Boo! That's right. I said Boo!

I know. . . the title's not very original, but. . . well. . . BOO!

So while we're on the subject of Halloween - how do you decorate?  Do you set pumpkins out on the front porch?  Take cardboard bats in your window? Wear a scary costume to hand out candy? Or really decorate your house in the 'haunted' style?

Mums in the Pumpkins

I saw this idea of using a pumpkin as a fall garden pot a few years ago and every year since, I would buy chrysanthemums and pumpkins with the intent of trying it for myself. . . but every Autumn would go by with the mums doing their thing and the pumpkins doing theirs - and not together. I simply wanted to use the pumpkins as 'pots' for the mums. Nothing terribly difficult. . .

Well. . . this year I brought Hubster on board and check it out!

Simply Squashed. . .

So, more obviously than apparently, rain and my Mums in Pumpkins do *NOT* work together. Note to self - move pumpkins out of way of incoming rain.

Ooo La La ~ Flightless Bird Goes Fast

On Friday,  I shared my Savory Cheesecake Recipe and there was that lovely chicken breast that we served on the side. 

A total 'winging-it' concepted recipe that completely won over all of our taste buds!  No hen-pecking (or leftovers) here. . .

Savoring the Cheesecake

Looking for something just a little different on your plate?  Have company coming for dinner and want to impress them. . . without being a slave to your stove?  Have I got the cheesecake recipe for you!  That's right, I said cheesecake. . . and I'm not talking dessert, darling.  I'm talking as a side dish:-)

I used to make this recipe fairly frequently - many years ago. It's not a difficult recipe, reheats grandly (IF there are any leftovers) and I absolutely adore it! Have no idea why we haven't made it in so long.

Sweet as Sugar Arts & Crafts

What a grand Saturday it was!  A perfect dayfor being outside enjoying an Arts and Crafts Festival.

Friend Carrie and I traveled an hour northeast for the wonderful Sugar Mound Arts and Crafts Festival - and did we have some kind of fun!

It was a gorgeous Autumn day - a little cool when we left at 8 a.m. - but warmed up to 'upper-lip-glistening' by lunchtime, and 'give-me-extra-ice-in-my-soda' hot by the time we left at 3 p.m.

Finally Friday & Fun!

What did I do today?

Well. . . worked on the ksyardbird website.  Take a look and tell me what you think. . . Seriously.

Took some wonderful pics on my adventure to central Kansas Wednesday.  Here's just a few. . .

Remembering Great-Steve Z

This is my Great-Steve.

Saturday SURPRISE Blog - Mojitos :-)

MOJITOS!!!!

Nephew B. first introduced us to the deliciously refreshing limey-minty Mojito.  In honor of, what's sure to be, a great weekend for cocktails, here's our fave Mojito recipe - as demonstrated by Hubster.

Foodie Friday - Simple Salmon Pie

With the gorgeous Autumn upon us (and it is beautiful this year!) who wants to spend a bunch of time closed up in the kitchen making supper?  How about something quick to toss together that cooks for a bit in the oven - giving you some time to sit on the porch and watch the leaves turn colors. . .

Salmon Pie

1 can salmon, drained
4 eggs, yolks broken
1/4 cup finely minced onion
1/2 cup diced sweet pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350.   Mince the onions and dice the peppers.  We used sweet purple peppers from my patio-pepper plant - tasty!

Beat the eggs. . .

Drain the salmon and crumble into a bowl - chopping with a fork if necessary.

Mix all ingredients. . .

Pour into a buttered 8 x 8, 9 x 9, or deep dish pie dish

 and bake for 30 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes up clean.  Let rest for few minutes before serving with white sauce.

White Sauce

3 Tbsp butter

3 Tbsp flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground white pepper (black pepper is a perfect substitute)
1-1/2 cups milk

Melt butter over low heat in heavy saucepan.  Blend in flour and seasonings. 

Cook and stir over low heat until mixture is smooth and bubbly. 

Stir in milk.  Bring to boil stirring constantly.  Boil to desired consistency - about one minute for 'thick cream'

and perfect for topping salmon pie.

Pair Salmon Pie with steamed green beans or snap peas and some tomatoes and it's supper fit for company, baby!  YUM!  Dish it up and have supper outside tonight:-)

Have a Simply Tasty kind of day ~

Robin Z