Welcome Autumn

Autumn is the heralds the beginning of the holiday season, I have already started thinking about fall decorations, soon we will begin planning the menus for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cranberries will soon be available in the store, oh boy, there are so many ways to use them, in breads, white chocolate fudge, muffins, cheesecake, just to name a few. I can’t wait to pick out sugar pumpkins to bake, and make our puree for pies, flan, pancakes and bread.

This year Thanksgiving will be special Gerry’s Mom (Toby) is coming up, she lives in Grants Pass. We found out this summer when she visited that she had never been on a train. Mom and I love the train because it’s so relaxing, the ride from Tacoma thru Oregon is amazing because the tracks are close to the water and the view is lovely, so we decided a girl’s trip was in order.

Mom and I will go up the night before and spend the night in Eugene, we will all meet for breakfast, (my sister in law and brother in law are bringing Toby to meet us) then we will come back on the train. We are really looking forward to our little adventure, riding the train is so much fun, the food is delicious, the dining car has the elegance of days gone by with white linen tablecloths and flowers on the tables, large window allows you to take in the view while you enjoy your meal in a lovely setting.

This year for Christmas our house will be filled to the brim with loved ones, my daughter is coming with her family, my bonus daughter and granddaughter, even my daughter’s father in law will be here. The kids will be here long enough to ring in the new year, so I get to plan an extra fun new year’s menu. I can’t wait to pull out my recipes and start to plan our celebrations. I am always happiest in the kitchen cooking for loved ones so I am so I am in my happy place just thinking about it.