Win Friends and Influence People

There are so many things to love about these pumpkin bars, it just makes me giddy. Makes a ton, cooked in a big jelly roll pan, simple ingredients, and ohhhhhh so good. Did I mention that they are out-of-this-world good?

I first heard of this recipe from my dear friend, Dawnelle, and have since seen it on some scrumptious recipe sites. It's worth sharing. Perfect for Friday night Bible studies, church potlucks, family gatherings ... plus it's a great way to make friends. Everyone will love you for bringing these.

• Colonial Pumpkin Bars •
Cream together:
.75 c. butter
2 c. sugar

Beat in one at a time:
4 eggs

Mix in:
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
2 t. baking powder
.5 t. baking soda
.5 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
.25 t. nutmeg
2 c. unbleached flour

Cover large jelly-roll pan with parchment paper (or butter & flour) and spread pumpkin mixture into pan. Bake for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Cool completely before frosting.

• Cream Cheese Frosting •
Blend:
1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1/3 c. butter, softened
1 t. vanilla

Add in gradually:
3 c. powdered sugar

Spread over cooled pumpkin bars. Let sit an hour or so to harden a bit. Lift out of pan by tugging on the parchment paper and slide onto counter, then cut into squares. Sprinkle with nutmeg and top with autumnal blueberry leaves from the backyard!

**I recommend trimming the edges with a knife before cutting into squares. Makes all of the pieces turn out uniform and pretty. And, uh, you and the kids can eat those scraps as a they'll-never-know treat!

84 Charing Cross Road

Watched a wonderful movie last night called 84 Charing Cross Road. Made in the 80's and starring Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, and Judi Dench, it's a story about friendships and books and all the love and quirkiness that comes with both. While the story ends in the late 60's, it begins in the post-World War II era, to which these actual photos are from.

Aren't they lovely? The silent character in the movie is the London bookstore, Marks & Co., and made me nostalgic for the rhythm and fervor of the small bookstore. My grandparents opened a sweet little bookshop over four decades ago and my folks closed doors just a few years ago. Between the internet, Amazon, and Borders, there was just no keeping up.

But times change, and that is okay. I love being able to search for a title online, order, and have it delivered right to my front door. It's a far cry from the days when I would spend weeks searching for a singular, obscure title for a customer. The methods? A simple utilization of catalogs, microfiche films, and chatting up publishers. A lot of work for a $12 book? Yes. But oh the glee in telling Martha Goldenstein ... "I found it."

This movie makes a lot of quiet statements and delivers some delightfully sharp one-liners. Nothing fast-paced about this film, but a steady development of understanding and heart. If you are a bit of a bibliophile, like myself, toss it in your netflix queue or your library basket. And don't forget the pot of tea.

And She Wins!

Much congratulations to Kelly (who entered on the 28th, at 5:32), who won the giveaway today. Can't wait to hear what you selected!

To Run About, Just She and Me

Jane and I spent a lovely morning running errands. Sometimes an errand morning isn't altogether lovely, but today simply was. Lots of skipping, hand-holding, and giggles. We made some returns, stopped off at the grocery for our family harvest party supplies (more on that later), picked up some primer at the paint store, and rummaged the thrift store. Well, Jane mostly climbed through forests of clothing racks while sporadically popping her head out and startling poor unsuspecting shoppers ... so it was more of a one-sided rummaging.

Now it's time for lunch and perhaps a little hot chocolate. Jane informed me that if it's really rainy we need hot chocolate to warm up. Sounds good by me!

Don't forget about the Lisa Leonard giveaway! Names will be drawn tomorrow.

The Lady Charmer

Is it strange that I want to munch on deliciously cute babies? Auntie Anna had to restrain herself from keeping little M. naked all day so I could rub his belly and nibble his arms.

But really. Can you blame me?

Drippy Days, Cozy Meal

Are you familiar with leeks? They are really a lovely veggie. I'm always intrigued by their origami fan of leaf sheaths. Like an onion that wishes it was related to a well-sunned palm tree rather than those crazy elephant garlics.

And of course, leeks are wonderfully tasty. When cooked they are smooth, soft, a bit spicy, and almost buttery. A great base for soup when paired with good ol' taters. Since the weather is decidedly cold and drippy, not tropical and breezy, soups sound all the more enticing.

• Leek & Potato Soup •

Sautee in large pan:
• 3 leeks, sliced thin**
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 T butter
**Use just white and light green parts of leeks. Slice in half vertically, then chop into thin half rounds. Rinse really well, as leeks will be sandy.

Add:
• 4 medium red potatoes, sliced thin or leftover baked/mashed potatoes
• chicken broth to cover (about 8 cups)
**No need to peel potatoes, unless you don't like skins.

Cook soup, stirring and mashing up chunks to desired consistency.

Add:
• 1 cup condensed cream of chicken soup (canned or homemade) or 1 cup milk
• salt & pepper to taste

Simmer over low heat, stirring well to prevent scorching. Top with chives or parsley!

** I never have figured out what to do with the dark leafy tops. Recipes always have you chop them off and I am left feeling a tad guilty as I scrape them into the garbage. Any ideas out there?

Post-Note: I don't know why I didn't think of it before! I followed your suggestions and added the rinsed leafy leek tops to my chicken stock. Perfect!

One for Me and One for You -- A Giveaway

I am a very lucky girl. So lucky, in fact, I somehow managed to win a giveaway over on Emily's friendly blog. Winning anything is always a thrill, since it seems to happen so rarely. But this handmade necklace? Just smashing!

This "Family Crest" is designed by Lisa Leonard and is just one of many lovely designs. She's developed quite a name for herself and it's easy to see why. I'm guessing you may have already seen pretty ladies sporting her "Teeny-Tiny Initials" design. Darling.

So would you believe the talented dear is offering a $25 gift certificate to one of you lovely readers? Good to use toward any item on her site. Toss your name in if you are smitten like I am.

Winner will be drawn this Friday, the 30th, at noon. If you don't have your own site for me to contact you at, make sure to leave your name under the "Name/Url" or in an "Anonymous" comment and check back in four days. Good luck, ladies. Let the swooning begin!

Vegetables Can Make You Happy

Here's a hearty one-dish meal that's a nice change from the ordinary. Pasta drenched in a balsamic vinaigrette and a lovely roasted veggie mélange. It's also a perfect dish for the eggplant, especially if some family members aren't sure they like it.

• Roasted Veggie Penne •

Whisk together:
.25 c. olive oil
1 pkg. onion soup mix
1-2 T. thyme

Add chopped (fresh) veggies and mix well:
3 carrots
1-2 zucchini
1 eggplant
8 oz. mushrooms

Spread veggies on a parchment lined baking sheet and roast at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes.

While veggies are roasting, boil and set aside:
8 oz. penne pasta

Mix veggies with pasta.

Whisk together:
.25 c. olive oil (a tad less would be fine)
.25 c. balsamic vinegar

Toss dressing over pasta and veggies. Sprinkle with pine nuts and Parmesan cheese if you have it.

**You could beef up this veggie dish with some crumbled bacon or sausage if your menfolk are grumbling!

Lingering Over a Meal

We have really enjoyed this past year of after-church family meals. I hope it's a tradition that "sticks." Of course, we love the meal and conversation, but what else is a key element to making Sunday dinners a smash hit? A dessert. We don't always have dessert during the weekdays, but we do on Sundays!

This past week we put our own spin on an applesauce cake. We ditched the raisins and tossed in the chopped dates we get in the bulk section at the market. The dates get all caramely and delicious and all that applesauce makes the cake spongy and moist.

Another plus? It's fast! I'll make it ahead of time then toss it into the oven to warm as soon as we get home from church. By the time we've stuffed our bellies with the main meal, it's good to go. 'Cause we all know, no matter how full you are, there is always more room for dessert!

• Applesauce Spice Cake •

Mix together and set aside:
2.5 c. flour
1.5 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
.75 t. nutmeg
.5 t. cloves
.25 t. baking powder

Beat together:
.5 c. butter
2 c. sugar

Add one at a time, beating 1 minute after each:
2 eggs

Add alternately:
2 c. applesauce
dry ingredients

Stir in:
.75 c. chopped dates

Turn into a greased 13 x 9 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar.

Just an Illusion

I actually don't consider myself very crafty. I'm very good at thievery. I like to snatch bits of genius from other people and smoosh them together to claim as my own. I recommend it. Much easier than actually being brilliant.

I'm also not big on crafting because if often involves lots of bits and pieces, lack of a pattern, glue and special scissors. I shrink from the stall of panic I feel when looking at all of it and, I admit, I don't like cleaning up after it. I think that's why blogging is so perfect for me. It's my own ultra-tidy scrapbook and my writing is never crooked.

So when the girlies came in with handfuls of fall and wanted to craft, I really had to work at keeping a smile. We tried pressing them between waxed paper and ironing. Nothin'. I'm not sure what I was thinking would happen, but nothing satisfactory, that's for sure. I knew I had to act quickly because I could see the cloud of disillusionment drifting over my girls. "Perhaps she can't really do everything..." is what I was sure they were beginning to think.

I don't have very many years of keeping this facade intact so desperation led me to the much-avoided craft drawer. And there ... inspiration. Clear contact paper. "Mama! They look like jeweled leaves in glass!"

It was a close call, but I pulled it off. Lucette's going to pass me up soon (notice the beveled corners and autumnal additions to her piece?) and then the gig will be up. But for now, I'm just going to enjoy this season.