The K-List - Fall edition

     When I was much younger I believed I should have been born down South because the thought of -always Summer- was magical to me.  As I have matured I have come to truly cherish the change in seasons and now  I won't give it up.   While it's true Winter in New England can drag on with more grey cold days than I'd like,  it has it's merits.  Living on a farm means spending much of your daylight hours outside tending livestock and gardens and hay fields, etc.  When winter sets in we're in the house earlier, hunkered down by the fire most evenings, reading and catching up on the news.   It's a time to allow ourselves to  be together quietly, to recharge and even  hibernate just a little, to not be so busy out and about.  My dogs seem to recharge  too - they sit in my lap and around my feet near the fire in the mancave or at my desk as I work, and they soak in  sunspots on the floor of the kitchen.

     Speaking of dogs... Miss Sally has blended very well with our family - at seven months she's a bit rambunctious at times but  Ben, Bailey and Frasier tell her what they think of the new kid on the block without bloodshed and she has slowly been accepted into the pack.

     The light in a New England Autumn is just so warm and inviting. The skies bluest of blue.

    And that moon! Did you happen to glimpse the full moon last night?  It was amazing... I need to buy a zoom lens. My phone and canon with regular zoom did not catch it's magnificence.

   
**Skip this section if you are avoiding unpleasant current events - and I don't blame you.  Scroll on down to the recipes... 

   In the midst of enjoying all this fall beauty, we are constantly reminded of all the horrors occurring out there in the world. Sometimes I just want to ignore it all, shut it all out... and yet that seems irresponsible.   The horror of what has happened yet again, this time in Vegas.. Well, to sound cliche-ish - what is our world coming to.  And how can you stop a madman from an act such as this.

   Regarding gun laws - I believe in our right to own a gun responsibly. I also think not enough safety precautions are in place - not enough restrictions, regulations.  Thorough background checks, mental health history checks (oh yes, I know that violates rights, but still... ).. why is it harder to get a drivers license than a handgun?  Why are civilians allowed to buy semi-automatic assault weapons?  Silencers, $50 accessories that make a gun fire more rapidly?   And you know, while it may be true that the bad guys will find a way to get their weapon of choice,  why not put up roadblocks regardless?  Any life that might be saved, any deterrent that might stop the progress of an attack such as the Vegas horror show, why ever not?  I don't agree with those who believe all gun owners are evil and no one should own one except law enforcement.  We don't live in a Utopian world, we have to be prepared for the real world,  the madness of which you and I are fully aware.  Gun ownership is not all about  angry white men, as a friend of mine would have you believe.  However, the lack of restrictions and regulations in this country is appalling.  Slippery slope, this issue.  But doing nothing seems criminal.

     It continues to amaze me that 45 still has his seat in the Oval office, and the support of his base as well.  I'm no snowflake - I just believe in truth and maturity and a general sense that our President is here for all of us, not the some-of-us who like his brand of... I can't even call it leadership.  How we can all see the same behavior and either applaud it or be  horrified and embarrassed by it is beyond my scope of understanding.  I had a conversation with a family member last night about this very thing.  I asked what exactly was it about this POTUS that felt inspirational.   Because that was the word the person used.  The explanation was that what 45 says in rallies makes that person feel pride in being American... it says "screw the establishment,  it hasn't been working for the people, we're finding our own way".     Well... what can I say to that - that is my cherished person's truth.  What I see is the complete opposite.  How did this come to be?  Clearly, I couldn't tell ya.  I haven't been happy with the government corruption and obstructionism among parties, lobbyists, etc. for a long time, so I get that sentiment.    It is a small comfort to see some of the GOP putting their party loyalty aside and standing up for integrity, truths, calling a spade a spade.   Right now it seems our divides in this country and abroad are growing wider.  Where this will all lead is a mystery to just about all of us, no matter what our beliefs.. but chaos is an undeniable part of it and that's a scary deal for all.

  ONWARD! 

 None of these recipes are mine, all credit goes to the links provided.  It's my goal to make all of these throughout the season though, and hopefully not eat most of each.  Luckily my grown kids stop in frequently and clear out the glass covered cake dish I try to keep full on the kitchen island.  I'm not ashamed to admit I use a little bribery to lure them in for visits and I love every one, even when  they're  just drive-bys or bathroom stops or complaint filings.   :-)   

   Note: What's been helping me to stick to a healthier diet lately is I'm really trying to focus on this gluten free thing, to see if it helps with this lovely fibromyalgia pain.   I'm giving it six months, so I know for sure whether it helps to be gluten free.  Two months in, I do notice much less bloat.  For that reason, I won't be eating most of this stuff myself, although I sure am a glutton for punishment, eh? The temptation will be extreme. 

**Please add your favorite fall dish of any kind in the comments section if you'd like to share too. 

Pumpkin Nutella Cookie Bars

 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Oreo Pumpkin Cheesecakes 

Pumpkin Pie pockets

Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles 

 I'll be back soon with some genuine Vermont fall flare to share... 

and.. a special something from Vermont for a recipe share

winner in the comments section, chosen by tossing your names

on a scrap of paper into the air

and whomever is selected by my Sally pup on the floor

will receive the surprise gift. 

Yup, that's sometimes how we roll.