A Sick Day

Had to take a sick day this week... this is my living room window.

A Visit To Emily's!!!!!!

I was so excited to take a much needed vacation just recently. I went to Arizona to visit Emily... pretty much my oldest friendship. We lived in the little town of Van Meter when we were just little girls. I have known her since I was born really. She moved right before we turned 4, but we kept in touch through letters, then later e-mails. We even lived together twice in college. There is something so wonderful and familiar about meeting up with a friend like her. It is like there has been no lapse in time between up... we can still talk the night away ;)

She got married the week I moved to NYC a few years back, and so we both started very different adventures at the same time. I pretty much have had my heart stolen by her little girl Heidi!

It took her a bit to warm up to me... but I was soon followed around by the little one calling for Babby (gaby with a b) when I left the room. We went to a park one night and showed her how to run in the soccer field. A difficult task when you aren't even two yet and your shoes are a bit too big!


Such a fun break from my usual hustle and bustle in the city.

Pumpkin Goodness

So last Sunday I made a really yummy fall dinner you should try.  However, I have to say the actual assemblage of the ravioli was a lot more complicated than I anticipated.  After a much too long attempt I came up with a better solution.. I boiled pasta and went all mormon casserole on the dish.  Pasta, and filling all in one dish baked it... then poured the sauce over the top. I love the fall and pumpkins!

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups all purpose flour

5 eggs

1 tablespoon olive oil

Filling:

1 small pie pumpkin

4 teaspoons chopped shallots

1/3 cup butter

2 teaspoons minced fresh sage

3/4 teaspoons minced fresh thyme

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2/3 cups heavy whipping cream

1 small bay leaf

1 egg beaten

Sauce:

1 cup heavy  whipping cream

3 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons minced fresh sage

Directions:

Place 2- 1/2 cups flour in a bowl; make a well in the center. Beat eggs and oil; pour into well. Stir together, forming a ball. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 min, adding flour if necessary to keep dough from sticking. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in  a large skillet saute pumpkin and shallots in butter until tender.  Add sage, thyme, salt and pepper.  Transfer to a food processor; cover and process until blended.  Return to the pan; stir in cream and bay leaf. Bring to a boil stirring constantly.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovers for 15-20 minutes or until thickened. Discard bay leaf.

Divide pasta dough into fourths; roll one portion to 1/16 in thickness.  working quickly, place rounded teaspoonfuls of filling 1 in apart over half of the pasta sheet.  Brush around filling with egg. fold sheet over; press down to seal. cut squares with a pastry wheel.  

Bring a soup kettle of salted water to a boil.  add ravioli. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer. cook 1-2 minutes

In a small saucepan, bring cream to a boil, cook uncovered until reduced by half.  Stir in butter and sage.  Spoon over Ravioli.

Picture it.....

The benefit of having so many photographer friends is getting some really great pictures occasionally:)  These are more pictures for the mock-tail party that Ty took.  I kind of love them, and really love how he pushed the exposure and contrast.