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.