Thoughts of November

Last night was Halloween, which I have to admit that I did not participate in at all. I usually sit outside with my nice neighbors and hand out candy with them. For some reason, it just didn't ring true that night. What I did was make some beef stew and beer bread. Being the culinary genius that I am, I used the McCormack "beef stew in a bag" stuff. Of course, I open the wrong side of the two sided packet (one side has the bag, the other has the seasoning), and I get beef seasoning all over my Old Navy "Spooky" shirt. Never mind. I'm cooked it up with a big orange spot on my shirt. I will say that its the easiest beef stew I've ever made. Oh, who's kidding who, its the first beef stew that I've ever made. It really was very good, and even John gave it the "not bad" rating. Translation... to us normal, non-chef folk, it was really yummy!


We're now in November, time to start thinking of the holidays. Today is going to be warm (10 degrees above normal), which I really don't like. I prefer the cold, crisp days that goes along with the falling leaves and all of the mums. I got my mums too early, and the flowers died,, and I'm just waiting for the new blooms to come out. For some reason, I always feel a bit calmer in November and December. I think just the festive time, the cooler weather and general good will has a good effect on me. However, I can't remember what I was like last year, while going through the immigration process. Oh, thats right, I was waiting for a case number for Charlton. Yeah, that was a little stressful. But that came on the 10th of Novemeber (thank you little immigration diary).
Today I will take down my Halloween garden flag and put my November "Apples and Spice" flag out. It has a cat sitting behind a bunch of apples. My old cat was named Spice, so I had to get it (actually Spice is still with my dad. He asked if he could keep her when I moved out).
I usually start looking into pie recipies this time of year. I did find a recipe for pumpkin cheese cake, but I'm not too sure.I don't have a spring form pan. Marlene makes a great cheesecake, so maybe she can give me some hints. I usually make a pumpkin pie, but I don't like it. blech. I will make an some sort of apple pie and I've ordered a coconut custard (totally for me) from the High School marching band. Although, the new Giant supermarket is opening up and I have a coupon for a free sarah lee apple pie. I don't know.. If I make the cheesecake, then I might go for the fake pie.
I have a personal day today, to get a few things done, but I am hoping to just relax a bit today.