Harvest Moon Party

Treats

We had alot of fun this first full weekend of October. And with a full moon to add to the fun. We were invited to my brothers for a Full Moon Party and my assignment was dessert. I wanted something fun and kid friendly so went with the traditional cupcakes and caramel apple. I got lucky and scored some darling lady apples earlier in the week at the grocery store. I asked her where they got them and the lady said a little old man brought them in from his tree up in a town called Harmony. Population 18. No joke. That's what the sign says. And they aren't kidding. It is small. On Highway One here on the Pacific Coast of California, about 15 minutes south of Hearst Castle. Well, that was all I needed to hear. I was sold. Since then I think I have been back to that store everyday, stocking up on those apples. I have also heard them called Christmas Apples. Whatever you you call them..they are charming.

So we set up shop and made the pumpkin spice cupcakes that were in the October issue of Bon Appetit. (btw all you fellow foodies out there, I just heard this morning that Gourmet magazine is folding...the beloved..after all these years.)

On Saturday I took a ride up See Canyon in the apple orchards looking for apple branches. I was wondering if I was going to have any luck. I took a side road called Pippin Lane (I'm not kidding..that was the name of it.) and I got lucky. There lying on the side of the road ...was a pile of old apple branches. I loaded them into my car and headed home..delighted in my treasure of old apple branches...even the car smelled "apple-ey".

So Sunday morning was our fun cupcake and caramel apple day. And we all had a good time. And it did...feel like Fall.

Birthday Night

Well, we had the 4oth birthday party...and we had a lot of fun.

We sat outside under the arbor..it was 90 degrees here yesterday..but by 5:30 it was just perfect. We drank cold beer and had almonds, olives, gouda and crackers.

The days are getting shorter, so as it started to get dark we moved indoors and started with a mozzarella and tomato salad..the tomtoes were from our garden and they are so good. After the salad I had John start the bbq and for dinner we had bbqed wild Alaskan salmon. I served the fish on top of mashed potatoes that were finished off with olive oil then topped the fish with an herb sauce that I got out of Alfred Portale. And for dessert, birthday cake . Devil's food with a seven minute frosting. It was a fun family evening...just wish we did it more often.