Eternal Summer…

It is far too soon. I do not remember it coming so fast.

Has fall always started on Labor Day? Or is it because Starbucks decided to release that awful PSL drink early this year? (don’t hate me). Once the PSL is available, is it now fall?

Some days I dream of an eternal summer. A forever of waking up and taking the dog out in barely there layers. A constant need for the ceiling fan to lull me to sleep. The never grabbing a coat or extra layer as I’m running out the door.

Perhaps it was the summers living in Florida for “home leave” every year we came back to the States. Or that year and a half of living basically on the equator. Or my Californian birthright.  Perhaps a combination of these causes me to pause and wonder if I’m ready for fall.

However while I hold on to my dream of eternal summer, I guess I can acknowledge the perks to come.

Like last weekend spent at the cabin. Due to rainy days and 66 degree temps favorite fall activities were had. That, and a lot of wine.  A few flabongos may have been had as well 🙂

Perk #1 Wine filled games of Telestrations with a backdrop of constant rain…

Chicken Breast

Umm……

Cabin Town

Perk #2 Mornings spent perusing the small town boutique for new sweaters.

Almond Latte

And yes, Perk #3, my first hot latte. Sorry, not a PSL. Again, don’t shoot me 🙂

Am I the only one dreaming of an eternal summer? What is your favorite fall activity?

Ode to the Squash

Tis the squash season right? I see squash recipes everywhere, Pinterest, Blogs, Instagram; the squash praises are being sung.

When G was in town she treated me to a little squash dish, one I just had to recreate.

However I admit, I bought a different type of squash. It was in the carton labeled squash, I just grabbed…. and this one took like an hour in the oven…

And I know I did not follow her recipe, as my mind has been inundated with squash!

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Cutting these suckers in half leads to grabbing my largest, sharpest knife; stabbing the middle and inevitably pounding them onto the counter…

Which I’m sure the new neighbors loved.. the ugly new counter just fell victim to my squash technique… sorry new landlord, not sorry.

Spooning out what I lovingly refer to as the GUTS is the worst part…. that texture… reminds me why I was never a big pumpkin fan.

I know, I just admitted to the worst fall sin; I don’t get pumpkins. (cue Halloween Shriek)

For the most simple squash dish ever:

Brown Italian Sausage, then sauté in some kale and a few cloves of garlic.

Where the GUTS once lived, spoon in the sausage/kale mixture and top with shredded Jarlsberg cheese and bread crumbs.

Voila!

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Now go enjoy some squash!

What is on your menu this week?

Fall is Coming

The windows are open and the air conditioning has retreated to memory… The first comfy sweater has been rescued from its box, experiencing the first leaves crunching under the puppy’s paw.

The puppy has her first 6 am shiver… and those beady little eyes look up at me with wonder, “mom, where did the heat go?”

I also plead with summer not to go.. I not a pumpkin spice girl… (if you know what I mean)

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Life is good to me with the sun shining down, 80 degrees and the lake at my feet.

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Perfection is a summer cheese party, especially when Uncle brings his store’s selection.

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Preparing rotisserie chicken on the grill, because four at once is normal you know..

And savoring those garden tomatoes… do not get me started on grocery store posers..

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So Fall, be kind. How about you just ease us into it? I could use another 90 degree September day.