This hen and her chicks in front of the pumpkin patch attracted much attention from the kids. We think she was teaching her chicks how to peck for bugs or seeds. :)
Here is a glimpse of the park. It would be really nice to come here some weekend and just enjoy nature with a book and some fruit as a snack.
Here's another chicken. It's fascinating to see the different patterns of feathers that chickens have. This one is almost like a zebra chicken.
I picked out a pumpkin at the fair, and my housemate helped me hollow out the pumpkin so I could make a
pumpkin stew like the one I made last year with my family. This one came out just as tasty. Later on we will get 1-2 more pumpkins, so I can make a soup or we can just have one as a jack-o-lantern.
I also went to Walgreens and picked out some Halloween themed pencils for the kids I tutor. They always need pencils to do their homework, so if they are extra good, they get to keep the pencil at the end of the day. :)
Hi Jen!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Sounds like you and your housemate had yourselves a very enjoyable Fall day. I thoroughly enjoyed the link that you provided of Emma Prusch Farm Park Harvest Fair & Exposition… I agree the setting is breathtaking; it certainly could be just the place to relax and ponder! Did you guys get to visit “Emma’s Heirloom German Kitchen Garden”?
A pumpkin stew, now I find this very interesting, thanks for providing the link for the recipe… Tell me, this may sound silly but what do you do with the pumpkin part after you take it out of the oven… is it edible as well? I must admit this is the first time I have ever heard of pumpkin stew. thanks for sharing.
How thoughtful of you to purchase very practical and “fun” treats for the kids…now that’s wise thinking on your part!
It is a very nippy day, 8 degrees centigrade (46.4 degrees Fahrenheit) perhaps it will warm up… It was warmer yesterday and it was fun sitting out watching the squirrels getting ready for winter. You mentioned the difference in the types of chickens you observed in the farm park… the zebra type chicken. Where I live, we have three varieties of squirrels… Grey, red and black squirrels. (Yeh we have lots of squirrels)
Anyway I saw the funniest looking squirrel; wish I had my camera…. This squirrel was grey but his/her face/head was red with some black… a very strange looking one. Isn’t nature amazing?
Once again a great post….. I best make some tracks...got lots to do! Enjoy your day!
Hi Meesh :) I hope you're having a nice Sunday. Happy Thanksgiving! We did not visit the German Kitchen Garden, but maybe next time.
DeleteAfter I took the pumpkin out of the oven, I peeled off the flesh of the pumpkin with the serving spoon, as it was very soft, and added that in to the stew, which I transferred to a bigger pot. Then after I'd gotten as much of the inner pumpkin into the stew as possible, I threw the rest away because it was starting to kind of sink in on itself, having been in an oven for 2 hours.
Thanks about the pencils, I've got a pretty good group of kids so I thought they deserved a little surprise.
Squirrels are so cute, we have some squirrels at this park down the street from me. It's interesting that they come in multiple colors too.
Hi guys!
DeleteHope you’re both enjoying this week! It’s a bit cool here, but it’s been sunny!
Jen, about that pumpkin stew, thanks for the clarification. Does pumpkin as an additive in a stew taste like a squash? You know, I have never had pumpkin unless in a pie (which I stated am not too pumped about) Tim Horton’s here are doing a lot with pumpkin - including some whip cream topping in a Pumpkin Spice Latte Supreme… I must admit I have not been too eager to try that, it’s the spices that I don’t care for, not necessarily the pumpkin itself. Sooo perhaps I will give pumpkin a chance in a stew or perhaps a soup!
About squirrels, most Americans have never seen a black squirrel… as for the red squirrels, they are not currently listed as a species at risk in Ontario (as in some areas) however they do not like to hang out with the greys, especially the blacks… Yeh in general all squirrels are cute alright… to look at it, that is…
I find the black squirrels are not as timid as the common grey/gray or red squirrels. Come to think of it at times they’re downright nervy LOL Often they are running/hanging-out on my patio …yes, at times I have seen one or two scratching on my patio door …wanting to come in… kind of cute (I thought) until I discovered one of them chewed through my patio chair cushions… they’ve done it twice now!
Oh well, I guess they need material to build their nests. Talk about a surprise, when I happened to look at a tree down the street that had the oddest looking nest in it. My friend exclaimed: “look at the nifty navy blue striped nest!” I looked up and sure enough it was my patio chair cushion fabric, that became a condo for a family of squirrels! It served me right, I left the cushions out too long! Here’s an article of our black squirrels…Nah! Don’t believe it when they say it’s a lucky sign if you see one of them LOL
Seriously, in that link you can see a video of how tame this specie of squirrel can be-- http://lotterysquirrel.com/2010/02/04/black-squirrels-and-the-amazing-history-of-these-lucky-world-travelers/
I will be watching the vice-presidents’ debate on Thursday… hopefully there’s no reference to any more Sesame Street characters… Hahahaha
This year’s USA Presidential Elections can also be entertaining…poor Big Bitd LOL
Well, that’s about it…talk later…wishing you both much sunshine!
Thanks for the video, Meesh, that was fun to watch. I see what you mean about black squirrels being very tame. The squirrels here are pretty timid and will not get close to people. They just like scurrying around in the trees. That's a funny story about how the squirrels took part of your seat cushion to use in their nest.
DeleteAs for pumpkin, it does taste like squash... it really reminds me of spaghetti squash, if you've ever had that.
Ahhh...the beauty of the Fall season. What a wonderful time of the year! Images of well prepared and tasty soups (thanks for sharing a pic), sips of hot chocolate or the lingering aroma of a great cup of coffee, raking a leaf rainbow with an assortment of all the colors blended together in a hugh pile, etc....
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful park, Jen...certainly an ideal place to enjoy nature at its best. Did you guys see a place to roast marshmellows? Have to wonder if shooting stars streak overhead in the night skies from time to time...enjoy your day you guys.
Hi Al :) Fall is indeed a very nice time of year. You've captured it perfectly. I'm looking forward to making lots of tasty meals with my crock pot.
DeleteI did not see a place to roast marshmallows at the park, but that certainly does sound like a very "fall" thing to do. Watching shooting stars also sounds like a fun group activity. Hope you're having a nice week!
Good morning, Jen!
ReplyDeleteLeave it to a librarian to spell marshmallows correctly (note how I wrote mellow...thanks for the correct spelling without a detention slip, or-- a la Miss Clarke--a trip to the blackboard to write it 10x, and use it in a sentence for good measure).
What a beautiful and wonderful week its been (nice touch on your site's new layout by the way...pretty reminiscent of Fall). Here's wishing you guys a great weekend. Back next week to see what's on tap here at your Epic Treats...some yummy Halloween shaped cookies come to mind w/ a choice of milk or apple cider...mmm, mmm good.
Haha, I must admit I didn't even notice you'd spelled marshmallows incorrectly, Al. The kids I tutor make some pretty amusing spelling mistakes sometimes. They spell a word how it sounds, which would seem to make sense, but sometimes it's spelled a completely different way. Thanks about my layout, I thought it was nice and fall-themed too. Maybe I will make some cookies next week after I get my Cataloging test finished this weekend. :)
DeleteWhat a fun template for your blogsite Jen! The theme, as Al pointed out depicts the colours of Fall, that picture of the pumpkin seems to pop right out! The paisley, swirly look is “fun” and very sunny looking… Magnifique! I love when you occasionally change the theme…because each previous post seems to take a different spin, and makes it a pleasure to re-visit!
ReplyDeleteJen, do you know what? I have never tried spaghetti squash only butternut squash…I will have to look in on that and try it! I will admit, as a kid I did not care much for squash, it’s one of these things that we were forced to eat. I found the way it was prepared, it was sooooo bland and mushy. It was one is these vegetables (I guess it’s a fruit) that I cringed when I saw at the dinner table. Sooo I have learnt to like it, also I am not “in love” with squash…but not “in hate” as I once was.
You know when Al pointed out that he had misspelt “marshmallow” (I am not speaking within his defense), I had not noticed it… many times, when I spot a typo, I’m always inclined to focus on it… Not this time. I love words… and it got me thinking of the word “marshmallow”…where on earth did it come from? Because in French, the word is “guimauve”… what does this mean? It got me thinking there must be a scientific reason… in the word So I looked it up….
http://inventors.about.com/od/foodrelatedinventions/a/marshmallows.htm Originally marshmallows were made by using part of the root of the “marsh-mallow plant” instead of gelatin/syrup… In French “guimauve” is the plant…
Now where Al mistakenly wrote “mellow” instead of “mallow” could be a coincidence…. When I think of mellow, I think of soft and yes soothing too… In the past, marshmallow concoctions of other parts of the marshmallow plant had medical uses as well, they used it to mellow/soothe the throat….. also in a word today, it’s a skin soother (check out this site) http://www.planetbotanic.ca/fact_sheets/marshmallow_fs.htm Where I love words, I equally appreciate the origins. Now Al, you could go to the blackboard and explain to Miss Clarke why you utilized “mellow” LOL
Ha! What I learn when looking in here!
Have a great weekend guys!
Yes, that was a very fascinating lesson on marshmallows, Meesh :). I thought it was about time for a change of template and I'm glad you like it. Spaghetti squash is actually really good, cooked in a pan with just a bit of olive oil. It tastes and looks like spaghetti, but in pasta form. Some people literally prepare spaghetti squash with some spaghetti sauce and parmesan cheese, which I might do with my spaghetti squash I got last weekend that I'm waiting to eat until my stew is gone.
DeleteHey Jen!
DeleteYes, an interesting lesson indeed (where Miss Clarke may understand the association with mellow as it relates to soft, there's no advocacy in the world that can explain how at times I'm thinking one thing but say/write another...for example, there was an instance where I was thinking basement but said/wrote baseball).
Suddenly I'm hungry for some spaghetti. Toss in a piece of Pepperidge Farm's Texas Toast w/garlic, herbs and cheese, add a fresh garden salad, and a small sampling of wine to experience a slice of heaven on Earth. Am looking forward to a new post (Are you planning on boosting your coworkers morale with a batch of yummy Halloween cookies?)Enjoy your day ladies.
Spaghetti is very good. I should make a nice batch of spaghetti soon. I will probably make some halloween cookies to share with my coworkers or housemates or both.... at work we are having a party and treats will be provided but I am not sure what kind of treats or by whom. We shall see.
DeleteGood morning, Jen!
DeleteA nice batch of spaghetti sounds mmm, mmm good. Your housemates and coworkers are lucky to have you, and--given the recent potluck they cared to put together for a fellow colleague--they sound so deserving as well.
Bring on the Halloween cookies--woohoo. For those of us who aren't fortunate enough to work with you, PLEASE post a pic BEFORE they get anywhere near your coworkers or housemates. Does your Office bash/get together include wearing costumes?
Good evening, Al! I will definitely post a picture of halloween cookies before they get eaten. Our hallowen party at work will include wearing costumes but I am not sure what I will be yet.
DeleteTonight I cooked this classic favorite:
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2009/09/skillet-chili-mac-with-corn-and-green-chiles.html
Buenos Dias, Jen!
ReplyDeleteComo estas? Que pasa amigo? Nice sharing with you this week--muchas gracias senora. Just trying my hand at Spanish in remembrance of that one time I dared to don a Zorro mask and cape (hahaha) for a Halloween themed party at work. Oh, the suspense about what you will wear for your costume... (whatever you decide upon please take a pic). And, of course, have a great time.
Am suddenly hungry for some of that chili mac...enjoy your day/weekend : ) Back next week to see what's next on tap here at your Epic Treats.
Thinking aloud about what on earth will Jen choose to wear as her costume (or could she decide to go as a princess from another planet in our galaxy) hmm
á Á é É í Í ó Ó ñ Ñ ú Ú ü Ü ¡ ¿
Delete¡Hola, Al! ¿Cómo está usted? Yo estoy bien. Hacía calor esta tarde. (85 degrees!)
That sounds like a fun halloween costume. I will check out Meesh's links and see if I can find an idea. The chili mac turned out great, my housemate liked it too.
I will definitely have an update next week/this weekend, on Saturday I am going to Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building in San Francisco with my cousin :).
Ola my friends!
ReplyDeleteOh my, I come in where Al is speaking Spanish…pretty good too! So Al was Antonio Banderas a few years back? Oh la la! What a hunk Banderas was in that film!----> http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Mask-of-Zorro-antonio-banderas-421004_1024_768.jpg
About Halloween, Jen I have found a link here that may help you choose a costume-----> http://www.frightcatalog.com/halloween-costumes/ Check it out! Is that “Wonder Woman” that I see?! Seriously there’s quite a few costumes that are simple enough to make… make sure to click each link, I spot 108 pages just for women. Whatever you decide to wear, I also hope that you post a picture.
OK going back on comments – Al explained word association – baseball, where he meant to say basement. Could it be that baseball is on your mind these days? Here where I live, this is all what we hear…because I live less than an hour away from -----> http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/ballpark/index.jsp The Yankees are here trying to grab a “Tiger” by the tail and show that they are kittens and can be beaten. There’s many Yankee fans here, usually die-hard BlueJay fans detest the Detroit Tigers.
Game 4 was rained out yesterday and it’s raining again today. Will the Tigers sweep the New York Yankees and advance to the World Series, or will the Yankees' bats finally wake-up and push the series to Game 5? All what I can say is….Go Yankees!
Have a great weekend guys!
Thanks for the link, Meesh! Perhaps this will give me some ideas.
DeleteYes, Antonio Banderas is quite handsome. :)
There is definitely a baseball *and* football fever going on over here. A bunch of my coworkers and housemates are crazy about San Francisco's 49ers and the Giants. Have a great weekend too and may the best teams win!
Domage...:::sigh::: On Thursday, the Detroit Tigers swept the NY Yankees, and will head to the World Series after a 8-1 win....Wonder how San Francisco Giants will do on Sunday... Yep may the best team win.
DeleteFrom what I can gather the Giants are doing pretty okay recently :). My housemate and I will probably go and see a Giants game next season. I told him I wanted to go. It would be fun to go to a baseball game, which I have never done before.
DeletePssst Jen,
ReplyDeleteMartha Stewart has a fun Halloween link here----> http://www.marthastewart.com/275248/homemade-halloween-costumes-for-adults/@center/276965/halloween
It's packed with homemade costumes as well as fun recipes.
Leave it to Martha Stewart to make Halloween costumes classy :)
DeleteDid you see her pet costumes?! http://www.marthastewart.com/853581/pet-costumes/@center/276965/halloween =) TOO cute!
DeleteAww, those are really cute. If I had a little dog, I'd dress him up like a detective and take him trick or treating, maybe with a little monocle too.
Deletehttp://www.baxterboo.com/images/store/medium/bb_3493_1.jpg
I love watching baseball, always have... even a game that's televised. Sure it's slow paced within comparison to other sports, there's something about baseball!
ReplyDeleteYou know Jen, as a Canadian you would think that I would prefer to watch a hockey game, but nope. I urge you to make an effort to go to a game...(wow if the Giants win, you could go to a World series!) Pssst even if you don't like to watch the game, some of those players are pretty darn cute too. LOL
Yeah, I think I could actually enjoy watching a game as long as I know what's going on. It's kind of hard for me to understand football but I know how to play baseball so it would make sense to me :). Also, it's a bonus when the players are cute, haha.
DeleteAh, two smart women talking baseball. Cheers :)
ReplyDelete