Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all you ghouls and goblins!

My your night be filled with more treats than tricks.

Halloween has changed so much since I was a kid and from what I am finding it has changed even more over the last 100 years. Looks like there was more mysticism attached to it and seeing into the future than there is now. Where did all of that fun go? I hate when cool traditions are lost through time. Here are some Halloween postcards from the past that are so different than the Halloween that we know today.

Casablanca Pumpkins

I SUPER love these pumpkins from Martha.

They remind me of these lanterns I have been wanting FOREVER from here.

Happy Birthday Andy!

Today is my Big Brother Andy's Birthday!
I was super lucky to have him come into town for work 2 times last year!
I know he probably doesn't read this, but Andy, I miss you very much. I look up to you more than you know, you are honest and hardworking and a great Dad. You never seize to amaze me.

Maltese Women's Halloween Dinner

This post is overdue since we had the Women's Committee Halloween Party/Dinner at the Maltese American Social Club back in the beginning of October.

Most of us arrived in costume and we had a lovely dinner of Italian Sausage Sandwiches, Potato Salad, Green Salad, Wine, Coffee and various desserts.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the night.

Getting Chilly

There is a nip in the air these past few nights and it is getting darker earlier. I have to admit I love the fall and changes of season. We don't get too many changes out here, but summer to fall is always welcome in my world. We get some leaves turning but the thing I like the most is feeling like I need to get into bed earlier and pull up an extra blanket and a good book.
I took this photo Monday night from the top of the staircase across the street from my flat.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!
May I one day have the zest for life that you have.
You have taught me how to be positive and optimistic and for that I am so grateful.

Nifrahlek ghal gheluq sninek!
(Happy Birthday in Maltese for those wondering)

Sweet and Salty Treat

Every fall Tim and I make this simple sweet and salty treat to have around the house.
We love it!

In a large container with lid, mix dry roasted salted peanuts and candy corn - sometimes we add m&m's too! If you like sweet and salty, you will love this.

F.A.B. Veggie Curry

Last night on my way home I was talking to Angela about what to make for dinner, she was making Veggie Curry which ironically enough, I had just posted a comment on her blog asking for the recipe because she is a wonderful cook. So, I joined her and made it last night for dinner too, per her instructions. Both of us have a habit of cooking on the fly and not measuring so here is what I came up with. All props go to Angela, this is just my rendition of her recipe.
Ang, I hope you approve.

Saute onions, garlic and dried red chili pepper flakes in toasted sesame oil over medium heat until translucent.

Add veggies of any kind - this dish was great because I had just picked up my CSA box Thursday night.

Saute veggies until about half cooked, add one can of light coconut milk, curry powder (as much or as little as you like - I used about a palm full), salt and pepper to taste. I also added a little more dried chili flakes since we like the heat in our house. I put a lid over it and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to finish cooking to veggies, not too much though, I like a little crunch. At the very end after tasting it, I decided to add some dry roasted unsalted peanuts I had in the cupboard to make it a little more Thai and it was F.A.B.ulous!

We ate it over some brown basmati rice, nutty and delicious. To cool our pallets, we had a nice Spanish Sparkling Wine we got from Miss Carla.

Thanks Angela for the quick dinner recipe - maybe one day you will measure and I can make it just like yours.

Happy Birthday B-Boy

Happy 3rd Birthday my Blue Boy BayLee.

Apple Pie Oatmeal

Just made this up on Sunday morning and it was fabulous!
Welcome Autumn.

Apple Pie Oatmeal

4 servings

Water
1 Cup Steel Cut Oats
pinch or two of salt
3 Apples of your choice, cubed (dice size)
2 Tbls Sugar
1 Tbls Ghee (clarified butter)
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg

Boil 4 Cups of water in 4 Quart heavy bottom pot. Sprinkle in 1 Cup Steel Cut Oats, turn down heat slightly and stir while simmering until mixture becomes slightly thick. Let simmer low for 30 minutes stirring occasionally (try not to scrape the bottom of the pan if some stuck to it).

In a nonstick fry pan, melt 1 Tbls Ghee, add apples and toss to coat. Leave on medium heat without moving too much to ensure browning, but not burning. After cooking 5 minutes, sprinkle mixture with cinnamon and sugar, toss to coat and continue cooking until caramelized and golden in color.

In four bowls, evenly distribute oatmeal and top with apple mixture.

If you want to sweeten it more you can add a bit of maple syrup.

Old Book, New Book

I have mentioned this in a couple other posts, but wanted to share some photos and a little info.

I have been carrying around this leather notebook that belonged to a fountain pen salesmen from 1910-1912 (those are the dates in the notebook), I don't know why I think it is so interesting. I love opening it and reading his funny little sayings and reading his sales pitch ideas. He has also listed potential names for dogs, favorite songs and other random stuff. I keep him with me and have what he looks like in my mind, how is life was, etc. I keep him pretty private since I don't want anyone to change my ideas about him. Here are some photos of his notebook:

I too keep a little notebook that I carry around with my funny sayings, lists of things to do and ideas for projects, etc. I wonder if in 100 years someone like me will end up purchasing it at an antique store for $3.00 like I did the one above.

Here is mine, I had to skew it to protect my privacy but you can tell by the photos I am just as crazy about writing all my stuff down as the man above was.

Killing Me!

I saw this on TV on Saturday and almost fell of the couch laughing!
Hope you like it as well!

Check it out here.

I had the video embeded for about a week, but had to remove because it was driving me nuts, it would automatically play when the blog was opened.

The Many Faces of the Maltese Kat

These photos were taken over the last year or so, I thought it was time to post them since it is the Halloween season!

30+ Things You May Not Know About Me

30+ Random Things You May Not Know About Me

1. I was went undercover with the police when I was in 3rd Grade
2. I have a knack for mimicry
3. My 2nd toes are longer than all of the others
4. I collect old dance cards from the 20's-60's (full or empty, I don't discriminate)
5. I LOVE written correspondence - old and new (one time Wendy and I got sucked in to some old WW II V-Mail at an antique store for about an hour!)
6. I remember the licence plate number from the station wagon we had when I was a child.
7. I have an incredible memory
8. I used to record myself singing TV theme songs instead of practicing them on the piano after school.
9. I believe it is bad luck to put a hat on the bed
10. I really love hats!
11. I write short stories all the time, but usually keep them to myself
12. With #11 said, I would love to be a writer and be able to live in the middle of nowhere
13. I make lists for just about everything
14. I would love to learn how to play the mandolin or banjo
15. I can play the piano and read music (took lessons for all of my childhood)
16. I was on a bus that was held up in Vietnam - scariest moment ever!
17. I have actually performed a couple of minor miracles
18. I wanted to be Amish for a while - still would like to maybe, sometimes simple is better
19. I have a non-cancerous tumor in my left eye, but still have 20/20 vision
20. I used to have a speech impediment and had to go to speech therapy
21. I wanted to go to private High School and a different Middle School than most people in my town.
22. I love teeny tiny things, miniatures, etc.
23. I love being in a country where you know no one and cannot speak the language
24. I carry an old man's notebook from 1910 around with me - I think we are linked in some way (I got it at an antique store)
25. I have had a plantar wart on my left heel that I have had for more than 10 years (gross, I know but Dr. can't get rid of it).
26. I thought High School was going to be like the movie Grease (so sad)
27. I have a crush on Billy Bob Thornton
28. I love the 70's sitcom "Good Times" more than words can say
29. I always wanted to play the violin part of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia"
30. I am not a big chocolate fan
31. I have a knack for learning other languages
32. I hate wearing socks
33. I am a country girl married to a city boy
34. I eat certain things in even numbers only
35. I only wake up at 8, 16, 24, 32 or 48 after the hour - I am cuckoo about numbers
36. When I think of something I have not seen in a while, I get obsessed with finding it
37. When I was a child I used to suck my middle finger and ring finger and carry a blanket

Fabulous Find

Silver or Gold?

These Fabulous Shoes are $29.99 at Target!

Missing in Action 2

Hey folks!
I know, I have taken a little unscheduled hiatus from my blog as of late. Truth be told, I have been doing a lot of soul searching, trying to get myself back in order. I had an epiphany a couple weeks ago that during my long and drawn out adoption process I lost part of myself. It has been so stressful and consuming in every way that I was letting it take over my life as a whole. So, with the expiration of the US and Vietnam agreement, I have decided to get back to basics and start doing the things that make me happy since I seemed to have neglected myself along this journey, which we are still on, there was just a fork in the road.

I am back at yoga with a somewhat consistant practice. I am taking a workshop right now for 3 hours on Sunday's for the next couple weeks and it is HARD. I think maybe harder for me since I used to have a pretty consistent practice and was pretty comfortable with my abilities and now, being out of practice, things are a little different. It is good though, and I have to admit I love a good challenge, it makes me feel sturdy. The bonus is that I get free yoga during the weeks between the workshop on Sunday's. Tonight I am going to mellow out with a Gentle Restorative Class which will be nice on a Friday after work.

That is really about it - just taking more time for myself lately and if that means I can't post for a couple days so be it. I have a feeling though with all of my favorite holidays and foods of the season coming up, I will be posting more.