How was your weekend?
Mine was busy, fun, exhausting.
Friday night - impromptu bridal shower. What a blast! She was surprised until she saw all the cars. LOL But it was lovely. I can't believe how quickly these friendships have gelled, have sprung over a short period of time or even over a few long acquaintances. I did not get drunk (no surprise there), just a lovely glass of red wine and a glass of sherry. I'd forgotten how much I like my Bristol Cream, mmmmmm... We pampered Kristie and ate yummy stuff.
Saturday - Morning started with some scrambling but I got us (Ryne & I) out the door. Hit the post office, where our bento boxes from Hong Kong were waiting (photos soon). Then we hit Bean & Leaf, hung for an hour or so getting no knitting done.
Got to Ocean Beach and beat the bride by over a half hour. But got to walk the length of board walk with Ryne and enjoy the quietness of the beach. Oh how I miss meditating at a quiet beach. Tis the season. LOL Summer = Woods, rest of year = Beach for me. The ceremony was lovely. Organic, unique, beautiful. Just like the couple. Then chaos reigned at Koto's after moving us around and not being sure of how to deal with all of us, the food was as yummy as ever. They didn't even bat an eye when I brought in McD's for the three boys. Once we cleared out of Koto's Ryne, Kristie's boys and I headed home, were Rob was waiting. He'd done a mad dash pick up. What a man! Then he brought all the boys out to Toys R' Us for some spoiling and give me a chance for a power nap. Lots of video games and pizza to round off the night.
Sunday - Breakfast at Jr's. More video games, until I couldn't take it anymore. Passing of the extra kids to their parents in the afternoon. Then fast food for dinner. First 3 episodes of this season's Numb3rs. Bed.
Woke up way before I needed to this morning. Hopefully will get to bed early tonight.
Fall Fruit Crumble
Serve warm with ice cream, frozen yogurt or freshly whipped cream with a hint of vanilla extract.
Filling
5 cups fruit: sliced pears, sliced apples and whole cranberries
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped almonds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
2 tablespoons rum
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
2 1/2 tablespoons butter
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine all of the filling ingredients. Pour into a baking dish (do not drain). Combine the topping ingredients (cut in butter until mixture is coarse and crumbly) and sprinkle over the fruit. Bake about 30 to 40 minutes, or until fruit is soft and topping is lightly browned. Serves 4 to 6.
Tarragon Sweet Potatoes Very similar to another recipe I adore (with onions, cumin & red pepper)
Tarragon Sweet Potatoes
Tarragon adds a fresh note to sweet potatoes. Glazing with a sweetener cinches the appeal as a festive dish.
2 pounds sweet potatoes, cooked (bake or boil until just tender)
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
2 tablespoons butter
2 tbsps lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons tarragon
1 tablespoon parsley
2 tablespoons roasted cashews
Peel and slice cooked sweet potato (about 1/2 inch thick). Place slices in a shallow casserole dish. Over low heat or in microwave, melt together the remaining ingredients, except parsley and cashews, and pour over the potatoes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Serves 4 to 6.
Friday night - impromptu bridal shower. What a blast! She was surprised until she saw all the cars. LOL But it was lovely. I can't believe how quickly these friendships have gelled, have sprung over a short period of time or even over a few long acquaintances. I did not get drunk (no surprise there), just a lovely glass of red wine and a glass of sherry. I'd forgotten how much I like my Bristol Cream, mmmmmm... We pampered Kristie and ate yummy stuff.
Saturday - Morning started with some scrambling but I got us (Ryne & I) out the door. Hit the post office, where our bento boxes from Hong Kong were waiting (photos soon). Then we hit Bean & Leaf, hung for an hour or so getting no knitting done.
Got to Ocean Beach and beat the bride by over a half hour. But got to walk the length of board walk with Ryne and enjoy the quietness of the beach. Oh how I miss meditating at a quiet beach. Tis the season. LOL Summer = Woods, rest of year = Beach for me. The ceremony was lovely. Organic, unique, beautiful. Just like the couple. Then chaos reigned at Koto's after moving us around and not being sure of how to deal with all of us, the food was as yummy as ever. They didn't even bat an eye when I brought in McD's for the three boys. Once we cleared out of Koto's Ryne, Kristie's boys and I headed home, were Rob was waiting. He'd done a mad dash pick up. What a man! Then he brought all the boys out to Toys R' Us for some spoiling and give me a chance for a power nap. Lots of video games and pizza to round off the night.
Sunday - Breakfast at Jr's. More video games, until I couldn't take it anymore. Passing of the extra kids to their parents in the afternoon. Then fast food for dinner. First 3 episodes of this season's Numb3rs. Bed.
Woke up way before I needed to this morning. Hopefully will get to bed early tonight.
Fall Fruit Crumble
Serve warm with ice cream, frozen yogurt or freshly whipped cream with a hint of vanilla extract.
Filling
5 cups fruit: sliced pears, sliced apples and whole cranberries
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped almonds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
2 tablespoons rum
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
2 1/2 tablespoons butter
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine all of the filling ingredients. Pour into a baking dish (do not drain). Combine the topping ingredients (cut in butter until mixture is coarse and crumbly) and sprinkle over the fruit. Bake about 30 to 40 minutes, or until fruit is soft and topping is lightly browned. Serves 4 to 6.
Tarragon Sweet Potatoes Very similar to another recipe I adore (with onions, cumin & red pepper)
Tarragon Sweet Potatoes
Tarragon adds a fresh note to sweet potatoes. Glazing with a sweetener cinches the appeal as a festive dish.
2 pounds sweet potatoes, cooked (bake or boil until just tender)
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
2 tablespoons butter
2 tbsps lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons tarragon
1 tablespoon parsley
2 tablespoons roasted cashews
Peel and slice cooked sweet potato (about 1/2 inch thick). Place slices in a shallow casserole dish. Over low heat or in microwave, melt together the remaining ingredients, except parsley and cashews, and pour over the potatoes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Serves 4 to 6.