What I like About the Prez....he's so...COOL!

Our New First Family

How nice it will be to have a young, vibrant family in the White House. The Obamas are such good role models to all Americans. Gotta love those cute kids, too!

I especially like that Mr. Obama uses technology in getting his message out. His "Saturday Message" was filmed and put on his transition website Change.gov. Now this is a President that knows what's going on, knows how people get their information and is up-to-date. How refreshing!

President Obama!

What a historic night...! I am so looking forward to having a president that isn't embarrassing, someone who knows how to speak, who has fresh ideas and goals for America. What an interesting journey we are on in this country.

I am also looking forward to having a young family in the White House. I remember how the Kennedy children brought such a interesting facet to the White House.

It's time to leave our history of racism and inequality behind, to go forward with renewed hope for this country.

I'm so proud to be an American.

My First Pumpkin! Happy Halloween!

This experiment in baking happened by chance. My dear husband and I went to a local grocery store to pick up a few things and they were giving away pumpkins. I selected a medium sized one.

I have never baked a pumpkin and wasn't too sure what I was doing. I baked the pumpkin whole after piercing the skin (peel?) in a few places. I baked the pumpkin for 90 minutes. The house was infused with a lovely sweet-potato smell. I cut the pumpkin in half, scooped out the stringy innards and seeds, removed the peel and chopped the meat. I baked the pumpkin cubes for another half-hour. While still warm, I placed the cubes in my blender and whirled until smooth. I drained the pumpkin through a couple of paper towels. It was really "wet"!

Then, I proceeded with the following recipe:

CINNAMON-PUMPKIN EMPANADAS
Source: A Mexican Breakfast recipe from Esperanza’s Cafe (Joe T. Garcia’s Bakery), Fort Worth, Texas. From: Texas Monthly

15 ounce fresh baked and pureed pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Mix ingredients together and set aside.

Empanada Dough:
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 packages (1/4-ounce each) dry yeast (41/2 teaspoons)
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
2 generous pinches cinnamon
3 cups flour, divided in half
generous 3/4 cup vegetable shortening

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine water, sugar, salt, yeast, baking powder, and cinnamon. Using an electric mixer, gradually blend in half of the flour. Add shortening and thoroughly mix, then gradually blend in remaining flour.

Divide dough into 4 equal parts, then shape each of those parts into 4 dough balls. Slap the dough balls between the palms of your well-floured hands until somewhat flattened, then roll on a floured surface into circles approximately 4 inches in diameter and 1/8-inch thick. Put about 1 1/2 tablespoons of pumpkin filling in the center of each circle, fold over, and seal edges by pressing lightly with a fork on both sides.

Bake on a greased cookie sheet until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes (watch carefully; they can burn quickly). Makes 16 empanadas.

Here is the finished product. Not exactly bakery quality, but they are really yummy! Thanks to my wonderful son, Joe, for giving me the idea to bake my own empanadas.

First Day of Fall Apple Pie

Fall Caramel Apple Pie

1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie or ready-made pie crusts.
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water less 1 teaspoon
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
8 Fresh fall apples - peeled, cored and sliced

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer. Let cool a bit.

Toss apples in caramel mixture.

Place the bottom crust in your pan.

Place apples in pan, cover with top crust. But vent holes in crust, brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with white sugar.

Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Bonnano Emma Sandals Finally Arrive!

The box finally arrives!


I have the ugliest feet in the world, but I have some gorgeous sandals!

The First Day of Fall

My husband and I made a trip to Anderson Island today and we picked a few apples. So nice to smell the fragrant apples, feel the crisp air, and see the trees change color. Fall is officially here tomorrow.


Between the apples and blackberries available, I will have plenty of pie fruit this fall. Yum. Photos of pie to follow this week sometime!