Happy September! It's hard to believe that it has rolled around already. I need to call Peggy Ann Bakery to find out about their pumpkin donuts baking schedule (it's usually only on Fridays in September) and order a dozen or two - some to share, some to eat, and some to freeze - so that we have them for the month of October, too! Speaking of donuts, look at these two yummy treats. The first picture, what can I say? Lil' guy/TC does what he wants, never mind that I've told him a thousand times to GET OFF THE COUNTER. He has no fear because he's spoiled rotten. So is the one in the second picture. They all get what they want, they run the show around here.
Let's talk about canned vegetarian chili. It's just kind of okay. You put it on a vegan hot dog? Meh. Just okay. Lately, though, I've realized what it needs - definitely a dollop of something sweet with it. That cuts the acidity of the tomato base of the chili and turns canned, vegan chili into something pretty tasty. For hot dogs, a sweet slaw on top of the canned chili is fantastic. Last night, it was vegan canned chili over brown rice, topped with sour cream and pineapple salsa. That salsa did the trick - just enough sweet to reduce the acidity in the chili and take out that twang. It. Was. GOOD. Now, homemade vegan chili - that's off-the charts-good. It's also part of my Crocktober repertoire.
We were just on the brink of finally going to a movie at the theater when Delta started surging. We talked about it again last week and decided it just wouldn't be worth it. This is two years in a row, now, that our summer movie trips have been put on hold because of this pandemic. I've always loved the movie theater experience - the popcorn, the huge drink, the previews, and two hours of escapism where you don't have to think or converse. Heaven.
One of my fondest memories ever was going to a late matinee at our local 3-dollar movie theater (it has since closed) and afterwards as we walked to our car, my brand-new husband took my hand. It had just started getting cool at nights, and his hand felt safe and warm. We had gotten married in February of that year, and it was the first time ever that we went home together as a married couple after a movie date. That was over 23 years ago, and that memory still stands out and floods me with love all over again for someone I've loved for so very long. It was lovely. I still get a thrill when we go to a movie together. If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to buy and re-open that theater.
Ida has pushed heavy rain over top of us, so we are saturated with more flood advisories. Normally the silver lining would be that it's good for the garden, but the garden is winding down. Fewer tomatoes, fewer flowers, lots of brown edges - you get the picture. Last night, we were watching a murder mystery (when am I NOT watching one of these, right?), and we had the front door open so that I could see the sun set via the glass door in our living room. The slant of the light is different now as dusk approaches. It's beautiful, far more golden than previous summer months.
I'm not fond of Ida's deluges, but she is bringing us cooler temps, and for that I'm grateful. Last night, there was a very good breeze between rounds of rain, and the sun debuted for a bit. It felt like autumn knocking on our door, ready to say "hello." I think I'm ready for it now? We'll see. That first time I can't get a good tomato, I may do the old breakdown and pine for summer all over again.
We have a long weekend ahead of us, as we are off for Labor Day. Hurray! It'll mess me up for the rest of next week (I tend to lose track of days when we are off on a Monday, good grief), but I'm certainly grateful for the break.
I am back on French toast bagels topped with a slice of sharp cheddar, butter and a vegan sausage patty for our breakfasts. This is one breakfast that I can eat day after day for weeks on end and never tire of it. I've tried different brands of French toast bagels, but honestly, the great value/Sam's Club ones are the best, in my opinion. Lender's is excellent, too. I've tried a few other brands, and they barely had the maple syrup flavor, which you must have to go with the vegan sausage. I also love cinnamon French toast sticks topped with apple or cherry pie filling. Waking up to that is like going to the county fair or the carnival first thing in the morning for funnel cake!
Blessed September to you. May your podcasts and movies get scarier as we approach the season of trick-or-treat and your blessings abound. Stay safe and use common sense during these times. And happy eating. After all, we are rolling on into the months where comfort foods abound!
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