Dinner with Friends

I have known my husband for 18 years now. (Yes, that dates me!) When I met him, he had a large group of friends that he hung out with. Over the years, that large group has dwindled down to about 2 friends (and their spouses) that we see frequently. I feel very fortunate that we have remained friends through all of life’s changes. Most wonderful are the weekends that we spend out of town with these friends. It is a time to get away from every day life, and let our hair down and just be. We don’t have to pretend for these people, they know our ups and downs already. There is so much freedom in that! Most recently, we spent a weekend in California with 2 of our dear friends. I have to say that we didn’t do much! We spent the entire weekend just chillin’, enjoying the weather, laughing, reading, walking, and best of all….eating! Bob made some incredible dinners! These are photos of just one of those remarkable dining experiences! Filet of beef with a gorgonzola sauce, roasted tomatoes and garlic mashed potatoes. Of course wine accompanied every course. We are so spoiled when we are there. Bob starts us off with an appetizer every night, then main course, and if we make it, dessert! I love the way the years have changed each of us, the way we interact, our marriages, and the way we dine! Bon Appetit Bob Dunn!

-M.

Okay, for all of you pumpkin lovers, here is the cookie recipe. My sister-in-law found it for me online. I think it is a Libby's recipe. (clicking on the link below will take you to many other wonderful pumpkin recipes as well! Let me know if you find something truly great!) This is only the recipe for the cookies themselves. I found a recipe for the creamcheese frosting out of one of my old cookbooks. (and when I say, old, I'm talkin' old Betty Crocker books I was given when I first got married!) Sorry, but I will have to post the frosting recipe seperately.

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
Grease baking sheets.COMBINE flour, baking soda, baking power, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture

Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.

The Great Pumpkin

One of nature’s greatest gifts to us is the pumpkin! I literally look forward all year long to the arrival of it in the grocery stores, and on the restaurant menus. I usually start bugging our local restauranteur at this time of year to bring on the pumpkin crème brulee that is one of their specialties. I think I make them crazy. So in order to squash (ha ha) my pumpkin cravings, I baked these absolutely dee-licious pumpkin cookies yesterday. (photo below) They were so moist and yummy with the cream cheese frosting on top. My neighbors were so happy when I rang their door and delivered them a plate full! It’s always good to spread the love. (and the calories!)

So because of my love for pumpkins, when I found out that there is an annual Pumpkin Festival in Half Moon Bay, California, I simply had to go. (Of course that was just an excuse for me and my husband to visit San Francisco. One of our favorite cities.) The photo on top was taken at a pumpkin farm on the way to the festival. I can hardly resist the desire to sip on some hot cider as I gaze lovingly at these beauties.
-M

p.s. If you too would love to partake of some pumpkin creme brulee, you really must visit the Blue Adobe Grille in Mesa. You will not be dissappointed! Be sure to call first, I don't think they normally start making it 'til October, but I am trying! http://blueadobegrille.com

It's that time again!

September is Christmas card ordering month and it seems to creep up on us every year! Hopefully all of you have your photos ready, and if not, pick a card and create your photo based on the colors of the card. This year, in lieu of the traditional 10% off that our vendors are offering, M & Co. is going even farther to offer you 20% off your personalized Christmas card orders! And that's not all... we are offering 20% off all in-store boxed Christmas cards as well! We thought it was a good way to spread some pre-holiday cheer!

-M.

I have been out of town or the last 3 weekends! And even though all of the trips have been fantastic, it is good to be home and get back into the swing of things. While I was out of town last weekend, my sister surprised me by decorating the store with all of our Christmas goodies! How grand is that!!? So the store is looking great, the temperature is dropping, and in general I think we are all feeling much happier. We have definitely noticed the store getting busier! Yay! We love to see everyone.

Here are a couple of photos from our trip to Oregon. We flew in and out of Portland and drove around from there, so the photos are from various areas. I love downtown Portland. Especially the NobHill area. There are tons of quaint restaurants and shops. If I could only get used to the rain, it might be a place to consider... Anyway, we stopped at a farmers market in Eugene where I actually tasted my first fresh Boysenberry! Absolutely delicious! (did I mention I am an Arizona native?) From Eugene we drove to Bend, and what a beautiful drive that was. We found a lodge that I am dying to stay at called Sutter Lake. From Bend we drove all the way back to the coast and checked out Cannon Beach. We are definitely going back to vacation some day.

All of this, was just one of the weekends we were gone. No wonder I am tired. I will try to post more photos as soon as I can get my act together!

-M.