An excursion to the outdoor bookstore . . .

I have always taken for granted that our small town has an outdoor bookstore. It wasn't until this year, when our very good friend who works there mentioned the rarity of such things, that my mind went click click and I realized you just couldn't maintain an outdoor bookshop in most climates. Where we live has its rains for sure, but most of the year the sun shines and the clouds stay at bay. Of course, those of us who grow up here yearn for more "weather" but there is a certain charm to the flexibility of indoor/outdoor living . . . 

So last Monday we decided a mini fieldtrip to the outdoor book-haven was a perfect opportunity to enjoy one of our favorite places in this town, and take advantage of our 

"Inside" connection . . .

It was fun seeing the kids walking through the endless corridors of bookshelves . . .

We were given the exclusive tour . . .

From Anthropology to Science Fiction . . . 

They searched and weighed their options . . .

 Finally to each pick out a book or two to take home . . .

It was a lovely bit of time in the world of sunshine and books . . .

                                                                                                                  ~ Marica

Quilting Girls . . .

Nine patch quilts are something that rings through my head when I think of eight-year-old Laura Ingalls, tucked in a make-shift cabin with her family, braving the trials of pioneering across the vast United States. So why not have our group of seven and eight-year olds make their first nine patch quilts. Of course we have a speedy sewing machine to aid us in the process, but there was still the careful measuring, and cutting, and chatter chatter chatter that went along way in making it feel just right. 

 They each carefully decorated their cardboard measuring square . . . 

Chose out their fabric from our endless scraps . . .

Did lots of ironing . . .

 Laid them out just right . . . 

 Used the sewing machine all by themselves . . . 

 Sometimes with a little help from a fellow quilter . . .

 And tada . . . A mini nine patch quilt just right for a doll . . .

                                                                             ~ Marica

Pictures from the kitchen . . .

Autumn food . . . The red red pomegranates our friends brought us . . .

 Warm quinoa salad with chard from the garden, walnuts, 

lemon juice and fresh crushed garlic . . . 

 Our sole strawberry . . .

 Red, red, red . . . 

 Anaheim chilies . . .

 For long over due tamale making . . . 

 I always forget about tamales and then am so happy when they cross my mind . . .

 Dinner after dark, now that the time has changed and the days are getting shorter . . .

                                                     Happy Cooking ~ Marica

Quote of a five-year-old . . .

After seeing his very strong muscles I state:

“You are so strong, if we ever have an elephant in our house that needs to be 

moved, you can pick it up and bring it outside . . ."

Ridiculous I know, but sometimes this is the way conversations go.

Five-year-old answers: 

“No . . . we would probably need to invite all of our friends over to help be able to pick 

up an elephant . . . they probably way two thousand pounds!!!”

                                                       ~ Marica

More clicks of the camera . . .

Click click click, thank goddness for digital "film". 

This is a post I found from a few weeks ago that somehow I never posted. 

The kids were so charming I decided to post it anyway . . .

Very concentrated, tackling heavy corduroy . . . 

Four kids tucked at one tiny toddler table . . .

Eating . . . 

A rose picked . . .

One piece of fire wood cut to perfection . . .

Round table braiding . . .

A snack in the teepee . . .

Lovely autumn weather, not too hot, not too cold . . . Just right.

                                                                        ~ Marica

The winner of the Autumn Package is . . .

Thank you all for your wonderful comments. 

I am happy to post the winner of the 

Autumn Package is: 

anextrovertinthecountryside.blogspot.com

                                 Best wishes to everyone ~ Marica

October 31st and Pumpkin Donuts . . . Gluten and Dairy Free . . .

Do you remember being a kid and waiting for halloween? Do you remember the ideas and 

plans and so much excitement that it spun from you head to your toes, back up to you head 

and singed out through your hair? 

 Well as we all are overly aware, yesterday was that holy day of days where dressing up is 

not only acceptable but also encouraged. Though in all honesty, it seems like most grown-ups 

rev up for the extreme night and then sigh with relief once it has all passed . . . 

What a hustle and bustle . . .

We started our evening with a light potluck dinner. . .This next picture is of my friend's sweet children readying them selves for the evening 

by first eating carmel dunked apples . . .

The night finally wound to and end . . . Feeling very complete by the time we got home and everyone had dumped their sweets onto the counter, picked out their few to save and brushed their teeth with the strongest tooth paste in the house.

Hope all your Halloweens were truly wonderful . . . Cheers ~ Marica

P.S. Here is the Pumpkin Donut Recipe:

Pumpkin Donuts 

Gluten and Dairy Free

In a lare bowl mix:

2 eggs

3/4 cups sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1    15 oz can of pumpkin puree

1 + 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 + 1/2 cups sweet rice flour

3/4 cups almond meal

1/4 cup tapioca flour

1 teaspoon guar gum

In a large pan over medium heat pour 1 quart vegetable oil .

To test if oil is ready, drop a pinch of dough into the oil and if it rises to the top it is ready.

Shape into one inch balls and fry several minutes, until golden brown,  turning as needed. 

Drain cooked donuts on a paper towel.

P.P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below . . .