Eat, Live, Pray

I have started my "smart" reading for this year off with a bang. This charming book has made it a smooth transition from smutt to smart..let me explain.

I have some strange ideas about silly reading versus smart reading. Books that make me think and punch out the sides of my proverbial box are considered "smart reading" as apposed to romance novels and the like that are just fluff and for fun, great they are, but they do not make me ponder lifes questions.

Each year during the summer months I fill my head with fanciful stories from swashbuckling pirates to ladies in distress..by reading historical type romance novels. Among my favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Jude Deveraux, Julia Quinn and Hannah Howell. I like to think that I transport myself on vacations of sorts. Then in the Fall when school begins again I revert to my so called "smart books" and try and read current novels that may come up in discussion at a dinner party, in a local coffee or may invoke a question from a fellow bus rider.

The first of my books this fall is Eat, Pray, Love a book recommended by a lovely lady I went to school with. It follows a strong womens adventure to Italy, India and Indoniesia to find herself. It's very well written, witty and easy to follow. I found myself almost immediatly at bat for the books main character, Elizabeth. I am almost done the novel now and I am looking forward to seeing how she does! I was refreshed by her open attitude and the raw vulnerability she so vividly displays throughout the book! Good for her for taking the leap most of us only dream of.

I would recommend this book to anyone! It's a definate page turner and implores you to live life in the now and search for yourself, your true self, amongst all the nitty gritty that life throws at you!

Take care of yourself and each other,

E

Giving Thanks!

I LOVE the holidays! Any excuse to gather together, cook and enjoy each other is tops in my books! I celebrated by making a few seasonal treats..

The apples were falling from my tree with mad abandon and I couldn't let them go to waste so....

I made a yummy batch of Candied apples!!!!!

Everyone came out to enjoy one, they were such a hit!! I thought they would be difficult but they were unbelievably easy!

The ingredients are few but you would never guess with the taste!

I know this will become a tradition in our house and it should be in yours too...

There is nothing like picking apples and then using your imagination to turn them into something yummy, not that they aren't yummy on there own! This year we have made: Apple Crumbles, Apple Pies, Applesauce, Candied Apples and even some Apple Jelly.

The other thing I made this thanksgiving is my very own Pumpkin Pie! As you know I have a great garden that I adore and this year we grew some pumpkins, and they turned out great! I saved two to carve up for Halloween and used two to make some delicious eats!

The pumpkin pie was a real fun one! I made my very own pie filling, thinking it would be difficult I proved myself wrong yet again. What a treat it was to have after thanksgiving dinner!

For a garnish I made some sugar cookies and sugared some cranberries..it looked so pretty! A great, simple way to dress things up using things I already had around the house.

As I live across the country from all of my family, every holiday I miss them dearly but it is nice to make things that remind me of them. This year I did just that and I felt closer to home.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope your thanksgiving was as special as mine!


Take care of yourself and each other!


E