There is nothing quite like the first crunchy spears of asparagus in the spring or the July cherries full of run-down-your-chin juice. But this time of year is my favourite. Why? Because the pomegranate is in season and there is no fruit to compare to this one. Slice one open (in a bowl of water of course) and you are rewarded with up to 600 seeds. Good for you and always a conversation starter.
This photo does not even come close to capturing what awaited us this morning as we stepped out our front door. I only had time for one quick shot - I stood in between the neighbours cedars looking east, the sun burnishing the mountains to a gold-peach colour. The thick white fluffy quilt of clouds made the city down below disappear - it almost seemed as if you could walk across to the golden hills. Very tempting on a workday.
Whenever we go to our favourite coffee shop, Cowboy Coffee, I always order the same thing - a coffee cake streusel muffin that has an extra large top lightly covered with a tooth- achingly sweet milk glaze. I usually eat the bottom of the muffin first and save the top for later, but I can never wait that long so I end up eating the top in the car with the rest of my coffee.
So, today I tried to re-create in my kitchen the beloved streusel muffin. I followed the recipe as set out (I can't remember where I copied the recipe from) but even as I was filling the muffin cups and sprinkling the streusel over top, I knew that these were not the ones. There are no mention of oats in this recipe and after baking they did not even brown at all. After trying a couple of muffins, my taste-tester said that he liked them. Nothing goes to waste here - the muffins are in the freezer and the recipe is in the paper recycling bin.
A year ago today, Valodya's Mom passed away. We spent a quiet day remembering, lighting candles, donating in her memory, having her favourite foods, and indulging in the one thing she loved to do and did well at; playing at the casino.
The wind was rearranging everyones leaves this morning but the sun was shining and just for a moment it made you forget that it was the last day of October. It was also the last Farmers Market - it didn't take me long to stroll through and fill my bags with apples and onions and walnuts.
The park was very busy this morning as we sat by the river and enjoyed our breakfast with a view. The seagulls, feathers ruffled by the wind, went about their business on the sandbar even as flocks of Canada geese descended all around them.
The leaves were dancing right off the trees as I walked through the park. I had to resist the urge to pick up all the 'tree-droppings' such as leaves, acorns, and twigs. No time to make an autumn display for the front door.
I did find some time, though, to bake our favourite fall dessert - Cranberry sour cream pound cake. Even had time to take advantage of all this sun and wind and hang the laundry outside. 
