Pumpkins abound in CA

Lilly and Bunny in Patch
Originally uploaded by Kristianna

This is a pumpkin patch in CA.

A little bit of Fall

I can't claim that this is the best picture I've taken, but I think you can get the point. The biggest point is that you don't have to spend a ton of money on decorating your house for fall.  

In this little pic I have faux flowers from Pier 1, purchased about 8 years ago for a total of $5. I like them b/c they are the colors of fall, and yes, even though they are fake (gasp!), they have held up well for instant color. The leaves are real leaves that have been preserved. I got these at Michael's about three years ago, and once again, they have held up well. The vase is a simple glass vase (I like clear glass as it draws your focus to what's in the vase, and not to what is on the vase) from Pier 1, for about $20, purchased 8 years ago. 

I keep all of my seasonal items in a closet on a top shelf so that they aren't destroyed when they are not in use. 

Like I said, not the best pic., but just an idea. :)

Pasta Carbonara alla Mia

While I was waiting for the September Daring Bakers Challenge dough to rise (see post on my blog for more), it was lunch time. Earlier this week, I saw a recipe for Pasta Carbonara that was the stuff of dreams. Actually, a friend of mine who also saw the recipe claimed she did dream about it...

Anyway, with 90 minutes to kill waiting for yeast to do its thing, I had my chance (and a willing partner to share a pasta meal, since it's the weekend and my daughter was home for lunch).

You can see the inspiration recipe in all its technicolor glory HERE, but I, of course had to make some changes. I rarely make a recipe as is... it's some personal problem of mine, I am sure.

I halved the recipe, and decided to add more veggies.

Here's what I used: a couple of eggs, a zucchini, some onion and garlic, diced pancetta, chicken stock, parmesan, peas, and pasta. My recipe really only vaires from the original in using the pancetta (and some olive oil instead of the bacon fat), and I sauteed zucchini slices with the onions.


My daugher abhors peas, so I held off adding them until the very last moment, after serving her portion.


But, jokes on her! She loved it so much that she ended up helping herself to a second serving... with peas.


She asked me to make it 'a bunch more times, please,' so I call that a kid seal of approval. It got my thumbs up, too. And, it really is a simple meal. I'd always been apprehensive of Carbonara, what with the raw eggs, but really, it was amazingly easy. Much thanks to the original recipe with its wonderful photos that ennerved me to try this.

Welcome Home

This blog is my and my sister's blog about home living. On this blog, look for posts about home decorating ideas (mine) and cooking ideas (my sister's). I am also hoping to post about good deals I find while shopping at my favorite stores!