Thursday, November 1, 2012

Falling Leaves and Pumpkin Seeds


Happy November, my friends!  My three-month-old MacBook hard drive crashed last week, and it's still not back from the Mac Store yet.  I miss it, but in the meantime, Mr. Magpie is lending me his laptop.  I know I've been promising photos of the house, and they are coming, but delayed furniture deliveries and other hold ups are slowing down progress on the house.  We're loving being here all the same, so it doesn't really matter to us!  For the moment I thought I'd just share a moody late afternoon instagram shot of one of my kitchen windows. 

October was wonderful here in our new neighborhood.  One highlight was a visit from our niece, with whom we built an entire fairy village, complete with street signs, a hospital, school, a senior center--yes, she's that thoughtful a girl--a restaurant, farm, lookout tower, and much more.  I have tons of photos that I'll share once my computer is up and running, but in the meantime, here's one of the fairy houses.  This one's long gone now, as it was one of the first to be eaten by the giants squirrels who invaded the village.


Our lovely dead end street just an hour before Hurricane Sandy hit.  We have wonderful woods for exploring and for gathering fairy village supplies at the end of the street.


The morning after Sandy hit the waves at Portland Head Light were monstrous--beautiful, but monstrous.  We were fortunate to lose just a few tree limbs during the storm.  Our hearts go out to all those who lost loved ones or whose homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. 

As the winds raged around our little house, we nursed a sick kitty (who is now on the mend, thanks to antibiotics) and made Halloween cards. 

And the first Halloween in the house was a good one.  We bought far too much candy, as we had no idea how many ghouls and superheroes would show up, and we didn't want to run out.  So leftover m&m's it is for dessert from now until . . . well a long time from now.  Sigh.  I like m&m's too much for my own good.

Last but not least, I roasted pumpkin seeds this morning from the seeds leftover after carving jack-o-lanterns last night.  The recipe follows below.  More just as soon as my MacBook's up and running.  Thanks for bearing with me, lovelies!


Quick Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
  • approximately 2 cups washed and dried pumpkin seeds
  • about 5 dashes worchestershire sauce
  • a dash or two (or more) of your favorite hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • about 1 teaspoon cajun spices
  • salt to taste
  • about 1 tablespoon demarara sugar
  • about one tablespoon olive oil.
Toss all ingredients together in a bowl.  Let sit.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Once the oven is heated, pour the coated seeds onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for about 10 minutes.  Take them out, stir well, then put back into the oven for another 5 minutes. Stir and repeat.  I ended up roasting mine for a total of about 25 minutes, but it will vary depending on how wet your seeds are to begin with.  Just keep checking on them and stirring them every five minutes and you won't burn them.  Let cool, then munch away!

A warm welcome to new readers and a big hug to old friends.  xo Gigi

14 comments:

  1. Oh my.. your blog is absolutely beautiful! And your pictures of your home and neighborhood in Portland, Maine warm my heart! I've lived in Portland, OR. for 17 years now, but i grew up in Maine, (Pittsfield,) and lived in Portland for my first 10 years after college graduation! I love the Pacific Northwest, but i miss Maine lots, especially in the autumn! Love this post, and thanks for the recipe for roast pumpkin seeds. Haven't had them in years and will try this soon. :)

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  2. Thank you so much, Mary! I have always wanted to visit Portland, OR, so it's wonderful to hear from someone who lives there but has also lived in this Portland. The seeds are yummy! All measurements are very approximate and can be varied according to taste. I just threw things together until I liked the flavor! :)

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  3. glad you made it thru Sandy OK :/ my heart goes out to those who didnt. that lighthouse is just stunning!

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  4. I'm glad you're not too much worse for the wear after Sandy.

    Your neighborhood street looks delightful.

    Cheers!
    Keri

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  5. I love the photo of your kitchen window, it's beautiful.

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  6. Love the instagram photos and your pumpkins seeds sound wonderful. I like the addition of the herbs and the worchestershire sauce!

    leslie

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  7. Thank goodness you are all ok GiGi and the kitty is on the mend too, it's been just terrible watching the films on television of Sandy and the devastation. The weather has certainly been handing out disastrous things to you all, our thoughts are with those who have lost family members and all they owned.

    How lovely that you made a fairy village for your niece...I'm quite certain she will remember her visit as a magical moment in her growing up.

    Hugs Gigi,
    Jane

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  8. So very glad you we're too hard hit by Sandy, Gigi... love this glimpse and celebration of autumn in your beautiful part of the world. :o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

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  9. The shoreline in souther RI has been badly hit and so far no one is allowed anywhere near it to take photos....Misquamicut Beach is all but gone. If you are interested there are some great photos on the RI DOT website. Here, one town inland, we had it relatively easy.

    Since I am a bit Instagram obsessed I am so happy to see that you have joined:) somehow I seem to have more time to fiddle with my phone than the computer. I've discovered the Pinterest app and that is now taking up more time than necessary too!

    Love that fairy cottage! I really have to write a post about the Florence Griswald museum Faeire Village...it may have been destroyed by Sandy as it was in Old Lyme right on the river. It was FUN!

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  10. Gigi,

    I am so happy you are enjoying your new home and all it has to offer.

    Lovely photos and what a wonderful idea about building a fairy village... something to do with my daughter when she gets a bit older.

    Have a lovely weekend, and I am glad to know you fared well with regard to Sandy.

    Liz

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  11. So glad all is well with you and you are safe and snug in your new abode. Love to you, my friend.

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  12. Also glad you came through the storm safely.
    Love your fairy house and picturing doing that with a niece is very special.
    The street where you live is gorgeous! How I would love walking down the lane.

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  13. such a beautiful place, yours:)
    i love the way you build with words.
    thanks for the delicious inspire,
    Jennifer

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  14. that light house is gorgeous and so beautiful. sandy sucked! still crazy out here. but slowly and steadily things r improving. u definitely have a lovely home

    http://www.dontshoeme.com/

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