Trick or Treat '2023

 

Halloween is our favorite holiday. Since the girls were little, we would take our time finding the 'right' costume. I loved it when I could pick their costumes but I loved it even more when they were able to decide for themselves. Over the years, my two gems have come up with some outrageous, scary, and original Halloween outfits. This year, Amara did a group costume with her friends; A loca Goldilocks and the 3 bears; one who was a bit crazy themselves (that would be Amara- she is who came up this version). Havana was a flamingo. Super cute, original and fun.

We have always done trick or treating with friends. This year, the group grew quite a bit. Eleven teens, who I fed before they headed out. It may have been a bit much, hard to navigate so many. But they mostly had fun.

I was a bit disappointed that my gals were too grown to need me to walk with them, as they knocked on doors down by Hercules by the Bay. That part was a bit sad for me. I decided next year, before Amara goes to college, I am tagging along! Halloween has always been a friend thing but also a family thing and this year, I was reminded once again, that my two gems are quickly approaching adulthood. I want to make as many more memories as possible.

While they are growing up fast, they still are kids. They still counted their candy as soon as they got home, a long standing competition to see who got the most. Through repeated telling, they relived a neighbors haunted house that gave them all the spooky chills, when we stopped on our way home for one last trick or treat. They went to bed tired but happy. Halloween is supposed to be scary, and it is, but it also makes the heart smile as well. 

You’re Never to Old for a Pumpkin Patch

Covid 19 took away visits to pumpkin patches. That was awful. But last year, when things were open, the girls did not really want to go as they were older and Don wasn’t up for it either. I was no happy about that. Pumpkins are wonderful. We love this time of year, with making Halloween a special day and each year the girls carve pumpkins with their dads. Buying them at Trader Joe’s just did not count. So this year, I made sure we would go back one of our favorite family outings. We invited along friends to make it more enticing. With plans made, off we went, only to have it pour down rain along the way. The patch we picked was closed but in Petaluma there’s a lot of pumpkin growing, so off we went to another spot.  We all cheered when it was open. The kids had a blast, their young selves shining brightly through their teenage selves, with pumpkins and a hay maze and even a small petting area with cows, pigs and horses. It was delightful.  Amara and I even took a tractor train ride. Funnel cake and snacks topped off our very sweet visits and we left with boosted moods and happy inner children, because pumpkin patches are wonderful medicine for the heart and soul. (My inner child even wrote a silly poem for this blog; see below)

Pumpkins big

Pumpkins small

Pumpkins make it a happy Fall

Round and orange, a little bumpy

When you have a pumpkin, there’s no room for  being grumpy

Pumpkins to pick

Pumpkins to eat

No matter what you do, they are always a treat

They boast your mood

They make you smile

And pumpkins will last on your porch for a good log while

Pumpkins are good for one and all

So pick some pumpkins to bring some smiles this Fall.

A few Garden Delights

 

This year, our garden was small but the fruits and vegetables it did produce were delightful.

We had an abundance of strawberries. They were a perfect match with a green salad. Or just plain! 

The cherry tomatoes and few larger tomatoes also contributed to some pretty tasty summer salads.

There really is nothing like a homegrown tomato.

We had chili peppers, that Don has enjoyed every morning with his eggs.

We have had good luck with red onions. They are not just good eating but so pretty to look at.

We have had avocados (or pear as they called them back a yard). Also great for salads or as a side with a meal. Or just plain. Our tree produces small pears that pack a mighty tasty, smooth punch.

When we cook kale, collards or other greens, Amara or Don will go pick a lemon. Zesty, fresh, it makes any food pop. In the past, the girls have also made lemonade.

We had a few zucchini. Fun to eat, not that much flavor this year, sadly.

And apples. Apples bring me pack to my childhood. I'd go apple picking each Fall. To have a handful growing in the yard is such a generous gift from Mother Earth.

Lasagna by Havana

 

Havana is a wonderful baker but she only cooks sometimes. But when she does, she knocks it out of the park. Being a teenager however means I can't always get her to get in the kitchen, especially with me. When I can coax her, I am over the moon. Havana has mad kitchen skills but she is also a great cooking partner. She entertains with her jokes, dancing and facial expressions. I cherish any time with her in the kitchen. One of her signature dishes (and let's keep it real, there are only few; she is a baker!), is lasagna,

I have been making the Moosewood recipe for years. It comes out pretty good. For some reason though, when Baby Girl makes it, it is far superior. This past weekend, when some of our primos from Argentina were visiting, she made her signature kick ass lasagna, to bring to cousin Jenny's as part of the dinner menu. All but a small piece was devoured.

One again, Havana knocked it out the park.

Below is the recipe, to make it for yourselves.

I am not clear why we put that lone noodle like that. We surely did not cook it that way!

Tomato Sauce- 16 oz, at least. I like a lot of sauce-I like Newman's)
12 lasagna noodles (I use Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles- We like TJ's or Whole Foods brands)
2 cups ricotta 

2 beaten eggs
Salt & pepper
1 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup. grated Parmesan cheese

9x13 pan (I love to use the colorful Le Creuset pan- serving in a nice pan makes it yummier!)

Spread some sauce in pan

add 1/3 noodles 

1/2 filling 

another layer of sauces 

1/2 mozzarella 

1/3 more noodles

rest of filling

sauce

rest of mozzarella

rest of noodles

one more dose of sauce

Parmesan on top. 

Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes covered at 375 degrees.

 
Uncover last 10 minutes. 

Total cook time 45 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes

Goes well with a nice green salad.

Cosmic Cosmos

Don planted cosmos in the backyard.

They have taken over.

Their softness is welcoming.

Their colors soothing.

Their wildness is invigorating. 

We love to gaze out the window, sit on the balcony or walk through the yard; taking in the magnificence of the Creator's artwork.

They are also delightful.

Joyful.

Innocent.

Flowers, to me, represent, the vast, endless of Creations Creativity. Reminding us that we come from a beautiful source. That we are part of that source. That the source is part of us.

All that from Cosmic Cosmos.

Me & My Havana Gal

Havana does not like when I take selfies of us or photos of her. I like to take to do both. This annoys her greatly. But recently, I was able to get some photos, albeit silly ones and others, where her annoyance is evident (a picture is worth a thousand words, right?!) I want to capture her, and us, at the different stages or her young life. Havana is growing quickly and physical appearance is changing rapidly, so whether she likes it or not, I will keep trying to get some photos in!