The Autumn Equinox is Officially Here

Hello!

Well folks, it is officially here.  Autumn is here and not just because I'm saying so, but because science says so.  Today is the day of the autumn equinox.  This means there are roughly equal parts of day and night.  The autumn equinox signals the first day of autumn, continued shorter days and hopefully cooler weather in the not so distant future. 

Since the start of autumn is official today, you must have no shame in partaking of everything autumn.  Down that pumpkin spice, put your gourds on display, bring out the apple cider, hang a golden leafed harvest wreath on your door and jump in a pile of leaves if you can find one! 

It is amazing to think how this means the holidays will be upon us soon.  I realize I am obsessed with this time of year and that not everyone is so extreme in their thinking as me, but as far as I'm concerned, this is the start of the holiday season.  I know you are thinking it's too soon, but hear me out, the stores already have Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas items (and have for some time)!  It's not just me!  

I am relaxing on my chair as I write this, with my feet up, listening to jazz, and staring out the window (also wishing I had one of my seasonal "goal" drinks in hand, GRR!).  A cool breeze is drifting in making me think that I simply cannot wait for the temperature to drop so I can bundle myself up and go for evening walks in the cold.  I can see that my neighbor has three lovely, plump, pumpkins sitting on her lawn.  How cute they are with their orange faces glowing in the sun's gaze.  I love a good pumpkin; I need one or ten of my own. 

One of the things I love most about the start of this season is that it makes me stop and reflect.  It's a time for me to think of those around me and how much I value the time spent together.  The holidays of this season are about moving inwards and cozying up together; they are built around love and the central hope that one can be with those most special to them.  Those warm memories are so fun to create and keep.  I wish you and yours a wonderful autumn season.

Sincerely,

Carrie

Song of the Day:  "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel

Recipe: Spinach and Cheese Dip

Hello!

I may not say this often, but do I have a recipe for you.  This is one I would actually swear by!  That's a bold statement, isn't it?  This recipe turned out very good, so I feel compelled to share it with you all.  It is great to have at home to binge on while watching a marathon of your favorite show or to take to a party.  The most important part of this recipe - it is easy to make.  You all know I can't cook, for corn's sake it's the name of this blog, so you know if I'm saying it is easy, then rest assured it is easy.   

If anyone knows me well, they know I love spinach (especially in a dip form) and cheese.  Oh, the glory and splendor of cheese!  Beautiful, wonderful, cheese!  After a recent party I had, I found myself in excess of certain ingredients.  My mind quickly went to work on how to use these ingredients, as to eliminate waste.  Once I realized I had a bag of frozen spinach in the freezer, it seemed it could somehow be joined in harmony with my leftover cheese and sour cream (and a few new items) to create a spinach cheese dip.  That is what I set out to do. 

I used this Knorr recipe for inspiration.  It is very simple and can actually be served chilled or warmed.  I opted for the latter, because who doesn't love a warm, gooey, melt in your mouth, dip.  Here is what I used:

-1 package of frozen spinach (washed and dried as much as is possible with spinach)
-2 cups (or 16 ounces) of sour cream
-1 cup (or 8 ounces) of mayonnaise
-1.5 cups of cheese (I used Costco cheese, of course.  I used the Kirkland Signature Mexican Style Blend which has a mix of shredded Monterey Jack, Medium Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla and Asadero Cheese - I believe you can likely use any cheese) 
-1 package Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix

If you are serving this chilled, all you have to do is mix everything together and chill for a few hours in the refrigerator before serving.  It will look like this:

If you are feeling adventurous, or want a warm variation (it is autumn after all and this would be delightful on a cool autumn night) then take it a step further.  You will mix the ingredients together as with the chilled version, putting it in an oven safe dish, but saving 1/2 cup of the cheese to top the dip after you prepare it as shown above.  Sprinkle the 1/2 cup of remaining cheese on top and bake it for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees.  I will admit, since I am a huge sucker for cheese, I did add more cheese topping than the 1/2 cup I mentioned here.  My recommendation?  Listen with your heart, as Mother Willow would say, and put as much cheese both in and on top of the dip as you feel fits your tastes.  When it is done, it should be warm and look like this lovely gold and green concoction:

Enjoy digging into that and trying to save some for later, it is hard to stop eating.  Eat it with tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers, heck, any ol' thing you can get your hands on; it will be good.  I plan to make this throughout the year because it is just that good and simple.  If you make it, please snap a photo and share it with me, I would love to see how it turns out! 

Sincerely,

Carrie

Song of the Day:  "Kyrie" by Mr. Mister 

Seasonal Goals

Hello!

I think many of us would agree that it is good to have goals.  Goals help us grow and expand in ways that can help us better ourselves.  That is why I have set some up for myself this season.  As much as you would think it would involve eating healthy, getting in shape, learning a new skill, or God forbid reading a book, it is nothing of the kind.  Luckily, the endeavor I wish to persevere is far easier than that.  It involves me stopping by three major coffee shop chains over the upcoming months to try all of their seasonal coffee drinks.  That is aiming high, my friends. 

I made the life altering decision to go down this path and pursue these rigid goals when I realized that I seldom treat myself to those yummy fall flavored drinks.  Then year after year I find myself filled with modest regret because the season (and by consequence, the drinks) have simply passed me by, leaving me without a hint of pumpkin or salted caramel or eggnog on my lips.  Well that ends now; 2016 is the year I live it up.  Starbucks, Peet's, and Coffee Bean - here I come. 

I have already made vigorous headway on my goals, knocking out four drinks in less than a week.  I can hardly believe it myself.  If only I showed this much tenacity and rabid intensity in everyday life pursuits perhaps I would be farther ahead, but I digress.  Thus far I have tried the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Salted Caramel Mocha, and Chile Mocha from Starbucks.  From Peet's, I tried the Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Mocha.  So far, the PSL (which I did not know until a few weeks ago is actually a thing - that people use the term PSL to refer to the beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte) and Salted Caramel win.  Chile Mocha is a new fall flavor introduced by Starbucks this year and boy did they go wrong with that one.  I don't know if the person who made it for me failed to follow the recipe, but it left much to be desired, and by much, I mean it left me desiring a whole other drink.  Try it at your own risk.  Peet's did alright with their Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Mocha.  It is definitely more heavy on the coffee flavor, as I find most Peet's drinks to be, so if that tickles your fancy, give it a whirl.  But I would have liked a more pumpkin taste to it. 

Next up, I will be trying Peet's other fall offerings, which of course feature more of my favorite squash.  Then onto Coffee Bean.  Coffee Bean doesn't even do itself any favors by not explicitly advertising on its website what its fall offerings are; what a shame.  People like me with goals who wish to plan ahead cannot do that now.  I guess I'll just have to work harder on that one, go in blind and see what I come out with.  

The first drink I had to kick off my race to indulge in the caffeinated seasonal beverages was the PSL.  Below is a picture of that.  Look at how proudly it sits on the dash.  I sat in the car that cool morning, slowly sipping the flavor of fall, just letting it all sink in how my absolute favorite time of year is finally, finally, finally, here.  I plan to enjoy it with as much vigor and love as my heart can muster.  I also snapped a photo of the Peet's drink.  It's nice to see that whip - "whip it good" as Devo would say!    

When Christmas draws near I expect there will be special drinks served to honor the birth of our Lord and Savior.  I most definitely will sample those as well.  I hope you each find time to indulge this season.  It doesn't last long, so take time to slow down, take it all in, and let it warm your heart as it does for me!

Sincerely,

Carrie

Song of the Day:  "Stand Back" by Stevie Nicks

The Worst Commercial

Hello!

Have you ever found yourself going about your day, minding your own business, only to find yourself assaulted by a commercial that was so bad, it was mind baffling?  That you had to stop and pause to think about why someone of seemingly sound mind would make such a thing?  There has been a commercial that has bothered, disturbed, annoyed, and creeped me out for a couple of years now and every now and then it rears its terrifying head and I'm reminded all over again of the discomfort it brings.  It is for the organization Kars4Kids.  Oh.my.god.  Have you seen or heard the wonderful variations of this floating around on radio and TV?  If not, here is a place to start.   Warning - that commercial is not for the faint of heart.  I couldn't listen to more than a few seconds of that. 

I'm not entirely clear on what the organization does, but it is my understanding it has some ties to possibly assisting the Orthodox Jewish community and their children.  What disturbs me is that someone thought it was acceptable to make this commercial in this fashion.  I can only think they were going for the "cutesy" angle, as in attempting to get me, the potential donor, to think: Oh!  Look at those cute kids, I will ship my kar out on the next boat because they sure do need it since they are so gosh darn cute!  Wrong.  Think again.  I do NOT think those kids are cute and I don't find their attempts at pretending to play in that band amusing.  The kids in that commercial do a poor job of pretending to look enthused in that fake band they have there, which is in part why I can't turn away, look at their faces!  Are they even happy to be there?!  The kids themselves look disturbed!  I can't say I blame the kids in any of this, where are the responsible adults who let this be produced and released into the universe?  Where are they?  I will never donate my kar (or car, since I don't own a "kar") to an organization that appears to have put so little thought into their marketing materials AND who has managed to produce something so annoying that it sends a shiver down my back when I hear it.  Just because you throw some kids on a screen does not mean you will get my sympathy or my money, especially when I feel like Rod Serling could easily use some of those kids in a creepy Twilight Zone episode had this been close to sixty years ago.  When I see a charitable cause, it should evoke a sense of wanting to give, not wanting to take your money (or kar in this case) and head for the hills.  

Not only do you have the kids in the band, the "visual" aspect, but of course, there is the song, the auditory.  The jingle itself.  The commercial would not be the piece of art that it is today without that annoying melody ringing in your ear.  There is something cringe worthy about that jingle.  It may be simple in tune, but the complex emotions it awakens in my mind are far from simple to comprehend. 

I have wondered many a time about this commercial, especially when it comes on TV or radio.  The one question I always have is, do other people feel the same way?  I think to an extent, there are at least some that share my sentiment.  I am not discouraging anyone from donating to this or any other charity, far from it; you should donate to those causes you feel appropriate, but I am merely pointing out as a lone observer, this is not how the organization will get my attention or donation.  There is something inherently irritating about this commercial and that alone will hinder my providing any assistance.  Perhaps Kars4Kids needs to reconvene, as it has been a while since these commercials have been in rotation and come up with fresh ideas on how to get those "kars" so the darn kids will be alright.

Sincerely,

Carrie

Song of the Day:  "She Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals

Autumn is Here!

Hello!

I had fully intended for this to be posted on September 1st.  Alas, it is now September 6th.  The past few weeks have been very busy and I find it unacceptable that I have neglected the barn for so many days, so I am sorry about that.  I hold the season of autumn in such high regard that I was excited when September arrived so I could blog about it.  For me, September 1st marks the beginning of fall and boy am I obsessed with fall.  Forget about the "official" day, which is usually around the 3rd week of September, I am all in on the first day of September.

There is something so comforting about fall (and winter - my second favorite season).  I love the warmth (even if the weather is cooler) and familial comfort that comes from the upcoming holidays, the introduction of pumpkins and gourds, cider, warm clothes, cold nights, the colors, shorter days, apples, using the fire pit, the décor, baking, curling up with a blanket, and turning on my heater and roasting in front of it.  Those are just to name a few, but there's so much to love about this season we are entering.

Living where I do, I don't feel the season as much as I would like, as much as say, a New Englander would.  Let's face is, New England is essentially the epicenter of fall foliage and fall splendor.  In 2011 I visited upstate New York in the fall, strictly to see the foliage.  It was beautiful in the Adirondacks, even though the colors were not at their sharpest.  But I still had the chance to do some good leaf peeping (yes, that is a term!).  Aside from the fall leaf colors, it was so nice to be in a place where there were barns, farms, trees, much beautiful scenery, and mom and pop shops in small towns that sold fresh cider donuts and drinks.  Fall could really be felt in those places.  It still makes me happy thinking about that time and every year when this season rolls around, my heart aches to be in a place like that. 

Fall means so much to me.  It is truly one of the things I love the most.  For me, the year is pretty much divided into "fall" and "waiting for fall" or the "fall" and "non-fall" seasons.  My love runs deep for autumn.  I am thrilled to go into many stores and see the fall items on the shelves already.  Some may say it is too soon, but it's never soon enough for me.  My friends over at Costco stock fall and Halloween products in late July and August!  Pumpkin season is here and is on full display in many places!  I think it's the time of year when people should come alive.

My wish is that you all enjoy a lovely autumn season.  It goes by quick, so I hope you stop to spend time with loved ones, drink that warm pumpkin spice or hot chocolate, go for an evening walk in the chilled air, and relax on the couch with a soft blanket as we reflect on a year that will soon be drawing to a close.  But don't let that make you sad.  Remember, the best is yet to come when autumn starts - as there is much to look forward to.  Here's to wishing you a happy autumn!

Sincerely,

Carrie

Song of the Day:  "Autumn" from Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons