Fallinter

You know, like we were enjoying Fall and we were choosing our pumpkins and picking apples, considering that it was probably about time to unpack our winter boots and gloves, and start getting the wood into the woodshed. And then we got 16 inches of snow overnight on October 30th and it was suddenly winter. Fallinter.

I didn't even get my bulbs into the ground! In my memory I don't recall seeing snow before Halloween. All I can say is thank goodness my husband found a deal on a snowblower a few months ago.

So I'm planning on enjoying a snowy Sunday at home. Puttering around the house and doing some baking. A classic apple pie is on the horizon, as well as my stepson's favorite winter (or Fallinter) cookie. I use an Ina Garten recipe that can't be beat. Try it, you'll like it.

Ina's Ultimate Ginger Cookie

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
1 extra-large egg, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups chopped crystallized ginger (6 ounces)
Granulated sugar, for rolling the cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt and then combine the mixture with your hands. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the brown sugar, oil, and molasses on medium speed for 5 minutes. Turn the mixer to low speed, add the egg, and beat for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula and beat for 1 more minute. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the crystallized ginger and mix until combined.

Scoop the dough with 2 spoons or a small ice cream scoop. With your hands, roll each cookie into a 1 3/4-inch ball and then flatten them lightly with your fingers. Press both sides of each cookie in granulated sugar and place them on the sheet pans. Bake for exactly 13 minutes. The cookies will be crackled on the top and soft inside. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely

Martha Stewart = FAIL!

Oh, the joys of old home ownership. We moved into the house in the middle of June and have spent essentially the entire summer working on it -- painting it inside and out, renovating the kitchen, scraping, priming, and painting the porch, floor to ceiling. I feel like my right hand has actually turned into a Purdy angled paint brush and edging has become my form of caligraphy.

Finally it was time to have a housewarming. Fall is here, the trees are ablaze, my husband can still take the kids out in the Model A, and the goats have settled in. The kitchen isn't quite finished, I'm still painting some of the drawers and all the hardware isn't on yet, but all the housewarming tips I recently read said "just do it." Much like trying to pick the perfect timing to have a baby, there is never really a perfect time for inviting people into your "new" old home, there will always be a missing knob, an unpainted corner, a broken doo-dad. Just do it.

The housewarming was great. Lots of folks showed up and we had a great time, but WOW, am I out of practice on throwing a party. Two years in the tiny lakeside cottage that preceeded buying this house limited me to family events and the occasional summer beach party where it's mainly burgers on the grill and bowls of chips. In the summer it's all about the weather, which you cannot control. When it gets chilly it's all about the food and whether or not you're a good conversationalist/housekeeper. Martha Stewart seems to be able to do both. But she also has a personal assistant and a gardener. And lots of money. The issue of Martha Stewart Living where she had a photo spread about a dinner party in her barn still haunts me.

I was afraid of making food to early and having it sit out so I underestimated the time I would need to get everything ready. The quiche came out at the right time but I never even got to the deviled eggs at all because once people started to arrive I simply didn't have time to make them. Same with the tomato salad I had planned to make. Which is stupid because both could have easily been made earlier that morning and put in the spare fridge -- I was just so busy cleaning that I didn't plan well. I'm totally out of practice.

Of course it doesn't help at all that my husband was out of town for three days right before the party. He literally got home after midnight Friday night, then he chose to leave the party about an hour in so he could see his son's soccer game. He was gone for two hours leaving me alone to entertain. Jerk. lol.

Oh well, live and learn. I'll just have to throw a Christmas open house to keep the ball rolling and get back in the game.

Things that worked? Cherry tomatoes mixed with bocconcini and fresh basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Green olives stuffed with blue cheese. The ubiquitous platters of cheese, fruit, and crackers. Ham and cheese quiche. Platters of high-end salami with sliced cucumbers. Chili with nachos for scooping.

Guests love to bring dessert and THAT I remembered, so I made a batch of mint brownies and let the guests do the rest. They did not disappoint. Apple crisp, pumpkin pies, and cookies showed up just like I thought they would.

I'm thinking December 10th for a Christmas Party. That gives me eight weeks to get my act together.