Square is Good!

A very tasty pizza my husband made last weekend. It featured pepperoni, Canadian bacon, mozzarella, pepper-jack cheese and sliced green onions. A pizza stone helps make magical pies - a gift idea maybe for someone on your list?

Thai Lettuce Wraps

Look at this explosion of colors. My husband ordered this recently at the Cheesecake Factory, and although it was messy to put the wraps together, he said the mixture of flavors was really good.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds - Pepitas!

The wonderful fringe benefit of carving pumpkins: pumpkin seeds! Rinse and de-string them and then boil in salted water for about 10 minutes. Toss in a little melted butter and roast in a single layer on a baking sheet until browned. I love these little pepitas.

Mud Pies

Chicken sliced ultra-thin, dipped in beaten egg, and then dredged in a mixture of flour, salt and panko crumbs. Fried in a little peanut oil. These are called "mud pies." I don't know the reason why they're called that. It's the name my mother-in-law gave them.

Puff Pastry Chicken "Pot Pie"

A "pot pie" puff pastry version from the Brick Oven Bistro. Happy food!

Boise Mug Donation

On a quick trip to Seattle last weekend, I got to see my Boise Starbucks mug donation on display in the Eastlake store. The Boise mug, second from the left, was only available for a short time, probably about 7 years ago. I purchased as many as I could find, and still have a few left in storage.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes made from spuds dug up from a garden bed last night. Here's our recipe: boiled potatoes smashed with cream cheese and butter.