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Ollie Cake Winning Quartet

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Ok – It’s TIME!  What are your favorite ways to say “Be Mine” on Valentine’s Day?

It is almost February and fair enough to start thinking about hearts and flowers and chocolates and kisses and … oh so many ways to share them!  Seeing Valentines in the stores before Christmas was a bit disconcerting to me; but now with the new year well underway, February just around the corner, and these emails showing up, I am a lot more excited about Valentines!

There are so many places to go, things to do, and ways to say “I love you” –  let’s get started!   (coffee and chocolate, a picnic, a dance, strawberries and chocolate, more coffee…and this is just a beginning)

From Roger’s Gourmet Coffee

From the Farm at South Mountain:

Also available at The Farm for Valentine’s Day:  Quiessence is open for Dinner on Sunday and Monday; Morning Glory Cafe is open on Monday.

From Starbucks:          Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Your Sweetie from Starbucks

AND… From the Hotel Del Coronado:    What could be sweeter?

Let’s have some fun! How do you like to say ‘Be Mine’?

What are some the most romantic:  Places, Foods, Gifts, and Celebrations you’ve discovered for Valentine’s Day?

Pumpkin Power!

Enjoy Great Food and Fun Times with Pumpkins this time of year!

In celebration of Halloween (all Hallows Eve) about 99% of pumpkins sold domestically are used as jack-o-lanterns. Hundreds of years ago, before Pumpkins were used, Turnips were carved and lit with hot embers and used as ‘lanterns’ as well as to ward off evil spirits.

But, Pumpkins have more power than warding off evil spirits.

They are Delicious AND Nutrituous!

Pumpkins are of the Cucurbita family and are actually winter squash and range in size from less than 1 pound to over 1,000 pounds. They are typically 90% water.

Pumpkins are rich in Vitamin A which is a great antioxidant and in potassium which is important for blood-pressure regulation. They are also high in fiber which is great for cleaning your intestines and helping things move along.

Their seeds, due to their high Zinc content, may help with prostate challenges and could help avoid prostate cancer in men. Pumpkin seeds will also help you keep your skin supple and your hair strong and shiny.

Roasted Pumpkin is easy and delicious as a side dish or main dish. I also like to add cubed pumpkin to any vegetable dish and casserole.

Serve it cold with salad greens (especially good with arugula), goat cheese and dried cranberries.

Here is a recipe for a delicious, low-calorie and super nutritious Pumpkin Smoothie! (from Katarina of Dublin, Ireland)

1 banana, frozen
1 cup almond milk
1 cup pumpkin, grated
a handful of pre-soaked almonds (optional)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
nectar, stevia or raw honey to taste.

What are some of your favorite ways to use Pumpkin in addition to traditional Pumpkin Pie?

Enjoy your Pumpkins all season!

And today – However you use your Pumpkin, have a Happy Halloween!

What is it about fall that seems like PIE time? Now… I agree, that summertime is also Pie time with fresh berries and other summer fruits (peaches, plums and apricots). But isn’t there something special about Apple Pie in the fall? (and of course with Thanksgiving on the horizon…Pumpkin Pie? ummm…and my sister’s Minced Fruit Pie!).

And what is it that triggers a craving? Sometimes it doesn’t take much to create a craving which then, for me becomes a Quest!  Maybe it was Norah Jones singing about “the golden crust on an apple pie…” that set me off but for some reason I have been craving Apple Pie; and not just ANY Apple Pie – a REALLY GOOD Apple Pie! (with a Golden Crust!)

So…I am off on a quest for the perfect Apple Pie (with a golden crust), when we visit the October Fall (and pumpkin) Festival at Schnepf Farm.   With several food options available around the farm, we were attracted to the Country Store and Bakery for the type of food we prefer. (Not that the delicious aroma of BBQ, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Hot Dogs, and Burgers filling the air wasn’t enticing,  We just enjoy more fresh vegetables and salads in our meals).

There we were, being seated at a table (covered with a festive cloth) in the Country Store and Bakery, surrounded by antiques, country decor, country crafts and gifts, and shelves laden with jars of jam and jelly and PIES!

My radar was up and I spied the case of homemade pies as soon as we were seated…..”Dessert First” is a safe motto!

I perused the case before ordering my lunch (a healthy salad — always my first choice but crucial, when there is the possibility of a zag with dessert — especially with homemade pie on the menu!)  The pies looked tasty and – just maybe – I would find THE PIE I have been searching for!

Not just me…but EVERYONE in the family, found sheer delight and satisfaction with dessert — especially the Apple Pie!

Schnepf Farm’s gets my vote for the BEST Apple Pie! (and, yes — it has a golden crust!)

What is yours?

PIES, PUMPKINS, and PIG RACES…Just part of the fun you will find at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Voted “Arizona’s Best Family Fall Experience” by Phoenix Magazine and one of the “Top 5 Pumpkin Farms in the Southwest” by Sunset Magazine…my family concurs whole heartedly!

Schnepf Farms is the largest organic Peach grower in the state, and still farms hay and vegetables crops while harvesting trees. They educate thousands of school children about the importance of agriculture and entertain thousands of families who come to the farm for festivals, jazz, good food, weddings and fresh fruits and vegetables.

A real working farm, Schnepfs offers year-round fun with special festivals, U-pick vegetable and fruit; and  we think it is the best Fall (and Pumpkin) Festival experience around!

Plan on a FULL day of FUN Festivities:   Hay Rides -  Train Rides - Pig Race - Frisbee Dog Shows – Corn Mazes – Straw Bale Maze – Miniature Golf – L’il Farmer Play Yard & Town - Country Road Rally (pedal wagons - Carousel Rides – Flying Farmer Ride – Gravity Roller Coaster – Climbing Wall – Giant Slide – Pumpkin Launch- Country Store – Sweet Shop – Gift Shop – Schnepf Famly Museum – Crafts – Bon Fires – Marshmallow Roasts – Fireworks (Friday & Saturday) – FOOD – and… Perfect Pumpkin Pickin’s!

FOOD! Choices…choices…choices….including a sitdown Country Kitchen restaurant and Fresh PIES! YUM!

PERFECT PUMPKIN PICKIN’S!

It was an especially lovely summer evening and we decided to enjoy the cooler temperatures by attending the ‘2nd Saturday Art Walk’ sponsored by the Uptown Merchants Association of Lake Havasu City, AZ. Local Artists display their work, either in or on the sidewalk in front of different businesses along McCulloch Blvd, giving exposure to both the artists and merchants and encouraging business for the merchants in the uptown area.

We discovered quite a variety of ‘art’ from traditional oil paintings, modern media, photography, weavings, etchings, jewelry and other handcrafted items, some mediocre while others were exceptional.

All locations offered refreshments, usually a cheese and cracker tray or platter of cookies. The biggest surprise was an offering of edible Food Art. This was fun and very creative. The ‘artist/cook’ admitted to being inspired by a book she had found and had expanded on some of those ideas.

It reminded me of the marshmallow ‘Snowmen’ my sister and I used to make during the Christmas holidays, and now I am thinking how much fun these might be with our grandchildren, and much healthier using pretzels, slivered almonds (for ears), and cherry tomatoes..these have caramels holding them together — I’m thinking peanut butter fondant? ….no limit to the imagination!!

Here is a fun idea!

Celebrate Earth Day with a tree planted in your name by Roger’s Gourmet Coffee & Tea Market (see my earlier post)

This great ‘Plant-a-Tree’ concept is one of the generous ‘perks’ you will receive by joining their “Java Perks” Coffee Club. Check it out!

Tonight!  From 7pm – 9pm Join artist Joe Ray at a reception for his new work at Urban Beans Coffee Bar.  Joe will give a brief talk about his work at 7:30pm.  Start your weekend off right!  Light refreshments.

See you there!