A new essay published, apple fest

I am so pleased to have had a new essay, Through Oliver's Eyes, published on Mamalode today. Thank you to everyone who's responded to it with such warm, enthusiastic support!

In other news, I've been steadily making my way through all the food we picked last Friday at Larriland Farm. The spinach has been taken care of, as has about a quarter of the kale, all the broccoli and half the apples. 

I made a pie, applesauce, and last night this roasted broccoli with a pimentón sherry vinaigrette. Scrumptious!

A slice of pie helped me start sorting out the edge pieces for my new puzzle, this painting by Mucha. I love it (painted it on our firebox long ago), but it's gonna be one hell of a challenge. 

Well, I started to paint her anyway. Then I found out I was pregnant with Jack and had to stop with the oils because of the fumes. Never got back to it, and that was nearly ten years ago. #motherhood

Applesauce, pumpkin puree, chili

To use up last night's pumpkin shell, today I made more puree in anticipation of the holidays. I netted about 8 cups this time so should be pretty set for pies, muffins and other assorted pumpkin-based goodies. Then it was applesauce time. Applesauce is easy as get-out and always smells to the heavens and tastes even better. I like to use a variety of apples and leave some of the red ones unpeeled because their skins make the sauce have a glowing blush about it. Pretty, huh?

The chili is bubbling away on the stove; as proof of the pounds of fresh chilies I just chopped, my hands are stinging with remnant capsaicin. After I tuck the boys in, I'll make some cornbread and am hoping to have time to make an apple tart too. Have you tried my homage to Amsterdam's appeltaart? Aah!