in our kitchen

it's pumpkin time and love it, the queensland blue has been on the front steps for over a month and i just felt like cutting it open and putting it into a risotto. everyone loved it, the risotto was very plain and the pumpkin sauteed in olive oil with sea salt. i backed the seeds and served them as a topping. of course there must be parmesan served with risotto and everyone was digging in good.

for guests i try to cook new things, it's a nice challenge to search for a recipe and then of course not stick too it...
this wonderful covered meat "pie" was a wonderful new idea. ground meat (a mix of beef, pork and chicken) with bread, herbs and eggs turned out to be devoured by my lunch guests. of course the nice shape and decoration with stars was an eye catcher and i proudly presented this rather simple dish.

when i got tired of cooking amos and naomi stepped up to it. pizza dough made up in a whizz and the toppings too, all on their own, a bit of help in collecting all the items and a briefing to make sure things stay on track. and they stayed until dinner time, we all loved it, three more people joined the dinner table. both kids got some honest compliments and yes, let them cook again!

on the 12th the little girls birthday rolled around, what a fiest, the grandparents showed up with very creative little cakes. i do call myself blessed to have parents close by and they come and visit and even bring dessert for a big frolicking party for thea!
thank you ma and pa!

celebrating birthdays is a wonderful thing in general, though i guess with the youngest in our family we all celebrate a bit more. don't know why but i do remember her birth a bit more vividly than the others... and that memory is being passed on and on by the girl herself: "you know, i was born in the bath tub!' she tells everyone happily and the story begins