely meal.  

the next little pumpkin...

... made a lovely "pumpkin soup in its own shell," last saturday evening... (go easy on the sage is my only advice should you give this recipe a go... unless you love sage, inwhichcase, knock yourself out...)

It made for a fantastic fall meal, complete with a fresh glass of apple cider from Reid's Orchard, and a slice of struan from Atwaters toasted with yummy cheese... SO GOOD.

Katie!

... is back in the greatest city in America! She came (a couple of weeks ago now) laden with sacks full of root vegetables, some winter brew, and beautiful canned goods from the farm... our provisions for the winter!



So 392 is full up- it is exceedingly good to once again share this space with another lovely, sparkly soul. 

....mmm... pumpkins...

I don't much regret to inform you that one sweet little pumpkin came to a very timely end Sunday afternoon... 

What? That little blob you ask? Oh, why, clearly thats a 'crust leaf,' you know, like martha stewart.

pumpkins pumpkins PUMPKINS!!

... need I say more?

bread for the soul...

Oy, its been a long week, even with only four work days (don't know that I'd have made it if I'd had one more to deal with). I am finally enjoying some uninterrupted space to myself this saturday morning sitting here in the window with the warm sunshine and the chilly breeze. I've a mugfull of hot coffee, and a piece of fresh bread toasted with homemade strawberry rhubarb jam, and I'm letting the madness settle out. 

Fall is really really here this morning. It is in the 50's and all things pumpkin and apple are on sale at the farmers market. And all those fantastic-to-roast root vegetables...

I got this quick and easy bread recipe from a friend a couple of weeks ago... and I think it is worth sharing since whats better during fall than soup and fresh bread? Or stew and fresh bread? Or just plain old fresh bread? For any bread purists out there- its not pristine bread... may be a bit of a quick fix, but hey... 

Peasants Bread

4 1/2 c. flour (mixture of wheat and white)

2 c. warm water

1 Tlbs. yeast

1 Tlbs. sugar

1 tsp. salt

Mix all these things with a spoon. Cover with a moist cloth and let rise for 45 minutes. Scoop into a loaf pan and let rise again. Bake at 400 for 5 minutes, and then 350 for 20 minutes. 

Like I said, a little on the heavy side... and I need to cook it a little longer- but that might just be my oven. Anyhow... its good stuff... and not so much fuss. 

And some more fall fotos from west virginia:

A three day weekend....

Beautiful, sunshiny-warm days...

A roaring campfire 24/7... 

Great food...

Brilliant fall foliage...

Fantastic live music at the Purple Fiddle...

Six good souls to share it all with...

What more could one want in one mid-October, three-day weekend? Besides another one perhaps. And a warmer sleeping bag. 

A touch of Fall...

Fall seems to be starting in bits and pieces around here...

And oh yes, a big CONGRATULATIONS to these cute new homeowners!! Can't wait to come down again and see your place all done up!