Category Archives: Behind the scenes

The Pumpkin Patch Girls

It’s almost here!  It’s that day in October when all the ghosts and goblins and witches and scary creatures scamper throughout our neighborhoods with their bags overflowing with oodles and oodles of Halloween treats.  Being that both my girls are pumpkins this year, I took them out for some impromptu fun in the pumpkin patch last week and snapped some Halloween pictures.  Who ever thought a pumpkin patch could be so much fun?  So my pumpkins and I would like to wish you all a safe and happy Halloween!  And don’t forget… save some candy for the next day! 

5 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Timothy PhamOctober 27, 2010 - 12:54 am

    OMG! I LOVE IT! =)

  • Pumpkin's Grandmom JaneOctober 27, 2010 - 10:06 am

    Great pictures Christine! Our little Pumpkins are ever so precious and you sure did a great job snapping those adorable expressions. Love your pumpkin patch idea too.

  • haley bOctober 27, 2010 - 4:21 pm

    little cuties!!!

  • ChristineNovember 11, 2010 - 8:28 pm

    Oh my – SOOOO adorable! You captured them wonderfully too!

  • April ToddNovember 26, 2010 - 12:14 am

    adorable!!!

Ahhhh, the FALL!

It’s finally here!  My favorite season of the year.  FALL!!  There is little I don’t love about the fall.  I love when the temperatures start to fall below 70 degrees.  I love the brisk winds that blow the leaves all around.  I love a pot of something hot, simmering on the stove, and I love fall baking, to add something sweet at the end of a meal.  It’s just wonderful to me!  I recently had lunch at a local restaurant and for the first time ever, I had a taste of Pumpkin Pear Soup.  Never before have I heard of this and really would never have thought to put the two together.  But let me tell you, it was magnificent!!!  So for anyone who enjoys fall soups, this is a must!  I loved it so much that I found a recipe to try at home and to my delight, it was almost as good as the one I had in the restaurant (ALMOST as good!).  So, for those of you whose mouths are now watering, I am including a picture AND the recipe below.  It’s really, really yummy and it’s another one of “My Favorite Things”.  Enjoy it, and HAPPY FALL!

Pumpkin Pear Soup
Prep Time:
10 mins Total Time: 30 mins Serves: 6

  • 3 ripe pears, washed, peeled sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 cups cooked mashed pumpkin (canned can be used)
  • 14 ounces chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 dry white wine
  • 1 cinnamon stick, 1/3 cup cream or 1/3 cup half and half
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. Sauté the pear and onion in butter over medium heat.
  2. Stir constantly until the onions are translucent.
  3. You also want the pears tender.
  4. Blend pear mixture and pumpkin in a food processor until smooth.
  5. Transfer to a large saucepan where you will add the broth, water, wine, cinnamon, salt.
  6. Bring to a boil.
  7. Reduce to simmer for 20 minutes uncovered.
  8. Remove cinnamon stick and stir in the cream.
  9. Heat thoroughly, but do not boil.
  10. Serve!
no comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

The Battlefield and the Orchard

Last week we took a trip to Gettysburg to meet up with my friend (and very talented photographer) Andrea and her darling kiddos.  We stopped off at the battlefield before heading home and found the most wonderful orchard, sitting peacefully among canons and statues and wandering tourists.  There is just something about an apple orchard – something magical – almost as if being in a dream, and under the apple tree is a tiny, magical fairyland.  I know that probably sounds silly, but on this particular day, that’s what it was like for my girls.  So I couldn’t help but snap a few pictures of them as they very happily danced around under the trees and played with the fallen apples. 

Uh, Oh!  The redcoats are coming!!!

1 comment
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • ashleyOctober 21, 2010 - 8:28 pm

    just want to eat her!

Backpacks and Apples and Lunchbags, Oh MY!

It’s “back to school time” and I couldn’t let this exciting day go by without posting a couple pictures of my happy four-year-old as she headed back to preschool.  The difference?  This year she will be gone a full day!  I do admit that I was sad to leave her this morning, but she was happy and eager to start her day, so what more can a mother ask for?  And the first thing she did when she woke up this morning was run into the fridge, grab her lunch bag, and pull out the special apple that was packed and ready to go.  It evidently was the highlight of her morning, even aside from the thought of seeing her old friends, meeting new friends, and enjoying a fun-filled day at school.  What is it about an apple that still has a leaf on it?  I picked up these delicious galas over the weekend at a roadside produce stand.  The apples were all piled high in a big crate, and although each and every one looked mouth watering, the ones that still had their little leaves attached to the stem just called out “I AM FRESH, AND EXTRA TASTY”.  And aside from the taste, they are simply the cutest things to look at!   So I hope my little girl enjoys her special apple today – the one with the tiny leaf!  And enjoy every minute of your first day back to school.  I love you! 

1 comment
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Andrea HallettAugust 30, 2010 - 1:16 pm

    They are adorable and I LOVE that apple shot! You should hang that in your kitchen! How did I not know you are in Harrisburg? We need to get together! :o)

Sophie and the Giant (or rather, “Donut”) Peach

Have you ever heard of a donut peach?  I hadn’t until a recent visit to Strite’s Orchard here in Harrisburg.  They are AMAZING!!!  They’re peaches that resemble (yes, you guessed it!)… donuts!  Sweeter than any peach I’ve ever had and the perfect size and shape for little hands and little mouths.  If you’ve never had one, or you’ve never been to Strite’s Orchard, I strongly recommend that you head over there and try them out.  But don’t go today because they’re closed on Sundays.  Here is their website in case you’d like to check it out:  http://www.stritesorchard.com.  It’s a great place to frequent or just visit!

This is the peach truck that just arrived with the daily pickings.  I LOVE this truck! 

no comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *