cookie time

it is the time of year to exchange cookies, in a very organized way. dolled up to be both social and practical, the cookie-swap parties are a lovely vestige of oldtimey homemaking. in a way, a bit of fakery, the appearance of diligent baking of so many sorts of bisquits....you bake as many dozens of treats as there are guests, pack them up and meet at the location designated. they are to be shared with all those present, but you don't eat them there. no. they are stowed away to be opened up at home later, offered to other friends over the holidays.

i love 'em. the unknown pleasures lure me. i have, this year, accepted two invites to exchange holiday baking...a total of 17 dozen cookies to bake and pack. shall i make all the same kind? shall i challenge myself with new (and possibly substandard) recipes? yikes! and what in return? the mystery, the deliciousness. and the acceptance that yes, i will eat far too many.

i have a feeling that i'll try for three next year.....

sad face

Learned the lesson I keep forgetting...pluck the pumpkins whilst one may! On Thursday, I hopped into the car to visit a friend. I was zooming by bins on garbage day, thinking that on the return trip I would stop and take advantage...bin after bin topped by untouched, uncarved, un-jack-o-lanterned pumpkins, like autumnal maraschino cherries on a leaf-bag sundae. Oh how the roasted seeds entice me! As does the prospect of a good peanut pumpkin soup or loaf. Even more thrilling was the idea of rescuing these delicacies from the trash!! Came so close to stopping, but was running a bit late, a bit shy, etc. (Dare I eat a peach?) Mid-visit, the telltale rumble of the trucks, and yes, gone pumpkins all. Next lesson please?

All Saint's Day

Today is a day for deli sandwiches and laundry sorting. And candy munching. Hardly any treaters last night, three pumpkins carved and leering on the steps may have frightened them away. Jack'o'lantern guts filling the oven, toasting up all salty and seedy.

And a little time to figure out how to negotiate this site...