Saturday, October 06, 2007

Forcing Fall



Fall in New England should be cool crisp air, changing leaves, bright blue skies...NOT Hot, humid and 80 degrees. Yuck!

We did enjoy a local apple festival this morning despite the summer like weather. I took along my niece (she's feeling much better Deb!) and my Mom who is 72 today.

Mom is becoming quite a challenge these days. She is in perfect health, has all her wits about her, reads a 900 page book every 2 days and can knit or crochet circles around anyone yet she is completely miserable about everything. She can just suck the happy right out of anything lately. We only stayed at the fair for about an hour before we left because she just stood there having something negative to say about everything. Mom, do you want cider, cakes, muffins, etc? "nah, I can make that" Mom, why don't you let me get you that inexpensive cute thing you're eyeing for the front yard? "Nah, someone will just steal it" And so on and so on... Enough of that, I'm just a bit down lately because of this. Sorry to vent.

They had a great Farmer's Market at the fair, look at this bounty:

Farmer's market

Sorry for the blur!

Take a look at the size of that cauliflower!

Holy cauliflower!

I put an apple next to it for perspective. I can't wait to cook it tomorrow. Here's my favorite way:

Preheat the oven to 375. drizzle a cookie sheet with olive oil. I remove the core and slice the cauliflower into 1 inch slabs and place them on the sheet. drizzle the tops with olive oil and season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until really golden brown and turn. Season with salt and pepper and continue to bake this side for another 30 minutes until done. Try it, I promise that you will be a cauliflower fan if you weren't already!

Now I must leave you as I have birthday parties to run to. Please enjoy the goofy October calendar.

October Calendar

7 comments:

debbie said...

Thanks for the update on Katie and thanks for taking her to the drag in clinic. I owe you one, your the best. And thanks for takingt our mother to the apple festival too. I wish I knew what to tell you to do about her, but it must be an over 70 post post menopausal miserable because I can be kind of thing. I think I have to go buy some cauliflower right this minute. It sounds good!!!

Junie Moon said...

My mother started acting negative in this way, too, which frustrated all of us. She used to be so cheerful and have a positive attitude. She'd make the same comments you mentioned your mother making. My siblings and I have discussed whether this means we'll behave like that as well in our 70s and we certainly hope not.

Great cauliflower--it's huge!

calamitykim said...

My (step)Mom has always been like that!!!! A Joy Vampire- she has almost drained my Father of his last remaining happiness...I will never understand that perspective. My glass is always half full! Thay cauliflower looks huge! I always steam mine- I will bake the next one and get back to ya. I think I am going to hang out with your sister tomorrow! I am so excited! Must Hazel today! Have a happy Monday! Love and hugs! Be Brave! Kim

Mrs.Kwitty said...

I'm sorry about your Mom--that does seem to be a common thing with women when they age. I don't think they realize they are doing it. Always try and remember that you are blessed to still have your Mom with you, crabby or not (I would give anything to spend a day with my Mom again, even if she was griping!) Maybe, when she starts in with the grumbling, you could give her a big squeeze and say "Mom--You're so cute when you're grumpy!" that way you are pointing it out to her, but in a teasing and loving way?? Just a thought :-)
That fresh produce looks so wonderful--and I"ll have to give your cauliflower recipe a shot--sounds good!
Smiles, Karen

debbie said...

look who's talking, how long since you updated???

vintagechica said...

Oh, many hugs to you with your mom. My father gets like this as does my grandfather...just negative about everything. I think to them getting older just "sucks" and they just get grumpy about everything. Sounds like otherwise you had a nice time though.

Have a great weekend!

Home ec new Haven said...

guilty as charged, Deb!