Happy Halloween, I'm scaring up the Weekly Menu

Happy Halloween, Friends.  I thought I would give you a smile today, sharing the Angel Face and Little Miss M in their Halloween get-ups.

Beetroot Smoothie #CooktheBooks

This colorful, pretty smoothie is packed with antioxidants.  It is a great pick-me-up after a fall hike or as a post-workout treat.

I was inspired to make this drink while reading our Cook the Books October/November selection......

Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins with Dried Cranberries #MuffinMonday

Oatmeal Muffins kept moist with shredded Zucchini, flavored with warm spices, and studded with dried Cranberries.

It's time for Muffin Monday........

Venison Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie #SundayFunday

This comforting casserole uses Venison instead of Beef, Tater Tots instead of Mashed Potatoes, and offers Gravy on the Side.

The Sunday Funday blogging theme for today is Hunter/Gatherer.....

The Last Week of October....Hello Holidays!!!

Wow....It's already the end of October...my goodness, time flies quickly around here.  The holidays are fast approaching, so hang onto your hats!!

My house is ready anyway....I decorated for Halloween when we got home from Italy.....

V is for Vaquero

This flavorful, juicy, and moist chicken is named after the Hispanic Cowboys who would serve it up over the campfires when out on the range.  

Pumpkin Gnocchi #SundayFunday

This colorful gnocchi takes only minutes to make.  They are delicious as a main vegetarian dish in a garlic butter sauce or as a side to whatever protein you are serving.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are cooking up Pasta today.....

KPop Demon Hunter Popcorn and the Weekly Menu

Sweet and Spicy, this popcorn will keep you happy as you watch the Netflix movie KPop Demon Hunter.

A Pickled Garlic Martini in honor of The Martini Club

This sounds like a strange concoction, but it is surprisingly good.  It makes a wonderful pre-dinner cocktail.

Sourdough Pumpkin Bread and a Book Review #BreadBakers

This fun bread uses both sourdough starter and instant yeast.  It is flavored with pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices, flecked with candied ginger, and then shaped into a pumpkin before being baked.

The Bread Bakers are sharing Pumpkin Breads today......

Pumpkin and Apple Soup #SundayFunday

Fall is finally in the air here in Michigan.  The weather is crisp, the colors are starting to change, and the air smells clean.  It's soup weather, and this delicious recipe combines all the Fall Flavors for a perfect meal to warm up your little goblins when they come home from begging on Halloween.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Halloween Recipes today.......

Coq au Vin Blanc and a Sancerre from Loire Valley and the Weekly Menu #Winophiles

A Sancerre by any other name......is a Sauvignon Blanc.  Sancerre is the French appellation in which this 100% Sauvignon Blanc is made.  Sancerre is located in the eastern part of the Loire Valley.  The Loire Valley is our destination this month with the French Winophiles.  Specifically, the White Wines of Loire Valley.

Italy, Day 16-Food Trucks and Wine Widows

We got to sleep in for our last day in Italy.  We had a leisurely morning before our driver arrived to take us into Florence.  We checked into a breathtakingly beautiful hotel, Palazzo Guicciardini, and then headed out to explore Florence on our own.

The Fresco on the upper right of the collage was on the ceiling above our bed.  The room was the most beautiful of all the places we stayed, but our bed was very uncomfortable.

Crevettes aux Poivrons #EattheWorld

Shrimp and Sweet Bell Peppers stir-fried up in a savory mixture of onions, ginger, and garlic.  Easy, delicious, quick, and colorful.  A perfect weeknight meal.

Bacon and Cheese Scones and A Book Review

These savory scones are a great grab-and-go breakfast for those busy days and a perfect treat on those lazy mornings when you can enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

Italy-Day 15, San Gimignano, Collette Farewell Dinner

This was our final day with Collette Tours.  We spent the morning touring the historic (very) hillside town of San Gimignano, known for its medieval architecture surrounding a triangular town square.  The village is protected by walls and towers built to keep it safe during the Middle Ages.

U is for Upside Down Cake

All the flavor you love in a Black Forest Cake without all the fuss and muss.  This semi-homemade cake is made with canned cherry pie filling, a cream cheese layer, and a boxed cake mix baked up in a cast-iron skillet.

U is for Upside Down Cake.......

Italy-Day 14, Florence

We were up bright and early again to take the one-hour bus trip to Florence for a guided walking tour of the city.

Italy-Day 13, Siena

Siena is a Medieval Town in Tuscany, known for the famous bareback horse race, The Palio di Siena, which occurs each July and August, in the town square, Piazza del Campo.

Italy-Day 12, Val d'Orcia, Artisinal Pasta Factory, Montalcino, and Wine Tasting

 Another amazing day in the beautiful Val d'Orcia.  Today, we started off at a pasta factory that prides itself on using ancient grains that are grown organically and then turned into pasta using nothing more than the ground grains and water.

Heading to the Farmers Market~~Time to make the Weekly Menu

Happy Sunday, Everyone.  We got home last night, and I immediately fell into bed and started snoring.  

That's not entirely true....I did have to give some loving to my babies first.

Leftover Kabob Fajitas #SundayFunday

This delicious meal starts with leftover kabobs.  You can use chicken, beef, or a combination of both.  Slice up the leftover meat and vegetables, place in a crockpot with a package of fajita seasoning and some water, and enjoy your day.  When you are ready to eat, heat up some tortillas, and dinner is served.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating Crocktober......

Italy-Day 11, Dairy Farm and Pienza

We were up bright and early to head to Pienza.  It was a beautiful morning for a drive through Val d'Orcia valley. The fog hung like a cloud over the valley, below the mountains.

Italy Day 10 - Spoleto and Truffle Hunting

 Day 10 started off quietly.  We got to sleep in a bit. After a leisurely breakfast, we walked into town, passing the Roman Theater that still hosts performances to this day.

Chunky Monkey Muffins #MuffinMonday

Named after a specialty drink from a nearby restaurant, these delicious muffins are chock-full of banana, chocolate, and coconut.  As an added bonus, I also used up some of the zucchini that is taking up space on my counter.

It's Muffin Monday.......

Beer and Garlic Marinated Chicken Breasts #SundayFunday

It is still grilling season here in Michigan, but not to worry if it's not available where you are, because this delicious chicken can also be made in the oven.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating National Drink a Beer Day.....

Italy-Day 9, Assisi and a Lovely Family Dinner

Another early start to the day as we head to Assisi, home of St. Francis.  We landed in the parking lot for the Basilica of St. Francis. It was nestled high on the hill, offering beautiful views.  

Italy Day 8-Spoleto

We had a lovely breakfast before getting on the bus for Umbria.  It was about a 2 1/2 hour trip to our first stop, the Old Carletti Olive Press.

Italy-Day 7, Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel

We were up bright and early to catch a ride into the Vatican City for a tour of the Museum and the Sistine Chapel.

We were able to get some photos of  the Colosseum while en route.

Italy Day 6-Rome

Hello.  We had such an exciting first day in Rome that I was too exhausted to share it with you.  So I missed posting to you yesterday, but I'm back today to share our adventures.

We hopped onto this golf cart for a tour of Rome at 8:30 am.  We needed to get an early start because we had a very full agenda.

T is for Tomato

Michigan's Tomatoes are prolific and nearing the end of their growing season as summer comes to an end.  Peaches are being harvested, and the last of the Sweet Corn is found at street-side stands.  I took all of this end-of-summer bounty and created this gorgeous salad.

Italy Day 5-Museo San Severo, Rome

On the way to the train station in Naples, we stopped by the San Severo Museum, famous for The Veiled Christ, a statue carved from a single block of Marble.

No photography of any kind is allowed in the museum.  This photo is from the website.  It was amazing to see in person.

Italy Day 4- Isle of Capri

Our day started early with a trip across town to the marina where we boarded a boat and headed to the Isle of Capri.

Peach Bruschetta with Hot Honey #SundayFunday

You definitely want to make this delicious, beautiful appetizer while fresh peaches and tomatoes are still available.  Simple to make, and it's a good thing because they go so quickly, you will need to make another batch.  

Ricotta Cheese base, piled high with fresh Peaches and Tomatoes, then drizzled with Hot Honey.  OH MY YUM!!

Italy Day 3-Sorrento and Cooking Class

Slept in this morning until 8 am.  Had a leisurely breakfast and then a 1.5 mile walk to the town square.  Frank and I enjoyed a glass of wine and some appetizers as the others went on a shopping spree.

Italy Day 2-Herculaneum and the Amalfi Coast

 We were up bright and early to head over to Herculaneum.  Herculaneum was destroyed in the Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD, along with Pompeii and 3 other towns.  While Pompeii was covered in ash, making excavation a little easier, Herculaneum was covered in molten lava, making excavation much more difficult.

Italy, Day 1- Sorrento

We landed in Naples this morning after a full-day flight, having departed Detroit at 10:30 AM on yesterday.

Adagio Pumpkin Spiced Tea Rubbed Pork Tenderloin #sponsored

 Pork Tenderloin, rubbed in a flavorful Pumpkin-Spiced Black Tea and grilled to a perfect medium.

Crispy Eggplant with Sweet Corn #CooktheBooks

Our Cook the Books Club August/September Selection was the memoir "Coming to My Senses: The Making of a Counterculture Cook" by Alice Waters.

Smoked Kielbasa and Vegetable Skewers #SundayFunday

Smoked Kielbasa, Fresh Vegetables, Ripe Pineapple, placed onto skewers and grilled until warmed and tender.  A quick, easy meal to put a smile on your face.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are featuring Fresh Vegetables today.....

A Wine to Enjoy around a Campfire #WorldWineTravel

Our administrator for World Wine Travel, Camilla of Culinary Cam, asked us to share the sips and nibbles we enjoyed during our Summer Travels.

We recently purchased an RV and have been traveling locally, enjoying time with family and friends.

Mine Frite (Mauritian Fried Noodles) #EattheWorld

 A popular dish throughout Mauritius, this noodle stir-fry is quick, easy, and delicious.  Perfect for a Wok Wednesday, especially when you are traveling to Mauritius as you Eat the World......

S is for Semitas

When I visited Anthony's Key in Roatan, Honduras, we started each morning with a wonderful breakfast.  Staff would greet us with a smile, a hot cup of coffee, a fresh fruit plate, and a bread basket filled to the hilt with donuts, breads, and pastries.  

My favorite was Semitas, the Honduran sweet bread with a crunchy cookie-like topping.  I had one each morning, and a couple of mornings I had two!!

S is for Semitas......

Sourdough Multi-Grain Bread #BreadBakers

I used my Kitchen Aid to make the dough for this delicious bread.  You can also use the stretch and fold method if you prefer.  This bread is great for sandwiches, but we ate it all toasted and schmeared with butter and jam for breakfast.  YUM.....

It's time for Bread Bakers.......

Antipasto Skewers #SundayFunday

These little skewers are a fun, portable treat that packs up nicely in a lunchbox.  Who says lunch has to be boring?

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Lunchbox Favorites today.......

A Mai Tai for The Women and the Weekly Menu

Created by Trader Vic Bergeron, in 1944 in Oakland, California, this iconic cocktail is a blend of two different kinds of rum, orange liqueur, orgeat syrup, lime juice, and simple syrup.

Parmigiana di Melanzane #FallFlavors

Enjoy this Sicilian-style Eggplant Parmigiana prepared without the breading on the eggplant, to bring out the natural goodness of this delicious vegetable.

A perfect, comforting dish celebrating Fall Flavors..............

Preserved Lemon Baba Ghanoush #FallFlavors

Earthy and delicious, this Eggplant Dip, flavored with Preserved Lemons, is perfect served with warmed pita, crackers, chips, and/or fresh vegetables.

Join us as we share recipes featuring the Flavors of Fall this week........

Roasted Beet and Tomato Salad #FallFlavors

Roasted Beets, Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, Freshly-Picked Basil, and Tangy Feta Cheese.  If there is any culinary season better than Fall, I have yet to discover it......

Look at how gorgeous and colorful all those Fall Flavors are......

Chicken Fajita Foil Packets #SundayFunday

All the delicious ingredients of Chicken Fajitas, wrapped up in foil, and cooked on the grill for an easy, fuss-free, mess-free dinner, perfect for Eating Outside.

I wrapped mine up like a burrito, so I didn't even need silverware!!  The Sunday Funday Bloggers are Eating Outside today....